Pope Francis

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-01/pope-at-angelus-be-free-from-attachments-make-way-for-the-lord.html
Pope at Angelus: Be free from attachments, make way for the Lord
15 January 2023, 12:11

In his reflections before leading the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis says that to make way for the Lord in our lives and be of service to others, we need to break free of any personal attachments that can interfere in our spiritual growth.
By Thaddeus Jones

In his customary address before leading the Sunday Angelus prayer in Saint Peter's Square, Pope Francis spoke about the witness of John the Baptist we hear in today's Gospel where after baptizing Jesus he says “After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me.” These words reflect John's spirit of service, the Pope observed, as John has prepared the way for the Messiah and is now ready to step aside.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-01/pope-francis-announces-prayer-vigil-synod-ecumenism-angelus.html
Pope announces Ecumenical Prayer Vigil for Synod
15 January 2023, 12:20

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2023.index.html
Angelus - Regina Cæli 2023
Angelus, 15 January 2023

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update: Vatican finance trial

https://cruxnow.com/news-analysis/2023/01/a-farcical-friday-at-vatican-trial-captures-case-for-separation-of-powers
A farcical Friday at Vatican trial captures case for separation of powers
By John L. Allen Jr.
Jan 15, 2023

ROME – Marx famously said that history repeats itself, first as tragedy and then as farce. The Vatican seemed to supply a classic for-instance Friday with a return performance by Francesca Immacolata Chaouqui, the femme fatale at the heart of the Vatileaks 2.0 scandal early in Francis’s papacy, who’s now back as a witness in the pontiff’s “Trial of the Century.”

Chaouqui, a former PR officer for Ernst & Young, was appointed in 2014 to a commission advising the newly elected Pope Francis on financial reform, only to be indicted and convicted by a Vatican tribunal for leaking confidential documents to journalists. At the time, the outcome seemed to mark the end of her brief stint as a Vatican personality.

Yet last fall, amid the ongoing trial of ten defendants for alleged financial crimes, including Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu, it emerged that Chaouqui had played an incognito role in advising the star prosecution witness, Italian Monsignor Alberto Perlasca, about how to shape his testimony. After that disclosure, she too was called to testify, and Friday was her first turn on the stand. (She will be back February 16.)
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-01/pope-francis-encourages-confederation-fraternity.html

Pope: Confraternities should be missionaries of God's love & tenderness
16 January 2023, 11:36

Pope Francis invites members of the Confederation of Italian Confraternities to be missionaries of God's love and tenderness, always walking together in Christ's footsteps and proclaiming the Gospel.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Be missionaries of God's love and tenderness.

This was the exhortation Pope Francis gave to members of the Confederation of the Confraternities of the Dioceses of Italy when meeting with them in the Vatican on Monday.

Founded in 2000, in the context of the Jubilee Year, the Confederation has been working for more than 20 years to welcome, support and coordinate the rich and varied presence of the Confraternities throughout Italian dioceses.

In two years, the Confederation will celebrate their 25th anniversary in the context of the 2025 Jubilee Year, which has as its motto "Pilgrims of Hope."
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/january.index.html
Speeches 2023 January
To the Confederation of Confraternities from various Dioceses of Italy (16 January 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-01/pope-francis-health-is-not-a-luxury.html

Pope Francis: 'Health is not a luxury'
16 January 2023, 11:44

Addressing a delegation of Italian radiographers, Pope Francis praises the work of healthcare professionals and calls on governments to ensure universal access to decent healthcare.
By Lisa Zengarini

“A world that discards the sick, which does not assist those who cannot afford treatment, is cynical and has no future.”

Pope Francis stressed this point when meeting on Monday with members of the Italian National Federation of Radiographers and of the Technical Medical Rehabilitation and Prevention Professions.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/january.index.html
Speeches 2023 January
To the members of the Italian National Federation of Radiographers and of the Technical Medical Rehabilitation and Prevention Professions (16 January 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-01/pope-to-preside-over-mass-on-sunday-of-the-word-of-god.html

Pope to preside over Mass on Sunday of the Word of God
16 January 2023, 17:10

The Dicastery for Evangelization announces that Pope Francis will preside over Mass on the "Sunday of the Word of God" in St. Peter's Basilica, which he instituted in 2019 as a way to promote the study of Sacred Scripture.
By Vatican News staff reporter

The Vatican's Dicastery for Evangelization has issued details on the annual celebration of Sunday of the Word of God, which this year falls on 22 January and has as its theme a verse from John's Gospel, "We proclaim to you what we have seen" (1 Jn 1:3).

The aim of this special celebration is to give new life to the responsibility of all believers to deepen their knowledge of Sacred Scripture. As part of the promotional effort, those present will be given a booklet of the Gospel of Matthew.

The Dicastery's Section for Fundamental Questions regarding Evangelization in the World released the information on Monday and is organizing the celebration.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-01/pope-francis-dr-congo-pentecostal-church-telegram.html

Pope laments attack on Pentecostal church in DR Congo
17 January 2023, 14:01

Pope Francis expresses his condolences for the victims of an attack on a Pentecostal church in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
By Devin Watkins

As Pope Francis prepares to visit the Democratic Republic of Congo on 31 January to 3 February, violent attacks continue to leave many civilians dead or wounded, especially in the east of the Central African nation.

In the most recent attack, suspected terrorists bombed the Pentecostal church in the eastern city of Kasindi on Sunday.

Hundreds of worshipers had gathered to welcome new members to the community in baptism. A blast rocked the church’s courtyard, killing at least 14 people and wounding more than 40 others.

The so-called Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, and the Congolese army blamed the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which is allied to ISIS.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-01/people-of-dr-congo-await-healing-from-papal-visit.html
People of DR Congo await 'healing' from Pope's upcoming visit
17 January 2023, 11:30

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Update: Synod on Synodality

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-01/synod-theologian-sees-joyful-simple-prophetic-future-for-church.html
Msgr. Coda: Synod's Continental stage showcases joyful, prophetic Church
17 January 2023, 10:35

Msgr. Piero Coda, an Italian member of the Synod Theological Commission, offers an overview of the ongoing Continental Stage of the synodal journey, as the Church reflects on the Working Document "Enlarge the space of your tent".
By Adriana Masotti

Msgr. Piero Coda, secretary general of the International Theological Commission and member of the Synod Theological Commission, has offered a general overview of the ongoing Continental Stage of the Synod on synodality.

Msgr. Coda noted that "great Popes have led the Catholic Church in the most recent period of her long history: great in spiritual stature and witness in daily life, in wisdom and culture, in social discernment and prophecy."
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253361/cardinal-zen-very-concerned-about-synod-on-synodality
Cardinal Zen ‘very concerned’ about Synod on Synodality
By Courtney Mares
Rome, Italy, Jan 17, 2023 / 07:21 am

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-01/pope-francis-general-audience-catecehesis-apostoli-zeal-two.html
Pope at Audience: Church called to seek out those who have gone astray
18 January 2023, 09:30

Pope Francis continues his cycle of catechesis on apostolic zeal, and invites everyone to imitate the Good Shepherd and see the lost member of the flock not as an enemy but as an opportunity to bear witness to the joy of the Lord.
By Francesca Merlo

In his continuing catecheses on apostolic zeal, Pope Francis asked those gathered in the Paul VI Hall for his weekly General Audience to “look at the unsurpassable model of evangelization: Jesus.”
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-01/pope-francis-general-audience-french-drc-hope-honour-journey.html
Pope urges prayers for DR Congo ahead of Apostolic Visit
18 January 2023, 09:34

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-01/pope-calls-for-prayers-for-nigerian-priest-suffering-ukraine.html
Pope calls for prayers for Nigerian priest and suffering Ukrainians
18 January 2023, 10:02

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2023.index.html
Audiences 2023
General Audience of 18 January 2023 - Catechesis. The passion for evangelization: The apostolic zeal of the believer. 2. Jesus, model of evangelization

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Cardinal Mario Grech: Speaks at webinar launching a formation course on synodality

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-01/cardinal-grech-encourages-prayerful-synodality.html
Cardinal Grech encourages prayerful synodality
18 January 2023, 12:33

The Secretary General of the Synod, Cardinal Mario Grech, speaks at webinar launching a formation course on synodality, and recalls the power of prayerful synodality and welcoming of the Holy Spirit.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Cardinal Mario Grech has made an exhortation to rediscover prayerfulness in each synodal convocation.

The Secretary General of the Synod made this observation in his intervention during a webinar launching a new formation course on synodality on Wednesday evening.

In his remarks, the Cardinal noted that the publishing of the text recently by the General Secretariat of the Synod takes place at a "providential moment" for the 2021-2024 synodal path.

It comes ahead of the seven continental Assemblies that will be held in the coming months, after having completed the stage of consultation of the People of God in the local Churches around the world, a consultation that led to the drafting of the Working Document for the Continental Stage.

As the continents prepare for this important appointment, "absolutely unprecedented in the history of the Synod," Cardinal Grech expressed his hope that the present collection of the Pope's speeches may prove useful in the preparation and celebration of these assemblies.

Concreteness from Pope Francis
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253381/7-things-to-know-about-march-for-life-keynote-speaker-jonathan-roumie-of-the-chosen

7 things to know about March for Life keynote speaker Jonathan Roumie of ‘The Chosen’
By Francesca Pollio Fenton
Denver, Colo., Jan 18, 2023 / 10:21 am

"The Chosen" actor Jonathan Roumie meets Pope Francis at the Vatican on Aug. 11, 2021. | Vatican Media/CNA

Jonathan Roumie is a devout Catholic actor best known for his role playing Jesus in the hit series “The Chosen.” The 48-year-old’s popularity has spread like wildfire as the show has more than 450 million views worldwide.

During its first season, the show was the largest-ever crowdfunded television series and has been translated into 56 languages. In its third season, the first two episodes were released in theaters on Nov. 18, 2022, and was the third highest-grossing film during its opening weekend.

The actor who has touched the lives of millions around the world will now be joining a lineup of speakers at this year’s annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253385/2023-march-for-life-7-things-for-pro-lifers-to-know
2023 March for Life: 8 things for pro-lifers to know
By Katie Yoder
Washington D.C., Jan 18, 2023 / 12:00 pm

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-01/pope-to-finnish-ecumenical-delegation-never-tire-to-build-unity.html

Pope to Finnish Ecumenical Delegation: Never tire of fostering unity
19 January 2023, 10:57

Pope Francis receives an ecumenical delegation from Finland, and recalls the importance of working for Christian unity and for reconciliation in the world.
By Lisa Zengarini

Meeting in the Vatican with an ecumenical delegation from Finland on Thursday, Pope Francis spoke about the importance of fully living the common call, shared by all Christians baptized in Christ, to work tirelessly for reconciliation, and to be agents of reconciliation in a war-torn world.

The group is visiting Rome as part of a customary ecumenical pilgrimage celebrating the Feast of Saint Henrik, an English-born Bishop martyred in Finland, who is venerated both by Catholics and Lutherans, as well as several Protestant Churches and the Anglican Communion.

Along with Catholic and Lutheran members, the delegation also included Orthodox and Methodist representatives.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/january.index.html
Speeches 2023 January
To the Ecumenical Delegation from Finland (19 January 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-01/pope-francis-buddhist-delegation-cambodia-audience.html

Pope to Buddhists: Dialogue can foster ecological conversion
19 January 2023, 11:02

Pope Francis greets a delegation of Buddhists from Cambodia, and encourages interreligious dialogue as a way to cultivate ecological responsibility.
By Devin Watkins

A group of Cambodian Buddhists met with Pope Francis on Thursday, as part of an encounter to enhance interreligious cooperation.

In his address to the delegation, the Pope praised efforts to foster dialogue among religions, saying this important element of society helps people to live “peacefully as brothers and sisters”.

He commended the group for gathering under the banner of “ecological conversion”, and called it a “positive sign of the growing sensitivity and concern for the wellbeing of the earth, our common home”.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/january.index.html
Speeches 2023 January
To the Buddhist Delegation from Cambodia (19 January 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-01/laywoman-among-those-moving-closer-to-sainthood.html

Pope moves laywoman and 5 others closer to sainthood
19 January 2023, 12:00

Pope Francis approves decrees moving six people closer to sainthood, with the new Venerables hailing from Italy and Spain, including a laywoman, a religious sister and four priests.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis on Thursday authorized the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints to promulgate six decrees advancing the causes for the canonization of four priests and two women.
A Italian laywoman is among the new Venerables. Servant of God Bertilla Antoniazzi lived just 20 years, between 1944 and 1964, in Italy's Veneto.

Admitted to Vicenza hospital when she was just nine years old due to severe dyspnoea caused by rheumatic endocarditis, the illness forced her to stay at home at all times.

With great strength of spirit, she understood that her mission was to console those who were suffering, and to bring sinners and souls closer to God through the offering of her life and infirmity. And she never closed in on herself.

She established friendly relations with doctors and nurses and an intense correspondence with other sick people.

In total trust in God in prayer, she never complained, not even in the last two particularly brutal years of her life as she battled her illness.

On a pilgrimage to Lourdes in 1963, she did not ask Our Lady for healing, but for holiness.

Other Decrees
 

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-01/pope-francis-world-youth-day-2023-lisbon-videomessage.html
Pope on WYD 2023: ‘Young people thirst for horizons’
20 January 2023, 10:00

Pope Francis sends a video message to participants in World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, and urges young people to open their horizons and hearts to other pilgrims.
By Devin Watkins

As young people from across the globe prepare to participate in World Youth Day in Libson, Portugal, Pope Francis sent them a video message on Friday to express his joy.

The Pope noted that over 400,000 young people have registered to take part in the event on 1-6 August 2023.

He said their desire to travel to the Portuguese capital later this year fills him with joy.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253404/pope-francis-world-youth-day-2023-in-lisbon-will-open-horizons-hearts
Pope Francis: World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon will open horizons, hearts
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Jan 20, 2023 / 02:08 am

https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/01/20/230120a.html
Video Message of the Holy Father to young people preparing for World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, 20.01.2023

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-01/face-social-challenges-with-arms-of-charity-pope-tells-sisters.html

Pope: Face social challenges with weapons of charity
20 January 2023, 12:27

Welcoming members of the Society of the Sisters of Social Service to the Vatican on the centenary of the religious community’s founding, Pope Francis encourages religious women to face social challenges “only with the weapons of charity.”
By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis met Friday with religious of the Society of the Sisters of Social Service on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the group’s foundation by Margit Slachta.

In his prepared remarks which were handed to those present, the Holy Father highlighted that the original charism of the Society “has been applied over time and through the Church’s social teaching to different political and social situations, up to the present day.”
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/january.index.html
Speeches 2023 January
Meeting with the Sisters of Social Service (20 January 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-01/pope-meets-president-of-paraguay.html

Pope Francis meets President Abdo Benítez of Paraguay
20 January 2023, 13:34

Pope Francis receives the President Mario Abdo Benítez of Paraguay in the Vatican on Friday, where the two leaders discussed countering poverty and overcoming inequality.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis received the President of Paraguay, Mr. Mario Abdo Benítez, in the Vatican on Friday.

According to a statement from the Holy See Press Office, the conversations were cordial.

"During the cordial discussions in the Secretariat of State," it said, "satisfaction was expressed for the good bilateral relations and the will to further strengthen them, as well as for the cooperation with the local Church."

"The challenges facing Paraguayan society," continued the statement, "were then addressed, with particular emphasis on countering poverty and overcoming inequality."
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-01/pope-francis-anselmo-university-liturgy-course.html

Pope: ‘A liturgical celebration that does not evangelise is not authentic’
20 January 2023, 13:39

Speaking to participants in a course for Diocesan liturgy officials, Pope Francis encourages liturgists to fight against “sloppy, neglected, poorly prepared” Masses, and warns against putting ritual ahead of the encounter with Christ.
By Joseph Tulloch

Pope Francis on Friday addressed participants in a course for Diocesan liturgical officials, organized by the Pontifical Institute of Sant’Anselmo.

In his address, the Pope stressed that liturgy is fundamentally about encounter with Christ, and encouraged reverent celebrations.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/january.index.html
Speeches 2023 January
Participants in the course “Living liturgical action fully” (20 January 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-01/pope-francis-deeply-grateful-for-witness-of-pro-lifers.html

Pope Francis blesses participants in March for Life
20 January 2023, 19:15

In a message read at the National Prayer Vigil for Life on Thursday, Pope Francis prays that God “will strengthen the commitment of all… to persevere in their efforts aimed at protecting human life in all its stages."
By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis has sent his blessing “as a pledge of strength and joy in the Lord,” to everyone taking part in the March for Life in the United States, “and to all those who support them by their prayers and sacrifices.”

The Pope’s blessing was conveyed in a message addressed to Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, the chair of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities. The message, signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, was read at the National Prayer Vigil for Life, which took place in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

The March for Life is one of the largest demonstrations each year in the nation’s Capital. Originally organized in response to the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion throughout the country in 1973, the March has evolved to promote “the beauty and dignity of every human life by working to end abortion – uniting, educating, and mobilizing pro-life people in the public square.”
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-01/first-march-for-life-after-dobbs-decision-marks-new-beginning.html
First March for Life after Dobbs marks new beginning for pro-life movement
20 January 2023, 16:19

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253406/focus-on-changing-hearts-bishop-burbidge-tells-packed-post-roe-vigil-mass-for-life
Focus on ‘changing hearts,’ Bishop Burbidge tells packed post-Roe Vigil Mass for Life
By Lauretta Brown
Washington D.C., Jan 20, 2023 / 07:20 am

Message of greetings from Pope Francis...

https://www.usccb.org/resources/18183%2023%2020230106%20March%20for%20Life.pdf

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-01/pope-francis-roman-curia-spiritual-exercises-lent-2023.html

Pope invites Roman Curia to dedicate a week to Spiritual Exercises
20 January 2023, 12:11

Pope Francis is urging top officials in the Roman Curia to dedicate the first week of Lent to a personal experience of the Spiritual Exercises.
By Vatican News staff reporter

The Holy See Press Office announced on Friday that Pope Francis has invited all Cardinals residing in Rome, heads of Dicasteries, and Superiors of the Roman Curia to take a week for prayer in Lent.

The Pope called on top officials of the Roman Curia to “experience in a personal way a period of Spiritual Exercises”.

In order to facilitate their personal retreat, he urged them to suspend their “work activities and engage in prayer from the afternoon of Sunday, 26 February, to the afternoon of Friday, 3 March.

This period of Spiritual Exercises coincides with the first Week of Lent.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253405/pope-francis-to-do-private-lenten-retreat-in-2023
Pope Francis to do private Lenten retreat in 2023
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Jan 20, 2023 / 06:05 am

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-01/pope-may-we-all-witness-to-peace-in-our-daily-lives.html

Pope: May we all witness to peace in our daily lives
21 January 2023, 15:37

Pope Francis meets with members of Italy's national association for disabled veterans and civil servants, and encourages them to become "a force for peace in society, helping to resolve conflicts peacefully and drawing attention to those least protected."
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis met with a delegation of Italy's national association for disabled veterans and civil servants (Unione Nazionale Mutilati per Servizio) at the Vatican on Saturday morning. In his address to the group, the Pope spoke about the importance of prayer, a powerful instrument, especially in the face of war, which seems like "an invincible monster." He said we must address the conflicts in our daily lives "by avoiding all violence and overpowering force," even when it comes to our words, as we strive to work for peace and harmony in our societies.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/january.index.html
Speeches 2023 January
Audience with members of the National Union for Persons Injured in Service (21 January 2023)