Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/life-my-story-through-history-a-new-book-on-the-pope-s-life.html

"Life, My Story Through History": a new book on life of Pope Francis
07 November 2023, 17:02

A new book about Pope Francis' life, authored by Fabio Marchese Ragona, will be published by HarperCollins in countries throughout Europe and the Americas in the spring of 2024, featuring personal events from his life and the great events that have marked the 20th century up to the present day.
By Vatican News

"Life, My Story Through History", is the title of Pope Francis' new book in which he recounts for the first time the story of his life through the events that have marked the world, from the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 when he was almost three years old, to the present day.

The book will be published by HarperCollins Publishers, which made the announcement on 7 November.

Developed with HarperCollins Italy, the book represents a global project for the publisher that will come out in the spring of 2024 in Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, France, Germany, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Spain and South America.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-10/pope-francis-secretary-consecrated-life-dicastery-brambilla.html

Pope appoints religious sister as Secretary of Consecrated Life Dicastery
07 October 2023, 16:47

Pope Francis appoints Sister Simona Brambilla, M.C., an Italian-born Consolata Missionary, as the Secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
By Vatican News

On Saturday, the Holy Father appointed Sister Simona Brambilla, M.C., former Superior General of the Institute of Consolata Missionaries (Italy), as the Secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255919/canon-lawyer-denies-involvement-in-papal-election-reform-calling-reports-a-pure-lie

Canon lawyer denies involvement in papal election reform, calling reports ‘a pure lie’
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Nov 6, 2023 / 08:55 am

A cardinal and canon lawyer has denied reports that he is involved in changing the papal election process to make it more synodal.

The Pillar and The Remnant websites reported Nov. 4 that Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda, an expert in Church law closely associated with the Vatican, had been tasked by Pope Francis with drafting revisions to conclaves.

The changes being considered, they reported, include changing pre-conclave meetings, called general congregations, to employ Synod on Synodality-style small-group discussions and limiting participation in those meetings to cardinals eligible to vote — that is, cardinals under 80.

“I do not know anything about it and any implication I have in it is a pure lie,” Ghirlanda told EWTN News via email on Monday morning.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni also denied knowledge of such a document in a statement to CNA Nov. 6.

The Remnant also reported Nov. 4 that Pope Francis is considering a proposal by Ghirlanda to allow laypeople to participate in the conclave, including the vote for a new pope.

The Pillar, citing “a senior canon lawyer close to the Vatican,” reported that knowledge of the process to reform conclaves “is widespread in Vatican canonical circles, as is the role of Cardinal Ghirlanda.”
 

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-at-audience-apostolic-zeal.html
Pope at Audience: Servant of God Madeleine Delbrêl transmitted joy of faith
08 November 2023, 10:21

During his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis praises Servant of God Madeleine Delbrêl's life as epitomizing apostolic zeal, and calls on the faithful to imitate the way she shared the joy of faith with others.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Servant of God Madeleine Delbrêl offers an example of how to embrace our baptismal call to share the joy of the Gospel.

Pope Francis offered this reflection during his General Audience on Wednesday morning in St. Peter's Square, as he continued his catechesis series on people who have embodied apostolic zeal.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2023.index.html
Audiences 2023
General Audience of 8 November 2023 - Cycle of catechesis. The passion for evangelization: the apostolic zeal of the believer. 25. Madeleine Delbrêl. The joy of faith among non-believers

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-11/transsexual-and-homosesual-persons-and-the-sacraments.html

Transsexual and homosexual persons and the Sacraments
09 November 2023, 12:25

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith responds to questions concerning the participation of transsexual persons and persons with same-sex attraction in the Sacraments of Baptism and Matrimony and related ceremonies.
By Vatican News

Transsexual persons, even if they have undergone hormone therapy or sex reassignment surgery, may receive the Sacrament of Baptism “if there are no situations in which there is a risk of generating public scandal or confusion among the faithful”. The children of homosexual couples should be baptized even if they are born from a surrogate mother, provided there is a well-founded hope that they will be educated in the Catholic faith.

These clarifications were issued on Wednesday in a response to questions (dubia) submitted to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) by Bishop José Negri of Santo Amaro, Brazil.

The document, signed by Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandéz, the Prefect of the DDF, and approved by Pope Francis on 31 October, answered six questions concerning the possible participation of transsexual and homoaffective persons in the Sacraments of Baptism and Matrimony.

The answers “re-propose, in substance, the fundamental contents of what has already been affirmed in the past by the Dicastery concerning these matters.”
 
The full text of the document, in Italian and Portuguese, can be found on the website of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/doc_doc_index.htm
DICASTERY FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH
COMPLETE LIST OF DOCUMENTS

Note: The doctrinal documents of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith are presented in reverse chronological order. Each text is given with its title in Italian or English, followed by the official title (usually in Latin) in parentheses, and the date of publication.

The next line, in bold typeface, provides references to official collections and editions (for example, Acta Apostolicae Sedis) and the final line gives references to unofficial collections and editions in various languages.
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255945/vatican-doctrine-office-transgender-identifying-people-can-be-baptized
Vatican doctrine office: Transgender-identifying people can be baptized, witness marriages
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Nov 8, 2023 / 14:25 pm

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2023/11/vatican-signals-openness-but-also-caution-on-transsexuals-and-baptism
Vatican signals openness but also caution on transsexuals and baptism
By Elise Ann Allen
Nov 9, 2023

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-discourse-patrons-arts-vatican-november-9-2023.html

Pope to Vatican Museums Patrons: Art builds bridges in times of division
09 November 2023, 10:53

Pope Francis commends the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums for their four-decade commitment to preserving the Vatican's cultural heritage, and highlights the transformative power of art to foster solidarity in a divided world.
By Francesca Merlo

Pope Francis on Thursday extended his greetings to the Patrons of the Arts, expressing gratitude for their commitment to "the important work of preserving and restoring the artistic and cultural patrimony of the Vatican Museums."

He commended the Patrons for their appreciation of the diverse forms of art, emphasising its power to illuminate the beauty of God's Creation and the mysteries embedded in human life.

"Your commitment is a concrete sign of your appreciation of the potential of the arts, in their many forms, to open minds and hearts to the beauty of God’s Creation and the richness and mystery of our human life and calling," Pope Francis said.
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255969/vatican-museums-announce-new-hours-ticket-price-and-entrance
Vatican Museums announce new hours, ticket price, and entrance
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Nov 10, 2023 / 09:23 am

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-holy-sepulcher-audience-vatican-knights-holy-land.html

Pope Francis: 'Tragedy is unfolding where the Lord lived'
09 November 2023, 12:15

Pope Francis decries the immense suffering and death of so many innocent people in the places where the Lord lived, as he meets with the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

"We are sadly witnessing a tragedy unfolding in the very places where the Lord lived, where He taught us through His humanity to love, to forgive, and to do good to all. And instead, we see them torn apart by tremendous suffering that affects so many innocents above all, so many innocent dead."

Pope Francis expressed his sorrow for the situation in the Holy Land as he met with members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in the Vatican on Thursday.

The origins of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem date back to the First Crusade, when its leader, Godfrey de Bouillon, liberated Jerusalem. The Order's members and leadership serve the Catholic Church and carry out acts of charity to make the operations to maintain the Christian presence in the Holy Land possible.

The Holy Father reaffirmed to the Order's members his spiritual closeness to them, acknowledging that they live their Consultation, currently underway, "sharing the great sorrow of the Mother Church of Jerusalem" and "imploring the gift of peace."
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/world-day-of-the-poor-commitment-to-serve-the-poor.html

World Day of the Poor: 'Do not turn your face away'
09 November 2023, 15:45

As the Church prepares to celebrate the World Day of the Poor on 19 November, Pope Francis urges everyone to work toward providing free healthcare, medical examinations, vaccinations, and bill payment assistance to those in need.
By Sr. Titilayo Aduloju, SSMA

Pope Francis instituted the celebration of the World Day of the Poor in 2017.

He encouraged the Church to "go forth", beyond its own walls, to encounter poverty "in the multiple meanings in which it manifests itself in today's world.”

The Pope will preside over the Eucharistic Celebration marking the seventh edition of the World Day of the Poor in St. Peter's Basilica on 19 November.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255958/vatican-releases-schedule-for-pope-francis-trip-to-dubai-in-december

Vatican releases schedule for Pope Francis’ trip to Dubai in December
By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Nov 9, 2023 / 11:46 am

The Vatican has released the schedule for Pope Francis’ trip to Dubai in early December to attend the COP28 climate conference.

The pope will visit the United Arab Emirates’ most populous city Dec. 1–3 where he will give a speech, meet world leaders, and help launch a pavilion for faith-based engagement at the United Nations climate summit.

It will be the first time that a pope has attended the U.N.’s annual environmental meeting. Francis published the apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum last month that called climate change “one of the principal challenges facing society and the global community.”
 

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/travels/2023/outside/documents/dubai-2023.html
APOSTOLIC JOURNEY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
to DUBAI
ON THE OCCASION OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES
TO THE UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (COP28)
1-3 DECEMBER 2023

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-reaffirms-right-of-parents-to-educate-children-in-freedom.html

Pope reaffirms right of parents to educate their children in freedom
11 November 2023, 12:11

Meeting in the Vatican with the European Parents’ Association (EPA), Pope Francis highlights the central role parents play in educating their children, and the importance of a shared commitment to educating future generations.
By Lisa Zengarini

Pope Francis has reiterated the need to protect the right of parents to raise and educate their children consistent with their convictions. They should not be constrained “in any sphere, particularly in that of schooling, to accept educational programmes contrary to their beliefs and values,” he said.

On Saturday, the Pope addressed participants in the General Assembly and Conference of the European Parents’ Association taking place in Rome on 10-11 November. He stressed that “the fundamental role of parents in the social order” must “be acknowledged at every level.”
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/november.index.html
Speeches 2023 November
To Participants in the General Assembly and Conference of the European Parents' Association (EPA) (11 November 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-encourages-compassionate-closeness-for-shrine-pilgrims.html

Pope encourages "compassionate closeness" for shrine pilgrims
11 November 2023, 12:30

Pope Francis meets with shrine rectors and those assisting them on 9 November at the Vatican for their Second International Meeting. He recommends that these "special places" be first and foremost places of prayer, with care for the sacraments and the welcoming of pilgrims. He encourages them to offer consolation to shrine visitors carrying burdens and problems through a "compassionate closeness."
By Salvatore Cernuzio

People visit shrines to pray, to gain confidence in the future, and, above all, to be consoled from the burdens, sorrows, and worries that often weigh on the mind and spirit. These holy places abound in consolation and mercy. And Pope Francis, addressing the group of shrine rectors and workers in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican on 11 November, encouraged them to be discerning in the choice of priests for hearing confessions, so that no one may "find obstacles to experiencing full reconciliation."
“The Sacrament of Reconciliation is to forgive, always. To forgive... Always forgive as the Father forgives.”

Offering clear and concrete recommendations, the Pope prayed for "the intercession of the Mother of God so that, in these tormented times, so many of our brothers and sisters who suffer may find peace and hope."

The shrine rectors and workers are gathered at the Vatican for their Second International Meeting, an initiative promoted by Archbishop Rino Fisichella and organized by the Dicastery for Evangelisation.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/november.index.html
Speeches 2023 November
To the participants in the II International Conference for Rectors and Pastoral Personnel of Shrines (11 November 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-receives-sikh-delegation-from-united-arab-emirates.html

Pope to UAE Sikhs: Faith and service are intimately linked
11 November 2023, 13:29

Ahead of Pope Francis' upcoming visit to Dubai, the Holy Father receives members of the Sikh Delegation from Guru Nanak Darbar of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and encourages them to continue their selfless service which leads to God.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Faith and service are intimately linked and lead us closer to God.

Pope Francis offered this reflection on Saturday as he addressed members of a Sikh delegation, who hail from various countries and gathered in Rome for an initiative of the Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh temple in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

The Holy Father will be returning to the UAE in early December, this time to the city of Dubai, on the occasion of the COP28 conference. This marks his second Apostolic Journey to the UAE, after his February 2019 Visit to sign the Document on Human Fraternity and Living Together at an interfaith summit. He will be the first Pope to attend the UN climate summit.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/november.index.html
Speeches 2023 November
To the Delegation of the Sikh Community of the United Arab Emirates (11 November 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/bishop-strickland-relieved-of-pastoral-care-of-us-diocese.html
Bishop Strickland relieved of pastoral governance of US diocese
11 November 2023, 12:01

The Vatican has published the Pope’s decision concerning the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, following an apostolic visitation conducted by two US bishops.
Vatican News

The Holy Father has removed Bishop Joseph E. Strickland from the pastoral governance of the diocese of Tyler, United States of America, and has appointed Bishop Joe Vásquez of Austin as apostolic administrator of the same diocese, rendering it sede vacante.

The decision came after an apostolic visitation ordered by the Pope last June in the Diocese of Tyler, which was entrusted to two US bishops, Bishop Dennis Sullivan of Camden, and Bishop Emeritus Gerald Kicanas of Tucson.

https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/11/11/231111d.html

Resignations and Appointments, 11.11.2023

Resignation and appointment of bishop of Basankusu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Appointment of bishop of Kamina, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Removal of bishop of Tyler, U.S.A., and appointment of apostolic administrator
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255986/breaking-pope-francis-relieves-strickland-of-his-duties-as-bishop-of-tyler
Pope Francis relieves Strickland of his duties as bishop of Tyler
By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Nov 11, 2023 / 07:05 am

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255987/bishop-strickland-refused-to-resign-cardinal-says
Bishop Strickland refused to resign, cardinal says
By Tina Dennelly
CNA Staff, Nov 11, 2023 / 09:50 am

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2023/11/pope-removes-texas-bishop-whos-been-a-frequent-francis-critic
Pope removes Texas bishop who’s been a frequent Francis critic
By Elise Ann Allen
Nov 11, 2023

Edited to add article...
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/former-usccb-head-apostolic-visitation-judged-it-not-feasible-for-bishop-strickland-to-remain/
Former USCCB head: Apostolic visitation judged it ‘not feasible’ for Bishop Strickland to remain
Michael Haynes
Sat Nov 11, 2023 - 10:53 am EST

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-at-angelus-francis-12-november-2023-prayer-vatican.html
Pope at Angelus: Do I nourish the 'oil' of my soul?
12 November 2023, 12:09

During his Sunday Angelus address, Pope Francis reflects on the Parable of the Ten Virgins, and emphasizes the need to be prepared, by cultivating the 'oil' of the soul, and dedicating time each day to that which really matters and draws us closer to the Lord and others.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis has called on faithful to nourish the 'oil of the soul' daily, in order to be prepared for the Lord and for others.

He did so during his Sunday Angelus address in St. Peter's Square at noon, as he reflected on today's Gospel reading according to St. Matthew, which centers on the parable of the ten virgins called to go out to meet the bridegroom.

The reading, the Pope said, offers us a parable regarding the meaning of life of each person.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-appeals-for-humanitarian-aid-for-people-in-war-torn-sudan.html
Pope appeals for humanitarian aid for people in war-torn Sudan
12 November 2023, 12:51

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-expresses-closeness-to-suffering-palestinians-and-israelis.html
Pope expresses closeness to suffering Palestinians and Israelis
12 November 2023, 13:19

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-pray-for-cop28-and-thanks-to-laudato-si-action-platform.html
Pope: Pray for COP28 and thanks to Laudato Si’ Action Platform
12 November 2023, 14:19

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2023.index.html
Angelus - Regina Cæli 2023
Angelus, 12 November 2023

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Update:  Vatican finance trial

https://cruxnow.com/news-analysis/2023/11/convoluted-trial-may-boil-down-to-simple-question-is-the-pope-above-the-law
Convoluted trial may boil down to simple question: Is the Pope above the law?
By John L. Allen Jr.
Nov 12, 2023

ROME – At one level, the question facing the three judges overseeing the Vatican’s long-running “trial of the century,” who are expected to deliver a verdict next month, is extremely straight-forward: Are the defendants innocent or guilty of the various forms of financial crime with which they’ve been charged?

Yet lurking beneath and beyond the surface is another question, one with much larger implications than the fate of these ten individuals, most of whom, presumably, will return to relative obscurity once the process is complete.

To wit: Is the Pope above the law?

That may seem a loaded or rhetorical question, but it’s actually a serious legal matter which was framed in memorable fashion this past week by attorney Luigi Panella, who’s representing Enrico Crasso, an Italian banker and former financial advisor to the Vatican’s Secretariat of State.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-school-sisters-of-notre-dame.html

Pope thanks School Sisters of Notre Dame for 'making Christ visible'
13 November 2023, 12:00

Pope Francis welcomes the School Sisters of Notre Dame on the occasion of their 25th General Chapter, and thanks them for making Christ visible by their presence, faith, hope and charity.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Continue making Christ visible by effectively bearing witness to the joy of the Gospel in meaningful service to the Church.

Pope Francis offered this encouragement to the School Sisters of Notre Dame on Monday in the Vatican, as he welcomed them for their 25th General Chapter, taking place in Rome.

The Pope thanked the religious sisters for their great contribution to the Church, especially in education, service and spirituality.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/november.index.html
Speeches 2023 November
To the participants in the 25th General Chapter of the Congregation of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (13 November 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-11/new-martyrs-commission-first-phase-of-work.html

'New Martyrs Commission' in first phase of work
13 November 2023, 15:54

The Dicastery for the Causes of Saints hold a meeting to outline methodologies and commitments in view of the Jubilee Year in 2025, identifying over 550 martyrs whose circumstances of death and service are known to the Church.
By Vatican News

Last Thursday, the "New Martyrs - Witnesses of the Faith Commission" met at the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints under whose aegis it operates at Pope Francis' request, in order to make its mandate operative in view of the Jubilee of 2025.

According to a note from the Holy See Press Office, the survey of Christian victims and the offering of their lives by lay people, pastors, consecrated men and women will make use of the efforts already made by Fides and other agencies, but also of new research, assisted by the bishops, religious congregations, and those who guard the memory of these Christians.

The memorial service to be rendered in this first phase will concern Christians whose lives were cut short or given in various ways in obedience to the Gospel, in the time span from the year 2000 to the present.

There are currently over 550 witnesses whose circumstances of death and their service to the Church and God's people are known. A website has now been set up to accompany the work of the Commission and provide some essential information.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-11/vatican-mater-ecclesiae-monastery-contemplative-nuns-statement.html

Vatican's Mater Ecclesiae Monastery becomes home for contemplative nuns
13 November 2023, 12:07

Pope Francis asks a community of Argentinian Benedictine nuns to take up residence in the Vatican's Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, where Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI lived for around 10 years after his resignation in 2013.
By Vatican News

The Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the heart of the Vatican Gardens that was the "home" of the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, for almost ten years, is to resume its original purpose.

Pope Francis has asked that it once again serve as the residence for contemplative orders "to support the Holy Father in his daily care for the whole Church, through the ministry of prayer, adoration, praise, and reparation: a praying presence in silence and solitude."

A statement released by the Holy See Press Office on Monday, 13 November, said Pope Francis announced this decision in a handwritten letter dated 1 October of this year.
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255992/after-benedict-xvi-s-death-vatican-monastery-to-be-home-to-benedictine-nuns
After Benedict XVI’s death, Vatican monastery to be home to Benedictine nuns
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Nov 13, 2023 / 07:02 am

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-world-youth-day-message-hope-in-dark-times.html

Pope’s diocesan WYD Message: In dark times, hope
14 November 2023, 12:39

In a letter ahead of the 38th diocesan World Youth Day, Pope Francis describes youth as a time of “hopes and dreams”, and asks how this optimism can be sustained in an increasingly crisis-ridden world.
By Joseph Tulloch

Pope Francis released a message on Tuesday ahead of the 38th diocesan World Youth Day, which will be celebrated on 26 November 2023.

In his letter, entitled “Rejoicing in Hope”, Pope Francis says that Christian hope is not “facile optimism” but rather certain knowledge of God’s presence among us, and proposes strategies for maintaining and sharing this positivity in dark times.
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256002/pope-francis-invites-young-people-to-be-god-s-answer-to-a-hopeless-world
Pope Francis invites young people to be ‘God’s answer’ to a hopeless world
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Nov 14, 2023 / 11:51 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/youth/documents/papa-francesco_20231109_messaggio-giovani_2023.html
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
FOR THE XXXVIII WORLD YOUTH DAY
26 November 2023

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2023/11/american-role-in-first-ever-papal-film-scrubbed-by-vatican-due-to-lascivious-use

American role in first-ever papal film scrubbed by Vatican due to ‘lascivious’ use
By Crux Staff
Nov 13, 2023

ROME – A previously unknown chapter in relations between the Vatican and America has come to light thanks to a new book by an Italian historian, proving that the first-ever video recording of a pope was made not, as previously believed, by an early Italian filmmaker, but rather by a British-born American who started his career working for Thomas Edison.

In the end, William Kennedy Laurie Dickson’s role in the 1896 filming of Pope Leo XIII was all but scrubbed from official records, in part, according to the new historical research, because of Vatican umbrage that the images were being shown at fairs and other entertainment venues considered “lascivious” and inappropriate for a pontiff’s dignity.

Leo XIII, who was born in 1810 and was thus 86 years old in 1896, is considered the earliest-born person ever to be captured on film. The images of him are well-known, and recently were enhanced and colorized on-line.
 

Video at the link...

https://aleteia.org/2021/11/20/colorized-amazing-restoration-of-1896-film-of-pope-leo-xiii/
Colorized: Amazing restoration of 1896 film of Pope Leo XIII
Zelda Caldwell - published on 11/20/21