Pope Francis

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RE: German Synodal Way

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-letter-germany-women-synodal-church.html
Pope expresses concern for developments of Church in Germany
21 November 2023, 17:12

Pope Francis responds to a letter from four German women involved in the national synodal process, and says the German Church risks moving further away from the path of the universal Church.
By Salvatore Cernuzio

Four women have written to the Pope to express their "concerns" about the developments of the synodal journey of the Church in Germany, from which they withdrew.

In response, Pope Francis has responded with a letter acknowledging that he too is concerned "about the numerous tangible steps with which large portions of this local Church continue to threaten to move further away from the common path of the universal Church."
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256068/breaking-pope-francis-intervenes-with-german-synodal-way
Pope Francis expresses ‘concerns’ about German Synodal Way, says it threatens Church unity
By Jonathan Liedl
Vatican City, Nov 21, 2023 / 04:55 am

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256070/full-text-pope-francis-letter-expressing-concern-about-german-synodal-way
Full Text: Pope Francis’ letter expressing concern about German Synodal Way
By Pope Francis
Vatican City, Nov 21, 2023 / 08:25 am

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256069/the-vatican-s-statements-on-the-german-synodal-way-a-timeline
The Vatican’s statements on the German Synodal Way: a timeline
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Nov 21, 2023 / 09:10 am

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-general-audience-proclamation-joy-gospel-everyone.html
Pope at Audience: Christians must be courageous instruments of inclusive love
22 November 2023, 09:20

At his weekly General Audience, Pope Francis highlights the universal nature of Christian proclamation, emphasizing that encountering Jesus and sharing the Gospel is a call for all, irrespective of boundaries or limitations.
By Francesca Merlo

Opening his catechesis at his General Audience on 22 November, the Holy Father recalled the theme from last week, during which he, along with the faithful, reflected on Christian proclamation being “joy”.

The second aspect of the Christian proclamation, and the focus today, the Pope noted, is that “it is for everyone”.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-audience-palestine-israel-hostages-meeting.html
Pope Francis: Pray for immense suffering of people in Holy Land
22 November 2023, 09:53

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2023.index.html
Audiences 2023
General Audience of 22 November 2023 - Catechesis. The passion for evangelization: the apostolic zeal of the believer. 27. Proclamation is for everyone

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-video-message-war-holy-land-ukraine.html
Pope: ‘People of Palestine and Israel have right to live in peace’
22 November 2023, 16:00

Pope Francis releases a video message to appeal for peace in the Holy Land and Ukraine, praying that wars might be resolved through dialogue rather than a mountain of casualties.
By Devin Watkins

“We all feel the pain of the wars.”

Pope Francis acknowledged the proliferation of war and its devastating effects with those words in a video message released on Wednesday.

“Since the Second World War ended until today, wars have followed in many parts of the world,” he said. “When they are far away from us, we do not feel them as much. Today there are two very near that force us to react: Ukraine and the Holy Land.”

The Pope expressed his sorrow for the suffering caused by war. “What is happening in the Holy Land is very painful. It is very painful,” he said.

Right to live in peace
 
Audiences with Palestinians and Israelis

Earlier, at the Wednesday General Audience, the Holy Father renewed his appeal for peace in the region.

He also met separately with several Israelis whose relatives are being held hostage in Gaza and with a delegation of Palestinians whose families are suffering in the Strip.

During those encounters, the Pope met first with the 12 members of the Israeli delegation at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta at 7:30 AM.

He then met with the Palestinian delegation at around 8:00 AM in a room in the Paul VI Hall.
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256089/pope-francis-meets-with-families-of-israeli-hostages-being-held-in-gaza
Pope Francis meets with families of Israeli hostages being held in Gaza
By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Nov 22, 2023 / 12:21 pm

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256095/pope-francis-receives-relatives-of-palestinians-living-in-gaza
Pope Francis meets with relatives of Palestinians living in Gaza
By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú
Vatican City, Nov 22, 2023 / 17:30 pm

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2023/11/pope-calls-gaza-war-terrorism-but-vatican-denies-he-said-genocide
Pope calls Gaza war ‘terrorism,’ but Vatican denies he said ‘genocide’
By Elise Ann Allen
Nov 22, 2023

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-address-men-formation-healthy-relationship.html

Pope: Christians are a light in the darkness of violence and war
23 November 2023, 11:57

Pope Francis describes the Fraternity of Romana as bringing light by its Gospel-inspired action to carry forward "the dream of a fraternal and united world".
By Francesca Merlo

Today's world, marked by violence and conflict needs fraternity, peace, and friendship, said Pope Francis during his audience with around 500 members of the Fraternity of Romena in Italy and the Nain Group in the Paul VI Hall.

In his address, the Holy Father highlighted three experiences that allow the light of the Gospel to filter through and risk the darkness of life: hospitality, care, and fraternity. In fact, he said, this is the experience lived by those who arrive tired and oppressed, amidst the beauty of nature and the charm of silence, to spend a few days at the ancient Romanesque parish church where the Fraternity of Romena is based, "a space of beauty, simplicity and listening", said the Pope.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/november.index.html
Speeches 2023 November
To the Members of the Romena Fraternity (Arezzo) and the Nain Group (23 November 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-catholic-communicator-to-promote-communion-in-digital-world.html

Pope: Catholic communicators must promote communion in digital world
23 November 2023, 12:17

Addressing a delegation of the national Federation of Catholic Weeklies, of the Italian Periodical Press Union, of the "Corallo" and "Aiart - Cittadini mediali" associations, encourages them to promote an "ecology of communication" in the digital world and to follow the example of Blessed Carlo Acutis.
By Lisa Zengarini

The epochal changes in the media world require a renewed “commitment to the promotion of people's dignity, to justice and truth, to legality and educational co-responsibility”, said Pope Francis speaking to a delegation of Italian Catholic communicators.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/november.index.html
Speeches 2023 November
To the Delegations of the Italian Federation of Catholic Weeklies; the Italian Periodical Press Union; the Coral Association; and the AIART Media Citizens Association (23 November 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-11/christmas-tree-arrives-in-st-peter-s-square.html

Christmas tree arrives in St Peter’s Square
23 November 2023, 16:02

The 28-meter tall spruce comes from the area of Macra, in the Piedmont region of Italy. This year’s tree will be officially inaugurated with a lighting ceremony on December 9.
By Vatican News

Workers in St Peter’s Square began the process of raising and decorating the Vatican’s Christmas tree on Thursday morning. This year’s tree, a 28-meter spruce from the upper Maira Valley in the Piedmontese municipality of Macra, left for Rome on Tuesday aboard a special transport provided by the Viberti company.

Wood to be used for toys

“In Piedmont, trees are important”, said Alberto Cirio, the President of the Piedmont Region. He explained, “We do not cut them down haphazardly. This fir tree had to be felled because the fire brigade had found that it was at risk of collapse, after 56 years of life. The felling was already planned and had been authorized by the Region”.

Moreover, he said, the wood from the tree will not go to waste after the festivities: “When Christmas is over, the tree will not go to waste, but will be sent to a company that will turn it into toys for children [in need]”. The toys will be distributed through Caritas.
 

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Uh, oh...

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/jewish-groups-criticize-pope-terrorism-remark-seek-clarification-2023-11-23/
Jewish groups criticize Pope on 'terrorism' remark, seek clarification
By Philip Pullella
November 23, 20238:24 AM CSTUpdated 13 hours ago

VATICAN CITY, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Jewish groups have criticised Pope Francis and demanded clarifications over his comments that they saw as accusing both Hamas and Israel of "terrorism".

Francis made the comments on Wednesday after meeting separately with Jewish relatives of hostages held by Hamas and with Palestinians with family in Gaza.

Later that day at his general audience in St. Peter's Square, he spoke of the meetings, saying he felt the pain of both sides.

"This is what wars do. But here we have gone beyond wars. This is not war. This is terrorism," he said.

He asked for prayers so that both sides would "not go ahead with passions, which, in the end, kill everyone".

In a toughly worded statement on Thursday, the Council of the Assembly of Italian Rabbis (ARI) accused the pope of "publicly accusing both sides of terrorism".

It went on to accuse unnamed "Church leaders" of not condemning the Hamas attack and of "putting the aggressor and the attacked on the same plane in the name of a supposed impartiality".
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-audience-president-cyprus-christodoulides.html

Pope Francis meets with President of Cyprus
24 November 2023, 11:51

Pope Francis holds a private audience with the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, who then discusses the war in the Holy Land at the Secretariat of State.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis welcomed Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus, for an audience at the Vatican Apostolic Palace, according to the Holy See Press Office.

The audience lasted around 35 minutes and included the customary exchange of gifts.

The Pope gifts the President a Medal of the Holy Spirit and a copy of his message for the 2024 World Day of Peace.

President Christodoulides presented Pope Francis with a wooden and metal sculpture of an olive tree.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-help-others-through-loving-and-intelligent-involve.html

Pope Francis: Help others through loving and intelligent engagement
24 November 2023, 12:03

n his message for the 13th annual Festival of the Social Doctrine of the Church, Pope Francis invites Catholic lay men and women to help others through intelligent and loving engagement.
By Christopher Wells

Italy’s annual Festival of the Social Doctrine of the Church opened in Verona on Friday, focusing this year on the theme “#soci@ally free” (#soci@lmente liberi).

'Soci@lly free'

The “at” sign in the theme highlights issues that are increasingly relevant in today’s world, the Pope said, especially the digital culture, which has a profound influence on personal and societal relationships.

It indicates closeness and contact with others, and is “an intimate expression of freedom to be ‘preserved’ in one’s heart,” the Pope explained.

He noted that social media should not be a “trap” we fall into, but rather should aim at preserving “a communion of free people.”
 

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-greets-participants-in-french-social-week.html
Pope Francis greets participants in French Social Week
24 November 2023, 16:51

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-university-chaplains-audience-dicastery-education.html

Pope: Chaplains help miracles emerge in university students
24 November 2023, 12:17

Pope Francis invites university chaplains and pastoral workers to appreciate the differences of students while offering them God’s closeness so that miracles may spring up.
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis met Friday with participants in a meeting of university chaplains and pastoral workers promoted by the Dicastery for Culture and Education.

In his address, the Pope highlighted the importance of the Church’s pastoral care for university students and staff.

He expressed appreciation for the meeting’s theme—“Towards a Polyhedric Vision”—saying it is “an image close to my heart.”

Indeed, the event was held on the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, in which he launched his call for the Church’s pastoral care to take on the model of the polyhedron, a three-dimensional shape with flat polygonal faces, straight edges, and sharp corners.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/november.index.html
Speeches 2023 November
To Participants in the Meeting of University Chaplains and Pastoral Workers (24 November 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-reconstruction-of-central-italy-must-be-sustainable.html

Pope: Reconstruction of earthquake-hit central Italy must be sustainable
24 November 2023, 13:16

Meeting with local authorities of cities included in the so-called “seismic crater” of central Italy, Pope Francis commends their joint efforts to rebuild their territories devastated by the 2016-2017 earthquakes, and urges them to pay attention to sustainability, protection of the environment, and climate change in their plans to rebuild their cities.
By Lisa Zengarini

Pope Francis has praised local authorities of Italy's central Apennines regions for their joint efforts to rebuild their territories devastated by earthquakes in 2016-2017.

On Friday morning, the Pope welcomed to the Vatican a group of mayors and civil authorities of cities included in the so-called “seismic crater," which was severely hit by a destructive seismic sequence from 24 August 2016 to January 2017. The area covers the Abruzzo, Lazio, Umbria and Marche regions.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/november.index.html
Speeches 2023 November
To the Mayors of Territories of the seismic "crater" of 2016-2017 (24 November 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-evangelii-gaudium-10th-anniversary-conference.html

Pope on Evangelii Gaudium: ‘Redemption marked by the poor’
24 November 2023, 13:29

On the 10th anniversary of his apostolic exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium”, Pope Francis emphasizes the centrality of the poor in the Church’s joyful proclamation of salvation in Christ.
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis sent a message on Friday to participants in a symposium dedicated to his 2013 Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium and organized by the Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development.

Marking the 10th anniversary of its release, the Pope recalled his invitation for the Church to recover the missionary joy of the early Christians, who braved active resistance and injustices to proclaim the Gospel courageously.

He noted that our own times present challenges to overcome, though the difficulties are “less explicit but perhaps more insidious”.

“Since they are not so visible, [modern difficulties] operate like anesthesia or like the carbon monoxide of old stoves that silently kills,” he said. “Throughout history, human weakness, the unhealthy search for oneself, comfortable selfishness, and ultimately, concupiscence that lurks within all of us, are always present.”
 

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-11/evangelii-gaudium-ten-years-anniversary-poor-solidarity.html
Ten years of Evangelii Gaudium: Pope’s call for radical solidarity with the poor
24 November 2023, 17:20

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RE: German Synodal Way

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256104/vatican-to-german-bishops-church-teaching-on-homosexuality-and-womens-ordination-not-up-for-discussion
Vatican draws line on women’s ordination and homosexuality in new letter to German bishops
By AC Wimmer
CNA Newsroom, Nov 24, 2023 / 11:00 am

The Vatican has informed German bishops in writing that the ordination of women and changes in the Church’s teaching on homosexuality cannot be subjects of discussion in the upcoming meetings with delegates of the German Synodal Way in Rome.

The letter, dated Oct. 23, also reminded the bishops of potential disciplinary consequences for anyone defying the teaching of the Church, reported CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner.

Written by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, and addressed to the secretary general of the German Bishops’ Conference, Beate Gilles, the letter was shared with all German diocesan bishops.

The document’s authenticity was verified by CNA Deutsch with the German Bishops’ Conference on Friday.
 

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Re:  Vatican finance trial

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2023/11/vatican-prosecutor-tried-to-monstrify-becciu-defense-lawyers-say
Vatican prosecutor tried to ‘monstrify’ Becciu, defense lawyers say
By Crux Staff
Nov 24, 2023

DENVER – Lawyers for Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the principal defendant in the Vatican’s “trial of the century,” on Wednesday accused the prosecutor of attempting to “monstrify” the cardinal, in part by relying on a “Bermuda’s triangle” of witnesses which “didn’t cause airplanes to disappear, but the truth.”

Attorney Fabio Viglione made the assertions during closing arguments in the long-running trial against ten defendants, including Becciu, which is current heading towards verdicts expected in mid-December.
 
Becciu’s attorneys are scheduled to wrap up their closing arguments on Dec. 6, with final presentations on behalf of both the prosecution and the defense set for Dec. 11 and 12. Presiding Judge Giuseppe Pignatone has said that he wants to deliver verdicts in the case by Dec. 16.

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Re: Synod on Synodality’s report

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256105/bishop-barron-in-frank-disagreement-with-synod-on-synodality-s-report-on-development-of-moral-teaching
Bishop Barron in ‘frank disagreement’ with Synod on Synodality’s report on ‘development of moral teaching’
By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, Nov 24, 2023 / 11:45 am

Bishop Robert Barron has said that he is in “frank disagreement” with the final report of the Synod on Synodality’s claim that advances in the sciences require an evolution in the Church’s moral teaching on human sexuality.

In a reflection published this week, the bishop of Winona–Rochester, Minnesota, said it is “troubling” to see how members of the German bishops’ conference are already “using the language of the synod report to justify major reformulations of the Church’s sexual teaching.”

Barron took particular issue with the suggestion that “advances in our scientific understanding will require a rethinking of our sexual teaching, whose categories are, apparently, inadequate to describe the complexities of human sexuality” in the synthesis document.

He called this language “condescending to the richly articulate tradition of moral reflection in Catholicism,” including the theology of the body developed by St. John Paul II.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-cancels-audiences-slight-influenza.html

Pope cancels Saturday's scheduled audiences due to slight flu
25 November 2023, 10:12

Pope Francis has cancelled his audiences scheduled for Saturday due to a slight flu, according to the Holy See Press Office.
By Vatican News

The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, announced on Saturday morning that the Pope's audiences for the day would not take place.

"The audiences of the Holy Father scheduled for this morning are canceled due to a slight flu-like condition," read a communiqué to reporters accredited to the Holy See.

Rome, along with much of Italy, has seen a drop in temperatures in recent days, as well as a spike in seasonal illnesses such as the influenza virus.
 

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-flu-ct-scan-pulmonary-complications-negative.html
Pope has a mild flu, CT scan shows no pulmonary issues
25 November 2023, 14:43

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256106/pope-francis-has-mild-flu-cancels-saturday-morning-meetings
UPDATE: Pope Francis has ‘mild flu,’ went to hospital for precautionary testing
By Jonathan Liedl
Vatican City, Nov 25, 2023 / 09:32 am

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-letter-bolivarian-countries-meeting-challenges-politics.html

Pope invites leaders of Bolivarian countries to foster fraternity
25 November 2023, 10:29

In a letter addressed to a meeting between pastors and lay people with political leaders in the Bolivarian countries, Pope Francis highlights the need for dialogue and fraternity in the pursuit of reconciliation and the common good.
By Linda Bordoni

Upholding the richness of Latin America’s history and culture, which is imbued by “deep religiosity” and “beautiful experiences of fraternity,” Pope Francis has invited participants in a meeting of pastors and laypersons taking place in Bogotà to address the challenges unique to the region.

The Bolivarian countries include Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela, whose republican origins are attributed to the ideals of Simón Bolívar. The meeting in the Colombian capital from 22 to 24 November aimed to facilitate discussions and promote social cohesion.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-visit-italy-verona-festival-social-doctrine.html

Pope Francis to visit Italian city of Verona on May 18
25 November 2023, 12:07

Pope Francis will visit the northern Italian city of Verona on 18 May 2024 to participate in the 14th Festival of the Social Doctrine of the Church.
By Vatican News

Bishop Domenico Pompili announced on Saturday that Pope Francis will visit the Italian city of Verona on 18 May 2024.

The occasion for his visit will be the 14th Festival of the Social Doctrine of the Church, as well as the 1,650th anniversary of the death of Saint Zeno of Verona, a local bishop of the 4th century and the city’s patron saint.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-appeals-for-eradicating-weed-of-violence-against-women.html

Pope call for eradication of 'poisonous weed' of violence against women
25 November 2023, 13:33

On the International Day for Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, Pope Francis says this plague must be rooted out from society, and calls for educational action that places the dignity of every person at the centre.
By Lisa Zengarini

As the world marks the UN International Day for Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), on 25 November, Pope Francis reiterated his urgent call for tangible action to eradicate this scourge, especially through education.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256107/pope-adds-married-couples-church-movement-reps-to-vatican-s-laity-and-family-office

Pope adds married couples, Church movement reps to Vatican’s laity and family office
By Jonathan Liedl
Rome Newsroom, Nov 25, 2023 / 10:07 am

Pope Francis has added 11 new members to the Vatican office that focuses on the lay apostolate and family life, with two married couples and four figures affiliated with ecclesial movements highlighting the selections.

The Vatican announced the pope’s picks to the Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life on Nov. 25.

New members include the Taiwanese couple Joseph Teyu Chou, a professor of finance, and Clare Jiayann Yeh, the founder and director of the local bishops’ Marriage and Family Pastoral Center.

Another married couple picked for the dicastery comes from France — Benoit and Véronique Rabourdin. The two are the international managers of the Amour and Vérité marriage and family ministry, an initiative of the Emmanuel Community, a French-founded public association of the faithful.

The French and Taiwanese couples join a Polish couple already serving as members of the dicastery for a total of three sets of spouses among the Vatican office’s 28 members.

In addition to the Emmanuel Community-affiliated Rabourdins, Pope Francis also added other members associated with ecclesial movements.