Pope Francis

[grace-land]

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-04/pope-francis-prayer-intention-may-formation-religious-men-women.html
Pope's May Prayer Intention: For the formation of men and women religious
30 April 2024, 16:00

Pope Francis releases his prayer intention for the month of May: For the formation of men and women religious and for seminarians. In his video message, the Pope emphasises the ongoing development of their vocations through grace, prayer, community, and witness to the Gospel.
By Francesca Merlo

This May, Pope Francis has invited us to offer our prayers for "the formation of men and women religious, and seminarians".
In his video announcing his Prayer intention for the month of May, Pope Francis recalls that every vocation is a “diamond in the rough” that needs to be polished, worked, and shaped on every side.

The Holy Father notes that "a good priest, sister, or nun, must above all else be a man, a woman who is formed, shaped by the Lord’s grace". These are people who are aware of their own limitations and who are willing to "lead a life of prayer, of dedicated witness to the Gospel".
 

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-at-audience-faith-is-first-gift-of-christian-life.html
Pope at Audience: Faith is first gift of Christian life
01 May 2024, 09:30

Pope Francis continues his series of catecheses on the virtues and vices, focusing this week on faith, the first of the theological virtues.
By Christopher Wells

Without the three theological virtues, “we would not have eyes that see even in the dark, we would not have a heart that loves even when it is not loved, we would not have a hope that dares against all hope,” Pope Francis said at the General Audience on Wednesday.

After considering the four cardinal virtues, the Holy Father has now turned to the theological virtues, focusing this week on faith, “the act by which the human being freely commits himself to God.”
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-francis-prayer-general-audience-kenya-floods.html
Pope prays for victims of floods in Kenya
01 May 2024, 09:38

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-francis-appeals-general-audience-1-may-peace-in-the-world.html
Pope denounces arms industry and condemns profitting from death
01 May 2024, 10:09

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2024.index.html
Audiences 2024
General Audience of 1st May 2024 - Cycle of Catechesis. Vices and Virtues. 17. Faith

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-05/vatican-gardens-museums-mary-may-tour-peace.html

In May, Vatican to offer special Marian tour of Pope's gardens
01 May 2024, 15:02

For the month of May, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Vatican Museums are offering a tour of the Pope’s gardens every Wednesday and Saturday dedicated to Marian spirituality.
By Paolo Ondarza 

"The only way to stop war is through forgiveness!"

The message of the Virgin Mary is both disruptive and clear. Throughout history, she has not failed to indicate to humanity her plan of salvation. At Fatima, for example, appearing to the three shepherd children, she delivered a genuine "peace plan," inviting the world to pray, to return to the Gospel, and to consecrate themselves to her Immaculate Heart.

Prayer for Peace

These words are as relevant as ever when considering the state of the world today. 

The Popes have always emphasized the importance and power of prayer for peace. The initiative "May with Mary," which will be offered by the Vatican Museums every Wednesday and Saturday, offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Vatican Gardens by walking through the various Marian images present there.

Wednesday and Saturday

 "In the Marian month," explains Sister Emanuela Edwards, "on Wednesdays, pilgrims are invited to join us after the papal audience for an exceptional opening of the Gardens in honor of the Madonna. Additionally, on Saturday mornings, traditionally dedicated to Mary, visitors can take advantage of this pilgrimage tour."
 

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Update: Synod on Synodality

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-francis-letter-parish-priests-synod-encouragement.html
Pope to parish priests: 'The Church couldn't go on without your dedication'
02 May 2024, 11:44

Pope Francis sends a letter to parish priests taking part in the International Meeting “Parish Priests for the Synod” and underscores, regardless of how obvious it may seem, that the Church couldn't go on without their love, faith and dedication.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

"The Church could not go on without your dedication and your pastoral service."

With these words, Pope Francis offered heartfelt thanks to parish priests in a letter he sent them on the occasion of the International Meeting “Parish Priests for the Synod.”

Some three hundred parish priests from around the world gathered this week in Sacrofano, outside of Rome, for the five-day meeting dedicated to listening, prayer, and discernment to address the question of how to be a local synodal Church on mission, which concludes today. Saying he addressed them with great affection, the Pope expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the generous work they do daily to sow seeds of the Gospel throughout the world.

The Holy Father acknowledged the great diversity of the realities facing these pastors, observing that bringing their diverse perspectives and experiences all the more enriches the process of synodality.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/letters/2024.index.html
Letters 2024
Letter of His Holiness Pope Francis to Parish Priests (2 May 2024)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-anglican-primates-2024-justin-welby-papal-primacy-dialogue.html

Pope to Anglican bishops: ‘Patient dialogue’ needed on papal primacy
02 May 2024, 11:50

Speaking to the Primates of the Anglican Communion, Pope Francis says that even the very earliest Christians had their disagreements.
By Joseph Tulloch

Senior clergy from the Anglican Communion are in Rome this week for the body’s 2024 Primates Meeting – the first of its kind to be held in the Eternal City.

On Thursday morning, participants, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, met with Pope Francis in the Vatican.
 
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2024/05/02/240502b.html
Audience with participants in the Assembly of Primates of the Anglican Communion, 02.05.2024

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-francis-federico-fellini-la-strada-70th-anniversary.html

Pope Francis celebrates 70th anniversary of Fellini’s "La Strada"
02 May 2024, 15:30

In a video message produced by Vatican Media, Pope Francis recalls the 70th anniversary of “La Strada,” saying Federico Fellini’s masterpiece film has stayed in his heart.
By Salvatore Cernuzio

As a child and teenager, Pope Francis watched nearly all the films of Italian cinema dating from the neorealist era and beyond. He would visit the neighborhood cinema in Buenos Aires with his parents, where up to three films were shown in a row, or watch them during afternoons spent at his Grandma Rosa's house.

But of all these films, one in particular struck his soul, so much so that he has repeatedly cited it during his pontificate as a film from which to draw an almost evangelical lesson: "La Strada."

Federico Fellini's 1954 masterpiece won an Oscar and starred Giulietta Masina, Anthony Quinn, and Richard Basehart.

"It has remained in my heart," says Pope Francis in a brief video message, produced by Vatican Media on Thursday to mark the film's 70th anniversary.

The film was projected at the opening of the study days that celebrate the anniversary of La Strada during "The Seventh Art - Cinema and Industry," a festival in Rimini from May 2 to 5, organized by Confindustria Romagna and the University of Bologna – Department of Arts, in collaboration of the Municipality of Rimini and the Fellini Museum.

Pope's words in the video message
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-francis-receives-the-king-of-jordan.html

Pope receives the King of Jordan
02 May 2024, 15:47

Pope Francis meets with King Abdullah II of Jordan in the Vatican on Thursday, whom Pope Francis has known since the start of his pontificate.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis received King Abdullah II and his entourage in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace on Thursday morning.

The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, told journalists there was a "very cordial dialogue," at the private encounter which lasted 20 minutes.

After their conversation this morning, and greetings with the Jordanian delegation, there was the traditional exchange of gifts between the leaders.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257563/pope-francis-to-speak-at-event-on-italy-s-record-low-birth-rate

Pope Francis to speak at event on Italy’s record-low birth rate
By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, May 2, 2024 / 09:00 am

The Vatican announced on Thursday that Pope Francis will speak at an event on Italy’s demographic crisis as the country’s birth rate sits at a historic low.

Pope Francis will address “The General State of the Birth Rate” conference on May 10 at the Conciliazione Auditorium close to the Vatican.

The two-day event organized by the Forum of Family Associations and the Foundation for Births seeks to address the 50 years of steady decline in births across Europe, and especially in Italy, and what can be done to reverse it.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-05/padre-pio-photographs-anniversary-initiative-press-conference.html

Ten unpublished shots of Padre Pio now available to all
02 May 2024, 15:41

"Photographs of Saint Pio - Memories of a Saint" is an initiative of the Saint Pio Foundation, which has selected some photographs of the saint taken by his photographer, Elia Stelluto, and made them available to believers for free. The initiative marks the 25th anniversary of the beatification of the Saint of Pietrelcina and the 10th anniversary of the Foundation.
By Tiziana Campisi

"Take as many as you want without that flash": Padre Pio really couldn't stand that flash of light generated by the combustion of magnesium powder, but he had seen that boy hanging around the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo since he was a child, and had given him the permission to photograph him “with no flash” as much as he liked, so he could earn a few pennies.

Elia Stelluto, born in 1935, has taken thousands of photos of the Franciscan friar, in everyday life, during various celebrations, during intimate moments, all without a flash. Yet they all have a unique light. "I still can't understand the mystery of these photos," says "Padre Pio’s photographer.”

Ten of Stelluto's photographs of the saint, some of which are unpublished, are now freely available to believers and devotees of Padre Pio on a dedicated website: therealsaintpio.org.
 
https://therealsaintpio.org/

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257555/walk-to-mary-pilgrimage-brings-thousands-to-grounds-where-mary-appeared

Walk to Mary pilgrimage brings thousands to ‘grounds where Mary appeared’
By Francesca Pollio Fenton
CNA Staff, May 2, 2024 / 07:00 am

Thousands of pilgrims come together each year to take part in the annual Walk to Mary, which takes place on the first Saturday of May in Wisconsin. The 21-mile pilgrimage starts at the National Shrine of St. Joseph in De Pere, Wisconsin, and ends at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Champion, Wisconsin.

The Walk to Mary will take place on May 4 this year and includes several “join in” points along the route that offer participants unable to walk the entire distance to participate. These locations shorten the pilgrimage length, allowing pilgrims of all ages to take part in what is a spiritual and physical test in perseverance.

This year’s pilgrimage is particularly special as the participants will be walking similar stretches that the perpetual pilgrims and Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament on the Marian Route will be walking during the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage this June.

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will be making a stop at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion on June 16, where there will be a Mass celebrated and a large Eucharistic rosary procession.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-francis-barcelona-blanquerna-foundation-education.html

Pope: Education must form people, not offer impossible ideals
03 May 2024, 11:45

Pope Francis meets with members of the Blanquerna Foundation from Barcelona, and urges Catholic universities to provide education that helps people form their minds and hearts, without seeking to create “illusory replicas of impossible ideals.”
By Devin Watkins

“How much pain and frustration are produced by the unattainable stereotypes that markets and pressure groups try to impose on us.”

Pope Francis offered that analysis of modern life on Friday as he met with members of the Blanquerna Foundation at the Ramon Llull University, in the Spanish city of Barcelona.

In his address, the Pope noted the foundation’s name—Blanquerna—was drawn from a literary character created by Blessed Ramon Llull, a 13th-14th century philosopher and theologian.

Blessed Ramon Llull employed the character to give a “precise description of his time,” said the Pope, adding that his pedagogy continues to uphold a model of Christian life.

The Holy Father said Blessed Llull moved away from the “fantastic heros who seek to evade our reality” and instead proposed “simple and natural life models, in which one can serve the Lord and be happy.”
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/may.index.html
Speeches 2024 May
To the Members of the Blanquerna Foundation, of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Barcelona (Spain) (3 May 2024)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-all-young-people-deserve-equal-job-opportunities.html

Pope: 'All young people deserve equal job opportunities'
03 May 2024, 13:14

Meeting with the National Vocational Training Confederation (CONFAP), Pope Francis encourages the Italian Catholic network to focus its attention on young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who are marginalized by the job market and feel rejected by society.
By Lisa Zengarini

Pope Francis welcomed to the Vatican on Friday members of the Italian Vocational Training Confederation (CONFAP) on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of foundation.

The Confederation was established in 1974, upon the initiative of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), to serve as a coordinating body of existing faith-based vocational education and training organizations that help lower-skilled young people and adults learn new skills to find an employment and remain employable. 

Today it is a network of 36 organizations and associations with a total of 285 Professional Training Centres, some 8,000 trainers and around 70,000 students trained every year.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/may.index.html
Speeches 2024 May
To members of the National Confederation of Vocational Training and Professional Updating (CONFAP) (3 maggio 2024)

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Short video at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-francis-rome-visit-holy-cross-basilica-priests.html
Pope meets with 100 priests at Rome’s Holy Cross Basilica
03 May 2024, 17:36

Pope Francis visits the Basilica of the Holy Cross for a closed-door meeting with around 100 priests of the Diocese of Rome.
By Salvatore Cernuzio

Pope Francis’ white Fiat 500L appeared at 4 PM on Friday on the avenue leading to Rome’s Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem.

In the historic Roman basilica in the Esquilino district, the Pope met with about a hundred parish priests, assistant parish priests, and rectors from the central sector of the Diocese of Rome, which encompasses a total of 38 parishes.

A small group of faithful, gathered already since 3 PM, greeted the passing vehicle.

Pope Francis waved before entering the gate that leads to the building adjacent to the basilica, where the meeting took place behind closed doors.

Msgr. Francesco Pesce, parish priest of St. Mary of the Hills and pastoral coordinator of the central sector, was present, following his appointment on April 6 as the auxiliary bishop.

Bishop Daniele Libanori, who was previously in charge of the central sector, has been appointed as the Pope's Assessor for Consecrated Life.

Q&A on topics related to pastoral activity
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-francis-visit-italy-trieste-catholic-social-week.html

Pope Francis to visit Trieste for Italian Catholic Social Week
03 May 2024, 17:18

Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Trieste on July 7 to take part in the Italian Catholic Social Week, where he will meet with migrants and people on the margins of society.
By Adriana Masotti

Bishop Enrico Trevisi announced several details of Pope Francis’ scheduled visit to the northern Italian city on July 7, as he presented the 50th Italian Catholic Social Week on Friday.

The event is set for July 3-7, 2024, and takes place under the title: "At the heart of democracy: Participation between history and future."

Pope Francis in Trieste on July 7

As reported by the Bishop of Trieste, Pope Francis will arrive by helicopter at the Generali Convention Center in Trieste, located at the Old Port, at around 8:00 AM.

He will be welcomed by civil and religious authorities, including the president of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi.

His welcome will be followed by a meeting with participants in the Catholic Social Week and then with representatives of other Christian Churches and religions present in the city and from academia, as well as with a group of migrants and people with disabilities.

The Pope will then board a car and head to Unity Square for the celebration of Mass and the recitation of the Angelus. He will depart from Trieste to return to the Vatican at around 12:30 PM.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-equipes-notre-dame-movement-couples-marriage-children.html

Pope: Couples need Church's help
04 May 2024, 11:00

Pope Francis thanks the Teams of Our Lady International Catholic Movement dedicated to helping Christian couples for their efforts, stressing that safeguarding marriage safeguards families, and that young couples should not be left alone but must be bolstered by Christ, community and prayer.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

"Your work is precious to the Church," Pope Francis told the international leaders of the Teams of Our Lady International Catholic Movement for Christian Married Couples, as he thanked them for their commitment to help families, especially many "striving to live Christian marriage as a gift."

The movement, whose origins date back to the 1930s in France but now operates across several continents, is recognized as a private international association of the faithful.

The Christian family, the Pope warned, "is currently facing a true 'cultural storm' in this changing era, threatened and tempted on various fronts."
For this reason, the Holy Father emphasized the value of the efforts to accompany couples closely so that they do not feel alone in the difficulties of life and in their marital relationship.

"In this way," he said, "you are an expression of the Church 'going out,' which draws close to people's situations and problems and spends itself without reserve for the good of families today and tomorrow."
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/may.index.html
Speeches 2024 May
To the couples responsible for the Équipes Notre-Dame Movement (4 May 2024)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-invites-to-rediscover-reparation-to-the-sacred-heart.html

Pope Francis: 'Rediscover the practice of reparation to the Sacred Heart '
04 May 2024, 13:03

Meeting with participants in a conference organized in Rome on the occasion of the Jubilee celebrations of the apparitions and subsequent devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pope Francis calls for a rediscovery of this Christian practice of reparation.
By Lisa Zengarini

The meaning of reparation in the Church is the focus of an international conference organized in Rome to mark the 350th anniversary of the Apparitions of the Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary of Alacoque in Paray-le-Monial,  in the French Bourgogne region.

St. Margaret Mary is known for introducing this devotion in the late 17th century which was later formally recognized and approved by Pope Clement XIII.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/may.index.html
Speeches 2024 May
To the participants in the International Colloquium "Réparer l'irréparable" (4 May 2024)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-welcomes-pilgrims-amsterdam-soon-to-mark-750th-anniversary.html

Pope welcomes pilgrims from Amsterdam soon to mark 750th anniversary
04 May 2024, 13:06

Pope Francis welcomes pilgrims visiting from Amsterdam as the Netherlands' capital is set to mark its 750th anniversary year starting at the end of October 2024.
Vatican News

Meeting with Dutch pilgrims visiting from Amsterdam on the morning of 4 May, Pope Francis observed how the city's founding and growth are tied to our faith and the Catholic Church. The city of Amsterdam will soon embark on its 750th anniversary year starting on 27 October 2024. The Pope recalled a key moment in the Amsterdam's history going back to the Eucharistic miracle of 1345 that is celebrated to this day with a silent procession and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. 

The Pope met with around fifty participants in the pilgrimage representing the Catholic Foundation for the Promotion of Welfare Work in Amsterdam, the Russell family, and the Rector and Choir of Saint Nicholas Basilica.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/may.index.html
Speeches 2024 May
To the choir of the Basilica of Amsterdam (4 May 2024)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-francis-meets-with-the-president-of-the-swiss-confederation.html

Pope Francis meets with the President of the Swiss Confederation
04 May 2024, 13:23

Pope Francis welcomes the President of the Swiss Confederation, Viola Amherd, on Saturday morning. Following their meeting, President Amherd visited the Secretariat of State where discussions focused on various international crises and efforts for diplomatic solutions leading to a cessation of hostilities as soon as possible.
Vatican News

Pope Francis welcomed the President of the Swiss Confederation, Viola Amherd, to the Vatican the morning of 4 May. The half hour of talks led then to the customary visit to the Secretariat of State where she met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

Committed to promoting peace

A statement from the Holy See Press Office noted that the leaders discussed international issues and crises, in particular, the conflicts in Ukraine and in Israel and Palestine. All underscored the necessary commitment to promote peace and the need to search for diplomatic solutions that can lead as soon as possible to a cessation of hostilities.

Among other topics discussed, the renovation project of the Pontifical Swiss Guard barracks was mentioned with great appreciation for their "generous service to the Pope and the Holy See."
 

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-encourages-growing-in-friendship-with-the-lord.html
Pope at Regina Coeli encourages growing in friendship with the Lord
05 May 2024, 12:32

In his reflections on the Sunday Gospel during the Regina Coeli, Pope Francis recalls Jesus' words to the Apostles, “I do not call you servants any longer, but friends." He encourages us to grow in friendship with the Lord and share it with others. At the same time, he prays for flood victims in Brazil and for dialogue and peace in Ukraine, Palestine, and Israel.
By Thaddeus Jones

In his customary address before leading the recitation of Sunday's Regina Coeli prayer, Pope Francis reflected on Sunday's Gospel theme, recalling Jesus telling the Apostles, “I do not call you servants any longer, but friends." Saying how servants of God are special people in whom God places His treasures - recalling Moses, King David, the prophet Elijah, and the Virgin Mary - the Pope explained how Jesus wishes more for us, something greater, that we be in friendship with Him.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-sends-paschal-greetings-on-julian-calendar-easter.html
Pope sends Paschal greetings on Julian calendar Easter
05 May 2024, 13:58

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2024.index.html
Angelus - Regina Cæli 2024
Regina Caeli, 5 May 2024

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257595/blood-of-st-januarius-miraculously-liquifies-again

Blood of St. Januarius miraculously liquifies again
By Walter Sánchez Silva
ACI Prensa Staff, May 6, 2024 / 16:48 pm

The miracle of the liquefaction of the blood of St. Januarius, bishop, martyr, and patron saint of Naples, Italy, was repeated in St. Clare Basilica on May 4.

The Archdiocese of Naples reported on its website that on May 4 at 6:38 p.m. local time, the miracle of the liquefaction of the blood of St. Januarius occurred once again.

St. Januarius was martyred in the year 305, during the fierce persecution unleashed by the Roman emperor Diocletian.

The miraculous liquefaction occurred during the Mass offered by the archbishop of Naples, Domenico Battaglia, with Abbot Vincenzo De Gregorio participating and the mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, in attendance.