Pope Francis

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http://www.news.va/en/news/c-9-cardinals-conclude-meeting-ahead-of-consistory

C-9 Cardinals conclude meeting ahead of Consistory
2015-02-11 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) On the final day of the meeting of the Council of Cardinals – the so-called “C-9” group of Cardinals appointed by Pope Francis as his special advisors – the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, held a press conference explaining the Cardinals’ work of the past few days.

The C-9 group of Cardinals was established by Pope Francis especially to advise the Holy Father on the reform of the Roman Curia. Cardinal Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga is expected to offer a report on the group’s work to the entire College of Cardinals, who are in Rome for a Consistory set to take place this Saturday, 14 February. The secretary of the C-9, Bishop Marcello Semeraro, is also expected to address the Cardinals. The reports of the two presenters were the focus of discussions during several sessions of the meeting of the C-9.

The Council of Cardinals also heard reports on the newly-established Secretariat for the Economy and the Council for the Economy, with a view to the finalization of the statutes for the two new bodies.

Father Lombardi said Cardinal Seán O’Malley is expected to address the Council of Cardinals on Wednesday afternoon, updating them on the work of the Commission for the Protection of Minors. The Commission concluded its first plenary session on Saturday 7 February.

The afternoon session, Father Lombardi said, will serve as a conclusion to the current meeting of the C-9 Council of Cardinals. The group will meet again on 13-15 April, and is also expected to meet in July of 2015.

Father Lombardi concluded the press conference with a few notes on the Consistory, which will begin on Thursday 12 February. After praying the Mid-morning prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, the Consistory will open with introductory remarks from Pope Francis. The Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, will also address the assembly.
 

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Additional information regarding the meetings/activities this week of C9, Consistory, and Pope Francis...

http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/c9-meeting-reaches-its-final-day
C9 Meeting Reaches Its Final Day
Vatican City,  February 11, 2015 

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1500654.htm
Feb-11-2015
College of Cardinals to be briefed on progress of Curia reform

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http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-rumor-of-assassination-attempt-on-pope-francis-unreliable-48918/

Vatican: rumor of assassination attempt on Pope Francis 'unreliable'

Vatican City, Feb 11, 2015 / 06:11 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi told journalists Tuesday that rumors circulating about a possible assassination attempt on Pope Francis during his visit to the Philippines are unfounded.

“In the last few days there's been talk of this hypothesis of an assassination attempt during the trip to the Philippines. Cardinal (Luis Antonio) Tagle, who has his good sources, said the information is unreliable,” the spokesman said Feb. 11.

Philippine media have reported that a man affiliated with Al-Qaeda had planned to place a bomb to be detonated along the route of the papal convoy, but police had gotten wind of the plan and altered the route.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-opens-consistory-with-call-to-unity

Pope Francis opens Consistory with call to unity
2015-02-12 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis says the end goal of the reform of the Roman Curia is to harmonize work among the Vatican offices, to achieve a more effective collaboration and promote collegiality.

The Holy Father was speaking Thursday morning to the College of Cardinals at the opening session of the Extraordinary Consistory, ahead of the Ordinary Public Consistory for the creation of new cardinals on Saturday.

The College of Cardinals gathers together the Pope’s closest collaborators in the governance of the Universal Church.  Currently there are 207 members in the College, 110 of whom are Cardinal electors, that is, eligible to vote in conclave for a papal election.

The College is meeting in two closed sessions Thursday and Friday at the Synod Hall, where they will be briefed on progress in the reform of the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus, in the governance of the Church.

Opening the working session – which included the 20 prelates who will be created Cardinals on Saturday – Pope Francis spoke of the recently concluded Council of Nine, thanking the Council members for their work in overseeing the reform process.

He said that “the reform is not an end in itself, but a means to give a strong Christian witness; to promote a more effective evangelization; to promote a more fruitful ecumenical spirit; to encourage a more constructive dialogue with all”.

Pope Francis also pointed out that the reform of the Curia was strongly advocated by the majority of the Cardinals in the context of the general congregations before the conclave in which he was elected Pope.

The Holy Father warned the Cardinals that the goal of reform “it is not easy to achieve”, that it “requires time, determination and above all  everyone’s cooperation”. He concluded that above all it demands prayer and openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Below please find a Vatican Radio Translation of the Holy Fathers address to the College of Cardinals.
 

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Video at the link

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1500672.htm

Feb-12-2015
Pope opens cardinals' discussion of Curia reform; new offices explained

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The reform of the Roman Curia should promote "greater harmony" among the Vatican offices, not primarily to save money or promote efficiency, but to solidify the unity of the church and strengthen its ability to evangelize, Pope Francis said.

The pope arrived in the Vatican's synod hall a half hour before the consistory, or meeting of the world's cardinals, was set to begin Feb. 12. Fewer than two dozen cardinals were there before him and the pope greeted them before standing at the front of the hall to welcome each of the others as they arrived.

Nineteen of the 20 churchmen Pope Francis was to induct into the College of Cardinals Feb. 14 were present -- sitting in two rows behind the other cardinals; the Vatican said a total of 165 new and old cardinals were present. Including those who were about to receive their red hats, the College of Cardinals has 227 members. Most of those who were not in attendance are quite elderly or infirm and were unable to attend.

Pope Francis scheduled the meeting primarily to discuss with the cardinals the proposals his nine-member international Council of Cardinals had developed for the reform of the Curia.

 The proposals include the creation of two new large, high-profile Vatican offices: the Congregation for Laity, Family and Life, and the Congregation for Charity, Justice and Peace, said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman. The charity and justice congregation would include the existing pontifical councils for health care and for migrants, but also would have a new section dedicated to "safeguarding creation."
 

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http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/vatican-spokesman-says-cardinals-discussing-possible-new-congregation

Vatican Spokesman Says Cardinals Discussing Possible New Congregation
Father Federico Lombardi Briefs Journalists on Extraordinary Consistory
Vatican City,  February 12, 2015

While warning that nothing is finalized, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, has said that cardinals are discussing the possibility of adding a new congregation for the laity and at least part of dicastery dedicated to the environment.

During a briefing held this afternoon in the Holy See Press Office, the Vatican spokesman said that following their plenary assembly which ended yesterday afternoon, the Council of Nin Cardinals, also known as the C9, are presenting and sharing what it has done and its Curia-related reflections with the College of Cardinals, who will be meeting today and tomorrow.

This two-day Extraordinary Consistory will be followed by the consistory for the creation of new cardinals on Saturday and Sunday. This marks the second consistory under Pope Francis' pontificate.

Father Lombardi noted there were multiple interventions—primarily from cardinals relatively familiar with the Curia, and reiterated that Pope Francis and the Council of Cardinals are continuing to discuss Curial reform, but noted that no decisions have been made yet.

He also reaffirmed that cardinals were hearing proposals for establishing two new congregations: one which would be Charity, Justice and Peace, and the other the Pontifical Congregation for Laity, Family, and Life.

Within the Charity, Justice and Peace proposed congregation, Fr. Lombardi noted, the cardinals heard of a proposal to put a new office for ecology within it.

This same congregation would include migrants & refugees, health care and this new office related to protecting the environment.

The Vatican Press Office director noted that another proposal was to create a Congregation for the Laity, just as there already are congregations for bishops, clergy and religious.
 

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http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/pope-francis-looks-for-support-in-vatican-overhaul-1.2232525

Pope Francis looks for support in Vatican overhaul
Published Thursday, February 12, 2015 5:58AM EST 


Pope Francis prays during a special consistory with cardinals and bishops, in the Synod hall at the Vatican, on Feb. 12, 2015. Pope Francis is asking for suggestions and help from cardinals and bishops in reforming the Catholic church. (AP / Andrew Medichini)

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http://www.news.va/en/news/delegation-from-iran-visits-the-vatican-eleven-wom

Delegation from Iran visits the Vatican- Eleven women around the table
2015-02-13 L’Osservatore Romano



For the first time in the history of bilateral relations a vice-president led an all-female delegation to the Vatican. On 12 February Shahindokht Molaverdi of the Islamic Republic of Iran came to Rome and discussed with Pope Francis and the Holy See dicasteries how to defend the family and promote the role of women in society and in international politics.

Today women are increasingly the victims of violence and fundamentalism and yet they are the ones who can radically change society. The delegation first met with the Pontifical Council for the Family. Then the group entered the Vatican and met with the Pontiff. During the round table discussion, moderated by Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, 10 women - five from the Islamic Republic of Iran, led by Vice-President Molaverdi, and five Vatican representatives – discussed issues linked to the female identity and the family. 

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Photo at the link

http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2015/02/13/vatican-invites-iranians-to-join-pope-francis-in-philadelphia/

Vatican invites Iranians to join Pope Francis in Philadelphia
February 13, 2015

ROME — A senior Vatican official said Thursday that a delegation of leading women from Iran, including one of the country’s vice presidents, has been invited to be on hand when Pope Francis visits Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families in September.

Italian Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Family, said the idea was born from a meeting in Rome between a delegation of Iranian women and a group of Catholic women, hosted by his office and devoted to issues concerning the family and the promotion of women.

The Iranian line-up included Shahindokht Molaverdi, the country’s vice president for women and family affairs, who met Pope Francis Thursday morning. She said the two leaders discussed not only matters related to the family, but also the international situation, including conflicts in the Middle East and the need to join forces in the struggle against religious extremism.

In the course of three days of conversation between the Iranians and the Catholic participants, Paglia said, the Iranian side suggested going to Philadelphia. He said he “immediately accepted the idea,” extending a formal invitation for the group.
 
For her part, Molaverdi said she’d be open to the idea of Pope Francis trying to help improve the climate between the United States and Iran, as he recently did in paving the way to resolve Cold War tensions between the United States and Cuba.

“Certainly this pope has an ability to bring people together, which can also influence governments,” Molaverdi said in response to a question from Crux.

“I’m actually optimistic about the prospects for normalizing relations between the United States and Iran,” she said, describing it as something “realistic” fairly soon.

“Hopefully we can bring that aim to a good end, without having to bother the pope,” she said.

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http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/benedict-xvi-will-be-present-at-tomorrow-s-consistory

Benedict XVI Will Be Present at Tomorrow's Consistory
Rome,  February 13, 2015

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has accepted Pope Francis' invitation to attend tomorrow's Ordinary Public Consistory in St. Peter's Basilica.

Although Holy See spokesman, Fr. Federico Lombardi, did not confirm the Pontiff Emeritus' presence at the consistory during today's briefing, Vatican Radio confirmed shortly after that Benedict XVI will attend the celebration that will created 20 new cardinals for the Roman Catholic Church.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/consistory-decentralization-economy-role-of-women

Consistory: Decentralization, economy & role of women
2015-02-13 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio)  The Director of the Holy See’s Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi, says the decentralization of the Curia, the role of women and the ongoing economic and administrative reforms were among the main topics discussed by the cardinals at the Consistory on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Father Lombardi’s remarks came at a press briefing on the 2nd day of the cardinals’ discussions on reform of the Roman Curia.

Speaking to the journalists gathered at the Holy See’s Press Office, Father Lombardi said the discussions at the Extraordinary Consistory had proceeded in a “very calm and constructive” atmosphere and the last 24 hours had seen speeches by 40 cardinals on a broad range of topics. He confirmed that Pope Francis was present during the sessions but did not speak himself. Father Lombardi said one of the recurring themes during the discussions was the relationship between the roman Curia and the local Bishops Conferences and how to decentralize the Curia “in a spirit of subsidiarity.”  In this context, he said speakers spoke of the need to decide which responsibilities should be handled by the Curia and which by the local Church but also of how the central role of the Curia is important in countries where the local churches are in “a situation of weakness.”
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/extraordinary-consistory-reform-will-strengthen-th

Extraordinary Consistory: reform will strengthen the credibility of the Church



Vatican City, 13 February 2015 (VIS) – The Extraordinary Consistory of the College of Cardinals with Pope Francis did not complete its work this morning as expected. The meeting will continue during the afternoon, with an update on the work of the Commission for the Protection of Minors by its president, Cardinal Sean O'Malley, explained the director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., during a press conference today.

Yesterday, Thursday, the meeting continued in a serene and constructive atmosphere, with interventions by a further 28 cardinals who offered different perspectives on the reform of the Curia, focusing on the relationship between the Curia and the local Churches, and underlining the importance of better serving the Church in the world. They spoke of “decentralisation”, and the theme of “subsidiarity” was recurrent. Further reflection was invited on what can be done better and where: or rather, in which cases it would be more useful for the Roman dicasteries to act, and when instead the involvement of the dioceses or the episcopal conferences would be more useful.

Other interventions were dedicated to the usefulness and importance of the central service of the Holy See, bearing in mind the experience in various countries where the local church is weak and may be subject to pressure, and is therefore supported by the work of the Vatican.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-to-new-cardinals-presiding-flows-from

Pope Francis to new Cardinals: presiding flows from charity
2015-02-14 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis presided over an ordinary Public Consistory for the Creation of New Cardinals on Saturday morning, in St. Peter’s Basilica. 20 new members of the Clergy of Rome were created, the Pope’s closest partners in mission. Addressing the membership of the College of Cardinals gathered for the occasion, Pope Francis spoke of the nature of ecclesial service, explaining that the higher one is in honor, the more perfect and absolute must be his spirit and dedication to Christ and the upbuilding of His Kingdom. “In the Church,” said Pope Francis, “all ‘presiding’ flows from charity, must be exercised in charity, and is ordered towards charity.” Below, please find the full text, in English, of the Holy Father’s prepared remarks.

*************************************
Dear Brother Cardinals,

The cardinalate is certainly an honour, but it is not honorific.  This we already know from its name – “cardinal” – from the word “cardo”, a hinge.  As such it is not a kind of accessory, a decoration, like an honorary title.  Rather, it is a pivot, a point of support and movement essential for the life of the community.  You are “hinges” and are “incardinated” in the Church of Rome, which “presides over the entire assembly of charity” (Lumen Gentium, 13; cf. IGN. ANT., Ad Rom., Prologue).
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/consistory-remarks-of-cardinal-mamberti

Consistory: remarks of Cardinal Mamberti
2015-02-14 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis created 20 new Cardinals on Saturday. Speaking on behalf of the newly-created Cardinals, the Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, expressed gratitude, loyalty and generosity of spirit in service to the Church. Below, please find Vatican Radio’s English translation of Cardinal Mamberti’s remarks, originally delivered in Italian.

****************************
Address of Cardinal Dominique Mamberti

Holy Father,

Along with our brother bishops who today become part of the College of Cardinals, I offer you respectful greetings together with our sentiments of sincere gratitude and filial devotion. Joining us in prayer is José de Jesùs Pimiento Rodriguez who has asked to be able to receive his red hat in Colombia as he cannot come to Rome for reasons of age.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/consistory-list-of-titular-church-assignments

Consistory: list of titular church assignments
2015-02-14 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis created 20 new Cardinals on Saturday morning in St Peter’s Basilica. Below, please find a list of the titular churches assigned each of the new Cardinals
*******************************
Dominique Mamberti
 
Titular Church
 Santo Spirito in Sassia
 
Manuel José Macário do Nascimento Clemente
 
Titular Church
 Sant’Antonio in Campo Marzio
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/consistory-three-new-canonisations-approved

Consistory: three new canonisations approved
2015-02-14 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) The Ordinary Public Consistory for the Creation of New Cardinals, which took place on Saturday, February 14th, 2015, in St Peter’s Basilica, saw also the approval of the canonisations of three Blessed of the Church: Jeanne Emilie de Villeneuve; Mary of Jesus Crucified Baouardy; Marie Alphonsine Danil Ghattas. The Holy Father also announced that the date of the canonisations is May 17, 2015. Below, please find some brief biographical information on the soon-to-be canonised saints.

********************************
Blessed Jeanne Emilie de Villeneuve was born in France, in Toulouse in 1811. She founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception for the education of poor girls and children, for the sick and for missions in faraway lands. She died of cholera on October 2nd 1854. She was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009.
 

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Posted February 13, 2015 Tweet
https://twitter.com/FatherRosica

Thomas Rosica @FatherRosica   ·   Feb 13   
Booklet for Mass with Cardinals - St. Peter's Basilica - February 15, 2015 http://bit.ly/1DodlGr 

YouTube video of the mass--

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su2yL-y7z8w
Ordinary Public Consistory for the new cardinals - 2015.02.14
Streamed live on Feb 14, 2015
Starts at 11:00am - Pope Francis presides at the Ordinary Public Consistory for the Creation of new Cardinals

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http://www.news.va/en/news/cardinals-created-by-pope-francis

Cardinals created by Pope Francis
2015-02-14 L’Osservatore Romano



On Saturday, 14 February 2015, the Supreme Pontiff Francis held an Ordinary Public Consistory in the Vatican Basilica for the creation of new cardinals, imposition of the biretta, consignment of the ring and assignation to each of his Title or Deaconry.

The Holy Father entered the Basilica at 11 am, pausing for a moment of prayer before the Altar of the Confession. He was then greeted by Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, Dominique Mamberti, the first among the new Cardinals. After the opening prayer and proclamation of the Gospel, the Pope gave his address. He then read the formula for the creation of the new Cardinals, proclaiming their names:

— Dominique Mamberti, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura

— Manuel José Macário do Nascimento Clemente, Patriarch of Lisbon, Portugal

— Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, CM, Archbishop of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

— John Atcherley Dew, Archbishop of Wellington, New Zealand
 
The birettas were then imposed on the new Cardinals, the rings were consigned and the Titles and Deaconries were assigned. The ceremony continued with the vote on several Causes of Canonization and concluded with the Apostolic Blessing which the Holy Father imparted to everyone present.

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http://www.gulf-times.com/uk-europe/183/details/427095/pope-francis-appoints-20-new-cardinals-at-special-ceremony
Pope Francis appoints 20 new cardinals at special ceremony
14  February 2015


Pope Francis greets Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI during a mass to create 20 new cardinals during a ceremony in St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/pope-francis-elevates-20-new-cardinals-1423922173
Pope Francis Elevates 20 New Cardinals

 
Meanwhile, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI made a rare appearance Saturday, attending the ceremony to elevate the new cardinals. The 87-year-old pope has lived in near-seclusion since stepping down just two years ago.

In an interview this week with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Archbishop Georg Ganswein, personal secretary to the retired pope, denied reports that Pope Emeritus Benedict is failing, saying that “his legs give him some trouble occasionally” but that “his mind is still formidable.”

Archbishop Ganswein said the pope emeritus—a prominent theologian—spends his days praying, writing, receiving occasional visitors and playing Mozart on his piano. Pope Francis has said the he sometimes turns to his predecessor for advice.

The German bishop said Pope Emeritus Benedict has no regrets about his shock decision to step down. “The church needs a strong helmsman,” he said.

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PHOTOS at the link

http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2015/02/14/photos-pope-francis-inducts-20-new-cardinals-into-the-church/

Photos: Pope Francis inducts 20 new cardinals into the Church
February 14, 2015