Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-10/holy-see-china-provisional-agreement-on-nomination-of-bishops.html

Holy See-China: Provisional Agreement on nomination of Bishops renewed for second time
22 October 2022, 12:05

After “appropriate consultation and assessment,” the Holy See and the People's Republic of China agree to extend for another two years the validity of the agreement first concluded in 2018. The Holy See intends to continue a respectful and constructive dialogue to further the mission of the Catholic Church and the good of the Chinese people.
By Vatican News

“After appropriate consultation and assessment, the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China have agreed to extend for another two years the Provisional Agreement regarding the appointment of Bishops, which was signed on 22 September 2018 and previously extended on 22 October 2020,” according to a communiqué released by the Holy See Press Office on Saturday.

“The Vatican Party,” the statement continues, "is committed to continuing a respectful and constructive dialogue with the Chinese Party for a productive implementation of the Accord and further development of bilateral relations, with a view to fostering the mission of the Catholic Church and the good of the Chinese people."
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252622/vatican-renews-china-deal-for-second-time
Vatican renews China deal for second time
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Oct 22, 2022 / 04:05 am

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-10/tagle-why-holy-see-is-renewing-the-provisional-agreement.html
Cardinal Tagle: A decision to safeguard apostolic succession for Chinese Catholics
22 October 2022, 12:05

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-10/cardinal-pietro-parolin-interview-provisional-agreement-china.html
Parolin: ‘An Agreement on aspects essential to daily life of Church in China’
22 October 2022, 12:11

https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2022/10/22/221022e.html
Communiqué on the extension of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China regarding the appointment of Bishops, 22.10.2022

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-10/pope-at-angelus-be-humble-so-that-god-may-raise-you-up.html
Pope at Angelus: Be humble so that God may raise you up
23 October 2022, 12:17

In his reflections on the Sunday Gospel, Pope Francis underscores the importance of seeing and acknowledging our own weaknesses and the need to develop a humility of heart so that in invoking God's mercy, He may heal us, restore us and raise us up.
By Thaddeus Jones

Speaking to the crowds gathered in Saint Peter's Square for the Sunday Angelus prayer, Pope Francis offered his customary reflections on the Sunday Gospel that today tells us about the Pharisee and the publican who to go the Temple to pray. The publican, an avowed sinner, acknowledges his sinfulness before God and presents himself as he is in his own poverty, without any embellishment, the Pope explained, saying this parable presents two movements: one of rising and the other of descending.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-10/pope-prays-for-peace-in-ethiopia-victims-of-flooding-in-africa.html
Pope prays for peace in Ethiopia, victims of flooding in Africa
23 October 2022, 13:04

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-10/pope-calls-for-prayers-for-ukraine-recalls-world-mission-day.html
Pope calls for prayers for Ukraine, recalls World Mission Day
23 October 2022, 14:32

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-10/pope-francis-registers-for-the-next-world-youth-day-in-lisbon.html
Pope Francis registers for the next World Youth Day in Lisbon
23 October 2022, 12:36

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2022.index.html
Angelus - Regina Cæli 2022
Angelus, 23 October 2022

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-10/pope-francis-meets-french-president-emmanuel-macron.html

Pope meets French President Emmanuel Macron
24 October 2022, 11:04

Pope Francis meets with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, for their third private audience in the Vatican, and discusses the desire to promote peace in a world overtaken by war, especially the war in Ukraine.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis received French President Emmanuel Macron in the Vatican on Monday.

This marks their third private audience since the start of the pontificate.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252629/pope-francis-meets-french-president-emmanual-macron
Pope Francis meets French President Emmanual Macron
By AC Wimmer
CNA Newsroom, Oct 24, 2022 / 07:04 am

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-10/pope-cyprus-president-vatican-refugees-nicos-anastasiades.html

Pope Francis meets with President of Cyprus
24 October 2022, 12:05

Pope Francis holds a private audience with President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, to discuss the strong ties with the Holy See, as well as issues fo possible further collaboration, particularly on the issue of welcoming refugees.
By Joseph Tulloch

Pope Francis on Monday morning received Mr Nicos Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Cyprus, in an audience in the Vatican.

The pair expressed their gratitude for the good existing bilateral relations between the Holy See and Cyprus, and discussed the possibility of further collaboration on areas of mutual concern, such as the reception of refugees.

Also on the agenda were the reunification of Cyprus and the situation of the Mediterranean region more broadly, according to a statement from the Holy See Press Office.

Following his meeting with the Pope, Mr Anastasiades met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-10/pope-to-pontifical-institute-jp-ii-family-is-not-ideology.html

Pope to Pontifical Institute ‘JP II': family is not ideology
24 October 2022, 13:06

Addressing the Pontifical Theological Institute “John Paul II” for Marriage and the Family Sciences, Pope Francis highlights the need for the Church as well as the State “to listen and support families” in these turbulent times, reminding that the family is the very fabric of society, while warning against ideological approaches.
By Lisa Zengarini

Pope Francis on Monday met the academic community of the Pontifical Theological Institute “John Paul II” for Marriage and the Family Sciences.

Established in 2017

The Institute was established in 2017 with the Motu Proprio Apostolic Letter  ‘Summa familiae cura’, succeding and replacing the Pontifical Institute “John Paul II” for Studies on Marriage and Family, created in 1981 by Pope St. John Paul II on the heels of the 1980 Synod of Bishops on the Family.
 
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2022/10/pope-churchs-concern-for-the-family-goes-beyond-focus-on-couples
Pope: Church’s concern for the family goes beyond focus on couples
By Cindy Wooden
Oct 24, 2022 | Catholic News Service

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/october.index.html
Speeches 2022 October
To the academic community of the John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences (24 October 2022)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2022-10/sant-egidio-cry-for-peace-unifying-event-underway-in-rome.html

Sant'Egidio's 'Cry for Peace' awaits Pope Francis for closing event
25 October 2022, 09:59

The Community of Sant’Egidio is hosting the 36th edition of its annual "Spirit of Assisi" event in Rome, dating back to 1986 with St. John Paul II, welcoming Heads of State, religious leaders, and Pope Francis for its concluding Prayer for Peace at Rome's Colosseum.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

A three-day peace summit hosted by the Community of Sant’Egidio has been welcoming presidents, religious leaders, and various high-ranking authorities, and is set to welcome Pope Francis, later on Tuesday afternoon.

The event in Rome was inaugurated Sunday at the “Nuvola” Congress Center in the Italian capital's EUR business district, with the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian President Sergio Matterella.

Cry for Peace

Pope Francis is taking part in its closing ceremony the afternoon of 25 October, at the Colosseum.

This marks the third-consecutive year Pope Francis has participated in the annual event.

While the Summits generally were held in different European cities, since the pandemic, they have been held in Rome, and with the Holy Father's presence at each prayer gathering.

This marks the 36th edition of the meetings initiated in the wake of the historic World Day of Interreligious Prayer for Peace of 27 October 1986, with Pope St. John Paul II.

This year, the event was held under the theme was 'Il Grido della Pace' (The Cry for Peace).
 

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Video at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-10/pope-religious-leaders-demand-peace-at-spirit-of-assisi-event2.html
Pope at Spirit of Assisi: God's name 'cannot bless terror and violence'
25 October 2022, 17:28

At the Community of Sant'Egidio's 'Cry for Peace' at the Colosseum, Pope Francis reiterates that religions cannot be used for war, and calls for nations to defuse conflicts with the weapon of dialogue.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

“Religions cannot be used for war. Only peace is holy, and no one is to use the name of God to bless terror and violence. If you see wars around you, do not resign yourselves! The peoples desire peace."

This was the appeal of Pope Francis, along with religious leaders, during the closing ceremony of the annual 'Spirit of Assisi' prayer for peace on Tuesday afternoon at Rome's iconic Colosseum.

The Pope recalled that these words he and religious leaders declared together a year ago, gathered in the same place, and said the appeal we launched "is all the more timely today," and "we must strive to do ever better each day."

“Let us never grow resigned to war. Let us cultivate seeds of reconciliation.”

"Today let us raise to heaven our plea for peace," the Pope said.

In the face of threats of nuclear weapons and anguished pleas, the Pope warned that war constitutes "a failure" and suggested it "summons everyone" to do everything, at every level, to stop it.
 

Full video, English text of speech, and photo gallery at the link below...
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/october.index.html
Speeches 2022 October
Prayer Meeting for Peace (25 October 2022)

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Re:  Vatican finance trial

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252638/analysis-vatican-trial-of-the-century-prepares-for-hearing-of-super-witness
Analysis: Vatican ‘trial of the century’ prepares for hearing of ‘super-witness’
By Andrea Gagliarducci
Vatican City, Oct 25, 2022 / 09:34 am

A key witness in the so-called Vatican finance “trial of the century” will be heard at the end of November.

His role — and testimony — is considered so vital to the corruption trial that some are calling him a ”super-witness.”

Monsignor Alberto Perlasca, for 11 years a senior official in the Vatican Secretariat of State, will testify at the Vatican tribunal on Nov. 23, 24, and 25 in what is expected to be a crucial moment of the trial.

Primarily, the trial revolves around the Secretariat of State’s investment in luxury real estate in London.

However, it also explores further criminal allegations.

Cardinal Angelo Becciu, for instance, also faces charges for allocating money from the Secretariat of State to Caritas in his native region.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252639/sheila-tlou-pontifical-academy-of-life-contraception

Is new Pontifical Academy of Life appointee pro-abortion? She won’t say
By Kevin J. Jones
Denver, Colo., Oct 25, 2022 / 12:00 pm

A new appointee to the Pontifical Academy for Life is a technical adviser for a group whose work includes improving the market for “safe abortion” supplies.

Sheila Dinotshe Tlou, a nursing professor who is a former health minister in Botswana and a leader in HIV/AIDS prevention and other health causes, also is an outspoken advocate of contraception, a position at odds with the Catholic Church’s teaching that artificial birth control is morally unacceptable.

On Oct. 15, the Pontifical Academy for Life announced her appointment as one of several new members whose expertise and background will help provide “a constant and fruitful interdisciplinary, intercultural, and interreligious dialogue.”
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252652/biden-gravely-wrong-to-push-abortion-catholic-bishops-say

Biden ‘gravely wrong’ to push abortion, Catholic bishops say
By Kevin J. Jones
Denver Newsroom, Oct 25, 2022 / 17:00 pm

President Joe Biden, a professed Catholic, must end his “single-minded” abortion extremism and see the humanity in unborn children, the U.S. bishops have said. They said abortion’s impact is “tragic,” and urged the president to support mothers.

“The president is gravely wrong to continue to seek every possible avenue to facilitate abortion, instead of using his power to increase support and care to mothers in challenging situations,” Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore, chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, said Oct. 25.

“This single-minded extremism must end, and we implore President Biden to recognize the humanity in preborn children and the genuine life-giving care needed by women in this country,” he said.

The U.S. bishops’ statement noted that last week Biden declared that his top legislative priority after the November elections is to codify a national right to abortion.
 
https://www.usccb.org/news/2022/statement-us-bishops-pro-life-chairman-churchs-teaching-light-presidents-commitment
Statement of U.S. Bishops’ Pro Life Chairman on Church’s Teaching in Light of President's Commitment to Codify a National Right to Abortion
OCTOBER 25, 2022 | BY PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-10/pope-francis-question-and-answer-seminarians-in-rome.html

Pope Francis: 'Priests must be close to the people'
26 October 2022, 12:48

In a conversation with seminarians and priests studying in Rome, Pope Francis addresses numerous topics: from the compassionate style of priests, called to be close to the people, to spiritual direction.
By Vatican News staff writer

A long dialogue took place on Monday in the Paul VI Hall between Pope Francis and seminarians and priests studying in Rome. Throughout the meeting, the Pope was asked ten questions.

The good priest and God's style

Responding to a question on the concreteness of mercy, the Pope stated that it is necessary to learn the language of gestures that express closeness and tenderness. This also applies when giving homilies, he said. "Let the expression be complete".

Pope Francis spoke of three languages that reveal "the maturity of a person: the language of the head, the language of the heart, and the language of the hands" and urged them to learn to express themselves in these three languages, "that I think what I feel and do, feel what I think and do, do what I feel and think".
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/october.index.html
Speeches 2022 October
To Seminarians and priests studying in Rome (24 October 2022)

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2022/10/pornography-weakens-the-soul-pope-tells-young-priests-seminarians
Pornography weakens the soul, pope tells young priests, seminarians
By Cindy Wooden
Oct 26, 2022 | Catholic News Service

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-10/pope-francis-discernment-desolation-general-audience.html
Pope at Audience: Spiritual desolation can strengthen us if we listen to God
26 October 2022, 09:29

During his catechesis at the General Audience, Pope Francis says desolation and sadness, though considered to be a negative experience, can teach us important things and strengthen us spiritually, if we know how to traverse it with openness and awareness.
By Benedict Mayaki, SJ

Continuing his cycle of reflections on the theme of discernment, Pope Francis said that discernment, which is not primarily a logical procedure, is “based on actions, and actions have an affective connotation which must be acknowledged, because God speaks to the heart.”

He focused his catechesis during the Wednesday General Audience on the first affective mode and an object of discernment: desolation.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-10/pope-francis-makes-appeal-for-congo-general-audience.html
Pope condemns DR Congo attacks: 'We watch in horror'
26 October 2022, 10:09

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2022.index.html
Audiences 2022
General Audience of 26 October 2022 - Catechesis on Discernment. 7. The subject of discernment. Desolation

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Hmmm...

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252658/russia-is-willing-to-speak-with-pope-francis-about-the-war-in-ukraine
Russia is ‘willing’ to speak with Pope Francis about the war in Ukraine
By CNA Staff
Denver Newsroom, Oct 26, 2022 / 13:33 pm

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitri Peskov said his government is willing to talk with Pope Francis, the United States, and France to find a solution to the war in Ukraine.

“We are willing to discuss all this (the situation in Ukraine) with the Americans, with the French, and with the pontiff,” Peskov said during a daily telephone news conference Oct. 25.

The Russian official was referring to the proposal by French President Emmanuel Macron, who on Monday asked the Roman Pontiff to call Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill to “promote the peace process” in Ukraine.

In a statement to Le Point magazine, Macron said he encouraged “Pope Francis to call Vladimir Putin and Patriarch Kirill, but also Joe Biden. We need the United States to come to the table to promote the peace process in Ukraine.”

Peskov said that “if this really goes in the direction of the efforts to search for possible solutions, it can be positively assessed.”
 

Monday's meeting at the link below...
https://cruxnow.com/church-in-europe/2022/10/__trashed-30
Pope, Macron meet at Vatican; Ukraine concerns loom large
By Frances D'Emilio
Oct 24, 2022 | Associated Press

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-10/pope-to-madagascar-religious-form-a-large-spiritual-family.html

Pope Francis: Unity and closeness to Christ bring true joy
27 October 2022, 12:03

Pope Francis encourages Madagascar's priests and religious men and women residing in Rome to form a unified spiritual family, centred on the love of Christ, and the joy the Lord gives.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

"Our personal and community experience of consecration to Christ is proof that life can be lived differently in the light of the Gospel, which gives true joy."

The Pope offered this reminder to the priests and men and women religious of Madagascar residing in Rome, in the Vatican on Thursday.

Earlier that same morning, Pope Francis received the bishops of Madagascar on the occasion of their ‘ad Limina Apostolorum’ visit to Rome, and the Pope greeted the President of the Bishops Conference, also present at this encounter.

The Holy Father visited Madagascar in September 2019, during his Apostolic Visit there, as well as to Mauritius and Mozambique.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/october.index.html
Speeches 2022 October
To Priests and consacrated persons of Madagascar residing in Rome (27 October 2022)

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252665/cardinal-zen-s-trial-reopens-in-hong-kong-days-after-vatican-china-deal-renewal

Cardinal Zen’s trial reopens in Hong Kong days after Vatican-China deal renewal
By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, Oct 27, 2022 / 08:24 am

The trial of Cardinal Joseph Zen resumed in Hong Kong on Wednesday, days after the Vatican announced the renewal of its agreement with Beijing.

Prosecutor Anthony Chau Tin-hang took the floor on Oct. 26 in the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court, where Zen and five other pro-democracy activists have been charged for failing to apply for local society registration for the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund between 2019 and 2021.

The prosecution argued that the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund needed to be registered with the police because of its “massive” size and “systematic” mode of operation, according to the South China Morning Post.

The fund helped pro-democracy protesters pay their legal fees until it dissolved itself in October 2021. Chau argued that the fund was political in nature and therefore did not qualify for the exemption in Hong Kong’s Societies Ordinance for organizations set up “for religious, charitable, social, or recreational purposes.”

The defense will make its arguments before Principal Magistrate Ada Yim Shun-yee on Oct. 31.
 

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Re:  The Synod of Bishops

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-10/voices-of-excluded-in-synod-document-for-continental-phase.html
Synod: Voices of excluded heard in Document for Continental Phase
27 October 2022, 11:09

The Synod of Bishops publishes the text that will provide a “frame of reference” and form the basis for the work of the second stage of the synodal path launched by Pope Francis in 2021. The Working Document for the Continental Stage was based on the syntheses coming from the churches of the five continents after consultation with the faithful and others.
By Salvatore Cernuzio

Here are the poor and the indigenous, families, remarried divorcees and single parents, LGBTQ people, and women who feel excluded. Here are the victims of abuse or trafficking or racism. Here are priests, laicized priests, and lay people; Christians and those ‘distant’ from the Church, those who want reforms on priesthood and the role of women, and those who “following the liturgical developments of the Second Vatican Council, do not feel at ease.” Here are those who live in countries of martyrdom, those who deal daily with violence and conflict, those who fight against witchcraft and tribalism. In short, here within the approximately 45 pages that make up the Document for the Continental Stage (DCS) is the whole of humanity, with its wounds and fears, its imperfections and demands,.

The syntheses of the Churches of the world

This is the Document that will serve as the basis of the work for the second stage of the synodal path launched by Pope Francis in October 2021, with the consultation of the People of God. Precisely during this first stage, the faithful — and not only the faithful — of every diocese in every corner of the globe were involved in a process of “listening and discernment”. And the results of meetings, convocations, dialogues, and innovative initiatives — above all, that of the digital Synods — have flowed into syntheses or summaries that were sent to the General Secretariat of the Synod, and have now all been collected in a single document: the “Document for the continental stage.”
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252663/synod-on-synodality-vatican-reveals-outline-for-next-stage-of-discussion-radical-inclusions
Synod on Synodality: Vatican reveals framework for next stage of discussions
By Courtney Mares, Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Oct 27, 2022 / 04:15 am

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252662/what-does-the-synod-document-say-about-ordination-of-women-lgbtq-issues-and-the-liturgy
What does the synod document say about ordination of women, LGBTQ issues, and the liturgy?
By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, Oct 27, 2022 / 04:20 am

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2022/10/new-synod-doc-highlights-challenges-but-offers-few-solutions
New synod doc highlights challenges, but offers few solutions
By Elise Ann Allen
Oct 27, 2022

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The Press Conference for the presentation of the Document for the Continental Stage of the Synod at the link...

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2022/10/synod-organizers-sell-process-as-cementing-catholicism-as-church-of-both-and
Synod organizers sell process as cementing Catholicism as church of ‘both/and’
By Elise Ann Allen
Oct 28, 2022

ROME – Retired Pope Benedict XVI once famously said in an address to a group of clergy that the inherent beauty of Catholicism is “the religion of the great ‘both/and,’” meaning there is space for everyone.

Speaking to priests from the Italian dioceses of Belluno-Feltre and Treviso in 2007, Benedict was told by one of the veteran priests in attendance that while in seminary, he had been chastised by a spiritual director for enjoying soccer more than Eucharistic adoration, and he wanted Benedict’s opinion.

In response, Benedict said that “Catholicism, a little simplistically, has always been considered the religion of the great ‘both/and,’ not of great exclusions, but of syntheses. ‘Catholic’ means precisely ‘synthesis.’”

A true pastoral approach means “to live in the ‘both/and’” he said, adding, “I’d simply want to commit myself to the great Catholic synthesis, for this ‘both/and’: To be truly human, everyone according to their gifts and charisms loving the earth and the beautiful things the Lord has given us, but also being grateful that the light of God shines upon the earth, giving splendor and beauty to everything else.”

This is more or less the sentiment that organizers of the ongoing Synod of Bishops on Synodality and members of the team that wrote the document for the current continental phase said they are trying to convey through the synodal process.
 

The speakers and link to the document in English and other languages at the link below...
https://www.synod.va/en/highlights/working-document-for-the-continental-stage.html
WORKING DOCUMENT FOR THE CONTINENTAL STAGE
_______________________
Addresses of the Press Conference (27. 10.2022)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-10/pope-francis-visit-bahrain-holy-see-press-office-overview.html

Pope’s visit to Bahrain a ‘precious step on path of fraternity’
28 October 2022, 15:50

As Pope Francis prepares to depart for Bahrain on 3-6 November, the Director of the Holy See Press Office offers an overview of the Pope’s 39th Apostolic Journey abroad, which aims to strengthen interreligious dialogue and encourage local Catholics.
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis returns to the Middle East on 3-6 November for the second time in a few short years for a visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

His 39th Apostolic Journey abroad brings him to his 58th country visited as Pope.

At a press conference at the Holy See Press Office on Friday, Matteo Bruni offered reporters an overview of the papal visit.

The Director of the Holy See Press Office pointed out that Pope Francis will be the first Pope to visit Bahrain.
 

[grace-land]

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-10/pope-francis-catholic-action-leaders-leaven-italy-parish.html

Pope encourages Catholic Action youth to become "leaven" in society
29 October 2022, 12:30

Pope Francis encourages young leaders of the Italian Catholic Action in their work in the parishes and urges them to contribute to the growth of the Church in fraternity.
By Benedict Mayaki, SJ

Pope Francis received young parish leaders of the Italian Catholic Action group in the Vatican on Saturday morning.

Addressing them, the Pope expressed appreciation for their care of parishes, noting that, as he belongs to a different generation when the parish and the parish priest, was a central point of reference in the lives of people through Sunday Masses, catechesis and the sacraments.

He further acknowledged that the socio-cultural reality has now significantly changed – in other countries and in Italy – and the mission of the Church, including the parish, has been rethought. However, one essential thing remains for everyone in their journey of faith and growth: “the parish experience has been and is important.”

The Pope said that the parish "is the 'normal' environment where we learned to hear the Gospel, to know the Lord Jesus, to offer service with gratuitousness, to pray in community, to share projects and initiatives, to feel part of God's holy people."
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/october.index.html
Speeches 2022 October
To the young people from Italian Catholic Action (29 October 2022)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-10/pope-meets-luxembourg-pm-xavier-bettel.html

Pope meets with Luxembourg PM Xavier Bettel
29 October 2022, 12:49

Pope Francis meets with Mr. Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of Luxembourg, at the Apostolic Palace on Saturday morning.
By Vatican News staff writer

In the Vatican Saturday morning, Pope Francis met with the Luxembourg Prime Minister, Mr. Xavier Bettel, for a private audience.

Mr. Bettel subsequently met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by His Excellency Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.

The cordial talks highlighted the good bilateral relations between the Holy See and Luxembourg and discussed topics of common interest, with a special focus on relations between the Church and the State.

Reference was also made in particular to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the commitment to peace.

Other issues, including the migration crisis and the need to provide assistance to migrants and refugees, were also discussed in the meeting.