Pope Francis

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/05/08/pope_francis_meets_with_pentecostal_pastors/1142637

Pope Francis meets with Pentecostal pastors
08/05/2015 13:04



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Thursday afternoon met with a group of Pentecostal pastors in the “Auletta”, a meeting room adjoining the Paul VI Audience Hall.

A statement released by the Holy See Press Office said the meeting was private, and involved around 100 pastors from around the world. The group was led by Pastor Giovanni Traettino, whose community in the Italian city of Caserta was visited last year by Pope Francis.

The statement said the meeting was “very cordial” and characterized by a “spirit of prayer for unity.”
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-the-church-is-about-unity-not-forming-lobbies

Pope: the Church is about unity, not forming lobbies to win
2015-05-08 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis says discussions within the Church are to seek unity and and it should not be a place where people are always clashing, betraying each other and forming lobbies to win their argument. He said the Holy Spirit helps bring change and moves things forward within the Church but at the same time it creates unity between all its members. This was the core message of his homily on Friday (May 8th) at morning Mass in the Santa Marta residence.

Pope Francis said the Holy Spirit creates movement within the Church which at first sight might appear to be confusion but if this movement or change is welcomed with prayer and a spirit of dialogue it always generates unity between Christians.

‘No forming of lobbies’

Taking his cue from the day’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles, the Pope pointed to the example of the outcome from the first Council of Jerusalem where the early Christian community was able, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to resolve differences of opinion and reach an agreement. The Christian community had clashed between the so-called ‘closed in’ Christians who remained very attached to the Jewish laws and who wanted to impose those same laws on the early Christians and Paul of Tarsus who strongly opposed this.

“How do they resolve this problem? They hold a meeting and each person gives his opinion, his views. They discuss this issue but like brothers and sisters and not like enemies. They don’t form external lobbies in order to win, they don’t go to the civil authorities in order to win and they don’t kill in order to triumph. They seek the path of prayer and dialogue. Those who had opposing views have a dialogue with the other side and they reach an agreement.  This is the work of the Holy Spirit.”
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/05/08/pope_franciss_visit_to_ecuador,_bolivia_and_paraguay/1142714

Pope Francis's visit to Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay
08/05/2015 15:53

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis will travel to Latin America from 5 to 13 July.

A press release issued on Friday by the Vatican illustrates the programme of the Pope’s Apostolic visit which will take him to Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay.

After his departure from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, the first leg of the Pope’s journey will unfold in Ecuador where he is scheduled to spend time in Guayaquil where the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy is located, and in the capital city Quito from where he will depart on Wednesday, July 8.

During this part of the visit he will meet with religious and civil authorities, he will preside at two open-air Masses, he will meet the youth and visit and old-age home set up by the Missionaries of Charity before setting off for Bolivia.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/05/08/statutes_for_commission_for_protection_of_minors_released/1142649

Statutes for Commission for Protection of Minors released
08/05/2015 13:41



(Vatican Radio)  The Statutes for the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors were made public on Friday.  They were approved by Pope Francis on April 21st, and will be in effect “ad experimentum” for three years.

The Commission was officially instituted last year, and is headed by Cardinal Seán O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap., the Archbishop of Boston.


The text of the statutes is below

♦ Statutes of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors

Statutes

Chirograph of the Holy Father Francis for the Institution of a Pontifical Commission for the Protection of minors (22 March 2014)

On 21 April the Cardinal Secretary of State approved by mandate of the Supreme Pontiff, ad experimentum for three years, the Statute of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, the draft of which had been presented for approval by Cardinal Seán O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap., President of the same Commission.

The Statutes will then be published in the Italian original and in English.

To ensure the completeness of the documentation, the Chirograph of 22 March 2014, by which the Pope officially instituted the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, will be published contemporaneously.

Statutes

Art. 1

NATURE AND COMPETENCE
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-receives-bishops-of-mozambique

Pope Francis receives Bishops of Mozambique
2015-05-09 Vatican Radio


(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis received the bishops of Mozambique on Saturday in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican. The bishops are in Rome for their ad limina visits. The role of the bishop as pastor – the shepherd appointed by Christ to care for Christ’s flock, and so to serve Christ by serving and building up His people – was the central focus of the Holy Father’s remarks, which were prepared in Portuguese and delivered in written form on Saturday morning.

“Jesus is the supreme Pastor of the Church,” writes Pope Francis, “it is in His name and by His mandate that we are to take care to keep his flock, fully ready to give everything, even our lives,” in that service.

The Holy Father also encouraged the bishops to form and maintain strong relationships with their priests, caring for their spiritual and material needs.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-to-interfaith-gathering-god-hears-cry-of-inno

Pope to interfaith gathering: God hears cry of innocents
2015-05-09 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a Message to the participants in a major interreligious gathering in Israel. Organized by the Neocatechumenal Way – a group dedicated to giving Christian formation to people who are already members of the Church – the three-day gathering brought more than a hundred Rabbis, seven Cardinals, and dozens of Bishops, together with Catechists of the Neocatechumenate from May 4-7.

The twofold purpose of the gathering was to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the promulgation of the Conciliar Decree Nostra aetate and to mark the 70th anniversary of the conclusion of WWII, and the Shoah.

In a written Message, Pope Francis told the participants: “United to you I pray to the Lord that He may listen to the cry of the innocents and He may heal the pain of all those who are suffer. I pray that the hearts may be opened to the invocation of the innocents all over the world.”

Below, please find the full text of the English-language press release on the event, issued by the Neocatechumenal Way
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-receives-raul-castro-at-vatican

Pope Francis receives Raul Castro at Vatican
2015-05-10 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis received the President of Cuba, Raul Castro, on Sunday morning in private audience at the Vatican. A note from the Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, explains that Castro arrived at 9:30 AM, and stayed a little over an hour, during the course of which the Pope and the President spent considerable time in conversation in the Holy Father’s study inside the Paul VI Hall.

The meeting between the Pope and the President lasted over 50 minutes, and was very friendly. The President told reporters before leaving the Vatican that he had thanked the Holy Father for the active role he played in favor of improving relations between Cuba and the United States of America, and also presented to the Pope the sentiments of the Cuban people – sentiments of expectation and preparation for the Holy Father’s visit the island in September.

The note also reports a significant exchange of gifts: the President of Cuba gave the Pope a precious commemorative medal of the Cathedral of Havana, and a framed work of contemporary art, which depicts a large Ccross composed of the relics of wrecked barges, before which is present a migrant in prayer. The Cuban artist Kcho, who was present, told the Pope that he was inspired by Francis’ great commitment to bringing the plight of migrants and refugees to the attention of the wider world, especially through the Pope’s visit to the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa. The Pope gave the President a copy of his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii gaudium, and a large medallion which represents St. Martin in the act of covering the poor with his cloak. 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/castro-to-attend-papal-cuba-masses

Castro to attend Papal Cuba Masses
2015-05-10 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) "If the Pope keeps going the way he’s going, I’ll come back to the Catholic Church." These were just some of the words the President of Cuba, Raul Castro spoke during the course of a press conference following his audience with Pope Francis on Sunday morning.

Regarding the Holy Father’s upcoming visit to Cuba, Castro said that he would be present at all the Masses Pope Francis is to celebrate during his stay on the island.

Castro also spoke of a general opening of Cuba's ruling Communist Party to religious believers. "I am from the Cuban Communist Party, that doesn't allow (religious) believers, but now we are allowing it, it's an important step," Castro said.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-at-regina-coeli-god-bless-mothers-eve

Pope Francis at Regina coeli: God bless mothers, everywhere
2015-05-10 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis offered Mother’s Day greetings to all mothers, everywhere, on Sunday. “Today in many countries celebrate Mother's Day,” he said, addressing the great crowd of pilgrims and tourists gathered beneath the window of the Papal apartments that looks down on St. Peter’s Square to pray the Regina coeli with him, “we remember with gratitude and affection all mothers.”

Departing from his prepared text, Pope Francis went on to ask a round of applause for all mothers present in the Square. “That applause embraces all mothers, all our dear mothers: those who live with us physically, but also those who live with us spiritually. The Lord bless them all, and may the Mother of God, to whom this month is dedicated, watch over them all.”

Ahead of the traditional prayer of Marian devotion at Eastertide, Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel reading of the day, drawn from the 15th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John. “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you,” he said, quoting the Gospel text, which goes on to say, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
 
http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/regina-coeli-no-one-has-greater-love-than-this
Regina Coeli: No One Has Greater Love Than This
Vatican City State,  May 10, 2015

Here below is a translation of Pope Francis’ address before and after the recitation of the Regina Coeli this afternoon in St. Peter’s Square:
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-greets-participants-in-italys-march-for-life

Pope greets participants in Italy's March for Life
2015-05-10 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) During his Regina Coeli address on Sunday, Pope Francis greeted participants in Italy’s fifth annual March for Life. “I greet all those participating in the initiative for life taking place this morning in Rome,” the Pope said. “It is important to work together to defend and promote life.”

Among those taking part in the March was Cardinal Raymond Burke, the Patron of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Speaking with Vatican Radio, Cardinal Burke said, “St John Paul II urged us, in his wonderful encyclical letter on the Gospel of Life, to make public manifestations to demonstrate the incomparable beauty, the inviolability of innocent, defenceless human life.” He said the March is “very important in Italy as a sign of the Italian peoples dedication to the apostolate for the restoration of the respect for all human life, from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death.”
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-even-today-christians-are-killed-in-the-name

Pope: even today Christians are killed “in the name of God”
2015-05-11 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis says that although Christians are still persecuted and killed in the name of God, the Holy Spirit gives them the strength to face martyrdom as they bear witness to their faith.

The Pope was speaking during his homily on Monday at Mass in the Casa Santa Marta.

Pope Francis finds inspiration in the Gospel reading of the day in which Jesus says to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you will also testify”.

He explains that the Lord speaks of the future, of the Cross that awaits us, and he speaks of the Holy Spirit who helps us give witness as Christians.

He also speaks of “the scandal of persecutions”, the “scandal of the Cross”.

The Pope points out that the life of the Church is a journey that is guided by the Holy Spirit who reminds us of Jesus’ words and “teaches us things that Jesus wasn’t able to tell us”.

The Holy Spirit – he says – is our companion in this journey and defends us from “the scandal of the Cross”.

And the Pope points out that the Cross is a scandal for the Jews who “ask for signs” and it is foolishness for the Greeks - the pagans - who “ask for knowledge and new ideas”.

Christians on the other hand – says Pope Francis – preach the crucified Christ. So Jesus prepares his disciples: “They will expel you from the synagogues: in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God”:
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-greets-children-of-the-peace-factory

Pope Francis greets children of the "Peace Factory"
2015-05-11 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met a group of some 7 thousand children on Monday, in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican. The focus of the special audience was peace: how to build it, and how to keep it. Sponsored by the Fabbrica della pace – or, “Peace Factory” – an interdisciplinary, non-governmental organization that promotes an integration, multiethnic and cross-cultural understanding  through education, starting in the years of primary school.

During the course of the gathering, Pope Francis fielded questions from his young guests on a range of subjects, from how he got along with his siblings growing up, to why the powerful so often fail to care for the needs of the poor and suffering – especially as far as education is concerned – to what to do when one of our fellows refuses to make peace with us, despite our efforts.

The Holy Father concluded his session with the children with a call for conversion, which he placed as a request that each and every one of those present – young and old, himself included – make some small change for the better in attitude or behavior. “Whenever we do something together,” said Pope Francis, “something good, something beautiful, everyone changes – all of us change in some way – and this does us good,” he said. “All of us today should leave this encounter changed in some small way: but for the worse, or for the better?” he asked.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-to-togo-bishops-preserve-the-african

Pope Francis to Togo bishops: preserve the African family
2015-05-11 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis has told the bishops of Togo to preserve the “positive aspects” of family life in Africa and that these should be shared at the Synod on the family in October.  It is important that these experiences be shared and heard, the Pope said in a discourse written in French and distributed Monday to the bishops who are in the Vatican on their ad limina visit.

The African family’s openness to life and the respect with which people care for the aged in particular, deserve to be maintained and should serve as encouragement to others to do the same, the Pope said.

Marriage, too, the Pope affirmed, is a positive “pastoral reality” despite cultural and legal obstacles.  The Holy Father encouraged the bishops to continue supporting families in difficulty, especially in the areas of education and social work, and to prepare couples well for the sacrament of Christian marriage.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-to-open-caritas-internationalis-gener

Pope Francis opens Caritas Internationalis General Assembly on caring for creation
2015-05-12 Vatican Radio


(Vatican Radio) ‘One Human Family, Caring for Creation’ – that’s the theme of the Caritas Internationalis General Assembly which kicked off Tuesday in Rome.  A press conference introducing the works of the 12-17 May Assembly was held in the Vatican Press Office. Pope Francis was to officially open the Assembly with a special Mass Tuesday evening at 5:30 pm local time in Saint Peter’s Basilica.  Click here to follow the Mass live. Over the next five days, more than 300 delegates from around the world will lay out plans for the coming four years, aimed at improving the lives of those living in poverty and misery.

“Pope Francis has asked us to go to the ‘peripheries’ to help those in need,” said Caritas Internationalis President Cardinal Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga. “During the Caritas Internationalis General Assembly, the peripheries will come to Rome to seek better ways to improve our service to the most vulnerable”.

Cardinal Rodríguez Maradiaga will officially open the event on 13 May at Domus Mariae Church Palace Hotel.

Guest speakers will include Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace; theologian Fr Gustavo Gutierrez O.P; economist Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Dr Jacques Diouf, Special Envoy for the Sahel and the Horn of Africa; and Beverly Haddad from the University of Kwazulu-Natal.
 

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https://twitter.com/FatherRosica
Thomas Rosica retweeted 
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A Poor Church For the Poor http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/a-poor-church-for-the-poor …



http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/a-poor-church-for-the-poor
A Poor Church For the Poor
Vatican City State,  May 12, 2015

The 20th General Assembly of Caritas Internationalis was presented on Tuesday in the Holy See Press Office, attended by its President, Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, who is concluding his eight-year mandate. Also present was the Secretary General, Michel Roy; the entity’s agriculture expert in India, agronomist Haridas Varikottil, and the theologian Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez, who will be a speaker at the meeting. The Assembly, which will elect the new directors, begins this afternoon with the Holy Mass presided over by Pope Francis in Saint Peter’s Basilica.

“Caritas Internationalis’ Assembly meets every four years, to make plans for the future and strengthen relations in this federation of 162 national Caritas.  Especially now we feel Pope Francis’ invitation of a poor Church for the poor,” noted the Honduran Cardinal.

He also said that 2015 is an important year because “we await the Holy Father’s encyclical on ecology,” and, in addition, the meeting that will be held in Paris on climate change at which proposals will be made for “the future goals of the millennium’s development.” As Caritas, we will try to support these events, added the Cardinal.

Cardinal Maradiaga specified that at this meeting, entitled “One Human Family, Caring for Creation,” not only will there be the concern about global warming but also about justice to creation and among peoples.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/05/12/pope_he_who_lives_the_mission_of_caritas_is_a_true_witnes/1143573

Pope: he who lives the mission of "Caritas" is a true witness of Christ
12/05/2015 16:33

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis said Tuesday whoever lives the mission of “Caritas” is a true witness of Christ.

Speaking during his homily for the opening Mass of the XXth General Assembly of “Caritas Internationalis”, the Pope said the Church’s humanitarian  and development organization reveals the power of Christian love and the desire of the Church to reach out to Jesus in every person, especially the poor and the suffering.

The Mass, in St. Peter’s Basilica, inaugurated the “Caritas Internationalis” General Assembly during which members of the Caritas Confederation from across the globe come together to approve a strategic framework and a budget for the next four years.

Please find below the translation of the full text of the Pope’s homily:
 

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http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/father-of-liberation-theology-praises-new-climate-at-vatican-1.2370340

Father of liberation theology praises 'new climate' at Vatican


Peruvian theologian Gustavo Gutierrez attends a press conference at the Vatican, Tuesday, May 12, 2015. (AP / Alessandra Tarantino)

Published Tuesday, May 12, 2015 12:28PM EDT 
Last Updated Tuesday, May 12, 2015 1:28PM EDT 

VATICAN CITY -- The father of liberation theology, once criticized by the Vatican for its Marxist undercurrents, praised the "new climate" at the Vatican under Pope Francis that has focused the church's attention on social justice and serving the poor.

Peruvian theologian the Rev. Gustavo Gutierrez made his first appearance at an official Vatican press conference Tuesday. It was a historic moment given that the Vatican spent much of the past few decades cracking down on the Marxist excesses of liberation theology, a Latin American-inspired theology advocating for the poor, and disciplining some of its most vocal supporters.
 
http://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenhayward/2015/05/10/how-is-liberation-theology-still-a-thing/
5/10/2015 @ 2:36PM
How Is 'Liberation Theology' Still A Thing?

[Sister]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-greets-children-of-the-peace-factory

Pope Francis greets children of the "Peace Factory"
2015-05-11 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met a group of some 7 thousand children on Monday, in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican. The focus of the special audience was peace: how to build it, and how to keep it. Sponsored by the Fabbrica della pace – or, “Peace Factory” – an interdisciplinary, non-governmental organization that promotes an integration, multiethnic and cross-cultural understanding  through education, starting in the years of primary school.

During the course of the gathering, Pope Francis fielded questions from his young guests on a range of subjects, from how he got along with his siblings growing up, to why the powerful so often fail to care for the needs of the poor and suffering – especially as far as education is concerned – to what to do when one of our fellows refuses to make peace with us, despite our efforts.

The Holy Father concluded his session with the children with a call for conversion, which he placed as a request that each and every one of those present – young and old, himself included – make some small change for the better in attitude or behavior. “Whenever we do something together,” said Pope Francis, “something good, something beautiful, everyone changes – all of us change in some way – and this does us good,” he said. “All of us today should leave this encounter changed in some small way: but for the worse, or for the better?” he asked.

BBM

loved the interaction with the children.

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/05/13/pope_francis_family_life_focus_of_general_audience/1143836

Pope Francis: Family life focus of General Audience
13/05/2015 15:48



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis at his Wednesday General Audience continued his catechesis on the family, focusing on family life.

“Today’s catechesis is like the gateway to a series of reflections on the life of the family, its real life, with its different times and events.” On this gateway, he said, “are written three words, which I’ve already used many times: ‘May I?’, ‘Thank you,’ and ‘Pardon me.’” These three words, Pope Francis said, “open the path” to a happy family life. “They are simple words,” he said, “but not so simple to put into practice.” These three words, when they are based not simply on good manners, but on deep love and respect for others, have great power to strengthen family life.

Three Words

The first word is “May I?” “When we concern ourselves with gently requesting even those things we might think we have a right too, we place a real defence for the spirit of harmony in the marriage and the family.” Even Jesus asks permission to enter our lives, the Pope said, recalling the verse from Revelation: “I stand at the door and knock.”
 
Our Lady of Fatima

At the conclusion of the Audience, Pope Francis had special greetings especially for young people, the sick, and new spouses. He recalled that May 13 is the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. “Dear young people, learn and cultivate devotion to the Mother of God, with the daily recitation of the Rosary; dear [brothers and sisters] who are ill, feel the presence of Mary in the hour of the Cross; and you dear newly-married husbands and wives, pray to her that love and mutual respect will never be lacking in your homes.”

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-greets-organizers-of-the-concert-for

Pope Francis greets organizers of the Concert for the Poor
2015-05-13 Vatican Radio



Vatican Radio) The Vatican will hold a concert for the poor on May 14 at the Paul VI Audience Hall in memory of Cardinal Van Thuan.

On Wednesday, Pope Francis greeted the organizers of the event with words of encouragement and thanks.

‘Music has the capacity to unite souls and to unite us to the Lord.  It is horizontal but also vertical, soaring high, and it liberates us from anxiety,’ he said.

The front seats of the concert will be reserved for Rome’s poor and marginalized, so that all may learn to see Jesus in them.

Tickets are free, but each seat will have an envelope in which a voluntary contribution may be left for the papal charity.

Based on Dante Alighieri’s “The Divine Comedy”, the opera was composed by Msgr. Marco Frisina, director of the choir of the diocese of Rome, and features symphonic music, Gregorian chant, and hard rock.

The Holy Father continued, saying ‘a little spirit will do much good to all in the ever-present materiality which brings us down and destroys our joy.

‘It will be a concert to seed joy, not a passing happiness, no:  the seed will remain there in the souls of all and will do much good for all.’

The concert is sponsored by the Office of the Apostolic Almoner, the Pontifical Council for Culture, the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization, and the Saint Matthew Foundation in memory of Cardinal Van Thuan.

Please find below the translation of the full text of the Pope’s address: