Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-at-general-audience-remembers-apostolic-visit-to-kazakhstan.html

Pope at Audience: Kazakhstan, a 'country of encounter'
21 September 2022, 09:18

Pope Francis remembers his 38th Apostolic Journey abroad to the Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan as a 'pilgrim of peace' during this moment of war, and makes a strong appeal against nuclear weapons. The Holy Father also prays that the resolutions of interfaith leaders gathered at the Congress in Nur-Sultan can have concrete consequences.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis has remembered the Kazakhstan's martyrs who had been persecuted under the former communist regime, and--while recalling the country south of Russia's rejection of nuclear weapons--made a vehement appeal against their use.

He did so during his Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter's Square, dedicating this week's catechesis to his recently-concluded Apostolic Journey to Kazakhstan, for the occasion of the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.

During his catechesis, the Pope recalled his 'pilgrimage of peace' to the Central Asian country, dedicated to interreligious dialogue, unity and peace, especially as the world is enveloped by war.
 

Video, with English commentary; English text of speech; and Photo gallery at the link below:

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2022.index.html
Audiences 2022
General Audience of 21 September 2022 - Catechesis: The Apostolic Journey in Kazakhstan

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252349/pope-francis-urges-support-for-hurricane-fiona-victims

Pope Francis urges support for Hurricane Fiona victims
By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, Sep 21, 2022 / 07:04 am

Pope Francis has called on Christians to support communities in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico devastated by Hurricane Fiona.

The pope expressed his solidarity with all affected by the category 3 hurricane in a telegram sent on Sept. 21 to bishops in the Caribbean countries.

The telegram signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said that Pope Francis “asks the entire Christian community and all people of good will to increase solidarity to help those affected by this disaster.”

More than 1.3 million homes and businesses were left without power in Puerto Rico after the storm dumped 30 inches of rain, causing surging floodwaters, submerged homes, and damaged roads.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-premonstratensians-missionary-spirit-born-out-of-love.html

Pope to Premonstratensians: missionary spirit is born out of love
22 September 2022, 10:54

For the 900th anniversary of the foundation of the order of the Premonstratensians, Pope Francis encourages members to reflect on the history of their community and look towards the future, living their lives as missionaries in fraternal coexistence rooted in the Eucharist and the Gospel.
By Sophie Peeters

Last year marked the occasion of the 900th anniversary of the founding of the Abby of Prémontré, the first Abby founded in the order of the Premonstratensians.

The order was founded by St. Norbert in 1120 Prémontré, France, and soon spread to regions all over Europe.

Following the monastic rule of St. Augustine, the Premonstratensians combine a monastic, reflective life with a more active religious life influenced by the Cistercian ideals.

Receiving members of the order in the Vatican on Thursday, Pope Francis had words of encouragement and appreciation for them, as he noted the significance of orders such as the Premonstratensians in their ability to remain present and spread as “shining beacons” of hope throughout the trials and successes of human history.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/september.index.html
Speeches 2022 September
To the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré (Premonstratensians) on the occasion of the ninth centenary of the founding of the Abbey of Prémontré (22 September 2022)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-francis-to-deloitte-business-can-help-tackle-crises-global.html

Pope to Deloitte: Business can help tackle crises
22 September 2022, 12:20

Speaking to consultants of Deloitte Global, Pope Francis notes that business can play a powerful role in tackling crises globally; and he calls on them to be 'integral consultants' committed to helping promote the wellbeing of all people.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis says business has the power and experience to help suffering people and to help tackle crises worldwide, including the pandemic and war.

The Holy Father made these observations when addressing a delegation from Deloitte Global on Thursday in the Vatican.

Deloitte is one of the so-called 'Big Four' international accounting and multi-services firms worldwide, and employs some 350,000 people globally.

The Pope thanked them for their visit and work, before turning his attention to the numerous challenges plaguing the world, and suggesting three ways they can promote a more humane, just, and fraternal world.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252360/pope-francis-asks-financial-consultants-to-put-people-before-business
Pope Francis asks financial consultants to put people before business
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Sep 22, 2022 / 11:00 am

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Hmmm...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-francis-to-international-thomistic-congress-go-to-thomas.html
Pope Francis to International Thomistic Congress: Go to Thomas
22 September 2022, 13:56

Pope Francis invites participants in the Eleventh International Thomistic Congress, to build on and enrich the ancient teaching of St Thomas Aquinas through dialogue with the new things of the modern world.
By Vatican News staff reporters

In off-the-cuff remarks to participants in the Eleventh International Thomistic Congress, Pope Francis emphasized that following a great thinker like Saint Thomas means reflecting on a guide and master, not just another intellectual.

The danger of “instrumentalizing” Thomas
Pope Francis warned that within Thomism, there is a danger of “instrumentalizing” St Thomas; and gives the example of the many interpretations that make the saint a slave of “casuistic thinking." Such a procedure risks making a “mockery” of the master’s thought.

Instead, he insisted, a proper study of the master’s thought involves contemplation, which is followed by an explanation of his thought. Finally, cautiously, one can attempt to interpret his thought. Pope Francis cautions that one must never “use” or instrumentalise the master to advance one’s own position, but rather, place one’s own thoughts in the light of the master.

A lesson in Thomistic theology
To illustrate the point, Pope Francis points to Dominican Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, who, during the debate at the Synod of the family gave a lesson on Thomistic theology. Cardinal Schönborn, he said, “understood Thomas and explained him, without using him.”

From this example, the Pope indicated the correct procedure to follow: “Before speaking of St Thomas, before speaking of Thomism, before teaching, one must contemplate: contemplate the master, understand beyond intellectual thought what the master lived and what the master wanted to tell us.”

Saint Thomas, Pope Francis concluded, “was a light to the thought of the Church, and we must defend him from all these 'intellectualistic reductionisms' that imprison the greatness of his magisterial thought.”

“A faithful disciple of incarnate Wisdom”
A printed copy of the speech the Pope had prepared for the audience was also given to participants. In it, Pope Francis recalled St Thomas Aquinas as a “faithful disciple of incarnate Wisdom” and a “tireless seeker after the face of God,” in an address to participants of the XI International Thomistic Congress, sponsored by the Pontifical Academy of Saint Thomas Aquinas and the Angelicum Thomistic Institute.
 
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2022/09/honor-aquinas-dont-instrumentalize-him-pope-says
Honor Aquinas, don’t instrumentalize him, pope says
By Cindy Wooden
Sep 22, 2022 | Catholic News Service

--An article from 2016 at the link below--

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/is-amoris-laetitia-really-thomistic
Is ‘Amoris Laetitia’ Really Thomistic?
Leading Dominican theologian discusses the claim, made by Pope Francis and others, in an exclusive contribution for the Register.
Edward Pentin
December 16, 2016

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/september.index.html
Speeches 2022 September
To the participants in the International Thomistic Congress, promoted by the Pontifical Academy of St Thomas Aquinas (22 September 2022)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-francis-brazil-bishops-ad-limina-apostolorum.html

Pope tells Brazil’s Bishops 'not to be afraid of today’s challenges’
23 September 2022, 21:48

Following Pope Francis’ meeting with the bishops of Brazil’s São Paulo, Aparecida, and Sorocaba regions on Friday, Cardinal Odilio Pedro Scherer says the Pope urged them to be near to God, their brother bishops, priests, and the faithful.
By Salvatore Cernuzio

Concerns and recommendations about the Church of Brazil, the life of the country, and the people, as well as political and cultural situations: these topics formed the focus of the two-hour ad limina visit of a group of Brazilian bishops with Pope Francis.

The group of 25 prelates from the provinces of São Paulo, Aparecida, and Sorocaba (the Southern Region 1 of the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops, CNBB) was received on Friday morning in the Apostolic Palace, after having visited several Dicasteries of the Roman Curia in recent days and celebrated Masses in the four papal Basilicas.

After their papal audience, Cardinal Odilio Pedro Scherer, the Archbishop of São Paulo, told Vatican News’ Bianca Fraccalvieri that their dialogue with the Pope was “very fraternal”.

It was a very intense, beautiful moment of renewal of faith and adherence to the faith of Peter and the mission.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252371/pope-francis-chief-vatican-prosecutor-retires-deputy-prosecutor-promoted

Pope Francis’ chief Vatican prosecutor retires; deputy prosecutor promoted
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Sep 23, 2022 / 08:10 am

Pope Francis on Friday accepted the resignation of the chief prosecutor of the Vatican City State court, Gian Piero Milano, and named a new prosecutor.

Milano, who will turn 75 in November, has been the Vatican tribunal’s prosecutor, also known as the promoter of justice, since October 2013.

As Vatican promoter of justice, Milano oversaw the investigations that led to the two “Vatileaks” trials and the prosecution of a priest and former Holy See diplomat for the possession and distribution of child pornography, among other cases. He was formerly a professor of canon and ecclesiastical law.

The pope on Friday appointed Alessandro Diddi as new head prosecutor. An adjunct prosecutor for the Vatican since 2015, Diddi is lead investigator for the Vatican’s major finance trial against defendant Cardinal Angelo Becciu and nine others. He also has a background as a criminal defense lawyer in Rome
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-09/cardinal-pietro-parolin-russia-sergei-lavrov-meeting.html

Cardinal Parolin meets with Russia’s Lavrov at UN in New York
22 September 2022, 21:26

Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
By Alessandro De Carolis

We must always engage in dialogue, "because there is always the possibility that in dialogue we can change things."

Pope Francis spoke those words last week on the flight back to Rome from Kazakhstan, as he talked to journalists.

The Pope was speaking about the Holy See’s diplomatic mission, especially in regard to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, offered further proof of that guiding principle on Thursday, as he met with Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister.

The encounter took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, which is taking place in New York.
 
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2022/09/top-vatican-diplomat-meets-russian-foreign-minister
Top Vatican diplomat meets Russian foreign minister
By Elise Ann Allen
Sep 23, 2022

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Pope Francis' visit to Assisi -- September 24, 2022

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-francis-arrival-assisi-economy-of-francesco-closure.html
Pope Francis arrives in Assisi to take part in Economy of Francesco
24 September 2022, 09:36

The papal helicopter has taken Pope Francis to Assisi where he is participating in the the final portion of the 3-day Economy of Francesco event, which has seen brilliant young minds gather to work towards solving some of the world's biggest problems.
By Francesca Merlo - Assisi, Italy

Pope Francis landed in Assisi on Saturday morning, where he is attending the final day of the Economy of Francesco.

The three-day event has seen young economists and entrepreneurs gathered from over 120 countries across the globe.

These 1,000 minds have joined forces over the last few days to follow in the footsteps of Pope Francis, who in turn follows in those of Saint Francis, to find solutions to some of the world's biggest problems.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-francis-meeting-young-people-economy-of-francesco-assisi.html
#EoF2022: Young people share their dreams with Pope Francis
24 September 2022, 11:00

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/economy-francesco-final-covenant-pope-francis-gospel.html
Economy of Francesco Covenant: ‘Building an economy of the Gospel’
24 September 2022, 11:27

--Full video, text of speech, and Photo gallery at the link below:

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/september.index.html
Speeches 2022 September
Visit of the Holy Father Francis to Assisi for the 'Economy of Francesco' event (24 September 2022)

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Pope Francis' visit to the southern Italian city of Matera -- September 25, 2022

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-francis-matera-italy-mass-7th-national-eucharistic-congress.html
Pope Francis in Matera for closing of National Eucharistic Congress
25 September 2022, 09:00

The papal plane has taken Pope Francis to the southern Italian city of Matera to preside over Holy Mass that concludes the 27th National Eucharistic Congress.
By Linda Bordoni

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the President of the Italian Bishop’s Conference welcomed Pope Francis upon his arrival in the city of Matera on Sunday morning.

The Pope’s presence in the so-called City of 'the Sassi', an extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Site built on a labyrinth of caves that have been inhabited since the Paleolithic period, is to conclude Italy’s 27th National Eucharistic Congress.

The Congress was inaugurated by Cardinal Zuppi on 22 September with an appeal for peace at a time, he said, when Europe is torn apart by a war “that deprives people of bread.
 

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Pope Francis' visit to the southern Italian city of Matera -- September 25, 2022

Full video, with English commentary, at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-francis-eucharistic-congress-homily-mass-matera-bread.html
Pope at Eucharistic Congress: Bread must be shared on the table of the world
25 September 2022, 10:20

Pope Francis celebrates Holy Mass in the city of Matera at the conclusion of the 27th National Eucharistic Congress reminding Christians there is no eucharistic worship without compassion for the poor.
By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis invited Christians to “return to the taste of bread to remember that while this earthly existence of ours is being consumed, the Eucharist anticipates the promise of resurrection and guides us towards the new life that conquers death.”

Speaking during the homily at Holy Mass to conclude the 27th National Eucharistic Congress in the southern Italian city of Matera on Sunday, the Pope reflected on the Gospel of Luke which tells of the rich man and the poor Lazarus who hoped, in vain, to be fed by the crumbs falling from the former’s table. (Lk 16, 19-31).

“The Gospel we have just heard tells us that bread is not always shared on the table of the world; it does not always emanate the fragrance of communion; it is not always broken in justice,” he said.

Inviting the faithful to reflect on the dramatic scene described by Jesus in this parable that presents us on the one hand with “a rich man dressed in purple garments and fine linen, flaunting his opulence and feasting lavishly,” and on the other with “a poor man, covered in sores, who lies at the door hoping to eat the crumbs that fall from that table,” the Pope said that faced with this contradiction, we must ask ourselves what the Sacrament of the Eucharist, “source and summit of a Christian's life” asks of us?
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-appeals-angelus-myanmar-ukraine-cameroon.html
Pope appeals for peace in Myanmar, Ukraine, Cameroon
25 September 2022, 11:00

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-may-we-welcome-accompany-support-and-integrate-migrants.html
Pope: May we welcome, accompany, support and integrate migrants
25 September 2022, 11:02

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2022.index.html
Homilies 2022
Pastoral Visit to Matera for the conclusion of the 27th National Eucharistic Congress: Eucharistic Concelebration (25 September 2022)

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2022.index.html
Angelus - Regina Cæli 2022
Pastoral Visit to Matera for the conclusion of the 27th National Eucharistic Congress: Angelus, 25 September 2022

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Pope Francis' visit to the southern Italian city of Matera -- September 25, 2022

Video at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-visits-matera-solidarity-center-blesses-new-premises.html
Pope visits Matera solidarity center, blesses new premises
25 September 2022, 12:14

Following the Mass in Matera, Italy, to mark the conclusion of the 27th National Eucharistic Congress, the Pope visited the "Don Giovanni Mele" soup kitchen where he greeted staff and blessed their new building.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis made a visit to a soup kitchen near the venue of where he presided over Mass in Matera. The Pope travelled to the southern Italian city in the Basilicata region on Sunday where he presided over the celebration marking the conclusion of the 27th National Eucharistic Congress.
The Pope visited the new premises housing the "Don Giovanni Mele" Fraternity Cafeteria that serves around 100 meals per day for the poor and people in need. During the pandemic, the soup kitchen offered meals for carry-out.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-encourages-third-order-cappuchin-sisters-of-holy-family.html

Pope to Capuchin sisters: 'Let the Holy Family inspire you'
26 September 2022, 11:10

Pope Francis invites Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of the Holy Family to learn from the Holy Family, to embrace littleness and to have a massive impact by listening silently to God's voice, maintaining a strong personal prayer life, and living out synodality together.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis has called on religious sisters to be powerful prophets of humble listening, so that by listening to God's voice they might be empowered to go against the current and 'noise,' to bring God's love to all without distinction.

The Pope gave this encouragement as he addressed members of the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of the Holy Family on Monday in the Vatican.

According to their website, the Congregation was founded in 1885, in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montiel, Benaguacil, in Valencia, Spain, and was approved by Pope Leo XIII in 1902.

What was born as a small family of sisters is now present in 34 countries located on four continents, full of young women worldwide "joyful for their call and happy to be consecrated to the service of others."

Pope Francis told the nuns on Monday morning that it was a joy for him to welcome them, especially as they celebrate their 23rd General Chapter.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/september.index.html
Speeches 2022 September
To the participants in the General Chapter of the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of the Holy Family (26 September 2022)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-to-youth-of-shalom-community-continue-to-be-creative.html

Pope to youth of 'Shalom' Community: ‘Continue to be creative'
26 September 2022, 14:04

Addressing some 1000 young people of the “Shalom” Catholic Community in the Vatican, Pope Francis encourages them to keep their missionary charism alive as they celebrate the 40th anniversary of their Brazilian-born movement that aims to evangelize the young, by the young.
By Lisa Zengarini

Be creative,  welcoming and docile to the Holy Spirit and the Church in your missionary drive. Pope Francis gave this challenging mandate to the young people of the “Shalom” Movement when receiving them on Monday in the Vatican as they meet in Rome for their five-yearly convention marking its  40th year of foundation.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/september.index.html
Speeches 2022 September
To the participants in the meeting of the "Shalom" Catholic Community (26 September 2022)

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252389/pope-francis-names-new-head-of-vatican-dicastery-for-culture-and-education

Pope Francis names new head of Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education
By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Sep 26, 2022 / 08:00 am

Pope Francis has appointed a Portuguese cardinal as the head of the newly formed Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education.

The Vatican announced on Sept. 26 that the pope appointed Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça as the prefect of the dicastery.

Mendonça most recently served as the head of the Vatican library and archives, where he oversaw the digitization of historic manuscripts and created a new space for housing temporary exhibitions.

The 56-year-old cardinal, originally from the Portuguese island of Madeira, is an expert in the relationship between literature and theology, according to the Vatican. He has published poetry as well as academic theological articles.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252387/cardinal-zen-stands-trial-in-hong-kong

Cardinal Zen stands trial in Hong Kong
By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, Sep 26, 2022 / 02:40 am

Cardinal Joseph Zen and five others stood trial in Hong Kong on Monday for failing to properly register a fund to provide legal aid to pro-democracy protesters.

The 90-year-old cardinal and retired bishop of Hong Kong arrived at the court in West Kowloon on Sept. 26 using a cane to walk. He was arrested in May along with other democracy activists under Hong Kong’s strict national security law.

In addition to Zen, who has been free on bail since early May, several others have been charged for failing to apply for local society registration for the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund between 2019 and 2021.

Those accused with Zen are lawyer Margaret Ng, singer-activist Denise Ho, cultural studies scholar Hui Po-keung, activist Sze Ching-wee, and ex-legislator Cyd Ho.

All the defendants have pleaded not guilty. Cyd Ho is already jailed for a different charge. The fund helped pro-democracy protesters pay their legal fees until it dissolved itself in October 2021.

On the first day of the trial, the prosecution said that the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund had raised a total of $34.4 million and used part of the fund for “political activities and non-charity events” such as donations to protest groups, AFP reported.

The defense argued that this was irrelevant to the charge as to whether the humanitarian fund had registered correctly. The defendants’ lawyers previously said they had the right to associate under Hong Kong’s Basic Law — the legal framework created when Great Britain handed over Hong Kong to China in 1997.

The defendants have not yet been indicted under Hong Kong’s national security law, which broadly criminalizes “sedition” and “collusion with foreign forces,” which would have carried much more severe penalties.

If convicted under the current charge, Zen and the others could face a fine of about $1,200 but no jail time. Zen’s trial, delayed by one week after the presiding judge tested positive for COVID-19, is expected to conclude in November, according to AFP.

Vatican response
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/book-tornielli-pope-francis-life-of-jesus.html

Pope: A "Life of Jesus" for a closer relationship with Him
27 September 2022, 10:16

Andrea Tornielli's book "Life of Jesus", with an introduction by Pope Francis, hits the shelves in Italian on 27 September. The Editorial Director of the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication tells the story of Christ alternating the Gospel texts with a personal and historical reconstruction of details and events that are not part of the evangelists' narration. Woven into the story are comments by Pope Francis.

Pope Francis

A significant aspect that always strikes me when reading the Gospel is the importance of the looks, a detail on which this Life of Christ will also dwell on often. Some glances cross each other – let’s think of Zacchaeus, who climbed up the tree somewhat grotesquely. He wants to see Jesus without being seen, but instead is looked at by the Lord who tells him he wants to go to Zacchaeus’s house. Let’s take the blind man of Jericho – he could not see but was seeking God’s gaze. He wanted to be looked at by Jesus and would not stop screaming, asking, begging, till he found that gaze resting on him.

There are looks on every page of the Gospel. This is how people encounter Jesus. There are also the looks of the doctors of the law, of those who were seeking to put him to the test, and even the amazed looks of those who did not understand. The way they looked at each other is important; the looks the people involved exchanged are important.  It is not enough only to read, listen. It is beautiful to enter personally into the Gospel episodes, reproducing Jesus’s look in my mind and heart, to imagine, for example, among the many other people who were there, his eyes resting on a poor widow who offers a few small coins in the Temple. Jesus’s eyes had been observing the teachers of the law, walking in the Temple so as to be noticed and to show themselves off as perfect. Then his eyes were attracted to that widow who was offering two coins, two cents – more than everyone else because it was all that she had. That look is the canonization of her generosity.
 
A Piemme publication in Italian for Mondadori Libri S.p.A. Publishing House
© 2022 Mondadori Libri S.p.A., Milano
all rights reserved of papal texts:
© Libreria Editrice Vaticana-Dicastery for Comunication

The book will be published in English at a later date.

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252398/andrea-bocelli-to-sing-in-st-peter-s-square-this-sunday

Andrea Bocelli to sing in St. Peter’s Square this Sunday
By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, Sep 27, 2022 / 09:30 am

Andrea Bocelli will sing at the Vatican this Sunday as a special guest for the inauguration of a new light display on the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Italian tenor is scheduled to perform on Oct. 2 a song from his new album, set to be released at the end of October.

The performance at 8 p.m. will kick off a two-week nightly video display at the Vatican. From Oct. 2 to Oct. 16, an eight-minute video, “Follow Me: The Life of St. Peter,” will be projected onto the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica.

The video tells the story of the Church’s first pope using video renderings of Renaissance artwork found in the Vatican Museums and inside the basilica.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2022/09/vaticans-synod-chief-tells-u-s-church-leaders-to-listen-to-others

Vatican’s synod chief tells U.S. Church leaders to ‘listen to others’
By John Lavenburg
Sep 27, 2022

NEW YORK – Cardinal Mario Grech encouraged more than 200 U.S. Catholic leaders to continue the process of listening called for by the Synod on Synodality, even as it moves out of the local phase, and to consider the contributions of all people of goodwill, in a recent presentation.

“When we say that we are listening to the others, we are also saying that we are listening to the Holy Spirit, and for me, this is something sacred and it was about time that we came around to recognize this wealth, this richness in the church,” said Grech, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops.

“We believe in the people of God and in their power because the Holy Spirit lives in them, so it would be a great miss if we do not take into consideration, into account, the contribution of not only all of the baptized, but all of the people of goodwill,” Grech continued. “All people of goodwill can really contribute and help also the pastors to find what is the will of God for his church today.”

Grech made the comments on Sept. 22, to open this year’s Catholic Partnership Summit hosted by Leadership Roundtable, a U.S.-based Catholic nonprofit that seeks to promote best practices in leadership and management within the church.

The cardinal made the comments live from Frascati, Italy, where the Vatican’s synod team is gathered to review synod syntheses from across the globe as the continental phase begins. Grech called the results they’ve received so far “astonishing,” and noted that they will receive a reply from all of the bishops’ conferences of the world, “something unprecedented in history.”

Outside of episcopal conferences, Grech acknowledged that there were more than 1,000 individual synod submissions made directly to the Vatican, which he guaranteed will be taken into account.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops publicized its national synod synthesis on Sept. 19. Grech commented that he has read the report twice, and found it “very, very interesting.” He noted what he described as “very, very high participation” – an estimated 700,000 people.
 

https://www.usccb.org/resources/US%20National%20Synthesis%202021-2023%20Synod.pdf
National Synthesis of the People of God
in the United States of America for the
Diocesan Phase of the 2021-2023 Synod

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252408/cardinal-zen-s-second-day-in-court-magistrate-rules-there-is-sufficient-evidence

Cardinal Zen’s second day in court: Magistrate rules there is sufficient evidence
By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, Sep 28, 2022 / 04:48 am

On Tuesday, Cardinal Joseph Zen’s second day in court in Hong Kong, five witnesses were cross-examined and the magistrate ruled that there was sufficient evidence to justify a trial.

The 90-year-old cardinal appeared on Sept. 27 for the second consecutive day in the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts. The prosecution called four police officers and one other witness to testify in the preliminary hearing.

Principal Magistrate Ada Yim ruled that the prosecution has sufficient evidence to make a prima facie case against the cardinal and five others for failing to properly register a fund to provide legal aid to pro-democracy protesters, according to the Hong Kong Free Press.

Zen’s next trial date is set for Oct. 26. He was arrested in May along with other democracy activists under Hong Kong’s strict national security law. Under the current less serious charge, he could face a fine of about $1,200 but no jail time.