Pope Francis

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-06/pope-to-artists-may-your-work-reflect-god-glory.html
Pope to artists: True beauty inspires the desire for, renders glory to God
23 June 2023, 09:29

Pope Francis reminds world-renowned artists in the Sistine Chapel that true beauty inspires the desire for God, and renders glory to Him, as he receives them for the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of the Vatican Museums’ Collection of Modern Art by Pope St. Paul VI.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

"In true beauty, we begin to experience the desire for God."

Pope Francis made this observation as he addressed artists in the Sistine Chapel for the 50th Anniversary of the Inauguration of the Vatican Museums’ Collection of Modern Art on Friday, as he told artists they are "sharers in God's dream."

During the exceptional encounter, the Pope expressed his hope and prayer that their works "prove worthy of the women and men of this earth, and render glory to God who is the Father of all and whom all seek, also through the testimony of works of art."

The Holy Father thanked them for accepting his invitation, and expressed his joy to be among them. He recalled the Church's long-standing "natural" and "special" relationship, or rather "friendship" over the centuries.
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254648/pope-francis-addresses-artists-including-creator-of-blasphemous-crucifix-photo
Pope Francis addresses artists, including creator of blasphemous crucifix photo
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Jun 23, 2023 / 10:15 am

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-06/50-years-vatican-museums-modern-contemporary-collection.html
50 Years of Vatican Museums' Modern & Contemporary Collection
23 June 2023, 11:10

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/june.index.html
Speeches 2023 June
To Artists for the 50th Anniversary of the Inauguration of the Vatican Museums’ Collection of Modern Art (23 June 2023)

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-06/pope-francis-videomessage-edna-journey-world-youth-day.html
Pope Francis: "Edna, I accompany you on your journey!"
23 June 2023, 13:00

Pope Francis sends a touching video message to a 17-year-old Portuguese girl suffering from a serious illness. The girl had written him a letter expressing her affection and also her sadness at not being able to attend the next World Youth Day in Lisbon.
By Felipe Herrera-Espaliat

Edna is 17 years old and is aware that she will soon meet God. This was explained to her by the doctor who has been assisting her with the serious illness she has been suffering from for eight years. This is also how she told Pope Francis in a letter he received yesterday, Thursday 22 June. "The doctor said that he does not know when I will meet Jesus, but that it will happen soon," she recounted with a serenity that moved the Holy Father.

Although she has registered to attend the next World Youth Day, to be held in Lisbon between 1 and 6 August, she confided to Pope Francis that it will not be possible to accompany him physically. Edna, who wished with all her heart to meet the Pope, is living this situation with sorrow, but also with a genuine and sincere faith, and a benevolent smile, as witnessed by those who have attended her for more than a decade in the parish of St Maximilian Kolbe, on the outskirts of the Lisbon.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-06/pontifical-commission-protection-minors-updated-guidelines-abuse.html

Global consultation to update guidelines for abuse prevention
23 June 2023, 13:29

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors launches a global consultation on updated Guidelines to prevent sexual abuse in the Church.
By Vatican News

Announcing the launch of a period of consultation on a proposed updated Universal Guidelines Framework (USF) on Friday, 23 June, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors said they aim to serve as “a model to define safeguarding standards to be implemented in every local church across the world.”

“To be implemented in every local church across the world.””

The proposed framework aims to strengthen efforts at creating a safe environment for children and vulnerable persons throughout the Church.
 

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-06/teresa-devlin-pontifical-commission-universal-guidelines.html
Child protection expert discusses new Vatican guidelines
23 June 2023, 13:24

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-06/pope-calls-for-spirituality-of-reparation-to-address-abuse.html

Pope calls for a spirituality of reparation to address abuse by clergy
24 June 2023, 11:43

Speaking to the Servants of the Paraclete in the Vatican, Pope Francis evokes the tragedy of abuse by clergy, and encourages the Congregation, which accompanies and supports priests with personal difficulties, to address the current crisis by deepening the “spirituality of reparation” and helping priests rediscover the primacy of spiritual life.
By Lisa Zengarini

Pope Francis welcomed a group of participants in the General Chapter of the Congregation of the Servants of the Paraclete on Saturday.

Founded in 1947 to assist priests with personal difficulties

The Congregation was founded in 1947 in New Mexico, U.S.A., by Father Gerald M.C. Fitzgerald, with the mission of ministering to fellow priests and religious men with personal difficulties, including abuse alcohol and sexual disorders, by offering spiritual, holistic programs for vocational renewal through spiritual direction, individual and group therapy, supervised living, ongoing education and formation, prayer and contemplation.

It now operates in several other countries in the world, including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, the Philippines, African and South-American countries.

The General Chapter is focused on discerning new ways of mercy and proximity to priests in need to realize this charism with dynamic fidelity.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/june.index.html
Speeches 2023 June
To Participants in the General Chapter of the Servants of the Paraclete (24 June 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-06/pope-francis-biagio-agnes-journalists-responsibility-rai.html

Pope: Journalists called to ethically educate future generations
24 June 2023, 12:12

Pope Francis calls on journalists to embrace their vocation to responsibly and ethically educate future generations and build a better civilization, as he receives a delegation from the Biagio Agnes International Journalism Prize.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis has reminded journalists of their important role of responsibly and ethically informing and educating future generations, when receiving a delegation of the "Biagio Agnes" international journalism prize in the Vatican on Saturday morning.

He delivered those present his written remarks, prior to greeting those present.

"Only together," the Pope emphasized, "can a horizon of hope be drawn." This, he said, "is the daily work of the journalist, called upon to 'wear out the soles of his shoes' or to walk the 'digital' streets always listening to the people he meets."

As he spoke about the need to get one's hands dirty, the Pope also expressed heartfelt words of appreciation for those reporters who report on war, and take great risks in doing so.

"Journalism," he underscored, "requires the ability to go where nobody goes: a moving and a desire to see. A curiosity, an openness, a passion."

Recalling the prize's recognition of journalists reporting on war, the Pope commended their "recounting the tragedy and absurdity of conflicts, makes everyone feel part of the same suffering."

The Holy Father then delineated three "elements" of journalistic work, "which are perhaps used less and less, but which still have much to teach": notebook, pen, and gaze.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/june.index.html
Speeches 2023 June
To the Delegation of the Biagio Agnes Award (24 June 2023)

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Synod update: Synod on Synodality Methodology

https://www.ncregister.com/news/conversing-in-the-spirit-synod-on-synodality-methodology-seeks-to-sidestep-conflict
‘Conversing in the Spirit’: Synod on Synodality Methodology Seeks to Sidestep Conflict

The methodology, which shaped the working document released earlier this week, aims at fostering the inclusion of dissenting opinions and the avoidance of polarization.
Edward Pentin June 23, 2023

VATICAN CITY — The methodology to be used for the upcoming Synod on Synodality is aimed at reaching “an inclusive consensus” that welcomes dissenting views and helps to avoid polarization by embracing a concept termed “conversation in the Spirit.”

The XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission,” will take place Oct. 4-23 after a two-year period of local, national and continental consultation. After a further 12 months of consultation and discernment, it will culminate with a final assembly in October 2024.

The methodology for the entire synod has been prepared by a multinational 10-member Commission for Methodology coordinated by French Xavière Missionary Sister Nathalie Becquart, undersecretary at the Synod’s General Secretariat.

In comments to reporters on Tuesday, Jesuit Father Giacomo Costa, consultor to the Synod General Secretariat, explained that the methodology is “in continuity with most recent assemblies” but has “some variations” from other recent synods.
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-10/pope-francis-general-audience-zeal-charles-foucauld.html
Pope at Audience: St. Charles de Foucauld ‘let Jesus act silently’
At the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis continues his catechesis series on apostolic zeal, and reflects on the joyful witness borne in the Sahara Desert by St. Charles de Foucauld.
By Devin Watkins
18 October 2023, 09:22

Pope Francis picked up his catechesis series on various exemplars of apostolic zeal at the Wednesday General Audience, focusing on Saint Charles de Foucauld.

Born in Strasbourg in 1858, St. Charles served as a soldier in the French army before becoming a hermit and Catholic priest among the Tuareg people in Algeria, where he was assassinated in 1916.

The Pope said the saint made Jesus and his poorest brothers and sisters “the passion of his life”.

After his conversion, St. Charles wrote to a non-believing friend that he had “lost his heart to Jesus of Nazareth.”

Pope Francis said his words show that the first step in evangelizing is “to have Jesus at the centre of one’s heart.”

“If this does not happen, we can hardly show it with our lives,” he said. “Instead, we risk talking about ourselves, our group, a morality or, even worse, a set of rules, but not about Jesus, His love, His mercy.”
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-10/pope-francis-appeal-peace-gaza-palestine-israel-day-of-prayer.html
Pope: 'May weapons fall silent, situation in Gaza is desperate'
18 October 2023, 10:07

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2023.index.html
Audiences 2023
General Audience of 18 October 2023 - Catechesis. The passion for evangelization: the apostolic zeal of the believer. 23. Saint Charles de Foucauld, the beating heart of charity in the hidden life

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Update: Synod on Synodality--presenting the fourth “Module”, on Section B/3 of the Instrumentum laboris, dedicated to the theme, “Participation, responsibility and authority

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-10/cardinal-hollerich-we-must-renew-our-commitment-to-our-work.html
Cardinal Hollerich: We must renew our commitment to our work
18 October 2023, 14:07

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, the Relator General for the Synod of Bishops, encourages members of the General Assembly to renew their commitment to their work before presenting the next module, focusing on “Participation, governance, authority: What processes, structures, and institutions are needed in a missionary synodal Church?”
By Christopher Wells

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, the Relator General for the Synod of Bishops, began his presentation on the fourth module by encouraging participants to renew their commitment to their work, reminding them that the first session of the General Assembly “coincides with the beginning of an equally important phase of the process: the time between the two sessions.”

He explained that after the conclusion of the session, participants will be asked to return to their Churches with “the fruits of their work” and to accompany “those local processes that will provide us with the elements to conclude our discernment next year.”

Synod will be evaluated on basis of changes

Going on to present the next “module” to be considered, Cardinal Hollerich noted that “this Synod will be evaluated on the basis of the perceivable changes that will result from it.” He said that people “are especially interested in the small but sensitive changes to the issues that we are preparing to tackle in this Module.”

These include: the renewal of the service of authority; the practice of discernment in common; the question of which structures and institutions “are more in line with a synodal Church”; how local churches can work together; and the role of the Synod itself in a more synodal Church.
 

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Update: Synod on Synodality

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-10/synod-briefing-module-b3-presented-at-12th-general-congregation.html
Briefing: A Letter for all God's people to continue Synodal journey
18 October 2023, 17:55

At the Synod briefing on Wednesday, Dr. Paolo Ruffini updates reporters, and journalists hear from Cardinal Leonardo Steiner of Manaus, Brazil; Archbishop Zbigņevs Stankevičs of Riga, Latvia; Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP); and 19-year-old US Synod member, Wyatt Olivas.
By Tiziana Campisi

The XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, at the end of its work, will draft a letter-message for all the people of God.

This was said at this afternoon’s briefing in the Holy See Press Office by Dr. Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication and President for the Information Commission, specifying that the Commission for the synthesis document has thought of a text to tell “as many people as possible, and especially those who have not yet been reached or involved in the synodal process,” about the experience lived by the members of the Synod.

Dr. Ruffini explained that the Synod Secretariat, in agreement with the Pope, submitted the proposal to a vote of the Assembly, which approved it by a very large majority (out of 346 voters, there were 335 in favour and 11 against).
 

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Update: Synod on Synodality

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-10/synod-briefing-focuses-on-migrants-and-refugees.html
Synod briefing focuses on migrants and refugees
19 October 2023, 17:52

With Synod participants preparing to attend an evening Moment of Prayer for Migrants and Refugees, the Church's response to the situation of those forced to flee their homes was at the forefront of Thursday's press briefing on the Synod.
By L'Osservatore Romano

All the participants in the Synod, with Pope Francis, will gather this evening – at the end of the thirteenth General Congregation – in St. Peter’s Square, near the “Angels Unawares” monument, to pray for those who have lost their lives along the various migratory routes, for their families, for those who have survived, and for the refugees and migrants who are still on their way.

And it was precisely to the issue of migrants and refugees that today’s briefing with journalists was dedicated.

The reading of the Word of God, silent reflection, intercessions, and the Lord’s Prayer will mark Thursday evening's Moment of Prayer, with which the Synod community embraces migrants and refugees, who have been at the centre of discussions and concerns since the beginning of the Assembly.

The event will have “a universal character” to highlight the tragedies of the various wars, including the most “unknown” ones, in the style of the synodal “walking together” from the Paul VI Hall towards the symbolic monument in St. Peter’s Square.

During the press briefing on Thursday, Dr Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication and President of the Commission for Information, took stock of the work in the Aula. Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, he said, the tenth and eleventh sessions of the Minor Circles took place, with time dedicated to “conversation in the Spirit”. The discussions are currently focused on section B3 of the Instrumentum laboris: the 35 small groups are discussing different aspects of the general theme: “Participation, responsibility, and authority. What processes, structures, and institutions in a missionary synodal Church?”

In addition, the Prefect recalled the fact, made known yesterday by the Relator General Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, that “three working groups of expert theologians and canonists have been set up that will share with the General Congregations, in three reports, their reflections on the points” of Instrumentum laboris B3/3 (“What structures can be developed to consolidate a missionary synodal Church?”); B3/4 (“How can instances of synodality and collegiality involving groupings of local Churches be configured?”); and B3/5 (“How can the institution of the Synod be strengthened so that it is an expression of episcopal collegiality within an all-synodal Church?”).
 

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-10/pope-may-we-be-neighbours-to-the-wayfarers-of-our-time.html
Pope: May we be neighbours to wayfarers of our time
19 October 2023, 19:45

Pope Francis presides at a “Moment of Prayer for Migrants and Refugees” in St. Peter's Square, and says "we are called to be neighbours to all the wayfarers of our time, to save their lives, to heal their wounds and to soothe their pain."
By Thaddeus Jones

On Thursday evening, Pope Francis led a prayer vigil to remember the plight of migrants and refugees and the call to save them, heal their wounds, and help them contribute to society to build a better world marked by fraternity and peace.

The Pope led the “Moment of Prayer for Migrants and Refugees” organized by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development with the participation of refugees from Cameroon, Ukraine, and El Salvador.

The vigil took place before the large sculpture in St. Peter's Square called the “Angels Unawares” monument, a life-size sculpture in bronze and clay that depicts a group of migrants and refugees from different cultural and racial backgrounds and from diverse historic periods in time.
 

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/october.index.html
Speeches 2023 October
Reflection of His Holiness Pope Francis - Moment of Prayer for Migrants and Refugees (19 October 2023)

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Reports: Synod on Synodality discussions this past week and Vatican events this month...

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255756/synod-on-synodality-lgbt-issues-female-diaconate-discussed-in-emotional-second-week
Synod on Synodality: LGBT issues, female diaconate discussed in emotional third week
By Andrea Gagliarducci
Vatican City, Oct 20, 2023 / 07:31 am

This past week the Synod on Synodality assembly delved into two crucial themes: the accompaniment of LGBT individuals and the topic of a female diaconate. Additionally, the assembly discussed the structure of the Church, all with the aim of shaping a more synodal future for the Church.

The process has been driven by what the synod calls “active listening and speaking from the heart,” which, some participants have reportedly said, tends to be driven by emotions. It also raises a fundamental question: Will something truly defined ever emerge from the process?
 

https://cruxnow.com/2023-consistory-and-synod-for-synodality/2023/10/vatican-notes-no-synod-conspiracy-nicaragua-and-pope-meets-jewish-leader
Vatican Notes: No synod ‘conspiracy,’ Nicaragua, and Pope meets Jewish leader
By Elise Ann Allen
Oct 20, 2023

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Update: Synod on Synodality

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-10/briefing-synod-appeals-for-arms-traffickers-rediscover-humanity.html
Briefing: Synod appeals for arms traffickers to rediscover humanity
20 October 2023, 18:52

During the daily Synod briefing on Friday, themes discussed included the role of bishops, authority lived as service, and the co-responsibility of the laity in the Church.
By L'Osservatore Romano

Authority - which in the Church is a "service" that is "exercised barefoot" - and the issue of abuse were among the topics addressed in the interventions of the ongoing Synod on Synodality's Thirteenth and Fourteenth General Congregation, held on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning in the Vatican. The two Congregations, with 341 and 343 present, respectively, maintained their modality of the small working groups' interventions, followed by the free interventions.

This was explained by Paolo Ruffini, the Prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication and the President of the Commission for Information, in the briefing with journalists, which began at 2:20 pm in the Holy See Press Office and was introduced by Vice Director of the Holy See Press Office, Ms. Cristiane Murray.

Referring to yesterday afternoon's and today's speeches on the Module B-3 of the Instrumentum laboris, the title of which is "Participation, responsibility and authority," Dr. Ruffini explained that the commitment to "avoid authoritarianism" had been reaffirmed and that "authority is not domination but service."
 

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Update: Vatican finance trial

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2023/10/lawyer-charges-vatican-trial-of-the-century-with-seeking-scapegoats
Lawyer charges Vatican ‘trial of the century’ with seeking scapegoats
By Crux Staff
Oct 20, 2023

ROME – As the Vatican’s “trial of the century” lumbers towards its expected conclusion before the end of the year, it’s becoming increasingly clear that in rendering a verdict, the three-judge panel hearing the case isn’t just being to asked to choose between guilt or innocence for the ten defendants.

In fact, the judges are also facing a choice between two competing narratives, which, in summary form, might be expressed as “conspiracy” versus “ineptitude.”

On the one side is the story being told by chief prosecutor Alessandro Diddi, the Vatican’s Promoter of Justice, which is a tale of a large-scale criminal conspiracy to defraud the Vatican involving shady Italian financiers, corrupt Vatican officials and advisors, and, last but certainly not least, the pope’s own former chief of staff, Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu.

On the other is the narrative propounded by the defense, and put in epigrammatic fashion yesterday by Cataldo Intrieri, a lawyer representing Fabrizio Tirabassi, a former financial official in the Vatican’s Secretariat of State: “A bad investment isn’t a crime.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-10/pope-meets-denis-becirovic-presidency-of-bosnia-and-herzegovina.html

Pope meets with Denis Bećirović of Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
21 October 2023, 15:49

Pope Francis welcomes Denis Bećirović, member of the collegial Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to the Vatican, who later discusses international issues at the Secretariat of State regarding Ukraine, the Holy Land, and EU enlargement to include countries of the Western Balkans.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis met on Saturday morning with Denis Bećirović, a member of the collegial Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mr. Bećirović later met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, accompanied by Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.
 

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Update: Synod on Synodality

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-10/synod-briefing-highlights-a-church-with-the-poor.html
Synod briefing highlights: A Church with the Poor
21 October 2023, 19:39

During Saturday's Synod briefing, speakers highlight topics ranging from the role of women to the defense of minors and vulnerable individuals, as participants prepared to recite the Rosary and pray for peace in St. Peter's Square on Saturday evening.
By Vatican News

At nine in the evening on Saturday in St. Peter's Square, the recitation of the Rosary takes place with a prayer intention for peace. A special appeal for was launched on Friday in the Synod Hall "to help the young people, in a Middle East that is bleeding, not to lose hope and not to have as their only perspective for the future that of suffering or leaving their country", and "to provide these young people, as a Church and as pastors, with the instruments to reach peace."

Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication and President of the Synod Information Commission, highlighted this at Saturday's briefing with journalists, which was held in the Holy See Press Office, introduced by Deputy Director Cristiane Murray.

The fifteenth General Congregation that took place on Friday afternoon was characterized by "some very strong, passionate, and profound testimonies from places of war or suffering such as the Middle East, Ukraine, the Amazon, and beyond." These "voices," Dr. Ruffini said, were fraternally applauded by the entire Assembly (329 were present).

On Saturday morning, the reports of the 35 working groups were given to the General Secretariat, at the end of the twelfth session, regarding Module B3 of the Instrumentum Laboris.

There were 310 participants involved in the work, and at the samte time a meeting was held to prepare the Synthesis Document. On Monday, 23 October at 8:45 AM, the Synod participants will gather in St. Peter's Basilica for a Mass at the Altar of the Chair, presided over by Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon in Myanmar.
 

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-10/pope-angelus-faith-has-important-role-in-daily-life.html
Pope at Angelus: Faith and daily life are intimately connected
22 October 2023, 12:08

At the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis warns against the temptation of thinking that faith and daily life are two separate things, calling this way of thinking a type of schizophrenia.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

For those who are tempted to think faith and daily life do not have to do with one another, Pope Francis says this, frankly, is not true.

The Holy Father made this observation during his Sunday Angelus address at noon to the faithful in St. Peter's Square and following from afar, as he reflected on today's Gospel passage according to St. Matthew. He also underscored that we belong to the Lord and not any earthly power.

The Gospel reading tells of pharisees who join with the Herodians, "to set a trap for Jesus," the Pope recalled.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-10/pope-renews-appeal-for-humanitarian-aid-and-release-of-hostages.html
Pope renews appeal for humanitarian aid, release of hostages in Gaza
22 October 2023, 13:05

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2023.index.html
Angelus - Regina Cæli 2023
Angelus, 22 October 2023

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-10/pope-francis-phone-call-usa-president-biden-peace.html

Pope Francis calls US President Joe Biden to discuss peace
22 October 2023, 18:02

Pope Francis places a phone call to US President Joe Biden to speak with him about various conflicts and the need to identify paths toward peace.
By Devin Watkins

On Sunday afternoon, Pope Francis spoke by phone with the President of the United States, Joe Biden.

According to the Holy See Press Office, the conversation lasted around 20 minutes.

The Pope and the President spoke about "situations of conflict in the world and the need to identify paths to peace."
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255774/pope-francis-and-us-president-biden-speak-by-phone
UPDATE: Pope Francis and U.S. President Biden speak by phone, discuss Israel and Gaza
By Tina Dennelly
CNA Staff, Oct 22, 2023 / 13:20 pm

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Update: Synod on Synodality

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-10/briefing-synod-streams-16th-general-congregation-after-mass.html
Briefing: Synod to publish 'Letter to the People of God' on 25 October
23 October 2023, 17:15

At the daily Synod briefing for journalists, the President of the Commission for Information, Paolo Ruffini, shares that the "Synthesis Document" will be released on Saturday evening. Journalists hear from Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna, Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes of Mexico City; Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of Marseille, and Sr. Samuela Rigon, Superior General of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother and Professor at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University.
By L'Osservatore Romano

The reading of the draft of the Letter to the People of God was greeted with applause from the assembly this morning. At the invitation of the Cardinal Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, Mario Grech, "small suggestions for changes and additions to the text were proposed and accepted, particularly regarding the translations into the different languages".  Other proposals for changes to the General Secretariat of the Synod were to have been presented within 6 pm this evening. Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication and President of the Commission for Information announced that the Letter to the People of God "will be approved and published on Wednesday."
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-10/pope-francis-holocaust-memorial-museum-washington-archives.html

Pope Francis meets with delegation from US Holocaust Museum
25 October 2023, 18:34

A representative of the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC says that Pope Francis’ decision to open the Vatican Archives is “so important; to be transparent is so important.”
By Joseph Tulloch and Stefanie Stahlhofen

Before leading the General Audience in St. Peter‘s Square on Wednesday morning, Pope Francis received a delegation from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC.

The group thanked him for opening the Vatican Archives, which document the activities of Pope Pius XII during World War II, and presented him with a letter concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The director of the Museum’s International Programmes, Suzanne Brown Fleming, was at the meeting, and spoke to Vatican News’ Stephanie Stahlhofen about the group’s conversation with the Pope.