Pope Francis

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-at-audience-jesus-is-the-joy.html
Pope at Audience: Jesus is our joy
15 November 2023, 10:15

During his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis stresses that Jesus is our constant source of joy, our friend who accompanies each of us on our way.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Jesus is the source of our joy, and our faithful friend. He is with us on our journey.

Pope Francis offered these words of comfort during his weekly General Audience in St. Peter's Square on Wednesday morning.

After having dedicated a catechesis series to figures who embody "apostolic zeal", the Holy Father has now begun to summarize apostolic zeal in four points, grounded in his first Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium ('The Joy of the Gospel.')

This week, Pope Francis dedicated his catechesis to the first of the four points: Joy.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-prayer-peace-ukraine-holy-land-war-audience-15-nov.html
Pope urges prayers for peace wherever wars rage
15 November 2023, 09:56

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2023.index.html
Audiences 2023
General Audience of 15 November 2023 - Catechesis. The passion for evangelization: the apostolic zeal of the believer. 26. Proclamation is joy

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-11/pope-francis-audience-secretariat-economy-caballero.html

Secretariat for the Economy meets with Pope Francis
15 November 2023, 09:56

Pope Francis meets with personnel of the Vatican Secretariat for the Economy, with the Prefect, Maximino Caballero Ledo, emphasizing the progress and challenges of implementing the reform of the Roman Curia.
By Vatican News

The employees and collaborators of the Secretariat for the Economy were received in a private audience by Pope Francis on Monday, 13 November.

The Secretariat operates in the field of regulation and oversight of the Vatican’s economic, financial, administrative, computer, and human resources.

In his brief, introductory greeting, the Prefect of the Secretariat, Maximino Caballero Ledo, said, "Ours is a young institution, born with the start of the economic reform; the institution has adapted to the different structures required by the progressive definition of the responsibility that the reform of the Roman Curia as a whole wanted to entrust to us, becoming its personal Secretariat in economic matters."

The Prefect emphasized that the Secretariat for the Economy seeks to support the progress of the reform in the constant search for a balance between the needs of regulation and oversight—essential from a perspective of transparency and protection of limited resources—and the needs of effectiveness and agility in management, equally essential to ensure the realization of the mission of the Bishop of Rome and the dicasteries that assist him.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-11/vatican-catholics-still-forbidden-masonic-lodge.html

Vatican confirms Catholics still forbidden to join Masonic lodges
15 November 2023, 08:39

Responding to a question from a Filipino Bishop, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, with the approval of Pope Francis, reaffirms the incompatibility between the Catholic Faith and joining Masonic lodges.
By Vatican News

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, in a document signed by the Prefect, Cardinal Victor Fernandéz, and approved by Pope Francis, has reaffirmed that Catholics are forbidden from joining Freemasonry.

The Dicastery responded on Wednesday to a question from Bishop Julito Cortes, Bishop of Dumanguete in the Philippines.

“After explaining with concern the situation in his diocese, due to the continuous increase in the number of members of Freemasonry, [Bishop Cortes] asked for suggestions on how to adequately deal with this reality from a pastoral point of view, while also taking into account the doctrinal implications” of the situation.

The dicastery’s response makes clear the importance of involving the Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, “notifying them that it would be necessary to implement a coordinated strategy among the individual bishops that would involve two approaches.”

The first approach addresses the question on the doctrinal level: the dicastery reiterates that “active membership in Freemasonry by a member of the faithful is prohibited, because of the irreconcilability between Catholic doctrine and Freemasonry (cf. the 1983 Declaration of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on Masonic Associations), and the Guidelines published by the Bishops’ Conference in 2003.”

Therefore, the note explains, “those who formally and knowingly are members of Masonic lodges and have embraced Masonic principles fall under the provisions of the above-mentioned Declaration. These measures also apply to any clerics enrolled in Freemasonry.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-message-pontifical-marian-academy-maria-agreda.html

Pope: In a noisy world there is need for silence to contemplate God
16 November 2023, 09:40

Speaking at an International Congress on the life of Venerable María de Jesús de Ágreda, Pope Francis highlights the lessons of silence, mysticism, and mission from Mother Ágreda's life while emphasising Mary's role in revealing Christ.
By Francesca Merlo

Addressing participants of the International Congress on Venerable María de Jesús de Ágreda, Spain, Pope Francis extended a warm welcome, expressing his delight at the occasion organised by the Pontifical International Marian Academy. The Holy Father conveyed his happiness in greeting the Conceptionist Mothers, especially acknowledging the presence of those who travelled from Argentina, his homeland.

Reflecting on the extraordinary life of Mother Ágreda, Pope Francis highlighted three lessons that the woman offers to the Church and humanity at large.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/november/documents/20231116-pami.html
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE CONFERENCE
ON THE VENERABLE MARÍA DE JESÚS DE ÁGREDA PROMOTED BY THE
PONTIFICAL INTERNATIONAL MARIAN ACADEMY
Consistory Hall
Thursday, 16 November 2023
[Multimedia]

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-hispanic-priests-united-states-america.html

Pope to US Hispanic priests: Abandon yourselves to the Lord
16 November 2023, 13:09

Pope Francis warmly greets participants of the annual conference of the National Association of Hispanic Priests (ANSH) operating in the United States, and encourages them in their pastoral work, prayer, and self-abandonment to Christ.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

"Brothers, do not put your trust only in great ideas, nor in well-designed pastoral proposals, do not look for culprits, but abandon yourselves to the One who has called you to give yourselves, and asks you only for fidelity and constancy, with the certainty that it is He who brings your work to completion and will make your efforts bear good fruit."

This was the encouragement Pope Francis offered on Thursday morning in the Vatican to the participants of the annual conference of the National Association of Hispanic Priests (ANSH) operating in the United States.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/november.index.html
Speeches 2023 November
To the Association of Hispanic Priests in the United States of America (16 November 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-asia-bibi-holiness-martyrdom-family.html

Pope: Asia Bibi an example of 'continuous martyrdom'
16 November 2023, 13:36

Speaking to participants in a conference on sainthood, Pope Francis says that “no period has been devoid of martyrs, including our own day.”
By Joseph Tulloch

“When God calls an individual, it is always for the good of all.”

That’s how Pope Francis started an address on Thursday morning to participants in a Vatican-run conference on ‘The Communal Dimension of Sanctity.’

In his speech, the Pope discussed three important aspects of holiness – its power to unify, its place in the family, and martyrdom.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/november.index.html
Speeches 2023 November
To participants in the Conference organized by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints (16 November 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-rome-parish-visit-our-lady-hospitality.html

Pope visits Roman parish to embrace priests and marginalized residents
16 November 2023, 21:06

Pope Francis makes a pastoral visit to the parish of Our Lady of Hospitality on the outskirts of Rome, meeting with around 40 priests and greeting families assisted by the parish.
By Salvatore Cernuzio

"So many priests!" Amidst light rain, after about an hour of travel by car, Pope Francis arrived at the Roman parish of Our Lady of Hospitality (Our Lady of Hospitality) on Thursday afternoon, just after 4 PM.

The parish in the peripheral outskirts of Rome, nestled in the XVII prefecture covering the areas of Tor Bella Monaca, Torre Angela, Torre Gaia, and other neighboring districts.

The vast urban area known as Due Torri – Villa Verde is punctuated by poverty and marginalization, and is an area where the Church seeks to work closely with residents of high-rises and public housing.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-address-pilgrims-ozamiz-marian-devotion.html

Pope encourages Filipino pilgrims to embrace Marian devotion
17 November 2023, 10:08

Pope Francis welcomes pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Ozamiz in the Philippines, and urges them to care for others and be responsible stewards of the Church and Creation.
By Francesca Merlo

Pope Francis extended a warm welcome to the pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Ozamiz in the Philippines on Friday, as they made a Marian pilgrimage to Rome on their Golden Jubilee celebration.

The Pope expressed his joy in commemorating the establishment of the Archdiocese and thanked Archbishop Martin Sarmiento Jumoad and the entire pilgrim group for their visit.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/november.index.html
Speeches 2023 November
To Pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Ozamiz (Philippines) (17 November 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-consoles-migrant-survivor-of-tunisia-libya-desert.html

Pope Francis consoles migrant-survivor of Tunisia-Libya desert
17 November 2023, 19:50

Pope Francis meets with Pato, a migrant from Cameroun who lost his wife Matyla and child Marie in the desert between Libya and Tunisia last July.
By Vatican News

The Holy See Press Office noted that on Friday afternoon at Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis met with Mbengue Nyimbilo Crepin (known as Pato), accompanied by Fr. Mattia Ferrari, who serves as chaplain to Mediterranea Saving Humans, also assisting them in many rescue missions. The meeting included a group of migrants, those working for organizations assisting refugees, as well as Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

The comunique to journalists recalled that Pato lost his wife and six-year-old daughter in July this year after being stopped and returned to the desert between Libya and Tunisia by Tunisian authorities. Pope Francis listened to his moving and tragic story, while also hearing about the harrowing accounts of the thousands of people who suffer as they attempt to reach Europe.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-audiences-relatives-israeli-hostages-palestinians.html

Pope to meet relatives of Israeli hostages and Palestinians suffering in Gaza
17 November 2023, 19:59

Next Wednesday, Pope Francis will meet separately with several relatives of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and with family members of Palestinians suffering from the Israel-Hamas war.
By Vatican News

The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, announced on Friday that Pope Francis will hold a pair of separate encounters on Wednesday, 22 November, on the sidelines of the General Audience.

Responding to journalists' questions, Mr. Bruni said: "Pope Francis will meet separately with a group of relatives of Israelis held hostage in Gaza and a group of family members of Palestinians suffering from the conflict in Gaza."

He added that the meetings are "of an exclusively humanitarian nature" and aim to express Pope Francis' "spiritual closeness to the suffering of each individual".
 

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Update: Vatican finance trial

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256042/what-s-next-in-the-vatican-s-trial-of-cardinal-becciu
What’s next in the Vatican’s trial of Cardinal Becciu
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Nov 17, 2023 / 14:00 pm

After almost two and a half years, the Vatican’s “trial of the century,” in which the disgraced Cardinal Angelo Becciu is a defendant, is winding down.

The Vatican court’s president, Giuseppe Pignatone, has asked defense lawyers to keep their statements to a tight schedule over the next few weeks so that he and the other judges can return a verdict by or around Dec. 16.

If found guilty of any or all of the charges, the 10 defendants will likely lodge appeals, so it may not be the final word in a trial that has seen a cardinal tried by lay judges for the first time.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-discourse-health-professionals-invaluable-work.html

Pope thanks health professionals for their service to humanity
18 November 2023, 12:00

Pope Francis emphasises compassion and warns against extremes, as he meets with Italian healthcare workers.
By Francesca Merlo

In an audience with representatives of the Italian Federation of Paediatricians and the Italian Association of Hospital Otolaryngologists, Pope Francis conveyed appreciation for their service and highlighted the crucial role these healthcare professionals play in society.

Inspiring young couples

Addressing the paediatricians on Saturday, the Pope referred to children as "always a gift and a blessing from the Lord," expressing hope for a reversal of Italy's ageing trend by creating conditions that inspire confidence in young couples to embrace parenthood.

Reflecting on the work of ENT doctors, Pope Francis drew inspiration from the Gospel, noting Jesus' compassionate approach to those who lived in isolation. He suggested, "I think that these gestures and words can be an inspiration to you," emphasizing the importance of restoring connections and relationships within communities.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/november.index.html
Speeches 2023 November
To members of the Association of Italian Hospital Otolaryngologists (AOOI) and the Italian Federation of Pediatric Physicians (FIMP) (18 novembre 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-private-audience-president-rashid-iraq-cordial-discussions.html

Pope Francis receives Iraqi President
18 November 2023, 14:10

The President of the Republic of Iraq, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, is received in private audience in the Vatican by Pope Francis and meets with the Vatican Secretary of State and Secretary for Relations with States.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis on Saturday received in audience the President of the Republic of Iraq, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid. The Iraqi President then met with the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

According to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office after the meetings, “During the cordial discussions, which took place in the Secretariat of State,” good bilateral relations between the Holy See and Iraq were confirmed and topics of common interest were discussed.

“In particular,” the statement added, “the need was reiterated for the Catholic Church in Iraq to be able to continue to carry out its valued mission and for all Iraqi Christians to be a vibrant and active part of society and the territory, particularly in the Nineveh Plain.

In addition, several international issues were discussed, with particular attention to the conflict in Israel and Palestine, and the urgent commitment to peace and stability.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-listening-and-awareness-keys-for-child-abuse-prevention.html

Pope: Listening and awareness key in child abuse prevention
18 November 2023, 14:11

In a meeting with representatives of the Italian Church's Child Protection Services and Listening Centres, Pope Francis stresses the importance of listening to the victims of abuse and encouraging society to focus attention on this scourge.
By Lisa Zengarini

Pope Francis has reiterated the Catholic Church's firm commitment to the protection of minors from sexual abuse, saying that the entire Christian community should feel involved.

“This is not a negotiable matter”, he stated on Saturday morning, as he addressed participants in the first national meeting of diocesan and regional representatives of the Italian Church's Child Protection Services and Listening Centres. “We cannot stop in our action to protect minors and vulnerable people and, at the same time, to combat any form of abuse, whether sexual, of power, or of conscience,” the Pope said.

The meeting, entitled “A Wounded Beauty. I will heal your wound and heal you of your wounds" (Jer 30:17), was organized by the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI).

In his address, the Pope suggested three verbs as a guideline for action against child abuse.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/november.index.html
Speeches 2023 November
To participants in the meeting promoted by the Italian Episcopal Conference for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable People (18 November 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2023-11/world-day-of-the-poor-opportunity-hope-sant-egidio-pope-francis.html

World Day of the Poor: A message of solidarity and hope
18 November 2023, 13:44

The World Day of the Poor celebrated annually on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, is an invitation to individuals and institutions to look to those in need with respect, through initiatives and global support.
By Francesca Merlo

“Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor”. The theme for this year’s World Day of the Poor invites us to take responsibility for those who are in search of dignity. The World Day of the Poor observance was initiated in 2017 by Pope Francis and has been celebrated annually on the third Sunday in November ever since. Marking the day, a series of initiatives aim to help heal some of the wounds poor people suffer from.
 

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-offer-the-wealth-of-charity-share-our-bread-multiply-love.html
Pope: May we offer wealth of charity, share our bread, multiply love
19 November 2023, 11:01

Pope Francis presides at Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on the World Day of the Poor. He recalls the journey of Jesus who "became poor in order to make us rich" and our own life journey in which we are called to "offer the wealth of charity, share our bread and multiply love."
By Thaddeus Jones

In his homily during the Mass for the World Day of the Poor taking place in Saint Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis reflected on two aspects of the Sunday Gospel reading recounting the parable of the talents: the journey of Jesus and the journey of our lives.
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256056/pope-francis-trust-frees-fear-paralyzes
Pope Francis: ‘Trust frees, fear paralyzes’
By Matthew Santucci
Rome Newsroom, Nov 19, 2023 / 07:15 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2023.index.html
Homilies 2023
Mass for the World Day of the Poor (19 November 2023)

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-at-angelus-put-your-trust-in-god-and-talents-to-work.html
Pope at Angelus: Put your trust in God and talents to work
19 November 2023, 12:14

Speaking at the midday Angelus, Pope Francis encourages us to overcome fear and put our trust in God who has given us unique talents we can put to work in serving others for the benefit of all.
By Vatican News

In his reflections addressed to the pilgrims and visitors gathered in Saint Peter's Square for the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis looked at the day's Gospel reading which recounts the parable of the talents noting how we can observe two different ways of approaching God. A short while earlier, the Pope presided over the Mass for the World Day of the Poor taking place in Saint Peter's Basilica.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-appeal-angelus-peace-ukraine-israel-palestine-myanmar.html
Pope Francis: Peace is possible, never resign yourselves to war!
19 November 2023, 12:38

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-angelus-martyrs-beatified-spanish-civil-war.html
Pope upholds martyrs as a comfort for today's persecuted Christians
19 November 2023, 13:46

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2023.index.html
Angelus - Regina Cæli 2023
Angelus, 19 November 2023

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Video at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-has-lunch-with-poor-in-unforgettable-moment-of-friendship.html
Pope has lunch with poor in unforgettable moment of friendship
19 November 2023, 14:10

Oope Francis joins 1,200 guests in the Paul VI Hall to share Sunday lunch with them on the occasion of World Day of the Poor.
By Vatican News

Awaiting Pope Francis after he finished his Sunday Angelus, the guests gathered in the Paul VI Hall made up of the poor and their companions later greeted the Pope while enjoying a Sunday lunch. Over 1,200 people in all came for the lunch that transformed the Hall into a large and unique restaurant for the customary annual lunch with Pope Francis on the World Day of the Poor.

The Pope began the lunch with a blessing when he thanked the Lord for this "moment of friendship, all together", for the meal, and for those who prepared it. The tables adorned with white and yellow flowers offered a colourful backdrop for images capturing an unforgettable moment of welcome, concern, care and love for all those who for the rest of the year live on the streets.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-phone-call-argetina-president-elect-milei.html

Pope speaks by phone with Argentine President-elect Milei
21 November 2023, 20:27

Pope Francis holds a telephone call with Argentina’s President-elect Javier Milei after his victory in Sunday’s presidential elections.
By Vatican News

The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, confirmed on Tuesday evening that Pope Francis has spoken by phone with Javier Milei.

News of the phone call had earlier circulated on Argentine media outlets.

Mr. Milei, who leads the political coalition “Liberty Advances”, won Sunday’s presidential elections in a run-off ballot, beating Sergio Massi by a margin of 56% to 44%.
 

Edited to add the following article:

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256068/breaking-pope-francis-intervenes-with-german-synodal-way
Pope Francis congratulates president-elect Milei of Argentina in phone call
By Julieta Villar
ACI Prensa Staff, Nov 21, 2023 / 18:20 pm

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-freedom-on-fire-ukraine-war-vatican-screening.html

Pope attends screening of documentary on war in Ukraine
21 November 2023, 21:25

Pope Francis attends a Vatican screening of Evgeny Afineevsky's new documentary: “Freedom on Fire: Ukraine’s fight for freedom”.
By Vatican News

On Tuesday evening, Pope Francis visited the new Synod Hall at 6:30 PM for the screening of the documentary "Freedom on Fire: Ukraine’s fight for freedom" by Evgeny Afineevsky.

The event was attended by several members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, including Ukraine’s Ambassador to the Holy See, as well as several Italian and international guests.

The Pope remained in the Hall until the end of the screening and observed a minute of silence in prayer for the victims of the conflict.

Following a brief intervention by the director, Pope Francis addressed those present and expressed his gratitude for their witness to such pain.