Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-12/holy-year-2025-coordination-assigned-to-new-evangelization.html

Holy Year 2025 coordination assigned to New Evangelization
26 December 2021, 13:22

The Holy See Press Office announces today that Pope Francis has entrusted Holy Year 2025 preparations to the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis has given the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization responsibility on coordinating the Holy See's preparations for the Holy Year 2025. In recent days the President of the Council, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, met with Superiors of the Secretariat of State, the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA) and the Secretariat for the Economy to discuss the upcoming jubilee.
 
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2021/12/pope-asks-pontifical-council-to-begin-planning-holy-year-2025
Pope asks pontifical council to begin planning Holy Year 2025
By Cindy Wooden
Dec 28, 2021 | Catholic News Service

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-12/pope-names-peter-michiaki-nakamura-archbishop-nagasaki.html

Pope Francis appoints new Archbishop of Nagasaki
28 December 2021, 12:33

Pope Francis names Bishop Peter Michiaki Nakamura as the new Metropolitan Archbishop of Nagasaki, Japan.
By Vatican News staff reporter

The Holy See Press Office announced Tuesday that the Pope has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Joseph Mitsuaki Takami, P.S.S., the Metropolitan of Nagasaki.

At the same time, Pope Francis also appointed Peter Michiaki Nakamura to take over the pastoral care of the Japanese Archdiocese.

Bishop Nakamura has previously served as the Auxiliary Bishop of Nagasaki, and was the titular bishop of Fessei. Pope Francis appointed the Nagasaki-native to that role in May 2019.
 

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Hmmm,,,

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2021-12/cardinal-cupich-chicago-policy-traditionis-custodes-1962-missal.html
Cardinal Blase Cupich publishes policy implementing Traditionis custodes
27 December 2021, 16:00

Shortly after the Congregation for Divine Worship responded to questions regarding Pope Francis' Motu propio, Cardinal Cupich implements a policy that goes into effect 25 January -- an opportunity to express the unity of the Church and to offer a 'concrete manifestation of the acceptance of the Council's teaching'.
by Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

Just two days after Christmas, on the Feast of St John the Evangelist, Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, has issued a policy governing the celebration of the pre-Vatican rites in that Archdiocese. This policy follows the 18 December response to questions received by the Congregation for Divine Worship in the wake of the July publication of the Motu proprio Traditionis custodes in which Pope Francis restored to local ordinaries the responsibility to govern the celebration of the liturgy using the 1962 Missal in their dioceses. Chicago thus becomes one of the first Dioceses in the United States to provide concrete directives regarding the new norms established by the Pope. This local policy enters into effect in the Archdiocese of Chicago on 25 January 2022.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249989/cardinal-cupich-issues-new-restrictions-on-traditional-latin-masses
Cardinal Cupich issues new restrictions on Traditional Latin Masses
By CNA Staff
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 27, 2021 / 11:30 am

From the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius--
https://www.cantius.org/post/statement-traditiones-custodes
Statement Regarding the Policy of the Archdiocese of Chicago for Implementing Traditionis Custodes

On our community’s feast day, December 23rd, I had an audience with His Eminence Cardinal Cupich. I took the occasion of our meeting to assure His Eminence that the Canons Regular are committed to preserving unity with him and the Roman Pontiff. There he outlined the Archdiocesan policy, released today, concerning the implementation of Traditionis Custodes. His Eminence indicated he wants the work of the Canons Regular to continue, albeit within the boundaries established by the Archdiocesan policy to take effect January 25, 2022.
 

Useful links--
file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/Statement%20of%20Canons%20Regular%20of%20St.%20John%20Cantius%20FINAl%2012.27.2021%20(1).pdf
STATEMENT REGARDING THE POLICY OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO
FOR IMPLEMENTING TRADITIONIS CUSTODES

file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/Policy%20of%20the%20Archdiocese%20of%20Chicago%20for%20Implementing%20Traditiones%20Custodes.pdf
POLICY OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO FOR IMPLEMENTINO
TRADITIONIS CUSTODES

file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/Letter%20of%20Cardinal%20Blase%20Cupich%20to%20Priests%20(1).pdf
Priests of the Archdiocese of Chicago

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-12/pope-francis-general-audience-saint-joseph-courage-refugees.html
Pope at Audience: Response to migration crisis a 'scandal of humanity'
29 December 2021, 10:03

At the Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis reflects on the courage of St. Joseph in rescuing Jesus from the massacre of Bethlehem, and urges Christians to live that courage in our everyday lives.
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis continued his catechesis series on St. Joseph at the weekly General Audience, focusing on his role as “a persecuted and courageous migrant.”

Following the depiction of Jesus’ foster father in the Gospel of Matthew (2:13-23), the Pope explored the massacre of all children under the age of 2 in Bethlehem, ordered by King Herod after the visit of the Magi.

Humiliation of uncertainty

In fleeing into Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath, the Holy Family “suffered such humiliation and experienced first-hand the precariousness, fear and pain of having to leave their homeland.”

Many of our own contemporaries are forced to endure the same injustice and suffering, said the Pope.

“The cause is almost always the arrogance and violence of the powerful,” he said. “This was also the case for Jesus.”

Cruel despots and courageous migrants

Pope Francis said King Herod ordered the massacre because he felt his power threatened by the newborn “King of the Jews”.

The “flight into Egypt”—as the episode is known—saves Jesus, but does not prevent the murder of so many innocent children.

The Pope said the episode exposes two opposing personalities: “on the one hand, Herod with his ferocity; and, on the other, Joseph with his care and courage.”

Herod is the symbol of tyrants and despots of every age—even our own, insisted the Pope—who defend their power with ruthless cruelty and by “carrying out inhuman acts of violence.”

Yet, said Pope Francis, we too can succumb to the same attitude when we “try to dispel our fears with arrogance, even if only verbal or made up of small abuses intended to mortify those close to us.”
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2021.index.html#audiences
Audiences 2021
General Audience of 29 December 2021: Catechesis on Saint Joseph - 5. Saint Joseph, persecuted and courageous migrant

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-12/pope-may-christmas-amazement-lead-to-gratitude-and-solidarity.html
Pope at Te Deum: May Christmas amazement lead to gratitude and solidarity
31 December 2021, 17:20

In his homily for the celebration of Vespers and the recitation of the Te Deum on New Year's Eve, Pope Francis reflects on the year drawing to a close, and reminds us of the need to trust always in the Lord.
By Vatican News staff writer

During the Vespers celebration led by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Pope Francis gave his homily recalling the Christmas liturgy of these days when the mystery of the Incarnation evokes in us a sense of amazement, wonder, and contemplation.

He described how the "holy wonder" of Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds of Bethlehem should also inspire our own amazement in grasping the heart of the mystery of Christ's birth. And this sense of amazement needs to be profound, touching our hearts and minds, or nothing will change in our lives or societies, he noted.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249999/pope-francis-on-new-year-s-eve-jesus-christ-gives-meaning-to-our-lives-in-joy-and-sorrow
Pope Francis on New Year’s Eve: Jesus Christ gives meaning to our lives in joy and sorrow
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Dec 31, 2021 / 10:50 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2021.index.html
Homilies 2021
Celebration of Vespers and Te Deum in Thanksgiving for the past year (31 December 2021)

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Video, with English commentary, at the link
Photo Gallery at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-at-mass-may-mary-help-us-to-keep-and-ponder-all-things.html
Pope at Mass: May Mary help us to keep and ponder all things
01 January 2022, 10:45

Presiding over Mass on the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, Pope Francis encourages us to place ourselves under her maternal protection. May she give us courage and joyful certainty that the Lord is faithful and can transform every cross into a resurrection.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis presided over morning Mass on New Year's Day in Saint Peter's Basilica with a smaller congregation present in accordance with pandemic health guidelines.

In his homily for this Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God - also marked as the World Day of Peace - the Pope recalled the joy experienced by the shepherds at Bethlehem upon visiting the baby Jesus lying in the manger, proof of God's closeness to them and to all who are poor or marginalized. Jesus being born in "littleness and poverty" fills our hearts "with love, not fear."
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2022/documents.index.html
Homilies 2022 documents
Holy Mass on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (1st January 2022)

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-angelus-may-mary-inspire-harmony-in-our-hearts-and-world.html
Pope at Angelus: May Mary inspire harmony in our hearts and world
01 January 2022, 12:19

At the New Year's Day Angelus, Pope Francis encourages us to "roll up our sleeves to build peace" praying that Mary, Queen of Peace, may obtain harmony in our hearts and in the entire world.
By Vatican News staff writer

After presiding over the morning celebration of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Pope Francis greeted pilgrims in St. Peter's Square, offering his New Year's good wishes and reflecting on the day's liturgy. In the Church, the first day of the civil New Year is also observed as the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, as well as the World Day of Peace.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2022/documents.index.html
Angelus - Regina Cæli 2022 documents
Angelus, 1st January, Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/peace/documents/20211208-messaggio-55giornatamondiale-pace2022.html
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE
FRANCIS
FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE
55th WORLD DAY OF PEACE
1 JANUARY 2022
Dialogue Between Generations, Education and Work:
Tools for Building Lasting Peace

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-be-open-to-god-who-loves-to-dwell-among-us.html
Pope at Angelus: Be open to God who loves to dwell among us
02 January 2022, 12:13

At the first Sunday Angelus of the New Year, Pope Francis encourages us to invite Jesus into our lives, especially the difficult areas where we struggle, since "God loves to dwell among us".
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis prayed the Angelus on the second Sunday during Christmastide, and reflected on the true meaning of Christmas, recited in the traditional Marian prayer: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

He told the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square—and those across the world joining the broadcast—that these words contain a paradox.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2022/documents.index.html
Angelus - Regina Cæli 2022 documents
Angelus, 2 January 2022

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-12/fides-news-list-catholic-missionaries-murdered-2021.html

Vatican lists 22 Catholic missionaries killed in 2021
31 December 2021, 13:46

The Vatican’s Fides News Agency releases its annual list of Catholic missionaries who died a violent death in 2021, with the majority bearing witness to their faith on the African continent.
By Devin Watkins

Twenty-two missionaries lost their lives across the world this year: 13 priests, 1 religious brother, 2 religious sisters, and 6 lay persons.

Half (11) were killed on the African continent, followed by the Americas (7), then Asia (3), and finally Europe (1).
 

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https://www.ncregister.com/blog/pope-francis-8th-consistory-of-new-cardinals-expected-in-2022-ijrrysmg

Pope Francis’ 8th Consistory of New Cardinals Expected in 2022
The Pope is expected to call his 8th consistory in 2022, adding to the 70 cardinals he has already chosen.
Edward Pentin
December 31, 2021

VATICAN CITY — Predicting the coming year at the Vatican is always tricky, and that’s especially so in light of our current papacy of surprises and COVID-19.

But one event that can safely be foreseen is a consistory of new cardinals.

Currently the College of Cardinals has 120 cardinals under the age of 80 and therefore eligible to vote in a conclave. An advisory limit of 120 set by Pope St. Paul VI has often been exceeded, including by Pope Francis.

But the fact that the number is already 120 at the beginning of 2022 means that throughout the course of the coming year the number will fall and Francis will undoubtedly wish to call a new consistory to make up the numbers.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250006/3-rome-events-to-look-forward-to-in-2022

3 Rome events to look forward to in 2022
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Jan 3, 2022 / 11:00 am

Although the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect many people around the world, the beginning of a new calendar year is also a good time to look forward to joyful events to come.

In Rome, the Vatican is planning three important international occasions with Christian hope.

Though crowd sizes may have to be controlled, modern technology and the ability to connect remotely or through live streaming mean that participation can be unlimited.

As the new year kicks off, here are three Rome events that Catholics can look forward to in 2022.

The canonization of Charles de Foucauld

The canonization of Bl. Charles de Foucauld and six other blesseds on May 15 will end a stretch of two years and seven months since the most recent canonizations, those of St. John Henry Newman and four others in October 2019.
 

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Video, with English text, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-s-january-prayer-intention-for-those-who-suffer-religious.html
Pope’s January prayer intention: For those who suffer religious persecution
04 January 2022, 16:00

Pope Francis dedicates his first prayer message of 2022 to combatting religious discrimination and persecution, reminding us that religious freedom is not limited to freedom of worship, but is tied to fraternity.
By Vatican News staff reporter

“How can we allow that in this society, which is so civilized, there are people who are persecuted simply because they publicly profess their faith?” asks Pope Francis in the video for his monthly prayer intention for January 2022.

“How is it possible that many religious minorities currently suffer discrimination or persecution?”

The January prayer intention marks the beginning of the seventh year of the Pope Video, a ministry of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network.

In his message released on Tuesday, the Holy Father says that persecuting people simply because they publicly profess their faith is “inhuman” and “insane.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-francis-message-30th-world-day-of-sick-2022.html

Pope’s World Day of Sick message: Nearness, charity for those who suffer
04 January 2022, 12:00

Pope Francis releases his message for the 30th World Day of the Sick, and urges Catholics and Church-run institutions to continue efforts to heal and soothe the wounds of those suffering illness.
By Devin Watkins

“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36): Standing beside those who suffer on a path of charity.”

Those words formed the theme of Pope Francis’ message for the World Day of the Sick—scheduled for 11 February—which was released on Tuesday.

The Pope noted that this year’s occurrence marks 30 years since Pope St. John Paul II instituted the World Day to encourage all members of the Church to “be increasingly attentive to the sick and to those who care for them.”

He also expressed his gratitude for the great advances in healthcare and pastoral care of the sick in the intervening three decades, while recalling that many people still live in areas that are poorly served by healthcare systems and pastoral outreach.

He noted that the annual celebration of the World Day of the Sick is taking place in St. Peter’s Basilica, rather than in Arequipa, Peru, as originally planned, due to the ongoing health crisis.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/sick.index.html
Messages World Day of the Sick
30th World Day of the Sick 2022

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-francis-general-audience-joseph-fatherhood.html
Pope at Audience: Joseph shows fullness of adoptive fatherhood
05 January 2022, 09:38

At the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis reflects on the fatherhood of St. Joseph, and prays that all children might enjoy the bond of paternal love, even if through the praiseworthy practice of adoption.
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis continued his catechesis series on St. Joseph at the Wednesday General Audience, focusing his remarks on his role as the father of Jesus.

The Pope noted that the Gospels of Luke and Matthew present Joseph as the “foster-father of Jesus” and not as his biological one.

The evangelist Matthew avoids the term “father of” in his genealogy, while Luke said he was the father of Jesus, “as was supposed”.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250017/pope-francis-receives-manifesto-challenging-german-synodal-way
Pope Francis receives manifesto challenging German ‘Synodal Way’
By CNA Staff
Vatican City, Jan 5, 2022 / 06:00 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2022.index.html#audiences
Audiences 2022
General Audience of 5 January 2021: Catechesis on Saint Joseph - 6. Saint Joseph, Jesus' foster father

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Full video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-on-epiphany-like-the-magi-may-we-dream-seek-and-adore.html
Pope on Epiphany: Like the Magi may we dream, seek and adore
06 January 2022, 11:12

On the Solemnity of the Epiphany, Pope Francis calls on us to lift our eyes up to heaven, like the Magi, to listen to the desire lodged in our hearts, and follow the star that God makes shine above us.
By Vatican News staff writer

In his homily for the Solemnity of the Epiphany, Pope Francis spoke about the pilgrimage of the Magi going to Bethlehem and what motivated them.

He recalled that they were wise men, famous and wealthy, yet they let themselves be unsettled by desiring to find the Christ Child and the sign of the star guiding them. They were filled with expectation, he noted, and "seekers after God."

This "spirit of healthy restlessness" was "born of desire," the Pope noted, saying their secret was this capacity to "fuel the fire that burns within us," looking beyond the immediate and visible.

“It means embracing life as a mystery that surpasses us, as an ever-present cranny in the wall that beckons us to look into the distance, since life is not just our here and now, but something much greater.”
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2022.index.html
Homilies 2022
Holy Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (6 January 2022)

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-francis-angelus-epiphany-humility-worship.html
Pope at Angelus: The Magi teach us the need for humility to worship God
06 January 2022, 11:38

In his Angelus address on Epiphany Day, Pope Francis invites Christians to abandon our pretence of self-sufficiency and make ourselves little inside, so that we can rediscover the wonder of worshipping Jesus.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis on Thursday held out the Magi who visited the Baby Jesus as models of humility.  

“Their prostration is the sign of those who place their own ideas aside and make room for humility and the vibrant desire to worship,” he said at the midday Angelus prayer on the solemn feast of the Epiphany.

January 6, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, is a holiday in the Vatican and in Italy.  It commemorates the Gospel episode of the visit of the Magi, or the 3 Wise Men, from the East to Baby Jesus in Bethlehem, following a star.

The event is the first manifestation of Christ to the gentiles or non-Jews, underscoring the Church’s fundamental mission of preaching Christ to the world.  
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2022.index.html
Angelus - Regina Cæli 2022
Angelus, 6 January 2022, Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-francis-eastern-christmas-missionary-childhood-day.html
Pope sends Christmas greetings to Oriental Churches
06 January 2022, 12:41

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-francis-world-mission-day-2022-message-witness-christ.html

Pope's Mission Day message: Every Christian a witness to Christ in daily life
06 January 2022, 10:17

Pope Francis releases his message for World Mission Day 2022, celebrated on 23 October, and urges all Christians to proclaim Christ’s message of salvation in every aspect of our daily lives.
By Devin Watkins

Ever since 1926, the Church has celebrated World Mission Day, which falls in 2022 on 23 October.

As the Church marks the Epiphany on Thursday, Pope Francis released his message for the occurrence focused on the theme: “You shall be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8 ).
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/missions.index.html
Messages World Mission Day
Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for World Mission Day 2022

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-francis-french-entrepreneurs-business-gospel-teaching.html

Pope: Church needs entrepreneurs with "the smell of the sheep"
07 January 2022, 12:12

Pope Francis on Friday received in audience a group of French entrepreneurs. He spoke to them about how to implement the Gospel values in their businesses.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis “finds it very beautiful and courageous that, in today's world often marked by individualism, indifference and even marginalization of the most vulnerable people, some entrepreneurs and business leaders have at heart the service of all, not just the interests of individuals or restricted circles”.  He made the remark to a delegation of some 90 French business men and women who are in Rome for a pilgrimage on the theme of the common good.  To help them in the challenge of the common good, he spoke to them about two pairs of concepts based on the Gospel values: ideal and reality, and authority and service.  These concepts seem always to be in tension, but the Christian, with the help of grace, can unify them in his or her life.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/january.index.html
Speeches 2022 January
To a Delegation of French Catholic entrepreneurs (7 January 2022)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-francis-discourse-members-association-saints-peter-and-paul.html

Pope to Association of Saints Peter and Paul: Begin again, with hope in your hearts
08 January 2022, 10:25

Pope Francis meets with members of the Association of Saints Peter and Paul and urges them to continue in their mission, whilst always looking at Jesus with hope in their hearts.
By Francesca Merlo

Pope Francis on Saturday met with members of the association of Saints Peter and Paul, on the occasion of the association's 50th anniversary. This association, the Pope notes, was "born thanks to the far-sighted intuition of St Paul VI", who founded it in 1971 as a way to continue the legacy of ideals of the Palatine Guard.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/january.index.html
Speeches 2022 January
To Members of the Saints Peter and Paul Association (8 January 2022)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-offers-condolences-upon-death-of-cardinal-francisco-alvarez.html

Pope offers condolences upon death of Cardinal Francisco Álvarez
06 January 2022, 12:49

Pope Francis sends a telegram expressing his condolences upon the death of Cardinal Francisco Álvarez Martínez, who died Wednesday at the age of 96.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis expressed his condolences upon learning of the death of Cardinal Francisco Álvarez Martínez in a telegram sent to Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves of Toledo, Spain.

The Pope conveyed his closeness to the Cardinal’s relatives and his ecclesial community where he served as Archbishop Emeritus of Toledo, Spain. He recalled Cardinal Álvarez Martínez’s devoted pastoral ministry over many years who “faithfully gave his life to service of God and the Church,” offering prayers for his eternal repose.