Pope Francis

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-francis-angelus-catechesis-26-march-2023.html
Pope at Angelus: Like little children learning to walk, let God take you by the hand
26 March 2023, 12:20

During his Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis calls on faithful to do as they did when they were little children learning how to walk, by letting God take them by the hand and lead the way, even when they fall or feel discouraged.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

"Get up, get back on the path, regain confidence! ... I will take you by the hand, like when you were a child learning to take your first steps," Jesus tells us, insisted Pope Francis during his Sunday Angelus address to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.

The Holy Father gave these words of comfort as he stressed the Lord's incredible power to restore us, even when all seems lost, as he offered his customary reflections on the day's Gospel, which, this fifth Sunday of Lent, presents us with the resurrection of Lazarus, the last of the miracles of Jesus narrated before Easter.

"We can therefore say that we are at the culmination of his "signs," when Jesus brings his dear friend Lazarus, back to life, even when all hope seems lost," he said.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-invites-prayers-for-victims-of-war-and-natural-disasters.html
Pope invites prayers for victims of war and natural disasters
26 March 2023, 13:18

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2023.index.html
Angelus - Regina Cæli 2023
Angelus, 26 March 2023

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-francis-minerva-dialogues-technology-artificial-intelligenc.html

Pope Francis urges ethical use of artificial intelligence
27 March 2023, 12:11

While praising the benefits of technology and artificial intelligence, Pope Francis says AI raises serious questions and must be ethically and responsibly used to promote human dignity and the common good.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis has applauded the benefits of technology and artificial intelligence, when used for the common good, but has warned against using AI unethically or irresponsibly.

He did so when addressing the 'Minerva Dialogues,' a high-level annual gathering of scientists and experts, organized by the Vatican's Dicastery for Education and Culture, on Monday in the Vatican.

The assembly brings together experts from the world of technology – scientists, engineers, business leaders, lawyers and philosophers -and representatives of the Church – curial officials, theologians and ethicists – with the aim of studying and fostering greater awareness of the social and cultural impact of digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. 
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/march.index.html
Speeches 2023 March
To Participants in the “Minerva Dialogues”, meeting organized by the Dicastery for Culture and Education (27 March 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-priests-are-pastors-not-functionaries.html

Pope : Priests are pastors, not functionaries
27 March 2023, 14:14

Pope Francis meets with seminarians and bishops from the Italian region of Calabria, and encourages them to adapt priestly formation to the signs of the times and to walk together in unity and fraternity.
By Lisa Zengarini

Pope Francis has urged Italian seminarians, formators  and bishops from the southern Italian region of Calabria, to address the new pastoral challenges in their Dioceses by renewing priestly formation and joining forces.

The Pope met with the students and staff of the seminaries who are accompanying their bishops on their ad limina visit to Rome, in the Vatican's Consistory Hall, on Monday morning.

Pope Francis addressed the group by first thanking the rectors and the formators for their “sometimes hidden and painful work” they do for the seminarians “which requires the daily effort of accompaniment and discernment.”

Noting that, despite often making headlines for crime-related incidents, Calabria has a precious cultural and spiritual heritage “that unites the East and the West,” the Pope remarked that without “a renewed commitment to promote evangelization and priestly formation,” that heritage dating back to Greek times, risks “remaining only a beautiful past to be admired.”
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/march.index.html
Speeches 2023 March
To the seminarians of the dioceses of Calabria (27 March 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-03/vatican-dicastery-communication-pope-francis-statio-orbis-spei-s.html

Vatican ‘counts down to launch’ Pope’s message of hope in Spei Satelles
27 March 2023, 13:26

The Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication teams up with the Italian Space Agency to launch Pope Francis’ message of peace and hope into orbit aboard the Spei Satelles, or ‘Guardian of Hope’, satellite.
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis’ message of hope and peace for our troubled world is about to lift off into space.

The Spei Satelles, or “Guardian of Hope” satellite will carry a record of the Pope’s Statio Orbis of 27 March 2020 – held at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic – into orbit around the earth.

The SpeiSat 3U CubeSat will launch on 10 June 2023 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in the US state of California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which will place it in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 525km.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253946/pope-francis-to-bless-satellite-set-to-launch-his-words-into-space
Pope Francis to bless satellite set to launch his words into space
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Mar 27, 2023 / 10:30 am

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/german-cardinal-rauber-a-life-in-holy-see-diplomacy-dies.html

German Cardinal Rauber, long-serving diplomat, passes away
27 March 2023, 12:29

German Cardinal Karl-Josef Rauber, former apostolic nuncio, dies on Sunday evening at the age of 88, following a life of diplomatic service on behalf of the Holy See.
By Vatican News staff reporter

Cardinal Karl-Josef Rauber, former Apostolic Nuncio, passed away on Sunday.

Born in the diocese of Bamberg, Germany on 11 April 1934, in 1950, he obtained a diploma from the St. Michaels-Gymnasium of the Benedictine Order in Metten. He then studied theology and philosophy at the University of Mainz.

He was ordained a priest in the Cathedral of Mainz on 28 February 1959.

In 1962, he transferred to Rome, where he obtained a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University, and he entered the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy.
 
With his passing, the College of Cardinals consists of 222 cardinals, of whom 123 are electors and 99 are non-electors.

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-sends-thousands-medicines-to-turkey-for-earthquake-victims.html

Pope sends thousands of medicines to Turkey for earthquake victims
28 March 2023, 14:36

Pope Francis sends ten thousand medicines to Turkey to assist people recovering from February’s massive earthquake. The papal almoner has sent the medicines in collaboration with the Turkish Embassy to the Holy See. Meanwhile, the Italian Bishops embark on a fundraising campaign to assist people in Syria and Turkey.
By Benedetta Capelli

The Dicastery for the Service of Charity is sending more medicines to Istanbul according to the Pope’s wish to offer more assistance to victims of the 6 February devastating earthquake that hit Syria and Turkey causing 50,000 deaths.

An initial dispatch departed yesterday, and more shipments are continuing today. The Turkish Embassy to the Holy See provided guidance and instructions on the most urgently needed 10,000 medicines that have been purchased.

Neighbouring Syria, devastated by the earthquake and war with 15 million people in distress, has already received financial aid from the Pope in the past thanks to the Apostolic Nunciature, which helps coordinate the process to help the population.

"We send the aid via Turkish airliners," explains Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner. "We monitor the height of the pallets and their weight. This effort is possible thanks to the help of volunteers.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-03/the-fabbrica-di-san-pietro-initiative-prayer-sacraments.html

Fabric of St Peter's facilitates entry to St Peter's Basilica for pilgrims
28 March 2023, 17:28

A new initiative by the Fabbrica di San Pietro will make it easier for pilgrims to enter Saint Peter's Basilica to receive the Sacraments.
By Vatican News staff writer

A new initiative has been announced by the Fabric of Saint Peter ("Fabbrica di San Pietro") - the Vatican institution responsible for the conservation and maintenance of St Peter's Basilica - to make entry into the Vatican Basilica quicker and easier for those wishing to pray and participate in the Sacraments.

A statement from the Fabbrica reads that "a new passageway dedicated to pilgrims and prayer-goers was opened in St Peter's Square ad experimentum" on Tuesday morning, with the collaboration of the Vatican's Italian Inspectorate of Public Security, the Governorate of the Vatican City State, and the Vatican Gendarmerie.

"The route winds its way inside the Vatican Basilica through the right aisle and allows pilgrims to reach the most significant places of the spiritual and liturgical life: the statue of the Pietà, the Altar of St. John Paul II, the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, the Gregorian Chapel with the image of Our Lady of Succour, the area reserved for penitents for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, until reaching the Altar of the Chair and the Chapel of St. Joseph for the celebration of Holy Mass. After reaching St Joseph's Chapel, the itinerary obliges you to leave by passing through the Vatican Grottoes".
 

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https://www.ncregister.com/blog/tlm-billboard-posters-rome

Billboard Posters Defending the Traditional Liturgy Appear on Streets of Rome
The initiative comes from an Italian group of traditional Catholics, ‘Pro Libertate Missalis.’
Edward Pentin
March 28, 2023

VATICAN CITY — Dozens of billboard posters defending the traditional Latin Mass appeared on the streets of Rome Tuesday as resistance grows to Pope Francis’ restrictions of the ancient liturgy.

The posters, each carrying a quote from Benedict XVI, Pope St. John Paul II and Pope St. Pius V underscoring the historical importance and sacrality of the traditional liturgy, is the initiative of a group of Italian traditional Catholics called Pro Libertate Missalis.

Posted near and around the Vatican, the posters will remain visible for 15 days, the group said in a statement.

The statement added that the organizers wished to make public their “profound attachment to the traditional Mass at a time when its extinction seems to be planned.”

They also said the action was being taken “out of love for the Pope, so that he might be paternally open to understanding those on the liturgical peripheries who no longer feel welcome in the Church.” The traditional liturgy, they added, is “the full and complete expression of the entire Catholic Faith.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-at-audience-change-your-life-like-st-paul.html

Pope at Audience: Like St. Paul, change your life and become a 'new creature'
29 March 2023, 09:24

St. Paul's conversion teaches us that it is never too late to let Jesus completely change and transform your life, insists Pope Francis during his Wednesday General Audience in the Vatican as he continued his series of catecheses on apostolic zeal, focusing this week specifically on St. Paul.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Change your life now, by letting Jesus change you, and become a new creature, as St. Paul did.

Pope Francis stressed this during his Wednesday General Audience, telling the faithful and pilgrims in St. Peter's Square that it is never too late to start over, and that requires knowing where Jesus is in our lives.

Continuing his series of catecheses on apostolic zeal, the Pope said he would be focusing on different individuals, who at different times and in different ways, gave "exemplary witness of what passion for the Gospel means, choosing to focus this and next week on St. Paul, who became "a new creation."

He said that when Jesus enters St. Paul's life, everything changes, and that Jesus had this effect on all the saints.

The story of Paul of Tarsus, the Pope highlighted, is emblematic on this subject, the Pope noted, as he said, that the saint "converted" his zeal from the Law to the Gospel.

The Pope noted that Saul's zeal first wanted to destroy the Church, but later he would build it up.

“We can ask ourselves: what happened? What has changed in Paul? In what sense was his zeal, his drive for the glory of God transformed?”
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-appeal-prayer-migrants-fire-ciudad-juarez-deaths.html
Pope prays for migrants killed in Mexican migrant camp blaze
29 March 2023, 10:31

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/more-humanitarian-aid-from-pope-arrives-in-ukraine.html
More humanitarian aid from Pope arrives in Ukraine
29 March 2023, 15:34

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2023.index.html
Audiences 2023
General Audience of 29 March 2023 - Catechesis. The passion for evangelization: the apostolic zeal of the believer. 9. Witnesses: Saint Paul.

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-francis-scheduled-check-up-gemelli-hospital.html
Pope Francis goes to Gemelli for previously scheduled check-up
29 March 2023, 16:32

On Wednesday afternoon, Pope Francis goes to Gemelli for a check-up

In a communication sent on Wednesday afternoon to journalists, Holy See Press Office director Matteo Bruni wrote the following regarding Pope Francis.

"This afternoon, the Holy Father went to Gemelli for some previously scheduled check-ups."
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253970/pope-francis-at-rome-hospital-to-undergo-checkups
Vatican: Pope Francis at Rome hospital to undergo checkups
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Mar 29, 2023 / 08:57 am

https://twitter.com/EdwardPentin?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Edward Pentin Retweeted
Diane Montagna @dianemontagna · 53m

JUST IN: “#PopeFrancis has been admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital: according to hospital sources, he arrived by ambulance & reportedly had heart problems & respiratory fatigue. Audiences scheduled for tomorrow & day after tomorrow have been canceled.

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Update:  Pope Francis hospitalized

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-francis-scheduled-check-up-gemelli-hospital.html
Pope Francis grateful for closeness and prayers as he undergoes medical check-ups
29 March 2023, 16:32

On Wednesday afternoon, Pope Francis went to Rome's Gemelli hospital for some scheduled check-ups that have revealed a respiratory infection that requires a couple of days of treatment.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis is undergoing medical check-ups in Rome's Gemelli Hospital. He says he is touched by the many messages received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayers reaching him.

In a communication sent on Wednesday afternoon to journalists, Holy See Press Office director Matteo Bruni issued a statement informing that: "This afternoon, the Holy Father went to Gemelli for some previously scheduled check-ups."
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253973/pope-francis-hospitalized-with-a-respiratory-infection-vatican-says
BREAKING: Pope Francis hospitalized with a respiratory infection, Vatican says
By Jonah McKeown
Rome Newsroom, Mar 29, 2023 / 13:24 pm

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251307/pope-francis-health-heres-a-timeline
Pope Francis’ health: Here’s a timeline of his medical issues in recent years
By Hannah Brockhaus, Tyler Arnold
Vatican City, Mar 29, 2023 / 15:30 pm

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-francis-telegram-condolences-shooting-school-tennessee-usa.html

Pope sends condolences for victims of Nashville school shooting
29 March 2023, 13:31

Pope Francis sends a telegram to the Bishop of Nashville, and expresses his sadness for the most recent in a series of deadly school shootings to shake the United States.
By Francesca Merlo

After the most recent deadly shooting in a school in the United States, in which six people were killed, of which three were nine years old, Pope Francis has sent a telegram to the Bishop of Nashville, Joseph Mark Spalding.

In the telegram, signed by Cardinal Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on behalf of the Holy Father, the Pope wrote how deeply saddening he was to learn of the news of this recent shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville.

The Pope asked the Bishop of Nashville to convey "his heartfelt condolences and the assurance of his prayers to all affected by this senseless act of violence."

He said he joins "the entire community in mourning the children and adults who died and commends them to the loving embrace of the Lord Jesus."

Finally, Pope Francis invoked "the consolation and strength of the Holy Spirit upon the grieving families and prays that they will be confirmed in their faith in the power of the Risen Lord to heal every hurt and to bring good out of unspeakable evil."
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253966/pope-francis-mourns-senseless-act-of-violence-at-nashville-christian-school
Pope Francis mourns ‘senseless act of violence’ at Nashville Christian school
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Mar 29, 2023 / 05:27 am

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Update:  Pope Francis hospitalized

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-francis-health-hospital-statement-holy-see-press-office.html
Pope Francis‘ health improving
30 March 2023, 12:56

A Holy See Press Office statement says Pope Francis‘s health is improving as he remains in hospital for treatment for a pulmonary infection.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis rested well during the night, said the director of the Holy See Press Office in a statement updating journalists on the Holy Father’s health.

The Pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Wednesday afternoon after he had presided at the weekly General Audience.

The statement by Matteo Bruni revealed that his “clinical picture is progressively improving and he is continuing with his planned treatment.”

The statement also said that this morning, after breakfast, the Pope read some newspapers and resumed work.

Before lunch, he gathered in prayer in a private chapel in the hospital and received the Eucharist.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253976/pope-francis-rested-well-doing-well-after-night-in-hospital-vatican-says
Update: Pope Francis rested well, continuing treatment in hospital, Vatican says
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome, Italy, Mar 30, 2023 / 04:47 am

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2023/03/vatican-says-pope-francis-improving-was-back-at-work-after-breakfast
Vatican says Pope Francis improving, was back at work after breakfast
By Elise Ann Allen
Mar 30, 2023

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Update:  Pope Francis hospitalized

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-francis-health-gemelli-hospital-update-improvement.html
Pope getting better, could be discharged from hospital in coming days
30 March 2023, 20:40

A medical update on Pope Francis‘ health reveals he is being treated with antibiotics, that he is responding positively, and that he could be discharged from hospital in a few days.
By Vatican News

A statement on Thursday evening by Matteo Bruni,  Director of the Holy See Press Office, said Pope Francis spent the afternoon resting, praying and seeing to some work.

Doctors at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome where the Pope was admitted on Wednesday afternoon, said he has been diagnosed with viral bronchitis that requires the administration of an antibiotic therapy administered by infusion.

In his statement Bruni conveyed information received from the medical staff treating the Pope at the hospital and said that following the results of the planned clinical check-ups, it was found that the Holy Father is affected by a viral bronchitis that requires the administration of antibiotics that “have resulted in a marked improvement in his state of health.” According to the doctors, "based on a foreseeable course, the Holy Father could be discharged in the coming days."
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253988/pope-francis-has-bronchitis-but-is-resting-and-improving-vatican-says
UPDATE: Pope Francis has bronchitis but is resting and improving, Vatican says
By Jonah McKeown
St. Louis, Mo., Mar 30, 2023 / 13:00 pm

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-03/vatican-formally-repudiates-doctrine-of-discovery.html

Church defends Indigenous peoples: ‘Doctrine of Discovery’ was never Catholic
30 March 2023, 12:00

A “Joint Statement” from the Dicastery for Culture and the Dicastery for Integral Human Development formally repudiates "those concepts that fail to recognize the inherent human rights of indigenous peoples, including what has become known as the legal and political ‘doctrine of discovery’."
Vatican News

Thanks to dialogue with indigenous peoples, “the Church has acquired a greater awareness of their sufferings, past and present, due to the expropriation of their lands … as well as the policies of forced assimilation, promoted by the governmental authorities of the time, intended to eliminate their indigenous cultures,” according to a “Joint Statement” issued by the Dicastery for Culture and Education and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and published on Thursday.

The document states that the “Doctrine of Discovery” – a theory that served to justify the expropriation by sovereign colonizers of indigenous lands from their rightful owners – “is  not a part of the teaching of the Catholic Church.” It further affirms that the papal bulls that granted such “rights” to colonizing sovereigns have never been a part of the Church’s Magisterium.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-03/czerny-on-doctrine-of-discovery-statement.html
Cardinal Czerny: The Church rejects all words and actions that do not recognise human dignity
30 March 2023, 12:00

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-03/jose-tolentino-dicastery-culture-education-doctrine-discovery.html
Cardinal Tolentino: Statement on the "Doctrine of Discovery", a sign of reconciliation
30 March 2023, 12:32

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-03/united-states-conference-catholic-bishops-statement-doctrine.html
US and Canadian Bishops welcome Vatican Statement on Doctrine of Discovery
30 March 2023, 12:30

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253968/abuse-expert-leaves-vatican-safeguarding-commission-over-structural-and-practical-issues

Abuse expert leaves Vatican commission for protection of minors, citing concerns
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Mar 29, 2023 / 09:30 am

Jesuit Father Hans Zollner, an internationally-renowned expert in protecting children and vulnerable adults from clerical sex abuse, has resigned from his position on the Vatican’s safeguarding commission.

The move was announced by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors on Wednesday.

The 56-year-old Zollner, a founding member of the commission, said in a statement March 29 that “structural and practical issues” within the commission had led him “to disassociate” from it.

“The protection of children and vulnerable persons must be at the heart of the Catholic Church’s mission,” he said. “That was the hope I and many others have shared since the commission was first established in 2014. However, in my work with the commission, I have noticed issues that need to be urgently addressed and which have made it impossible for me to continue further.”
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253978/cardinal-o-malley-surprised-disappointed-by-abuse-experts-criticism-of-vatican-commission
Cardinal O’Malley ‘surprised, disappointed’ by abuse expert’s criticism of Vatican commission
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Mar 30, 2023 / 07:30 am

https://cruxnow.com/news-analysis/2023/03/defection-from-anti-abuse-panel-raises-questions-of-principle-turf-wars
Defection from anti-abuse panel raises questions of principle, turf wars
By John L. Allen Jr.
Mar 30, 2023

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-03/pontifical-commission-protection-minors-omalley-statement-zollne.html
Pontifical Commission for Protection of Minors reaffirms its commitment
30 March 2023, 18:03

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253989/vaticans-liturgy-czar-rejects-german-churchs-plans-for-laity-to-preach-homilies-conduct-baptisms

Vatican’s liturgy czar rejects German Church’s plans for laity to preach homilies, conduct baptisms
By AC Wimmer
CNA Newsroom, Mar 30, 2023 / 13:30 pm

The Vatican’s liturgy czar has intervened against the implementation of resolutions of the German Synodal Way that demand laypeople should be able to regularly baptize and preach the homily at Mass in churches across Germany.

In a letter to the German Bishops’ Conference president dated March 29, Cardinal Arthur Roche said neither was possible — despite at least one German diocese already announcing both practices.

The written intervention by the Vatican’s prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments was addressed to Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg, reported CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner, which has obtained a copy of the document.

Apart from covering the question of homilies and baptisms by laypeople, the seven-page letter also reminded the German bishops that liturgical translations must be confirmed and approved by the Vatican.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253983/meet-the-new-president-of-the-european-bishops-commission

Meet the new president of the European bishops’ commission
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Mar 30, 2023 / 11:30 am

Last week the European bishops elected the new president of their commission, Italian Bishop Mariano Crociata.

Crociata, who leads the Catholic Diocese of Latina in the Lazio region of Italy, succeeds Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich.

The bishop delegates of the dioceses of the European Union elected Crociata in a March 22 vote during their spring plenary assembly.

Crociata, 70, will lead the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) until 2028. He is supported by four vice presidents.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253971/shia-labeouf-stars-in-padre-pio-film-to-be-released-this-summer

Shia LaBeouf stars in ‘Padre Pio’ film to be released June 2
By Joe Bukuras
Boston, Mass., Mar 29, 2023 / 10:00 am

A new movie about St. Padre Pio, starring Catholic convert Shia LaBeouf will be available for public viewing in theaters and streaming, beginning June 2.

The movie will be released and distributed in North America by Gravitas Ventures, according to deadline.com.

One of the most popular Catholic saints of the 20th century, St. Pio of Pietrelcina, commonly known as Padre Pio, was a Capuchin Franciscan friar, priest, and mystic.

Padre Pio is mostly known for his deep wisdom about prayer and peace; his stigmata; miraculous reports of his bilocation; being physically attacked by the devil, and mastering the spiritual life.

The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September 2022 and played again at the Mammoth Film Festival in early March 2023.

LaBeouf, who plays the role of Padre Pio, spent four months living with Capuchin friars while preparing for the film.

The film features a subplot about the rise of fascism in Italy, AP reported, focusing on the 1920 massacre of 14 people in the village of San Giovanni Rotondo near the monastery where Padre Pio lived.
 

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Update: Murder of Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253985/tabernacle-stolen-from-murdered-bishop-david-o-connell-s-residence
Tabernacle stolen from murdered Bishop David O’Connell’s residence
By Joe Bukuras
Boston, Mass., Mar 30, 2023 / 12:30 pm

An empty tabernacle that was bolted to the wall has been stolen from the residence of the late Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell, who was murdered in his Hacienda Heights, California, home in February.

A tabernacle is a structure found in a Catholic church or chapel that houses the holy Eucharist, which Catholics profess to be the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. It is often made of gold and can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

News of O’Connell’s Feb. 18 murder shocked the nation following reports that he died after suffering multiple gunshot wounds. The local and wider Catholic community mourned O’Connell, who was remembered as a man of peace dedicated to serving the poor and immigrants.

First reported by LifeSiteNews, the burglary occurred sometime over the past weekend, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles told CNA in a statement.