Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-12/pope-francis-meeting-french-bishops-assembly.html

Pope praises "dignity" of French bishops in tackling abuse crisis
14 December 2021, 09:38

A few hours after meeting with Pope Francis, the President of the French Bishops' Conference, Bishop Eric de Moulins-Beaufort, and the two Vice-Presidents, Bishop Olivier Leborgne and Bishop Dominique Blanchet, speak to the press.
By Cyprien Viet

During a press briefing held at the French Seminary in Rome, members of the presidency of the Bishops' Conference of France noted that their Monday meeting with Pope Francis was an annual custom, in order to report on the work of their recent plenary assembly.

This year, the bishops, who met in Lourdes from 2 to 8 November, focused in particular on the CIASE report. Its publication on 5 October caused shock in France, particularly with the survey that showed there have been 330,000 victims of sexual violence within the Catholic Church since 1950.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249879/pope-francis-tells-france-s-catholic-bishops-he-ll-meet-authors-of-landmark-abuse-report
Pope Francis tells France’s Catholic bishops he’ll meet authors of landmark abuse report
By CNA Staff
Vatican City, Dec 14, 2021 / 04:00 am

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-12/pope-francis-telegram-condolences-victims-explosion-ravanusa.html

Pope prays for victims of gas explosion in Sicily
14 December 2021, 16:09

Pope Francis sends a telegram assuring his prayers for the victims of a suspected gas explosion in the Sicilian town of Ravanusa.
By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis expressed his grief and assured his closeness to citizens of Ravanusa, a Sicilian town where several buildings collapsed last Saturday due to a blast caused by a suspected gas leak.

In a telegram, sent on his behalf by Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the Pope asked Archbishop Alessandro Damiano of the Archdiocese of Agrigento to which Ravenusa belongs, to be the spokesman of his “heartfelt closeness” to the population.

The death toll from the blast has risen to seven and search and rescue operations are ongoing with two people still missing. The explosion demolished four houses and damaged another three. Over 100 people have been left homeless.

In his message, the Pope said he conveys his condolences to the relatives of the deceased and expresses feelings of intense participation in the grief of the entire population. He says he “bears in his heart the suffering of so many people and assures his prayers in suffrage for the victims."

Furthermore, he expresses appreciation and gratitude for those who have participated in the search and rescue operations as well as for the extraordinary collection launched by the Archdiocese in support of the community.
 

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Update:  Vatican finance trial

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-12/vatican-5-hearing-tribunal-financial-london.html
Vatican trial postponed to January
14 December 2021, 14:44

The fifth hearing in the case concerning alleged financial offences involving funds from the Secretariat of State is cut short as only one of the four suspects, whose indictment had been cancelled, was available for questioning.
By Vatican News staff writer

A hearing in the case concerning alleged financial offences involving funds from the Secretarian of State took place on Tuesday morning in the Vatican. The hearing, the fifth since 27 July lasted only ten minutes. The President of the Vatican Tribunal, Giuseppe Pignatone, set the date for the next session as 25 January 2022. On this day it will perhaps be possible to communicate a date for the summons for trial or the dismissal that may be presented by the Promoter of Justice regarding the four suspects whose committal for trial had been set at zero, since they had not been questioned in the preliminary phase.

After mid-February, it is hoped "at last” to proceed with the reunification of the two "sections" of the proceedings: "Everything will be dealt with from scratch, in the light of what's new", said the president of the Vatican Court, explaining that in two months' time the intention is to "begin the process", thus getting to the heart of a trial that has been stuck in procedural skirmishes since July.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249880/court-president-says-vatican-finance-trial-will-have-real-start-in-february
Court president says Vatican finance trial will have real start in February
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Dec 14, 2021 / 05:15 am

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-12/pope-at-audience-make-room-for-the-word-through-silence.html
Pope at Audience: Make room for the Word through silence
15 December 2021, 08:27

In his catechesis at the Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis reflects on St Joseph’s silence in the Gospel.
By Christopher Wells

“St Joseph with his silence invites us to make room for the Presence of the Word made flesh, for Jesus,” Pope Francis said at the weekly General Audience.

Silence full of listening

However, the Pope continued, “Joseph’s silence is not muteness,” but is instead “a silence full of listening, an industrious silence, a silence that bring out his great interiority.” Quoting St John of the Cross, the Holy Father explained that God the Father spoke the Word, His Son, in eternal silence “and in silence it must be heard by the soul.”

In his earthly life, Jesus, too, had this experience of silence, “with the daily example of Mary and Joseph.” Pope Francis noted that “He Himself sought spaces of silence… and invited His disciples to have such an experience" as well.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-12/pope-francis-haiti-explosion-fuel-tanker-appeal.html
Pope prays for victims of Haiti fuel tanker explosion
15 December 2021, 10:25

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2021.index.html#audiences
Audiences 2021
General Audience of 15 December 2021: Catechesis on Saint Joseph - 3. Saint Joseph, man of silence

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-12/pope-francis-art-creates-brotherhood-and-friendship.html

Pope Francis: Art creates brotherhood and friendship
15 December 2021, 10:26

Before the General Audience in the Paul VI Hall, the Pope greeted the artists who will perform Thursday in the 2021 Christmas Concert in the Vatican, and thanked them for the support that the proceeds of the show will bring to educational projects in Lebanon and Haiti.
By Vatican News staff reporter

Greeting the artists who will perform in the Annual Christmas Concert in the Vatican on Thursday evening, Pope Francis told them that they were using their talents to spread the tenderness, joy, and hope of Christmas.

He described the tenderness of a mother embracing her newborn child in the Nativity scene and  “the love of a father protecting and defending his family."
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-12/pope-francis-nomination-saint-mary-major-commissioner.html

Pope nominates Extraordinary Commissioner for Basilica of Saint Mary Major
15 December 2021, 19:53

Pope Francis nominates Msgr. Rolandas Makrickas as Extraordinary Commissioner for the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome.
HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE COMMUNIQUE'

In order to respond to the particular complexities of the economic and financial management of the Chapter of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, exacerbated by the spread of the pandemic, the Holy Father today appointed Msgr. Rolandas Makrickas, until now in service in the First Section - General Affairs of the Secretariat of State, as extraordinary commissioner, donec aliter provideatur, with responsibility for the economic management of the Chapter's assets.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249890/pope-francis-appoints-commissioner-to-oversee-financial-assets-of-rome-basilica
Pope Francis appoints commissioner to oversee Rome basilica’s financial assets
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Dec 15, 2021 / 06:00 am

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249889/pope-francis-creates-new-foundation-promoting-principles-of-fratelli-tutti-around-st-peter-s-basilica

Pope Francis creates new foundation promoting principles of ‘Fratelli tutti’
By CNA Staff
Vatican City, Dec 15, 2021 / 05:20 am

Pope Francis has approved the creation of a new foundation promoting spirituality, art, formation, and dialogue in the environs of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican announced on Wednesday.

The Holy See press office said on Dec. 15 that the pope had issued a decree known as a chirograph establishing the Fratelli tutti Foundation, named after his 2020 encyclical on fraternity and social friendship.

In the decree, dated Dec. 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the pope wrote: “I have learned with satisfaction that the Fabric of St. Peter, together with some of the faithful, wish to join together to establish a Foundation of Religion and Worship intended to collaborate in spreading the principles set out in my recent encyclical, Fratelli tutti, to encourage initiatives linked to spirituality, art, education, and dialogue with the world, around St. Peter's Basilica and in the embrace of its colonnade.”

“I therefore gladly accede to the request expressed to me to establish in the State of Vatican City an autonomous foundation for the above-mentioned purposes.”
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/letters/2021/documents/20211208-chirografo-fondazione-fratellitutti.html
CHIROGRAPH OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS

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Video at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-12/pope-audience-mattarella-president-italy-diplomacy.html
Pope receives outgoing President Mattarella of Italy
16 December 2021, 14:37

Pope Francis on Thursday received in audience Italian President Sergio Mattarella whose seven-year mandate will conclude in February.
By Linda Bordoni

The President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, was received by Pope Francis in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, as his mandate draws to a close.

According to the Italian Constitution, the President is the Head of State and represents national unity. It is his responsibility to make sure that Italian politics comply with the Constitution. His role is incompatible with any other office, and his term lasts seven years.

After being elected by the Italian Parliament, the former constitutional court judge, Mattarella, took office at the beginning of 2015.

A Holy See Press Office communiquè said that after the audience with Pope Francis, President Mattarella met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-12/pope-francis-meeting-greece-jesuits-civilta-cattolica.html

Pope to Jesuits in Greece: Humility is true path God offers to religious
16 December 2021, 11:17

The Civiltà Cattolica newspaper publishes a transcript of Pope Francis’ encounter with Jesuits in Greece earlier this month, during which the Pope spoke about the message God is sending religious orders as vocations diminish and apostolates change.
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis met with 7 of the 9 Jesuits working in Greece on 4 December, the first day of his Apostolic Journey to the EU nation.

He held an hour-long conversation with the community whose members hail from various nations.

Following a long-standing tradition related to these events, the Jesuit review La Civiltà Cattolica published a transcript (in Italian) of the exchange, entitled “The Logic of the Inexplicable”.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249907/pope-francis-halving-of-jesuit-numbers-worldwide-is-a-lesson-in-humility
Pope Francis: Halving of Jesuit numbers worldwide is a lesson in humility
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Dec 16, 2021 / 12:00 pm

Transcript of the exchange at the link--
https://www.laciviltacattolica.com/the-logic-of-the-inexplicable-pope-francis-in-conversation-with-the-jesuits-of-greece/
‘The Logic of the Inexplicable’: Pope Francis in conversation with the Jesuits of Greece
Antonio Spadaro, SJ / Mission / Published Date:16 December 2021

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-12/council-cardinals-advisors-pope-statement-synod-pandemic.html

Council of Cardinals meets to discuss local enthusiasm for Synod
16 December 2021, 09:59

The Council of Cardinal advisors wraps up a three-day meeting in the Vatican, examining the progress of the Synod of Bishops and the ongoing health crisis due to the pandemic.
By Vatican News staff reporter

The Holy See Press Office announced on Thursday that the Council of Cardinals met on 13-15 December at the Casa Santa Marta.

Those present included Cardinals Pietro Parolin, Giuseppe Bertello, Oscar Rodriquez Maradiaga, Reinhard Marx, Seán O’Malley, Oswald Gracias, and Frido Ambongo Besungu.

The Secretary of the Council, Bishop Marco Mellino, was also present for the meeting.

A Press Office statement said each Cardinal presented the “current political and health situation and the progress of the pandemic” of their home region.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-12/pope-francis-book-blessing-climate-change-arctic-cirlce.html

Michael Haddad to receive book blessed by Pope ahead of journey to North Pole
16 December 2021, 10:51

An upcoming event at the Italian Embassy to the Holy See will present Michael Haddad, who will be traveling to the Arctic Circle with the help of an exoskeleton and a book blessed by Pope Francis, to accompany him on his journey across the globe.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis' message of hope reaches the North Pole in an unprecedented journey. This is how the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication introduces the upcoming journey of Michael Haddad from Lebanon, who is setting out to reach the Arctic Circle.

"Hope is bold, it knows how to look beyond personal comfort, the small securities and compensations that narrow the horizon, to open up to great ideals that make life more beautiful and dignified," says the Pope in Fratelli tutti.

75% of Michael's body was left paralyzed after a jet-ski accident when he was only 6 years old. Since then he has lost 75% of his motor functions and moves with the help of an exoskeleton.
 

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Happy 85th birthday, Pope Francis!   

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-12/pope-francis-birthday-cardinal-czerny-interview.html
Happy 85th birthday Pope Francis: "Ad multos annos!"
17 December 2021, 07:00

Messages of felicitation pour in as the Holy Father turns 85 on Friday. Cardinal Michael Czerny reflects on how some of the issues he champions give us an insight into his personality and in particular on his invitation to passionately engage in the synodal process.
By Benedict Mayaki, SJ

Pope Francis turns 85 on Friday. Just last Monday, 13 December, he celebrated the 52nd anniversary of his priestly ordination.

People across the world, and certainly not only Catholics, are celebrating with the Pope on the occasion of his birthday, with messages of good wishes pouring in from all different quarters.

Also felicitating the Pope on his birthday is Cardinal Michael Czerny, a fellow Jesuit and the under-secretary of the Migrants and Refugees Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. He highlights the gift that a birthday is.
 

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Video at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-12/pope-francis-receives-a-group-of-refugees-from-cyprus.html
Pope Francis receives a group of refugees from Cyprus
17 December 2021, 14:54

On his 85th birthday, Pope Francis meets with a group of refugees arriving from Cyprus with the support of the Holy Father and the Community of Sant’Egidio.
By Vatican News staff reporter

Pope Francis received a group of refugees arriving from Cyprus in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace on Friday morning, the day of his birthday.

The group of about ten is the first one scheduled to arrive in Italy with the Community of Sant’Egidio, following an agreement reached between the Holy See and the Italian and Cypriot Authorities during the Pope’s recent Apostolic Journey to Cyprus and Greece.

The refugees will be supported directly by the Holy Father, while Sant’Egidio will take care of their integration in Italy through a one-year migrant program, said the Holy See press office director, Matteo Bruni, in a statement.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-12/pope-to-ambassadors-vaccines-for-all-a-question-of-justice.html

Pope to Ambassadors: Vaccines for all a question of justice
17 December 2021, 11:46

Pope Francis receives letters of credentials from seven new Ambassadors to the Holy See, and invites the international community to further “a ‘culture of encounter’ in service of the common good.”
By Vatican News staff reporter

Presenting their letters of credentials to the Pope on Friday were the new Ambassadors to the Holy See from Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Namibia, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Chad, and Guinea-Bissau. 

In his greeting to the Ambassadors in the Vatican, Pope Francis noted that this time last year at this same ceremony, “the world was still in the firm grip of the pandemic, yet signs of hope were emerging on the horizon as the initial vaccines were about to be administered.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-12/pope-appoints-new-bishop-for-auckland-new-zealand.html

Pope appoints new bishop for Auckland, New Zealand
17 December 2021, 14:48

Pope Francis names Bishop Stephen Lowe as the new Bishop of Auckland, New Zealand.
By Vatican News staff reporter

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Stephen Marmion Lowe, currently bishop of Hamilton, New Zealand, as the new bishop of Auckland.

Bishop Lowe succeeds Bishop Patrick James Dunn, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the Diocese of Auckland was accepted by the Holy Father at the same time.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-12/pope-francis-discourse-youth-catholic-action-vatican.html

Pope to Catholic Action youth: Take on the style of Jesus
18 December 2021, 12:00

Pope Francis meets with youth from the Italian Catholic Action and asks that they embrace their uniqueness, as Jesus embraces theirs.
By Francesca Merlo

Addressing young people from Italian Catholic Action, Pope Francis greeted all those accompanying them on this meeting, describing each member as being "generously committed to your religious formation, dedicating their time and resources to the Association".
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2021/december.index.html
Speeches 2021 December
To the Young People of the Italian Catholic Action (18 December 2021)

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Hmmm...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-12/traditionis-custodes-dubia-responsa-congregation-divine-worship.html

Celebration of old rite: Holy See responds to questions presented by bishops
18 December 2021, 12:00

A letter from the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship to the Episcopal Conferences accompanies the publication of responses to queries received from the local Churches regarding the application of the Motu proprio “Traditionis custodes” that went into effect last July.
by Vatican News

Eleven dubia, have been raised regarding the application of the Motu proprio Traditionis custodes through which in July 2021 Pope Francis promulgated new norms regarding the use of the liturgical books in use prior to the reform enacted by the Second Vatican Council. Published today on the Congregation for Divine Worship’s web site are those dubia received from the Bishops and the Dicastery's responsa to the most recurring questions approved by the Pope that clarify some points of the Motu proprio. Each response is accompanied by explanations.

The dubia and responsa are themselves accompanied by a letter to the presidents of the Episcopal Conferences from the Prefect of the Congregation, Archbishop Arthur Roche, who explains the direction taken: “Every prescribed norm has always the sole purpose of preserving the gift of ecclesial communion by walking together, with conviction of mind and heart, in the direction indicated by the Holy Father".
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249928/traditionis-custodes-vatican-further-tightens-restrictions-on-traditional-latin-mass
Traditionis custodes: Vatican further tightens restrictions on Traditional Latin Mass
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Dec 18, 2021 / 04:36 am

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249927/pope-francis-traditional-latin-mass-restrictions
Traditional Latin Mass restrictions: Here's what you need to know
By CNA Staff
Denver Newsroom, Dec 18, 2021 / 07:53 am

https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20211204_responsa-ad-dubia-tradizionis-custodes_en.html
CONGREGATION FOR DIVINE WORSHIP AND THE DISCIPLINE OF THE SACRAMENTS
RESPONSA AD DUBIA
on certain provisions of the
Apostolic Letter
TRADITIONIS CUSTODES
issued “Motu Proprio” by the Supreme Pontiff
FRANCIS
TO THE PRESIDENTS
OF THE CONFERENCES OF BISHOPS

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https://cruxnow.com/interviews/2021/12/indian-cardinal-says-pope-still-studying-curia-reform-proposals

Indian cardinal says Pope still studying Curia reform proposals
By Inés San Martín
Dec 18, 2021

Rome — This week, the group of seven cardinals who advise Pope Francis on curia reform and Church affairs met in Rome.

Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay (Mumbai), India, has been a member of the council of cardinals (C7) since it was created by Francis at the beginning of his pontificate. The prelate spoke with Crux about the new Constitution for the Roman Curia – the Church’s central government – currently being reviewed by Pope Francis; the challenges Christians face in India, with a new anti-conversion bill being debated; and the Latin American Ecclesial Assembly, held in late November, in which he participated as one of the “foreign” guests.

Crux: What brought you to Rome this time?

Gracias: I came for a meeting of the C7 with the Holy Father, that is of the Council of Cardinals. We had meetings from Monday to Wednesday. In the past 18 months, we had meetings over video conference with the Holy Father, but this time, he invited us to come physically. Of course, with coronavirus you never know, but we were able to keep 100 percent attendance.

And how was it to meet in person for the first time in 18 months?

I was personally very happy to see the pope. He seemed very healthy, perhaps even in better health than the last time I had seen him. He’s had some time to rest, it seems, because he did not seem tired at all. He was very energetic, engaged and interested in what we were suggesting.

And today it’s his birthday, so as I was headed to the airport, I wished him a happy birthday. I have to insist on this, he was very good. And the meeting went well, because having lost the past 18, 20 months, there was much that need to be discussed, and it was good to reconnect in person, because obviously, it’s not the same to speak through a computer screen.

You have been working for the past several years on the new constitution for the Roman Curia. How is that coming, and will we be seeing it soon?

I hope we will. We made our recommendations to the Holy Father when we presented it to him. But evidently, he wants to make it his own and he is personally studying it, going through it carefully. He did tell us that he liked it, so there’s no real indication that he will be making any major changes to what we presented. And of course, he was present during our discussions, so he knows the background of every line that we put in there. But it is very clear that for him, this is a very important document, so he wants to study. But we have finished our job with it, so we are not even revising it.
 

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Video at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-12/pope-santa-marta-dispensary-christmas-meeting-children.html
Pope meets children assisted by Santa Marta Dispensary
19 December 2021, 11:10

Pope Francis is welcomed festively at a pre-Christmas event by a group of children and their parents who are assisted by the Vatican’s Santa Marta Paediatric Dispensary.
By Vatican News staff writer

A festive Christmas atmosphere marked the Pope’s Sunday morning’s meeting with a group of children, their parents and carers in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall.

Interacting spontaneously with the families who receive assistance and care from the Santa Marta Paediatric Dispensary, Pope Francis told them it is important “to listen to the needs of people”, asking the kids to repeat this invitation in chorus.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-12/pope-francis-centenary-catholic-university-sacred-heart.html

Pope to Sacred Heart University: Education lights a flame of hope and service
19 December 2021, 11:21

Pope Francis sends a video message to the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan, and calls for “new models of thought” in order to overcome various modern crises.
By Devin Watkins

The Milan campus of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart commenced its 2021/22 academic year on Sunday, in the presence of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.

As the institution marks its 100th anniversary this year, Pope Francis joined staff and students via a video message.

The ceremony opened with a Mass celebrated in Milan’s St. Ambrose Basilica by Archbishop Mario Delpini.