Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-08/pope-francis-ior-holy-see-rescript-movable-property.html

Pope: All movable assets of Holy See to be managed by IOR
23 August 2022, 12:18

Pope Francis issues a brief rescript to clarify that the Institute for the Works of Religion has exclusive competence for managing all of the Holy See’s movable and liquid assets, ordering Holy See dicasteries and entities to transfer all financial assets to the IOR.
By Vatican News

The Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR)—commonly known as the Vatican Bank—shall have exclusive competence over asset management and shall oversee the management of all the movable assets of the Holy See and its related institutions.

Pope Francis issued that decree in a rescript published on Tuesday in the Osservatore Romano.

The Pope stipulates that the rescript "shall have the nature of an authentic interpretation of the provisions in force and shall have firm and stable force, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, even if it precedes the rescript or specifically refers to special issues."

The rescript concerns Article 219, paragraph 3 of the Constitution on the Roman Curia "Praedicate Evangelium."
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252093/pope-francis-instructs-vatican-entities-to-move-all-funds-to-vatican-bank-by-sept-30
Pope Francis instructs Vatican entities to move all funds to Vatican bank by Sept. 30
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Aug 23, 2022 / 05:51 am

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-08/pope-diversity-of-ministries-a-richness-for-church.html

Pope: Diversity of ministries a richness for Church
23 August 2022, 15:02

As the 72nd National Liturgical Week opens in Salerno, Italy, Pope Francis expresses his hopes that the meeting will allow for a fruitful deepening in appreciation of the ecclesial ministries in the Church in a perspective of ever greater service.
By Adriana Masotti

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, conveyed the cordial greetings of Pope Francis to the president of Italy's Liturgical Action Center, Archbishop Claudio Maniago of Catanzaro-Squillace, and to all the participants involved. He said the theme they are discussing - 'Ministries at the Service of a Synodal Church' - "holds particular significance for the Church in the present historical moment." Cardinal Parolin recalled the Pope's words regarding the Synodal path the Church has undertaken and the need to become "experts in the art of encounter," and available to help each other "so that the diversity of charisms, vocations and ministries enriches us."

The study days that have just started have brought together bishops, priests, deacons, religious men and women, and numerous lay people. Cardinal Parolin said, "The Holy Father's hope is that this meeting of experts in the field, which places itself at the service of the pastoral care of the Church in Italy (...) will contribute to the theological-liturgical-pastoral understanding of the ministerial reality, opening perspectives for pastoral discernment by the ecclesial community."
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-08/logo-pope-francis-apostolic-journey-kazakhstan-september.html

Logo of Pope’s visit to Kazakhstan unveiled
23 August 2022, 12:06

The Vatican publishes the logo for Pope Francis’ Apostolic Journey to Kazakhstan, which will take place on 13-15 September under the motto “Messengers of Peace and Unity.”
By Benedict Mayaki, SJ

The logo of Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to Kazakhstan was released on Tuesday, with the motto, “Messengers of Peace and Unity.”

The Holy Father is scheduled to travel to the Central Asian country from 13 – 15 September 2022, visiting the capital city, Nur-Sultan, on the occasion of the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252092/motto-and-logo-of-pope-francis-trip-to-kazakhstan-released
Motto and logo of Pope Francis’ trip to Kazakhstan released
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Aug 23, 2022 / 03:27 am

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Video, with English commentary, at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-08/pope-francis-general-audience-old-age-death-childbirth.html
Pope at Audience: ‘Old age is where wisdom is woven’
24 August 2022, 09:16

At the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis concludes his catechesis on the value of old age, and reflects on how the Blessed Virgin Mary reveals to us God’s promise of new life in death.
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis concluded his General Audience catechesis series on the value of old age with a reflection on the Assumption into heaven of Jesus’ mother, Mary.

He took his cue from the Letter to the Romans (Rm 8:22-24), in which St. Paul compares the pain of childbirth to the “redemption of our bodies”.

The Pope said the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Assumption also illuminates our own destination, though depicted differently in the Latin and Oriental traditions.

“In the West, we contemplate her lifted up, enveloped in glorious light,” he said. “In the East, she is depicted reclining, dormant, surrounded by the Apostles in prayer, while the Risen Lord holds her in His hands like a child.”
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-08/pope-prays-for-war-victims-as-ukraine-conflict-marks-six-months.html
Pope prays for war victims as Ukraine conflict marks six months
24 August 2022, 10:28

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2022.index.html
Audiences 2022
General Audience of 24 August 2022 - Catechesis On Old Age: 18. The labour pains of creation. The story of the creature as a mystery of gestation

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-08/church-ministries-fifty-years-pope-francis-message-ministeria-qu.html

Ministries in the Church: Pope calls for a dialogue with Bishops
24 August 2022, 13:58

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Pope St. Paul VI's motu proprio "Ministeria quaedam", Pope Francis reflects on the Apostolic Letter’s impact on instituted and extraordinary ministries, and expresses his desire to open a dialogue with Bishops’ Conferences to continue along the path set out fifty years ago.
By Vatican News

Fifty years have passed since Paul VI's motu proprio "Ministeria quaedam" was published.

The Apostolic Letter reformed the “minor orders”, including that of the Lector for ministry of the Word, and that of the Acolyte for the ministry of the Altar. It also established lay ministries.

To mark the occasion, Pope Francis released a message on Wednesday expressing his desire to begin a dialogue with Bishops' Conferences around the world "in order to be able to share the richness of the ministerial experiences that in these fifty years the Church has lived both as instituted ministries (lectors, acolytes and, only recently, catechists) and as extraordinary and de facto ministries."

The purpose, the Pope explains, is to "be able to listen to the voice of the Spirit without stopping the process, being careful not to want to force it by imposing choices that are the fruit of ideological viewpoints."

For this reason, Pope Francis believes that "it is useful to share the experiences of these years, all the more in the spirit of the synodal journey. That experience can offer valuable indications to arrive at a harmonious vision of the question of baptismal ministries and thus continue along our journey."
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252106/pope-francis-warns-about-arbitrary-and-ideological-adaptations-to-church-ministries
Pope Francis warns about ‘arbitrary and ideological adaptations’ to Church ministries
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Aug 24, 2022 / 07:37 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/pont-messages/2022.index.html
Message of the Holy Father on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Apostolic Letter issued “Motu proprio” Ministeria quaedam of Saint Paul VI (15 August 2022)

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Hmmm...

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252105/pope-francis-calls-first-extraordinary-consistory-since-2015-so-what-will-the-cardinals-talk-about
Pope Francis calls first extraordinary consistory since 2015 — so what will the Cardinals talk about?
By Andrea Gagliarducci
Rome Newsroom, Aug 24, 2022 / 07:11 am

Since 2015, Pope Francis has not called an extraordinary consistory like the one to be held on August 29-30.

In 2015, Pope Francis summoned the cardinals to discuss the reform of the Curia. However, the discussion on the reform was still young, even though some steps, such as creating the Secretariat for the Economy, had already been taken.

In 2022, the reform of the Curia is still the basis of the discussion. The consistory, however, will be profoundly different.

There will be only one report already anticipated to the cardinals: A text that Bishop Marco Mellino, secretary of the Council of Cardinals, already presented to dicastery leaders and published in L'Osservatore Romano.

The 11-page text explains the philosophy behind the reform of the Roman Curia. There are no debates. No other reports are foreseen. Instead, the cardinals will be divided into language groups for free discussions.

Everything, therefore, will end on Aug. 30, with Mass with the new cardinals to be celebrated in the afternoon in St. Peter's Basilica. In practice, the cardinals are asked to take note of the reform of the Curia, which is now a reality. There is no more room for any discussions, counter-proposals, or adjustments.
 
Of course, this is the first consistory of a new type. Previous extraordinary consistories included one or more reports and a free debate. The form of the division into linguistic groups follows the running of synods and represents a substantial break with the traditional way of managing consistories.

It also throws up another question: Will this be a test for a possible reform of pre-conclave meetings?

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251403/who-are-the-new-cardinals-created-by-pope-francis

Who are the new cardinals created by Pope Francis in 2022?
By Marco Mancini
Vatican City, Aug 24, 2022 / 10:28 am

There will be 16 cardinals under the age of 80 elevated at the next consistory, to be held Aug. 27.

This will be the eighth consistory of Pope Francis’ pontificate, and the first of his to be held in August.

The last time a cardinal was made in August, a torrid month in Rome when all things slow down in the Vatican Curia, was on Aug. 24, 1807 when Pius VII created Francesco Guidobono Cavalchini a cardinal “in pectore”, announcing his name only in April 1808.

With these new cardinals, Pope Francis will have created 121. There are three members of the Curia: Arthur Roche, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments; Lazzaro You Heung Sik, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy; and Fernando Vergez, President of the Governatorate of Vatican City State.

Pope Francis' choices regarding diocesan bishops confirms his preference to choose dioceses that are not traditionally cardinal sees, omitting prominent places such as Milan, Venice, Krakow, and Paris.

The Holy Father has created:
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-08/pope-catholic-legislators-justice-fraternity-peace-address.html

Pope to Catholic legislators: Promote better society through far-sighted legislation
25 August 2022, 12:30

Pope Francis urges members of the International Catholic Legislators Network to work for a more just, fraternal and peaceful world through legislative processes that promote the good of all and address situations of inequality in society.
By Benedict Mayaki, SJ

Pope Francis met Thursday with participants at a meeting promoted by the International Catholic Legislators Network.

In his prepared address, he greeted the organizers and those present for the event, thanking in particular Cardinal Schonborn and Dr Alting von Geusau for their words of greeting. He also acknowledged the presence of Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church.

The Pope then offered his reflections on three keywords: justice, fraternity and peace. He said he hopes these three themes can guide the discussions of the meeting, which is being held to consider the important theme of advancing justice and peace in the current geopolitical situation, marked by conflicts and division which affects many areas of the world.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-08/pope-francis-encourages-secular-institutes-world-conference.html

Pope: 'We should daily bear witness to God's tenderness and love'
25 August 2022, 13:00

Pope Francis encourages members of the Secular Institutes World Conference (CMIS) to never tire of showing God's closeness and tenderness through daily acts of love.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

We should bear witness to God's tenderness and love through daily gestures of love.

Pope Francis offered this encouragement when addressing the Secular Institutes World Conference (CMIS) on Thursday in the Vatican.

CMIS was founded in 1972 and received approval from the Holy See in 1974. According to the conference's website, its goal "is to organize collaboration among Secular Institutes so they can become, in the most effective way possible, a 'leaven in the world for the strengthening and growth of the body of Christ,' that is, the Church (Perfectae Caritatis, 11)."
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252118/patriarch-kirill-will-not-meet-pope-francis-in-kazakhstan

Report: Patriarch Kirill will not meet Pope Francis in Kazakhstan
By CNA Staff
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 25, 2022 / 05:37 am

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow will not attend an interreligious summit in Kazakhstan in September, where it was hoped he would meet with Pope Francis to discuss a peaceful resolution to the six-month-long war in Ukraine.

The pope will travel to the Central Asian nation for the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in the city of Nur-Sultan on Sept. 13-15.

The Russian Orthodox Church will send a delegation to the congress, but Kirill will not go, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, the head of the Russian Church’s Department for External Church Relations, told RIA-Novosti.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252117/a-question-of-delicate-balance-how-might-pope-francis-reform-the-rules-of-the-conclave

A question of ‘delicate balance’: How might Pope Francis reform the rules of the conclave?
By Andrea Gagliarducci
Rome Newsroom, Aug 25, 2022 / 04:46 am

Who will manage the Vatican when a pope resigns, is unable to govern, or passes away? And according to which rules and regulations?

In addition to the apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium, one of the great topics of discussion for the next consistory will likely be new legislation for the sede vacante, the election of the pope, and the definition of the role of the pope emeritus.

These debates were sparked by the announcement of Pope Francis’ trip to L’Aquila for the Celestinian Forgiveness — a journey that increased rumors of a possible resignation by the pope.

However, a reform of the vacancy regulation is simply necessary. The new apostolic constitution abolishes the Apostolic Camera, which was entrusted with managing the administration of the Holy See during the vacant see. Therefore the regulations will have to be updated to include the new method of managing the Holy See in the period without the pope.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-08/hungarian-president-novak-meeting-pope-francis-an-inspiration.html

Hungarian President Novák: ‘Meeting Pope Francis an inspiration’
26 August 2022, 11:19

After meeting with Pope Francis on Thursday, Hungarian President Katalin Novák grants an interview to Vatican News, and says her Christian faith and identity as a mother help guide her actions as the nation’s first female president.
By Christopher Wells

The need to support families and to encourage young people to begin families; the importance of women leaders, especially in times of conflict; and the prospect of a papal visit to Hungary were all on the table on Thursday, as Pope Francis met with Hungary’s first female president, Katalin Novák.

Following their nearly 40-minute audience, the Hungarian told Vatican News her encounter with Pope Francis “was indeed a very inspiring meeting.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-08/pope-francis-canossian-daughters-charity-address-general-chapter.html

Pope to Canossian Sisters: Be 'Women of the Word' like Mary
26 August 2022, 12:13

In his address to participants at the General Chapter of the Canossian Daughters of Charity, Pope Francis encourages the nuns in their mission of service to God and the poor, and invites them to become “Women of the Word” in the footsteps of Our Lady.
By Benedict Mayaki, SJ

Pope Francis on Friday received the participants at the General Chapter of the Canossian Daughters of Charity in audience in the Vatican.

Addressing them, the Pope thanked the Superior General for the presentation of the Chapter, and shared with them some reflections suggested by the theme “Women of the Word, loving without measure” that guides the work of the Chapter.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/august.index.html
Speeches 2022 August
To Participants in the General Chapter of the Canossian Daughters of Charity (26 August 2022)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-08/pope-francis-il-centro-aquila-italy-visit-interview.html

Pope on L’Aquila visit: ‘Forgiveness only weapon against war’
26 August 2022, 12:57

Pope Francis speaks to a local news publication of L’Aquila ahead of his pastoral visit on Sunday, and says it is harder to forgive than to make war, in reference to the Celestinian Pardon which he will inaugurate while in the central Italian city.
By Devin Watkins

“It takes more strength to forgive than to wage war… Forgiveness is the only possible weapon against all war.”

Pope Francis offered that message on Friday in an interview with “Il Centro”, a local news publication in L’Aquila.

He is scheduled to make a pastoral visit to the central Italian city in the Abruzzo region on Sunday morning, where he will open the holy door of the annual Celestinian Pardon.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-08/pope-to-french-altar-servers-be-proud-of-your-work.html

Pope to French altar servers: 'Be proud of your work'
26 August 2022, 13:39

Addressing over 1,000 altar servers from France who are on pilgrimage in Rome, Pope Francis says they are a model for many young people of their age, and reminds them that their mission does not end at Mass.
By Lisa Zengarini

“It is an honor to serve Jesus when He gives His life for us in the Eucharist”, but "serving the Mass requires a follow-up."

Pope Francis underscored this point on Friday as he addressed a pilgrimage of some 1,200 young altars servers from France gathered in the Paul VI Audience Hall in the Vatican.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/august.index.html
Speeches 2022 August
To the pilgrimage of altar servers from France (26 August 2022)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-08/pope-francis-italy-lodi-pilgrimage-audience-enrico-pozzoli.html

Pope praises Italian priest who baptized him as ‘true Salesian’
26 August 2022, 13:49

Pope Francis greets a group of pilgrims from Lodi, and recalls the virtues of the Italian city’s native-born son who became a missionary to Argentina and baptized the future Pope.
By Devin Watkins

Salesian Fr. Enrico Pozzoli was born in Senna Lodigiana, in Italy’s northern Lombardy region, and spent his life as a missionary in Argentina.

The Italian-born priest baptized Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 25 September 1936, and later helped him discern his vocation to join the Society of Jesus, also helping the future Pope’s parents accept his decision to become a priest.

Pope Francis recalled Fr. Pozzoli on Friday during an audience with pilgrims from the Diocese of Lodi, in which the priest was born.

“He was a true Salesian!” said the Pope of the priest who baptized him. “He was a wise, good, and hardworking man, an apostle of the confessional—he never tired of hearing confessions—and was merciful and well-versed in listening and offering advice.”

The Pope thanked one of the pilgrims present for writing a biography on Fr. Pozzoli, which was presented formally to the Holy Father at the audience.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/august.index.html
Speeches 2022 August
To a group of pilgrims from the Diocese of Lodi, Lombardy (26 August 2022)

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252127/a-fall-from-grace-a-court-case-the-consistory-four-twists-and-turns-in-the-life-of-cardinal-angelo-becciu

A fall from grace, a court case, the consistory: Four twists and turns in the life of Cardinal Angelo Becciu
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Aug 26, 2022 / 04:54 am

The possible reinstatement of the cardinal privileges of Cardinal Angelo Becciu made headlines this week after the former official said he would be attending the Church’s upcoming consistories, or meetings of cardinals, reportedly by invitation of Pope Francis.

The 74-year-old cardinal from the Italian island region of Sardinia was once one of the most powerful men in the Vatican before he was investigated for financial wrongdoing and charged with crimes including embezzlement, fraud, and extortion.

After more than a year on trial, Becciu continues to defend his innocence and the good intentions behind his actions.

Here is a run-down of all the twists and turns of the last few years for Cardinal Becciu:
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252124/how-many-cardinals-could-vote-new-pope-numbers-francis

Who will vote for a new pope after Francis? A look at the cardinals by the numbers
By Jonah McKeown
St. Louis, Mo., Aug 25, 2022 / 15:37 pm

The College of Cardinals is the group of the pope’s closest assistants and advisers, made up of all of the Catholic Church’s cardinals from around the world. On Aug. 27, Pope Francis will create 20 new cardinals, bringing the total number in the college to 229.

But not all of the 229 cardinals will be eligible to elect a new pope.

Pope St. Paul VI established in 1970 that cardinals aged 80 and over cannot participate in the process of electing a pope — thus, cardinals who are younger than 80 are known as “electors.” Paul VI also established a numerical limit for the number of electors, capping it at 120.

At his Aug. 27 extraordinary consistory — a meeting of all the world’s cardinals — Pope Francis is expected to create 16 new cardinals who will be electors, bringing the total number of cardinals who are eligible to vote for the next pope in a future conclave to 132. The pope will also create four new cardinals who have already passed 80 years of age.

Six of the current cardinal electors will turn 80 by the end of 2022; two of them will have turned 80 by the end of September.
 
https://catholicnews.com/by-the-numbers-consistory-keeps-expanding-variety-in-college-of-cardinals/
By the numbers: Consistory keeps expanding variety in College of Cardinals
By: Carol Glatz
Date: August 26, 2022

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RE: Continental Stage of the Synodal Process

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252128/only-the-holy-spirit-will-hijack-the-synod-on-synodality-cardinal-says-at-vatican-press-conference
Only the Holy Spirit will 'hijack' the Synod on Synodality, cardinal says at Vatican press conference
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Aug 26, 2022 / 10:12 am

At a press conference in the Vatican on Friday, two cardinals introduced the “continental phase” of the Catholic Church’s Synod on Synodality — and assured journalists that the only one "hijacking" this synod will be the Holy Spirit.

The worldwide process that began in October 2021 has now entered its second stage and will see the creation of a document by late October or early November, summarizing the results of the listening sessions and surveys conducted in individual countries until this month.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-08/cardinal-hollerich-spirit-at-work-in-the-synod.html
Cardinal Hollerich: Spirit at work in the Synod
26 August 2022, 22:49

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-08/cardinal-grech-synodality-an-appeal-as-reforming-roman-curia.html
Cardinal Grech: 'Synodality, theme for reform of Roman Curia'
26 August 2022, 15:58

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-08/meet-the-newest-cardinal-from-the-united-states.html

Meet the newest Cardinal from the United States
27 August 2022, 12:23

In a wide-ranging interview, the newest Cardinal of the United States, Cardinal-elect Robert McElroy of San Diego, shares his thoughts on how Pope Francis' teachings resonate with American Catholics.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov   

On Saturday, Pope Francis places the red hat on the head of a new Cardinal from the United States, Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego.

In a wide-ranging interview with Vatican News ahead of Saturday's Consistory, Cardinal-designate McElroy reflects on his appointment to the College of Cardinals, as well as on why Pope Francis' teachings resonate with US Catholics, the current American representation in the College of Cardinals, and the migration phenomenon in his Californian diocese.

He also spoke about his expectations for the Pope's meeting with Cardinals to discuss the reform of the Roman Curia and the Holy Father's upcoming Apostolic Visit to Kazakhstan, 12-15 September, to participate in the VII World Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252129/cardinal-robert-mcelroy-closely-aligned-with-pope-francis
Cardinal Robert McElroy: Newest (and youngest) American ‘red hat’ a kindred spirit of Pope Francis
By Kevin J. Jones, Carl Bunderson
Denver, Colo., Aug 26, 2022 / 12:00 pm