Pope Francis

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/baptism-mass-pope-importance-preserving-christian-identity.html
At Baptism Mass Pope recalls importance of preserving Christian identity
09 January 2022, 10:35

In the Sistine Chapel Pope Francis baptizes sixteen infants during the Mass for the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord, recalling the responsibility of all to help them preserve their Christian identity throughout their lives.
By Vatican News staff writer

Celebrating the morning Mass in the majestic beauty of the Sistine Chapel, Pope Francis personally administered the Sacrament of Baptism on sixteen infants, nine girls and seven boys, who are the children of Vatican employees working here at the Holy See. Today's celebration marks the feast day that recalls Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan. In his brief homily given without a scripted text, Pope Francis said today these infants will receive their Christian identity through the Sacrament of Baptism being administered today. And the role of parents and godparents is to help them deepen and preserve this Christian identity throughout their lives. It is a daily effort and commitment, the Pope added, underlining the importance to help the children grow in the blessing of the light they receive today.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-01/baptisms-sistine-chapel-vatican-emplyees-children-pope.html
Baptized in the Sistine Chapel
08 January 2022, 11:54

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2022.index.html
Homilies 2022
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (9 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-baptism-messiah-john-baptist-january.html
Pope at Angelus: prayer opens our heart to the Lord
09 January 2022, 12:10

Pope Francis addresses the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square for his Sunday Angelus and asks that on the day of the Baptism of the Lord, they reflect on the importance of prayer and remember the date of their own baptism.
By Francesca Merlo

Pope Francis on Sunday turned to the day's Liturgy and recounted, to the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square for his Angelus, the scene in which Jesus goes to the banks of the River Jordan and is baptised by John the Baptist. This is where Jesus' public life begins, said the Pope. "After some thirty years of living in hiding, Jesus does not show up with a few miracles or by climbing up on a cathedral to teach. He lines up with the sinners who were going to be baptised by John". Thus,  the Pope noted, He shares the lot of us sinners, He comes down to us and "dips into our waters to heal them".
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-francis-prayer-angelus-appeal.html
Pope prays for victims of protests in Kazakhstan
09 January 2022, 12:30

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2022.index.html
Angelus - Regina Cæli 2022
Angelus, 9 January 2022, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-diplomatic-corps-state-of-the-world-address.html
Pope to diplomatic corps: Great challenges of our time are all global
10 January 2022, 11:52

Pope Francis gives his annual “state of the world” address in his greetings to the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See that takes place at the beginning of the year.
By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis’s “state of the world” address highlighted critical issues of human and geopolitical concern across the world, hinging on the fact that we are one human family, inhabiting a common home and that, to be able to tackle the urgent problems of our time, we need to recover a sense of the profound unity of all reality.

Speaking to the Members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, gathered in the Vatican for their yearly audience, the Pope reminded them that their overriding goal should be to help resolve disagreements and foster harmony.

First, he highlighted the ongoing pandemic, and its direct and collateral effects on humanity, saying the health crisis “still calls for a significant effort on the part of everyone.”

He lamented how the fight against the virus has been undermined in many cases by strong ideological divides that have “severed the bond of human reason with the objective reality of things.”
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250062/pope-francis-laments-cancel-culture-in-annual-address-to-diplomats
Pope Francis laments ‘cancel culture’ in annual address to diplomats
By CNA Staff
Vatican City, Jan 10, 2022 / 04:20 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/january.index.html
Speeches 2022 January
To the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See (10 January 2022)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-francis-bronx-new-york-fire-telegram-condolences.html

Pope mourns victims of New York apartment blaze
10 January 2022, 14:19

Pope Francis expresses his condolences for the victims of an apartment fire in New York’s Bronx borough, which left at least 19 people dead, including 9 children.
By Devin Watkins

A fire broke out in a 19-story apartment building in the Bronx on Sunday morning.

Over 200 firefighters were sent to battle the blaze, which enveloped the second and third floors. Smoke filled the entire building, and officials said victims were found on every floor.

At least 19 residents died, including 9 children. Another 32 people were sent to hospital, with several of them in critical condition.

Spiritual closeness and prayers

Pope Francis reached out on Monday to the victims and their families with a telegram of condolences signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and addressed to Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York.

The Pope was “saddened to learn of the recent devastating fire in the Bronx in which a number of children lost their lives.”

He offered his “heartfelt condolences and the assurances of his spiritual closeness to those affected by this tragedy.”

The Holy Father also entrusted those affected “to the merciful love of Almighty God” and invoked “upon all consolation and strength in the Lord.”
 

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2022/01/top-official-leaves-vatican-doctrine-office

Top official leaves Vatican doctrine office
By Elise Ann Allen
Jan 10, 2022

ROME – In yet another shakeup of a department in the Roman Curia, the Vatican announced Monday that a high-ranking official in the Holy See’s doctrinal congregation is on his way out and will now lead an Italian diocese.

In a Jan. 10 Vatican statement, it was announced that Archbishop Giacomo Morandi, until now secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), is leaving his Vatican post and will take over as the new leader of the Italian Diocese of Reggio Emilia-Guastalla.

Morandi, 56, who was named secretary of the CDF in 2017, will replace outgoing Reggio Emilia Bishop Massimo Camisasca, who is 75, the mandated retirement age for bishops.

His exit marks the latest shakeup in the Roman Curia in recent months.

Throughout the spring and summer last year, Pope Francis held apostolic visitations of several curial departments, including the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the Congregation for Clergy, and the Dicastery for Integral Human Development.

After each of the visitations, a new prefect was named for the department that had just undergone it.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2022/01/pope-to-install-catechists-lectors-at-word-of-god-celebration

Pope to install catechists, lectors at Word of God celebration
By Catholic News Service
Jan 10, 2022 | Contributor

ROME — At his celebration of Mass for the Sunday of the Word of God Jan. 23, Pope Francis will formally install new catechists and lectors — ministries open to women.

The Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, which coordinates the annual celebration, said the Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica will include “the conferral of the ministries of lector and catechist.”

Pope Francis’s formally instituted the ministry of catechist in May 2021. It followed his decision in January to open the ministries of lector and acolyte to women. While in most dioceses women already served as readers and altar servers at Mass, they were not formally instituted in those services on a stable basis.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-message-anniversary-poland-university-faculty-theology.html

Pope to Krakow's JPII University: Help young people realize their dreams
11 January 2022, 11:05

Pope Francis marks the 625th anniversary of the Faculty of Theology of the John Paul II Pontifical University in Krakow with a message addressed to the Grand Chancellor of the institution.
By Linda Bordoni

“On January 11, 1397, upon the request of Queen Saint Hedwig and her husband Ladislaus, Pope Boniface IX erected the Faculty of Theology of what was then the Krakow Academy with the Bull Eximiae devotionis affectus."

In his message addressed to Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski, Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow, Pope Francis recalls the establishment of the prestigious Faculty that was then to become part of Poland’s Jagiellonian University.

He notes that 625 years have passed since this epoch-making event, “marking the beginning of the history of your relatively young Athenaeum.”

The Pope says he joins his Polish brother in gratitude to God for this tradition of more than six centuries, with all its scientific and educational achievements, as well as its spirituality, created by its holy founders, professors, and students.   
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-thanks-faithful-of-seoul-for-covid-relief-help.html

Pope thanks South Korean faithful for Covid relief fundraising
11 January 2022, 11:33

Pope Francis sends a message of gratitude to the Archdiocese of Seoul for the South Korean faithful's generous contribution to its ‘Vaccine-Sharing Campaign’, which supports the Vatican's outreach to poor countries for the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines.
By Vatican News staff writer

In a letter addressed to Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taek of Seoul, South Korea, Pope Francis has thanked the faithful of the Archdiocese for sending proceeds from a collection to help needy people affected by the Covid pandemic.

Writing just before Christmas, the Pope said he "very much appreciated this gesture of generosity made in the days in which we prepare to celebrate the Mystery of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Hope," assuring them of his "spiritual closeness to the entire diocesan Community of Seoul.”

The Pope said that, thanks to this help, "people in need around the world will receive assistance," through outreach coordinated by the Office of Papal Charities.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-death-david-sassoli-telegram-eu-president.html

Pope joins Europe in mourning David Sassoli: a man of Christian and human values
11 January 2022, 13:21

In a telegramme of condolences following the death of David Sassoli, Pope Francis recalls the many virtues of the man, the journalist, the politician who was universally acclaimed as a sincere and passionate promoter of the EU’s identity.
By Linda Bordoni

In a telegram addressed to Alessandra Vittorini, wife of David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, who died in the early hours of Tuesday morning following a serious illness, Pope Francis said he remembers him as a man of faith “animated by hope and charity.”

The message, signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin on the Pope’s behalf, expressed the Holy Father’s spiritual closeness at this time of sorrow, and assured Sassoli’s wife and two children of his heartfelt participation in the mourning that has struck Italy and the European Union.

65-year-old Sassoli became President of the 705-seat European Parliament in July 2019. He was the second Italian president since the assembly was elected by universal suffrage. He was widely respected for being a strong defender of the EU's core values, invoking a return to the spirit of its founders based on the rejection of conflict and nationalism and the promotion of peace and equality.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-francis-surprise-visit-shop-centre-rome.html

Pope pays surprise visit to Rome record shop
12 January 2022, 09:19

Pope Francis visits the "Stereosound" shop in Rome's Pantheon area to bless the recently renovated premises.
By Vatican News staff writer

It was a huge surprise to those in the neighbourhood when on the afternoon of 4 September 2015, Pope Francis entered an optician's in the historic centre of Rome, to change the frames of his glasses.

Then, again on 21 December 2016, when he visited the Fisioitop orthopaedic shop in the Gregorio VII area, to buy new shoes.

On Tuesday afternoon, a similar scene took place with the sudden arrival of Pope Francis in the premises of "Stereosound", an old record shop in Via della Minerva, near the Pantheon.

Pope Francis knows the owners of the shop from his time as an Archbishop, when he stayed in the Casa del Clero in the nearby Via della Scrofa during his visits to Rome.
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-at-audience-work-is-essential-for-our-growth-in-holiness.html

Pope at Audience: Work is essential for our growth in holiness
12 January 2022, 09:53

In his catechesis at the General Audience focusing on Saint Joseph, Pope Francis looks at Joseph's life as a worker, and says the dignity of labour is essential for our human development and our growth in holiness.
By Vatican News staff writer

In his catechesis, Pope Francis looked at how the evangelists Matthew and Mark refer to Joseph as a “carpenter”, from the Greek term tekton, which referred to a generic qualification of those working as woodworkers and craftsmen in construction. He pointed out how it was a hard job, requiring strength but not generating great earnings.

Looking at Saint Joseph helps remind us of all workers today, especially those who do gruelling work in mines and certain factories, the Pope pointed out.

He especially recalled those who are exploited and children who are “forced to work and those who rummage among the trash in search of something useful to trade.” This reality also brings to mind those who are out of a job and suffering greatly because of it, especially families struggling to survive, he added.
“In these times of pandemic, many people have lost their jobs — and some, crushed by an unbearable burden, reached the point of taking their own lives. I would like to remember each of them and their families today.”
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250083/pope-francis-prays-at-general-audience-for-workers-crushed-by-an-unbearable-burden-in-covid-19-recession
Pope Francis prays for workers ‘crushed by an unbearable burden’ in COVID-19 recession
By CNA Staff
Vatican City, Jan 12, 2022 / 02:55 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2022.index.html#audiences
Audiences 2022
General Audience of 12 January 2022, Catechesis on Saint Joseph: 7. Saint Joseph the Carpenter

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-francis-message-covid-business-prepare-future-event.html

Pope Francis: ‘Economy must serve people and planet, not profits’
13 January 2022, 08:29

Pope Francis urges participants in a Vatican conference on the post-pandemic future to make concrete commitments to putting the global economy at the service of people and the planet.
By Devin Watkins

The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development hosted an online conference on Wednesday, in conjunction with the Vatican Covid-19 Commission and Deloitte, a multinational professional services network.

Entitled “Preparing the Future: Building a sustainable, inclusive, regenerative economy”, the event brought together leaders in the areas of business, finance, development economics, and academia.

Participants discussed the ways societies are being changed by the pandemic, and offered new economic models that give more value to nature, people, and society, according to a press release.

Science, Gospel, Solidarity

Pope Francis took part in Wednesday’s virtual event with a message sent to participants.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-francis-be-effective-apostles-rooted-in-the-word-of-god.html

Pope Francis: Be effective Apostles rooted in the Word of God
13 January 2022, 12:45

The Pope meets with members of Catholic Action France on Thursday, telling them the Word of God is the blueprint for their ministry.
By Vatican News staff reporter

Greeting members of Catholic Action France, Pope Francis recalled their tradition of coming to meet the Pope going back to the time of Pope Pius XI.

The Association has chosen “Apostles today” as its theme for this pilgrimage to Rome, and with this in mind, Pope Francis reflected on the “call to be effective apostles today.”

The Pope noted that when the disciples walk with Jesus “they begin by recalling the events they have experienced; then they recognise the presence of God in those events; finally, they act by returning to Jerusalem to announce the resurrection of Christ.”

Pope Francis then focused his attention on, what he called, three stages: See, judge, act.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250094/pope-francis-synodality-is-not-a-search-for-majority-consensus
Pope Francis: Synodality is not a ‘search for majority consensus’
By CNA Staff
Vatican City, Jan 13, 2022 / 06:30 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/january.index.html
Speeches 2022 January
To the Delegation of the French Catholic Action Movement (13 gennaio 2022)

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An interview with Pope Francis...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/parents-who-face-challenges-for-their-children-s-sake-are-heroes.html

Pope: Parents who face challenges for their children's sake are heroes
13 January 2022, 15:00

Pope Francis grants an interview to Vatican Media on being parents during the Covid-19 pandemic and the witness of Saint Joseph, calling him an example of strength and tenderness for today’s fathers.
By Andrea Monda and Alessandro Gisotti

The Special Year dedicated to Saint Joseph ended 8 December 2021, but Pope Francis’ attention and love for this Saint have not ended and indeed are further strengthened in the Catecheses which he has been devoting to the figure of the Patron of the universal Church, since 17 November.

On our part, L’Osservatore Romano [in Italian] has published a monthly feature throughout 2021 which was also covered by the Vatican News website, on Patris corde, focusing on each chapter of the Apostolic Letter on Saint Joseph. This feature which dealt with fathers, but also with children and mothers in an ideal dialogue with the Bridegroom of Mary, prompted in us the desire to discuss with the Pope the theme of paternity and its various aspects, challenges and complexities.

The following interview thus resulted in Pope Francis answering our questions, showing all his love for families, his closeness to those experiencing suffering, and the Church’s embrace of the fathers and mothers who today have to face thousands of difficulties in order to give their children a future.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250093/new-covid-19-rules-for-visitors-to-vatican-museums

New COVID-19 rules for visitors to Vatican Museums
By CNA Staff
Vatican City, Jan 13, 2022 / 04:10 am

Visitors to the Vatican Museums must show a pass certifying full vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 and wear medical-grade masks under new measures announced on Wednesday.

A decree issued on Jan. 5 by Archbishop Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, said that every visitor to the museum must present a Super Green Pass and wear an FFP2 mask, the European equivalent of an N95.

The rules, introduced in light of “the worsening of the emergency health situation,” went into effect on Jan. 10 and are due to expire on Feb. 28.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-01/jubilee-year-2025-motto-archbishop-fisichella-new-evangelization.html

Vatican announces motto of Jubilee Year 2025: 'Pilgrims of Hope'
13 January 2022, 14:17

Pope Francis has given his approval for the theme of the upcoming Holy Year.
By Linda Bordoni

According to the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization, the Pope's main concern is that the 2025 Jubilee Year be prepared in the best possible way.

Speaking after an audience with Pope Francis on 3 January, Archbishop Rino Fisichella said that during the meeting the Pope approved the motto proposed for the upcoming Jubilee Year, a motto he said, “that can be summed up in two words: Pilgrims of hope."

Archbishop Fisichella explained that, like for any motto, it attempts to condense the meaning of the entire Jubilee journey. He notes that the chosen words – pilgrims and hope – both represent key themes of Pope Francis' pontificate.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250097/vatican-unveils-motto-for-2025-jubilee-year
Vatican unveils motto for 2025 Jubilee Year
By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Jan 13, 2022 / 10:27 am

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-francis-letter-rome-reports-brocal-after-rome-visit.html

Pope: "I miss being able to roam the streets like I did in Buenos Aires"
14 January 2022, 15:40

Pope Francis sends a brief letter to Rome-based journalist Javier Martínez Brocal who recently photographed the Pope leaving a record store, and encourages reporters to fulfill their journalistic vocation even if it makes others uncomfortable.
By Salvatore Cernuzio

"What I miss most in this Diocese is not being able to 'wander the streets,' as I did in Buenos Aires, walking from one parish to another."

Pope Francis made this remark in a letter to Spanish journalist Javier Martínez Brocal, the director of the Rome-based news website Rome Reports.

On 11 January, the reporter was passing through Rome’s Pantheon area and saw the Pope leaving "Stereosound," a record store whose owners he has known since his days as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires.

The black and white photo of the Pope exiting the "disc-store of the Pantheon" – as local Romans call the locale – carrying a classical music record given to him by the owner of the store, Letizia Giostra, and her daughter Tiziana, went viral on social networks within minutes.
 
https://www.catholicnews.com/popes-music-library-contains-nearly-2000-cds-includes-elvis/
Pope’s music library contains nearly 2,000 CDs, includes Elvis
By: Carol Glatz
Date: January 13, 2022

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-to-theatines-persevere-in-gospel-witness-and-works-mercy.html

Pope to Theatines: persevere in Gospel witness and works of mercy
15 January 2022, 13:12

Pope Francis meets with members of the Order of Clerics Regular (Theatines) who are concluding their General Chapter. The Holy Father encourages them to go forward with openness to the Spirit, firmly rooted in prayer, adoration, common life, fraternal charity, poverty, and service to the poor.
By Vatican News staff writer

On Saturday Pope Francis met with members of the Order of Clerics Regular, Theatines, gathered for their General Chapter. Saint Cajetan, Giampietro Caraffa (later Pope Paul IV), Bonifacio De Colle, and Paolo Consiglieri founded the order in 1524, with the aim of forming a group of clerics that faithfully live the Gospel, adhering to the Holy Canons, and living fraternal life in common under the three religious vows.

Welcoming the group on the occasion of their 164th General Chapter, the Pope remarked how they have contributed so much with God’s providence over this long history. Commenting on the theme of their General Chapter, the Pope appreciated the emphasis they have placed on “mission” and “going out” into the world to evangelize in a way that involves every Christian and community, strongly rooted in the spiritual life and concretely expressed through acts of charity.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250113/pope-francis-the-holy-spirit-reforms-the-church-through-the-saints
Pope Francis: The Holy Spirit reforms the Church through the saints
By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Jan 15, 2022 / 07:00 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/january.index.html
Speeches 2022 January
To Participants in the General Chapter of the Order of Clerics Regular (Theatines) (15 January 2022)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-audience-holy-land-franciscan-custodians-terrasanta-magazin.html

Pope to receive journalists of the Custody of the Holy Land
14 January 2022, 17:22

Pope Francis is to receive in audience members of the Terra Santa publishing centre in Jerusalem, marking the 100th anniversary of TS magazine, a publication that offers information and news on the history and current affairs of the Middle East.
By Linda Bordoni

The papal audience scheduled for Monday, 17 January, will see some fifty people, led by Franciscan Father Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land, gathered in the Apostolic Palace’s Clementine Hall for a very special occasion.

Terra Santa Edizioni, the publishing centre of the Custody of the Holy Land in Italy, operates as part of the Terra Santa Foundation. Celebrating 100 years of its flagship magazine - Terrasanta -  it offers information and news on the history and current affairs of the Middle East and on its three monotheistic religions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

Founded in 2005, Terra Santa Foundation continues the tradition of the Centro propaganda e stampa, a publishing house in Milan that was established in the early 1900s to give voice to the Franciscan experience in the Holy Land. It also continues to perpetrate the legacy of the Franciscan Printing Press (FPP), in Jerusalem since 1847.

The international delegation that will be received by the Pope reflects the international presence of the Franciscans in the Holy Land who have been caring for the sanctuaries and welcoming pilgrims for eight centuries and are engaged in Biblical and archaeological studies.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-01/pope-francis-close-week-prayer-christian-unity.html

Pope to close Week of Prayer for Christian Unity with vespers
14 January 2022, 16:20

Pope Francis will close the worldwide celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on 25 January with Evening Prayer at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.
By Vatican News staff writer

The Office for Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff announced on Friday that the Pope will preside over Vespers on Tuesday, 25 January, to close the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The celebration will take place at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls on the Solemnity of the Conversion of St. Paul.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is being marked this year under the theme: “We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship Him.”

The Pope was unable to preside over the 2021 event due to a flare-up in his sciatica.