Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-11/pope-made-honorary-citizen-of-asti-greets-faithful-in-popemobile.html

Pope made honorary citizen of Asti, greets faithful in popemobile
20 November 2022, 10:42

On the second day of his visit to Asti, Italy, Pope Francis receives honorary citizenship from Mayor Maurizio Rasero. He then goes to the Cathedral to preside over Mass, greeting those along the route.
By Alessandro Di Bussolo

Pope Francis carried out his public events on the second day of his visit to Asti. On Saturday he spent private time with relatives and a visit with the elderly at a retirement home. On Sunday at the Bishop's chancery, where he is a guest, he met with the Mayor of Asti, the President of the Piedmont Region of Italy, Alberto Cirio, and other representatives of local institutions.

Mayor Maurizio Rasero conferred honorary citizenship on the Pope "for his strong commitment to peace in the world and his daily messages of solidarity and fraternity against all forms of discrimination," values that are also enshrined in the Statute of the City of Asti, and also for his strong ties with the Asti and Piedmontese territory, with his ongoing contacts with his family and the institutions, symbolically represented by a small bag of Asti soil taken from Bricco Marmorito.
 

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Full video of the Mass and Angelus in Ast, with English commentary, at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-11/pope-christ-the-king-embraces-us-calls-us-to-action.html
Pope: Christ the King shows us God's embrace, calls us to action
20 November 2022, 11:45

Pope Francis presides over Mass at the Cathedral of Asti in northern Italy and marking the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, recalls God's loving embrace on the Cross and the calling to live an active faith, serving God and neighbour, and not remaining bystanders.
By Thaddeus Jones

Presiding at the Mass at the Cathedral of Asti in the Piedmont region of Italy, Pope Francis in his homily recalled how from this area his father left Italy and migrated to Argentina. Pope Francis arrived in Asti on Saturday morning for a private visit with his own family members who still live there, including two elderly cousins. He noted how this visit has offered him a time to "rediscover and savour my roots."

As he started his homily, the Pope noted that he had just instituted a seminarian as an acolyte as part of his journey to the priesthood. Looking at today's Gospel on this Solemnity of Christ the King, the Pope said we also go back to the roots of our faith on this day, when we gaze upon Jesus, the Crucified One, who by His death, gave us eternal life. The sign above the cross, "This is the King of the Jews," turns the human idea of a king on its head, as we imagine the majesty and power that comes with kingship, whereas here we see the Lord who "appears as a slave executed by those in power."

“Appareled only with nails and thorns, stripped of everything yet rich in love, from His throne on the Cross He no longer teaches the crowds by His words; He no longer lifts His hands as a teacher. He does more: pointing a finger at no one, He opens his arms to all. That is how He shows himself to be our king: with open arms, a brasa aduerte.”
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2022.index.html
Homilies 2022
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe - Holy Mass (Asti Cathedral, 20 November 2022)


https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-11/pope-francis-angelus-solemnity-christ-the-king-asti-november.html
Pope at Angelus: We are living a famine of peace
20 November 2022, 12:15

Pope Francis recites the Angelus prayer after Mass on the Solemnity of Christ the King in Asti and prays for an end to war.
By Francesca Merlo
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2022.index.html
Angelus - Regina Cæli 2022
Angelus, 20 November 2022, Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-11/archbishop-gugerotti-appointed-new-prefect-of-eastern-churches.html

Archbishop Gugerotti appointed new prefect of Eastern Churches
21 November 2022, 15:20

Pope Francis appoints 67-year-old Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, apostolic nuncio to Great Britain until now, to take the place of Cardinal Leonardo Sandri who concludes his service as prefect having reached the age limit.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti to head the Dicastery for Eastern Churches. The change in leadership comes after fifteen years with Cardinal Leonardo Sandri as prefect who recently turned 79. Pope Benedict XVI entrusted Cardinal Sandri with the post of prefect in June 2007, reconfirmed by Pope Francis in 2014. The Cardinal will finish his service as prefect in mid-January when the 67-year-old Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti will take over the job.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-11/pope-pays-tribute-to-founder-of-mothers-of-plaza-de-mayo.html

Pope pays tribute to founder of 'Mothers of Plaza de Mayo'
21 November 2022, 20:06

In a letter to the Madres de Plaza de Mayo (Mothers of Plaza de Mayo), who for 45 years have been calling for justice in Argentina for all the 'desaparecidos,' those who disappeared during the military dictatorship, Pope Francis expresses sorrow for the death of its president and founder Hebe de Bonafini: "Her boldness and courage, at times when silence prevailed, kept alive the search for truth and memory."
By Salvatore Cernuzio

Pope Francis remembered Hebe de Bonafini in his letter recalling her "boldness and courage" and her ability to transform her grief over the disappearance of her children "into a tireless quest to defend the rights of the most marginalized and invisible." The Pope paid tribute to the Argentine activist, founder and president of the Madres de Plaza de Mayo (Mother of Plaza de Mayo) who died on 20 November at the age of 93 due to health complications.

The Pope expressed his condolences in a letter to all the Mothers, the women, who for 45 years have taken to the streets in Buenos Aires in front of the Casa Rosada to call for justice and truth for the desaparecidos (disappeared) during the military dictatorship that ruled Argentina. The Pope encouraged them to carry forward Hebe de Bonafini's commitment and continue to be "Mothers of Memory."
 

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Hmmm...

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252870/did-the-vatican-snub-german-bishops-over-synodal-way
Did the Vatican ‘snub’ German bishops over Synodal Way?
By AC Wimmer
CNA Newsroom, Nov 21, 2022 / 10:04 am

On Saturday, a president of the German Synodal Way accused the Vatican of “snubbing” German Catholics.

Irme Stetter-Karp is president of the Central Committee of German Catholics and co-president of the Synodal Way.

In a statement released Nov. 19, the laywoman said that the “fundamental criticism of the Synodal Way” raised last week by the Vatican “not only snubs the German bishops, who overwhelmingly consider reforms necessary. It also disregards the impatience of many Catholics with their Church.”

Sixty-three German bishops were in Rome last week for talks with Pope Francis and the Roman Curia.

A joint statement issued by the Holy See and the German Bishops’ Conference on Friday spoke of dialogue and patience — but otherwise showed there was little agreement between the Vatican and the German prelates over the process that has raised worldwide concerns and warnings of a new schism coming out of Germany.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-11/pope-jews-and-christians-can-pave-the-way-for-peeace.html

Pope: Jews and Christians can pave the way for peace
22 November 2022, 12:02

Pope addresses a delegation of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), saying the shared religious heritage of Jews and Christians should be an incentive to act together for fraternity and peace in a broken world.
By Lisa Zengarini

Welcoming 200 members of the Executive Committee of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) lead by its President Ronald S. Lauder, on Tuesday, Pope Francis said the common religious heritage of Jews and Christians should be seen as an “incentive to act together” for a more fraternal and peaceful world.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252882/pope-francis-meets-jewish-leaders-as-they-launch-initiative-to-strengthen-catholic-jewish-bonds
Pope Francis meets Jewish leaders as they launch initiative to strengthen Catholic-Jewish bonds
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Nov 22, 2022 / 09:30 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/november.index.html
Speeches 2022 November
To the participants in the Conference of the World Jewish Congress (22 November 2022)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-11/pope-decree-administrator-caritas-internationalis-pinelli.html

Pope appoints Temporary Administrator to relaunch Caritas Internationalis
22 November 2022, 12:47

Pope Francis issues a decree on Tuesday naming Dr. Pier Francesco Pinelli as Temporary Administrator of Caritas Internationalis.
By Sr Bernadette Reis, fsp

In a Decree released on Tuesday, Pope Francis has appointed Dr Pier Francesco Pinelli as Temporary Administrator (Commissario straordinario in the original Decree) of Caritas Internationalis. The Decree also names Dr Maria Amparo Alonso Escobar and  Rev. P. Manuel Morujão, S.J., as support to Dr Pinelli "for the personal and spiritual accompaniment of the employees”.

In addition the decree also states that those serving as President, Vice-Presidents, General Secretary, Treasurer, and Ecclesiastical Assistant “shall cease from their respective offices”; and that Cardinal Tagle, President of Caritas Internationalis until now, will assist Dr Pinelli in the duties entrusted to him.

Caritas Internationalis, the Pope says in the Decree, assists him personally in his own ministry to the poorest and most in need, manages humanitarian crises, and collaborates in spreading charity throughout the world “in the light of the Gospel and the teachings of the Catholic Church”.

Pope Francis also explains in the Decree his motivation for appointing a temporary administrator, saying the move is necessary to review Caritas’ norms and procedures and to make necessary preparations for the elections set for the next General Assembly.
 
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2022/11/22/221122c.html
Decree regarding Caritas Internationalis, 22.11.2022

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252881/pope-francis-removes-caritas-internationalis-leaders-appoints-temporary-administrator
Pope Francis removes Caritas Internationalis leaders, appoints temporary administrator
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Nov 22, 2022 / 06:11 am

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Hmmm...

https://www.ncregister.com/news/who-is-managing-the-synod-on-synodality
Who Is Managing the Synod on Synodality?
NEWS ANALYSIS: Voices supportive of Church teaching are not being given adequate exposure.
Edward Pentin   Vatican   November 22, 2022

VATICAN CITY — In light of the controversy stirred up by the working document for the next stage of the multiyear Synod on Synodality, questions have arisen over who prepared it and how it came into being.

The 45-page “Document for the Continental Stage” (DCS), published Oct. 28, attempts to summarize discussions with the lay faithful, clergy and religious who participated in the synod’s first stage of “listening and discernment” and aims to be the basis of the work for the second — or continental — stage, which runs until next spring.

Much of the document, officially entitled “Enlarge the Space of Your Tent” (Isaiah 54:2), focuses on “listening as openness to welcome,” which, it says, should derive from “a desire for radical inclusion.” The phrase “no one is excluded” is often mentioned in the text.

But the text controversially includes explicit calls for the transformation of Church structures and content that dissents from the Church’s magisterium, as well as placing an emphasis on welcoming, without a clear mention of amendment of life, groups who feel excluded from the Church such as the divorced-and-civilly remarried, “LGBT” people, and even people living in polygamous marriages.
 

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-11/pope-consolation-is-a-tremendous-gift-for-the-spiritual-life.html
Pope: Consolation is a tremendous gift for the spiritual life
23 November 2022, 09:31

In his catechesis at the General Audience, Pope Francis continues his reflections on “discernment,” focusing this week on spiritual consolation.
By Christopher Wells

Spiritual consolation is “a profound experience of interior joy, consisting in seeing God’s presence in everything,” Pope Francis said at Wednesday’s General Audience.

An interior movement that touches our depths

Continuing his catechetical series on “discernment,” the Holy Father explained that “consolation is an interior movement that touches our depths,” that those who experience consolation feel “enveloped in God’s presence in a way that always respects his or her own freedom.”

The Pope then recalled the experience of consolation in the lives of saints such as Augustine, Francis, Ignatius of Loyola, and Edith Stein (St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross). “Above all,” he said, “consolation concerns hope, and reaches out toward the future, puts us on a journey, allows us to take the initiative that had always been postponed or not even imagined, such as Baptism was for Edith Stein.”
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-11/pope-prays-for-java-earthquake-victims-peace-in-world.html
Pope prays for Java earthquake victims, peace in world
23 November 2022, 11:10

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252893/pope-francis-gives-a-shoutout-to-2022-fifa-world-cup
Pope Francis gives a shoutout to 2022 FIFA World Cup
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Nov 23, 2022 / 03:48 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2022.index.html
Audiences 2022
General Audience of 23 November 2022 - Catechesis on Discernment. 9. Consolation

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252897/head-doctor-for-madrid-soccer-team-calls-pope-francis-a-very-stubborn-patient

Head doctor for Madrid soccer team calls Pope Francis a ‘very stubborn patient’
By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, Nov 23, 2022 / 07:34 am

The Vatican has recruited the head doctor of a Madrid soccer team among a team of specialists to help treat Pope Francis’ knee problem.

José María Villalón, a sports medicine specialist and the head doctor of the Atlético de Madrid soccer team, described the pope as a “very stubborn patient” in a radio interview this week.

The doctor said that Pope Francis is “a very nice and very stubborn patient in the sense that there are surgical procedures that he does not want. We have to offer him more conservative treatments so that he will agree to them.”
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252894/pope-francis-appoints-bishop-henning-as-coadjutor-bishop-of-providence

Pope Francis appoints Bishop Henning as coadjutor bishop of Providence
By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, Nov 23, 2022 / 06:34 am

Pope Francis appointed Bishop Richard Henning as a coadjutor bishop of Providence on Wednesday.

As coadjutor, Henning will assist Bishop Thomas J. Tobin in the administration of the Rhode Island diocese and should succeed him as bishop upon his retirement, expected once Tobin turns 75 next April.

The Diocese of Providence is home to more than 603,000 Catholics. In the Vatican’s announcement on Nov. 23, Pope Francis also accepted the resignation of Bishop Robert C. Evans, 75, who served as an auxiliary bishop of Providence for the past 13 years.

Henning, an auxiliary bishop of Rockville Centre since 2018, reacted to his appointment with gratitude.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-11/pope-calls-for-creative-fidelity-openness-and-collegiality-in.html

Pope: Women can give more 'flavour' to theology
24 November 2022, 12:27

Pope Francis thanks members of the International Theological Commission for their valuable work, and offers them three orientations for their work: creative fidelity to the Tradition; openness to the contributions of various disciplines; and collegiality. He also calls for more women theologians.
By Christopher Wells

Over the course of the next few years, the International Theological Commission will be exploring the themes of the Christological faith professed by the Council of Nicea; certain current anthropological questions; and the theology of creation from a Trinitarian perspective.

Following the path traced by Vatican II

In an audience with members of the Commission on Thursday, Pope Francis expressed his pleasure at hearing that the body had accepted these themes, saying that by addressing them, the ITC was continuing its service to the Church.

He reminded them that they are called to carry out their work “in the path traced out by the Second Vatican Council, which … constitutes the sure compass for the journey of the Church” in our day.”
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252913/pope-francis-says-this-is-the-difference-between-theologians-and-catechists
Pope Francis says this is the difference between theologians and catechists
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Nov 24, 2022 / 06:40 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/november.index.html
Speeches 2022 November
To members of the International Theological Commission (24 November 2022)

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-11/international-day-violence-against-women-pope-francis-humanity.html
Pope: Violence against women is blasphemy against God
25 November 2022, 08:00

As we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Pope Francis reminds us that our level of humanity is measured by how we treat women.
By Francesca Merlo

The International Day Against for the Elimination of Violence Against Women has been observed annually on 25 November since 1981. This date was selected to honour the Mirabal sisters, three political activists from the Dominican Republic who were brutally murdered in 1960 by order of the country’s ruler, Rafael Trujillo.

The observance, that aims to help prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls around the world, calls for global action to increase awareness, promote advocacy and create opportunities for discussion on challenges and solutions.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-11/pope-nomination-pontifical-commission-sacred-architecture.html

Pope Francis appoints two women in Vatican leadership roles
25 November 2022, 11:13

Pope Francis nominates two women in managerial positions at the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology and the Dicastery for Culture and Education.
Vatican News

The number of women in positions of responsibility in the Roman Curia and related bodies is increasing.

Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archaeology

On Friday Pope Francis made new appointments that see female figures in the foreground. In the Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archaeology, as well as appointing Monsignor Pasquale Iacobone as President, Dr. Raffaella Giuliani, previously an official and member of the body, has been made Secretary of the Commission, taking over the role previously served by the now President.

Dr. Giuliani is the author of many books and documents on the catacombs, and on 16 September, she was appointed 'Magister' of the Pontifical Academy Cultorum Martyrum.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-11/pope-francis-letter-ukrainian-people-nine-months-from-russian-in.html

Pope tells the people of Ukraine people their pain is his pain
25 November 2022, 15:03

Nine months from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Pope Francis writes a letter in which he expresses his sorrow and closeness to “the noble and martyred” Ukrainian people.
By Salvatore Cernuzio

Pope Francis writes with the love of a father grieving with his children, with the pain of the pastor who sees a people wounded by “destruction and pain, hunger, thirst and cold”.

The letter was written by Pope Francis to the people of Ukraine exactly nine months from the unleashing of “the absurd madness of war”, months in which he has launched over one hundred appeals for the “martyred” nation. It is addressed to all: to the women, victims of violence or war-widows; to the young men sent to the front; to the old people who have been left alone; to those who have become refugees or displaced persons; to the volunteers and the priests, to the country’s authorities.

It is to all of them that the Bishop of Rome conveys closeness asking that they not lose courage in a time of hardship and trial, and expresses his “admiration” because, as history has already demonstrated, they are “a strong people, a people that suffers and prays, cries and struggles, resists and hopes: a noble and martyred people”.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-11/pope-francis-festival-of-social-doctrine-encounter-trust.html

Pope Francis: “Encounter must become our greatest desire”
25 November 2022, 15:04

Speaking to attendees of the Festival of Social Doctrine in Verona, Pope Francis stresses the importance of trust and encounter given the “grim” situation of the current world scenario.
By Joseph Tulloch

The annual Festival of the Social Doctrine of the Church is underway in Verona, northern Italy.

Pope Francis on Thursday addressed the conference, which is being held from the 24th to the 27th November, and spoke of the “grim” situation of the world today, urging that the way forward is “trust” and “encounter”.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-11/pope-prays-for-german-homeless-man-found-dead.html

Pope prays for German homeless man found dead near St. Peter’s
25 November 2022, 15:48

Pope Francis prays for a homeless man from Germany who died near St. Peter’s Square after a cold and rainy night and invites the faithful to pray for him and all those who live without a home.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis has prayed for Burkhard Scheffler, a German homeless man who died on a cold night close to St. Peter's Basilica.

Responding to questions from journalists, Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, said the following:

"With sorrow, Pope Francis learned of the death of Burkhard Scheffler last night near the colonnade of St. Peter's Basilica.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-11/cardinal-zen-fined-over-fund-defending-protesters-hong-kong.html

Cardinal Zen fined over fund defending protesters in Hong Kong
25 November 2022, 12:11

The 90-year-old Salesian Cardinal was fined after a court in Hong Kong found him guilty of failing to register the now-dissolved 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund to help pro-democracy activists. He was first arrested in May on charges of colluding with foreign forces.
By Salvatore Cernuzio

A $512 fine was imposed on Cardinal Joseph Zen, the Bishop Emeritus of Hong Kong, for his role in the now-dissolved fund established to aid participants of the 2019 pro-democracy demonstrations in the former British colony.

The 90-year-old Cardinal was found guilty along with five other administrators, lawyer Margaret Ng, former congresswoman Cyd Ho, singer Denise Ho, professor Hui Po-keung and fund secretary Sze Ching-wee, for failing to register the “612 Humanitarian Relief Fund,” founded to help those arrested pay legal and medical fees, properly with authorities.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252914/hong-kong-court-convicts-cardinal-zen-and-five-other-democracy-advocates
Hong Kong court convicts Cardinal Zen and five other democracy advocates
By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, Nov 25, 2022 / 03:02 am

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Update:  Vatican finance trial

https://cruxnow.com/news-analysis/2022/11/vaticans-trial-of-the-century-sets-new-standards-for-the-surreal
Vatican’s ‘trial of the century’ sets new standards for the surreal
By John L. Allen Jr.
Nov 25, 2022

ROME – Just when you think that the Vatican’s “trial of the century” against a cardinal and nine other defendants for various alleged financial crimes can’t get any more surreal, two developments pop out of the woodwork to prove you wrong.

A hearing Thursday produced both a previously unknown, and unauthorized, recording of a phone call with Pope Francis, as well as testimony from the prosecution’s star witness, who essentially blamed everyone in the system – both above him and below him, but not himself – for what went wrong.

Let’s begin with the phone call.

The recording apparently was made by a relative of Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu, one of the defendants in the trial, who’s facing charges related to transfers of Vatican money to a Catholic charity in his native Sardinia and also his financial dealings with a self-described lay security consultant named Cecilia Marogna.

Although reporters and other members of the public were escorted out of the hearing room Thursday before the recording of the conversation was played, the news agency AdnKronos provided a transcript. It occurred in late July 2021, just three days before the trial opened and not long after the pope’s colon surgery, and the recording was apparently preserved on a cell phone belonging to one of Becciu’s nephews.

In the call, Becciu clearly wanted Pope Francis to acknowledge that he had authorized payments through Marogna to a British firm to secure the release of a Colombian nun who had been kidnapped by Islamic militants in Mali in 2017. The firm was paid roughly $350,000 for its expenses, and then $500,000 was paid in ransom.

The nun, Sister Gloria Cecilia Narvaez, was eventually released and met Pope Francis in the Vatican afterwards.

Asked if he remembered being briefed on the transactions, Francis appeared to confirm that he had been: “I remember that, vaguely, but I remember, yes, I had it [the information], yes.”

Becciu then says he can’t call the pope as a witness, but asks him for a written statement that he had authorized the expenses. Francis suggests that Becciu put something on paper and send it to him, promising to look it over.
 
https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/25/europe/pope-francis-secretly-taped-phone-call-intl/index.html
Pope Francis was secretly taped during phone call with cardinal, court hears
By Delia Gallagher, CNN
Published 10:16 AM EST, Fri November 25, 2022

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-11/pope-appointment-apostolic-nuncio-european-union-noel-treanor.html

Pope appoints Noel Treanor as Apostolic Nuncio to EU
26 November 2022, 12:13

Pope Francis appoints Irish Archbishop Noel Treanor as Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis on Saturday appointed the Most Reverend Noel Treanor as Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union.

A statement released by the Holy See Press Office said the Pope also elevated the Irish Bishop of Down and Connor to the rank of Archbishop.