Pope Francis

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-09/pope-francis-angelus-temptation-closedness-removing-sin.html
Pope at Angelus: Christian communion built by welcoming, not dividing
26 September 2021, 12:07

At the Angelus address on Sunday, Pope Francis reflects on Jesus’ exhortation to put aside judgements by pruning our inflexibility toward others.
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis prayed the Angelus on Sunday with pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square, and reflected on the day’s Gospel (Mk 9:38-41), in which Jesus admonishes His disciples for seeking to hinder those who are doing good.

In the Gospel, the Apostle John speaks for the other disciples who had seen a man cast out a demon in Jesus’ name, even though he was not formally one of Jesus’ followers.

In response, Jesus tells the disciples not to restrict those who are doing good in His name.

Jesus, said the Pope, admonishes His disciples for “dividing people into good and bad”, and urges them to keep a close guard over their own hearts so as not to give in to evil.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-09/pope-francis-migrants-refugees-day-robert-vitillo.html
Migrants & Refugees Day: Pope calls for ‘more inclusive world’
26 September 2021, 12:52

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-09/pope-francis-appeal-spain-la-palma-volcano-displaced.html
Pope prays for residents of La Palma island after volcanic eruption
26 September 2021, 16:42

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249094/pope-francis-the-catholic-church-must-to-be-welcoming
Pope Francis: The Catholic Church must be welcoming
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Sep 26, 2021 / 06:35 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2021/documents/papa-francesco_angelus_20210926.html
POPE FRANCIS
ANGELUS
Saint Peter's Square
Sunday, 26 September 2021

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Update:  Cardinal Burke

https://twitter.com/cardinalrlburke?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Cardinal Burke@cardinalrlburke · 3h

Thanking you once again, with all my heart, for your faithful and generous prayers for the recovery of my health, I write to update you on the progress of my rehabilitation.
 

https://www.cardinalburke.com/presentations/letter-to-those-praying-for-me
Letter to Those Who are Praying for Me
ON SEP 25, 2021

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-09/pope-francis-academy-life-assembly-health-living-condition-abort.html

Pope urges choices that ensure food, healthcare, living conditions for the poor
27 September 2021, 14:13

Pope Francis on Monday addressed a group of participants in the general assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life, which is discussing, “Public Health in Global Perspective“.
By Robin Gomes

Expressing pain at strong inequalities in healthcare and living conditions of people that prove that not all lives are equal and health is not protected for all in the same way, Pope Francis on Monday called for political, social and environmental choices that ensure access to food, healthcare and improved living conditions, especially for the poor. “Indeed, the pandemic crisis has made "both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor" (Laudato si', 49) resound even more strongly. We cannot be deaf to this twofold cry; we must listen to it well!” 

Pope Francis made the call on Monday as he received in audience some 100 participants in the 2-day general assembly of the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy for Life.  “Public Health in Global Perspective - pandemic, bioethics, future”, is the theme of the September 27-28 virtual workshop that the Academy organized for the occasion.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249102/pope-francis-decries-abortion-and-euthanasia-as-treating-human-life-like-waste
Pope Francis decries abortion and euthanasia as treating human life like ‘waste’
By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Sep 27, 2021 / 09:00 am

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-09/pope-francis-message-diocesan-world-youth-day-2021.html

Pope on Diocesan Youth Day: ‘Arise, bear witness to Jesus with your lives’
27 September 2021, 12:20

Pope Francis releases his message for the 2021 Diocesan World Youth Day, and calls on young Christians to courageously bear witness to Jesus Christ, in the footsteps of St. Paul.
By Devin Watkins

The 36th World Youth Day takes place on 21 November 2021 and will be celebrated in dioceses around the globe as the Church prepares for the 2023 WYD in Lisbon, Portugal.

Pope Francis released his message for the 2021 Diocesan WYD on Monday, under the theme: “Arise. I appoint you as a witness of what you have seen” (Acts 26:16).

In the message, the Pope pointed to the important role that young people have to play in the world, especially as they have faced enormous setbacks and difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Many young people, said the Pope, experienced a rise in family problems, unemployment, depression, loneliness, and addictive behavior.

But, he added, the experience of the pandemic has also revealed the virtues of young people, including our “inclination to solidarity.”

“Whenever a young person falls, in some sense all humanity falls,” he said. “Yet it is also true that when a young person rises, it is as if the whole world rises as well.”

With that in mind, Pope Francis urged young Christians to “arise” and help the world start afresh with their passion and enthusiasm.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249100/world-youth-day-2021-pope-francis-asks-young-people-to-testify-joyfully-that-christ-is-alive
World Youth Day 2021: Pope Francis asks young people to ‘testify joyfully that Christ is alive’
By CNA Staff
Vatican City, Sep 27, 2021 / 06:40 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/youth/documents/papa-francesco_20210914_messaggio-giovani_2021.html
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
FOR THE XXXVI WORLD YOUTH DAY
21 November 2021

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-09/pope-francis-telegram-condolences-brazil-cardinal-falcao.html

Pope sends condolences upon death of Brazilian Cardinal Falcão
27 September 2021, 14:28

Pope Francis sends a telegram to express his condolences upon the death of Brazilian Cardinal José Freire Falcão, who died on Sunday at the age of 95.
By Vatican News staff reporter

Cardinal José Freire Falcão, who served as the Archbishop of Brasilia from 1984 until his retirement in 2004, died on 26 September while in hospital receiving treatment for Covid-19.

The Pope sent his condolences on Monday in a telegram addressed to his successor, Archbishop Paulo Cezar Costa.

“I wish to express my union in prayer with the Archdiocese of Brasilia, the family of the deceased, and all those who mourn his death,” he said.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249097/us-born-lithuanian-archbishop-elected-president-of-european-bishops-council

US-born Lithuanian archbishop elected president of European bishops’ council
By CNA Staff
Rome, Italy, Sep 27, 2021 / 03:30 am

Members of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences elected a U.S.-born Lithuanian archbishop as their next president on Saturday.

Archbishop Gintaras Grušas of Vilnius succeeds the Italian Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, who led the CCEE from 2016.

The 60-year-old archbishop was born in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 23, 1961, to a family of Lithuanian origin. He spent the first half of his life in America, becoming heavily involved in Lithuanian Catholic organizations.

Delegates also chose two new vice-presidents on Sept. 25 at the CCEE’s plenary assembly in Rome: Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich and Bishop Ladislav Német.

Hollerich, 63, is the archbishop of Luxembourg, the president of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), and relator general of the 2023 synod on synodality.

Német, 65, is the bishop of Zrenjanin, Serbia, and president of the International Bishops’ Conference of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Belgrade.

The CCEE’s plenary assembly took place on Sept. 23-26 in Rome in honor of the organization’s 50th anniversary.

The council, based in St. Gallen, Switzerland, was established in 1971 to strengthen cooperation between European bishops’ conferences.

The plenary assembly opened with a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-09/pope-francis-preface-fraternity-sign-times-czerny-barone.html

Pope: ‘Fraternity and social doctrine rooted in God’s love for humanity'
28 September 2021, 08:30

Pope Francis pens the preface for a book written by Cardinal Czerny about the Pope’s social magisterium in “Fratelli tutti”, saying fraternity and the Church’s social teaching are not outside theology but rather deeply rooted in God’s love for humanity.
By Devin Watkins

“The heart of the Gospel is the proclamation of the Kingdom of God, which is the person of Jesus—Emmanuel and God with us. In Him, in fact, God definitively manifests His project of love for humanity, establishing His lordship over creatures and inserting into human history the seed of divine life, which transforms it from within.”

Pope Francis opened his preface for “Fraternity: Sign of the Times”, a book written by Cardinal Michael Czerny and Fr. Christian Barone, with those words.

The book, published in Italian by the Vatican Publishing House, will be presented at the Holy See Press Office on Thursday.
 
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2021/09/pope-says-vatican-ii-shaped-his-theology-including-in-social-teaching/
Pope says Vatican II shaped his theology, including in social teaching
By Cindy Wooden
Sep 28, 2021
|Catholic News Service

ROME — Pope Francis said the Second Vatican Council so shaped his theological and pastoral vision that perhaps he has not been as explicit as he should have been in highlighting those ties, especially when it comes to his contributions to Catholic social teaching.

“In the history of Latin America in which I was immersed, first as a young Jesuit student and then in the exercise of my ministry, we breathed an ecclesial climate that enthusiastically absorbed and made its own the theological, ecclesial and spiritual intuitions of the council and inculturated and implemented them,” he wrote in the preface to a new book.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-09/pope-francis-letter-mexico-bishops-200years-independence.html

Pope urges Mexicans to communion and full life
28 September 2021, 12:49

Pope Francis has sent a letter to Mexico’s bishops on the occasion of the September 27 celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Latin American nation’s final independence from Spain.
By Vatican News staff reporter

"The anniversary you are celebrating invites you to look not only to the past to strengthen the roots, but also to continue living the present and to build the future with joy and hope, reaffirming the values that have constituted you and identify you as a people", wrote Pope Francis in a letter to the president of the Bishops’ Conference of Mexico (CEM), Archbishop Rogelio Cabrera Lopez of Monterrey, on the occasion of 200 years of the declaration of the independence of Mexico, which was marked on Monday.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2021/09/merkel-to-join-pope-in-closing-rome-interreligious-event-on-oct-7/

Merkel to join Pope in closing Rome interreligious event on Oct. 7
By Inés San Martín
Sep 28, 2021

ROME – After 16 years, German chancellor Angela Merkel will be stepping down before the end of the year. But before leaving office, she will join with Pope Francis to close an Oct. 7 interreligious and cultural encounter.

Organized by the community of Sant’Egidio, the 35th encounter in the “spirit of Assisi” will take place Oct. 6-7 under the theme of “Brothers and Sisters, Future Earth. Religions and Cultures in Dialogue” and will include a wide array of VIPs, including the grand Imam of Al-Azhar university, Ahmed Al Tayyeb; the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Patriarch Bartholomew I; the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby; and the President of the European Rabbis, Pinchas Goldschmidt.

According to the organizers, Merkel will take part in the closing of the summit as the “witness of a European leader that knew how to respond to the COVID-19 crisis with one of the foundational pillars of the European Union, that of solidarity.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-09/vatican-city-decree-covid19-pandemic-measures-green-pass-test.html

Covid-19: decree on rules for entry into the Vatican published
28 September 2021, 17:00

A General Decree signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, lays down rules for entry into Vatican City State in times of pandemic. The document concerns external employees and guests.
By Vatican News staff reporter

The General Decree signed by Cardinal Parolin, regarding the implementation of the previous Ordinance of the President of the Pontifical Commission of the Vatican City State of September 18, comes into force on October 1, 2021. The decree outlines the rules to be observe for entry into the Vatican in order to prevent possible infections from Covid-19.

All employees of the Roman Curia and related institutions are required to possess the documentation indicated by the Ordinance, i.e. the vaccination certificate, the so-called green pass, or a certification of negativity to the Sars-Cov-2 virus, issued in Italy following a rapid molecular or antigenic test, with the frequency indicated by the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Governorate of the Vatican City State. The costs relating to the test are not borne by the Entity.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249117/vatican-clarifies-covid-19-vaccine-pass-rules-for-employees
Vatican clarifies COVID-19 vaccine pass rules for employees
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Sep 28, 2021 / 12:00 pm

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/conscience-covid-vaccines-and-the-common-good
Conscience, COVID Vaccines and the Common Good
The Church helps us to find a common ground between the good of each and the good of all.
Msgr. Charles Pope
September 24, 2021

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-09/pope-francis-power-of-grace-must-lead-to-works-of-mercy.html
Pope at Audience: Power of grace must lead to works of mercy
29 September 2021, 09:54

At the Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis tackles the question of justification as he resumes his catechesis on St Paul’s Letter to the Galatians.
By Christopher Wells

Taking up the “difficult but important topic” of justification in his catechesis at the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis said that St Paul “insists on the fact that justification comes through faith in Christ.”

The Holy Father acknowledged that it is “not easy to arrive at an exhaustive definition” of justification. However, with the help of the catechism, we can say that “justification is the consequence of ‘God’s merciful initiative of offering forgiveness.’”
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-09/pope-francis-northern-nigeria-jihadist-attack-safety-guarantee.html
Pope appeals for safety of Nigerians following deadly attack
29 September 2021, 10:34

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249125/pope-francis-at-the-general-audience-it-is-christ-with-his-grace-who-makes-us-just
Pope Francis: ‘It is Christ, with his grace, who makes us just’
By CNA Staff
Vatican City, Sep 29, 2021 / 04:20 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2021/documents/papa-francesco_20210929_udienza-generale.html
POPE FRANCIS
GENERAL AUDIENCE
Paul VI Audience Hall
Wednesday, 29 September 2021

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-09/pope-francis-video-message-youth4climate-cop26.html

Pope to Youth4Climate: Education should foster care for environment
29 September 2021, 13:35

Pope Francis sends a video message to some 400 young people from 197 countries participating in a 3-day Youth4Climate meet taking place in Milan, northern Italy.
By Vatican News staff reporter

Technical and political solutions to humanity’s crises, such as climate change and the environment, are not enough unless there is a culture of care and responsible sharing, which is nurtured through an education that promotes development and sustainability based on fraternity.

Pope Francis made the point in a video message to young people participating in a 3-day Youth4Climate event in Milan, northern Italy, in preparation for the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, scheduled from November 1 to 12 in Glasgow, Scotland. 
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249127/pope-francis-to-young-climate-activists-technical-and-political-solutions-are-not-enough
Pope Francis to young climate activists: ‘Technical and political solutions are not enough’
By CNA Staff
Vatican City, Sep 29, 2021 / 08:00 am

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-09/francis-healthy-environment-human-right.html

Pope Francis: A healthy environment is right of every human being
29 September 2021, 16:44

In a message to the Council of Europe, Pope Francis reiterates his call for immediate action to protect our common home. The message was sent on the occasion of a panel of discussion on environment and human rights organized by the Council’s Assembly in preparation for the COP26 on climate change.
By Lisa Zengarini

Ahead of the COP-26 in Glasgow, the Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has convened a high-level panel and interactive debate on theme: “The environment and human rights” on Wednesday. The “right to a safe, healthy and sustainable environment” will be the focus of its Autumn Session taking place in Strasburg from 27 to 30 September 2021.

In a video message to the participants sent on Wednesday, Pope Francis commended the initiative and the Council of Europe’s efforts on this fundamental issue, reiterating his call for immediate action for the care of our common home.

He said that the Holy See, although an ******* nation, follows with particular attention all the Organization’s activity in this regard, “in the conviction that every concrete initiative and decision which can improve the dramatic situation facing our planet's health must be supported and valued.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-09/listen-vatican-announces-theme-for-world-communications-day.html

‘Listen!’: Vatican announces theme for World Communications Day
29 September 2021, 13:10

Pope Francis has chosen the single word, “Listen!” as the theme for the 56th World Communications Day, which will be celebrated in 2022. Announcing next year’s theme, the Holy See says, “Pope Francis is asking the world to listen again.”
By Holy See Press Office

This is the theme that the Holy Father Francis has chosen for the 56th World Communications Day, to be celebrated in 2022:

Listen!

After the Message of 2021, which focused on going and seeing, in his new Message for World Communications Day 2022 Pope Francis asks the world of communication to learn to listen again.

The pandemic has affected and wounded everyone, and everyone needs to be heard and comforted. Listening is also fundamental for good information. The search for truth begins with listening. And so does witnessing through the means of social communication. Every dialogue, every relationship begins with listening. For this reason, in order to grow, even professionally, as communicators, we need to relearn to listen a lot.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249128/pope-francis-my-intuitions-my-perceptions-and-my-spirituality-come-from-vatican-ii

Pope Francis: ‘My intuitions, my perceptions and my spirituality’ come from Vatican II
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Sep 29, 2021 / 09:00 am

Pope Francis has reflected on the importance of the Second Vatican Council and the influence of its teachings on his life and spirituality.

In a new book preface, published Tuesday, the pope said that for him and other young Jesuit priests in Latin America, Vatican II “had entered into our way of being Christians and of being Church and, in the course of my life, my intuitions, my perceptions, and my spirituality were naturally generated by the suggestions of the doctrine of Vatican II.”

“There was not so much need to cite the texts of the Council,” he said.

Pope Francis commented on the Council in a preface to the book Fraternity -- Sign of the Times: The Social Magisterium of Pope Francis. The Italian-language book was written by Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny and Italian theologian Fr. Christian Barone and will be published on Sept. 30 by the Vatican publishing house.

In his preface, the pope said he was grateful to Czerny and Barone for writing the book, which is about fraternity and his 2020 encyclical Fratelli tutti.

The book tries “to bring to light and to make explicit the profound link between the current social Magisterium and the statements of the Second Vatican Council,” he said.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249131/us-theologians-appointed-to-vatican-s-international-theological-commission

U.S. theologians appointed to Vatican’s International Theological Commission
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Sep 29, 2021 / 12:00 pm

Pope Francis appointed U.S. theologians on Wednesday to the Vatican’s International Theological Commission.

The body’s new members include Robin Darling Young, a spirituality professor, and Reinhard Huetter, a theology professor, who both teach at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Yury P. Avvakumov, another appointee, has taught in the theology department at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, since 2010.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249126/pope-francis-accepts-brooklyn-bishop-dimarzio-s-resignation-names-columbus-bishop-as-successor

Pope Francis accepts Brooklyn Bishop DiMarzio’s resignation, names Columbus bishop as successor
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Sep 29, 2021 / 05:55 am

Pope Francis on Wednesday accepted the resignation of Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, who was cleared of sexual abuse allegations by the Vatican at the start of this month.

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) reviewed the results of a Church-led investigation into DiMarzio and determined that the allegations lacked “the semblance of truth,” according to a Sept. 1 statement from the New York archdiocese.

DiMarzio, who is 77 years old, is two years past the age at which bishops are required by canon law to submit their request to retire to the pope.

On Sept. 29, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Robert J. Brennan of Columbus, Ohio, to lead the Diocese of Brooklyn after DiMarzio. With 1.5 million Catholics, Brooklyn, which includes the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, is the fifth-largest U.S. diocese.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-09/press-conference-world-meeting-families-rome.html

World Meeting of Families: A precious opportunity
30 September 2021, 12:40

A Press Conference at the Holy See Press Office presents the upcoming World Meeting of Families, to be held in Rome from 22-26 June 2022.
By Francesca Merlo

The Church of Rome is preparing to welcome delegates and participants to the 10th World Meeting of Families. The diocesan community accepted Pope Francis', and considers this appointment to be "a precious opportunity to dedicate ourselves with enthusiasm to family ministry: spouses, families, and pastors together".

The Meeting

The 10th World Meeting of Families will take place from 22-26 June 2022. The theme chosen by Pope Francis for this event is: “Family love: a vocation and a path to holiness.”

The meeting will be organized by the Diocese of Rome and the Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life. It was initially scheduled for the fifth anniversary of Amoris Laetitia and the fourth anniversary of Gaudete et Exsultate—i.e. in the year 2021—but it has been moved to 2022.

As the announcement from the Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life reads: “On the fifth anniversary of the apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia and three years after the promulgation of Gaudete et Exsultate, this is intended to highlight family love as a vocation and as a way of holiness, so as to understand and share the profound and salvific meaning of family relationships in daily life.”
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249143/limited-in-person-attendance-at-2022-world-meeting-of-families-due-to-covid-19
Limited in-person attendance at 2022 World Meeting of Families due to COVID-19
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Sep 30, 2021 / 12:00 pm

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249152/old-testament-expert-and-philosopher-from-germany-win-2021-ratzinger-prize

Old Testament expert and philosopher from Germany win 2021 Ratzinger Prize
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Oct 1, 2021 / 08:00 am

A philosopher and an Old Testament theologian from Germany have been named the winners of the 2021 edition of the Ratzinger Prize.

The Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Foundation announced Friday that the annual award will go to Hanna-Barbara Gerl-Falkovitz and Ludger Schwienhorst-Schönberger.

Pope Francis will present the award to the two recipients in a ceremony at the Vatican on Nov. 13.

The Ratzinger Prize was launched in 2011 to recognize scholars whose work demonstrates a meaningful contribution to theology in the spirit of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the Bavarian theologian who became Benedict XVI.
 

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Update:  Cardinal Becciu

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2021/10/italian-cardinal-becomes-first-red-hat-to-stand-trial-at-vatican/
Italian cardinal becomes first red hat to stand trial at Vatican
By Elise Ann Allen
Oct 1, 2021

ROME – When the Vatican’s megatrial for financial crimes begins next week, one of the star figures will be Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu, a former power-player in the Holy See’s Secretariat of State who is the first cardinal to be indicted by the small city-state.

Set to open Oct. 5 after being postponed during an initial hearing over the summer, the trial involves a list of 10 people facing a variety of charges ranging from abuse of office to embezzlement, fraud, and corruption, among other things.

Indictments against the 10 individuals involved are associated with a shoddy real estate deal brokered between the Vatican’s Secretariat of State during Becciu’s tenure there, and several shady Italian businessmen.

In total, the Vatican lost roughly 150 million pounds ($201,618,000) on the investment, mostly in burdensome mortgage and generous fees to its business brokers.

Becciu himself, a once-powerful figure in the Vatican who fell from grace last year, faces charges of embezzlement, abuse of office, and subornation, meaning inducing another to commit perjury.