Pope Francis

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Hmmm...

http://americamagazine.org/content/dispatches/vatican-denies-changes-celebration-mass

Vatican Denies Changes in the Celebration of Mass
Gerard O'Connell | Jul 11 2016 - 1:45pm

Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, speaking at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, May 17 (CNS photo/Bob Roller)

The Vatican has denied media reports, based on recent statements made by Cardinal Robert Sarah in London, claiming that there will be changes in the celebration of the Mass from next Advent with the priest facing the east, and that “a reform of the reform” of the liturgy is under way.

The Vatican statement, issued on the evening of July 11 by Federico Lombardi, S.J., director of the Holy See Press Office, said “there are no new liturgical directives starting from next Advent, as someone has improperly deduced from some words of Cardinal Sarah, and it is better to avoid using the expression ‘the reform of the reform,’ referring to the liturgy, given that this has sometimes been the source of misunderstanding.”

The Vatican statement declared that “all this was expressly agreed during a recent audience given by the pope to the said Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship.” That meeting took place last Saturday, July 9, as reported in the Press Office bulletin.
 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8CZzED2HiWJNzdaOE9ycVI4ekU/view?pref=2&pli=1

ADDRESS OF HIS EMINENCE, ROBERT CARDINAL SARAH
PREFECT OF THE CONGREGATION FOR
DIVINE WORSHIP AND DISCIPLINE OF THE SACRAMENTS
TO THE CONFERENCE “SACRA LITURGIA UK 2016”
LONDON, ENGLAND, 5 JULY 2016

“TOWARDS AN AUTHENTIC IMPLEMENTATION OF SACROSANCTUM CONCILIUM”

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From the press office bulletin...

http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2016/07/11/0515/01177.html#en

Comunicato della Sala Stampa della Santa Sede: Alcuni chiarimenti sulla celebrazione della Messa, 11.07.2016
[B0515]
 
Holy See Press Office Communiqué:

Some clarifications on the celebration of Mass

It would appear opportune to offer clarification in the light of information circulated in the press after a conference held in London a few days ago by Cardinal Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship. Cardinal Sarah has always been rightly concerned about the dignity of the celebration of Mass, so as to express appropriately the attitude of respect and adoration for the Eucharistic mystery. Some of his expressions have however been incorrectly interpreted, as if they were intended to announce new indications different to those given so far in the liturgical rules and in the words of the Pope regarding celebration facing the people and the ordinary rite of the Mass.

Therefore it is useful to remember that in the Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani (General Instruction of the Roman Missal), which contains the norms relating to the Eucharistic celebration and is still in full force, paragraph no. 299 states that: “Altare extruatur a pariete seiunctum, ut facile circumiri et in eo celebratio versus populum peragi possit, quod expedit ubicumque possibile sit. Altare eum autem occupet locum , ut revera centrum sit ad quod totius congregationis fidelium attentio sponte convertatur”(“The altar should be built separate from the wall, in such a way that it is possible to walk around it easily and that Mass can be celebrated facing the people, which is desirable wherever possible. Moreover, the altar should occupy a place where it is truly the centre toward which the attention of the whole congregation of the faithful naturally turns”.)

Pope Francis, for his part, on the occasion of his visit to the Dicastery for Divine Worship, expressly mentioned that the “ordinary” form of the celebration of the Mass is that expressed in the Missal promulgated by Paul VI, while the “extraordinary” form, which was permitted by Pope Benedict XVI for the purposes and in the ways explained in his Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, must not take the place of the “ordinary” one.

Therefore, new liturgical directives are not expected from next Advent, as some have incorrectly inferred from some of Cardinal Sarah’s words, and it is better to avoid using the expression “reform of the reform” with reference to the liturgy, given that it may at times give rise to error.

All the above was unanimously expressed during a recent audience granted by the Pope to the same Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship.
 

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http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-spokesman-wades-into-ad-orientem-debate-46237/

Vatican spokesman wades into ad orientem debate

Vatican City, Jul 11, 2016 / 03:53 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The outgoing Holy See press officer has clarified that there are no directives forthcoming from the Vatican directing that priests face in the same direction as the faithful while saying Mass.

Fr. Federico Lombardi's July 11 communique follows on the appeal by Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, asking priests to “implement this practice wherever possible, with prudence and with the necessary catechesis, certainly, but also with a pastor’s confidence that this is something good for the Church, something good for our people.”

Cardinal Sarah's suggestion was made last week at a conference on liturgy being held in London.

“Cardinal Sarah has always been concerned, rightly, about the dignity of the celebration of Mass, in a way that adequately expresses an attitude of respect and adoration for the Eucharistic mystery,” Fr. Lombardi's statement said.

He added that some of the cardinal's words were “misinterpreted, as if he were announcing new indications differing from the liturgical norms given until now, and the words of the Pope on the celebration towards the people and on the ordinary rite of Mass.”

Whatever such misinterpretations were made, Cardinal Sarah himself had made it clear in his July 5 speech that he was neither mandating nor legislation a change to the Mass. He stated: “I believe that it is very important that we return as soon as possible to a common orientation, of priests and the faithful turned together in the same direction—Eastwards or at least towards the apse—to the Lord who comes, in those parts of the liturgical rites when we are addressing God.”
 

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http://www.catholicnewworld.com/cnwonline/2016/News/0711.aspx

July 11, 2016
Experts: Cardinal Sarah's Mass comments encourage what canon law permits

 
At the conference in London, Cardinal Sarah had asked that "wherever possible, with prudence and with the necessary catechesis, certainly, but also with a pastor's confidence that this is something good for the church," priests face east when celebrating the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Several liturgical experts said Cardinal Sarah does not have the authority to impose a change but is simply encouraging a practice that liturgical law already permits.

"I think he's just encouraging as anyone can encourage, but because of his position, his encouragement carries more weight. He's not changing the legislation at all; he's just giving his opinion that he thinks this would help people to pray better," Father Andrew Menke, associate director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' divine worship office, told Catholic News Service July 6.

Father Menke also said that as new editions of the Roman Missal are released, liturgical law is bound to shift, but he doubts anything would happen regarding the direction the priest faces, except perhaps more encouragement of "ad orientem" Masses in future missal editions.

Others agreed, saying neither bishops nor Cardinal Sarah have the right to force priests to celebrate Mass "facing East" until there is an official change to the missal, the official liturgical law.

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https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2016/07/12/pope-taps-protestant-friend-carry-voice-argentina/

Pope taps Protestant friend to carry his voice in Argentina
Inés San Martín
July 12, 2016

ROME- In an attempt to ensure that his messages arrive in his home country as they were intended, without any filter or spin, Pope Francis has authorized an Argentine version of L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican’s newspaper.

And to get the job done, the maverick pontiff has once again made an “outside the box” choice, turning to a Protestant theologian and longtime friend named Marcelo Figueroa.

“The idea was born from the constant dialogue Francis and I have, as friends,” Figueroa told Crux over the phone Tuesday.

The project will utilize the Spanish version of L’Osservatore, which comes out once a week - every Friday in its online version, and Saturdays in print - as the backbone of content. The global edition of the newspaper is supervised by Italian layman Giovanni Maria Vian, and directed by Argentine Silvina Pérez.

The Argentine version, which will begin in September, will carry four to eight pages of exclusive content, mostly opinion, analysis and commentary of the pope’s activity with an Argentine angle. Beyond Figueroa, it’ll be supervised by the local bishops’ conference.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pontifical-council-secretary-explores-new-dialogue

Pontifical Council Secretary explores new dialogue with Al-Azhar University
2016-07-12 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio)  Bishop Miguel Guixot, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligiuos Dialogue, will meet senior officials of Egypt’s prestigious Al-Azhar University in Cairo Wednesday, 13 July.  The visit comes at the express wish of Pope Francis following his historic meeting with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyib in the Vatican 23 May 2016.

In a note, the Council for Interreligious Dialogue said Bishop Guixot will take part in a preliminary meeting together with the Holy See’s Apostolic Nuncio in Egypt, Archbishop Bruno Musarò and Dr. Mahmoud Hamdi Zakzouk, member of the Council of Senior Scholars of Al-Azhar University and the university’s Director of the Center for Dialogue, to explore avenues for the resumption of dialogue between Al-Azhar and the Pontifical Council.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/vaticans-interreligious-dialogue-council-says-al-azhar-meeting-was-fruitful/
Vatican’s Interreligious Dialogue Council Says Al-Azhar Meeting Was Fruitful
Officials discuss with Sunni leaders the resumption of official dialogue
•July 14, 2016•

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-surprise-visit-to-commission-for-lati

Pope Francis: surprise visit to Commission for Latin America
2016-07-13 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis paid a surprise call on the officers and staff of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America on Wednesday. The Holy Father knocked on the door of the Commission’s offices shortly after 9 AM Rome Time Wednesday, saying, “I just thought I’d drop by,” and asking the ranking official on site, prof. Guzmàn Carriquiry, whether he, “had a few minutes to spare for a chat.”

After a half hour’s conversation Pope Francis greeted the office workers one-by-one, pausing for photographs – including a few selfies – and sharing some memories of his visits to the Commission when he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
 

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http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/5848/0/dublin-archbishop-and-laywoman-appointed-to-new-vatican-communications-department

Dublin archbishop and laywoman appointed to new Vatican communications department
14 July 2016 | by Christopher Lamb in Rome   

The new secretariat’s aim is to better co-ordinate the Vatican’s media strategy and output

Pope Francis has named the Archbishop of Dublin and an American laywoman as the first members of a newly established Vatican communications department.

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and Kim Daniels - a media consultant who is the former Director of Catholic Voices USA - are part of a 16-member body that also includes six cardinals, six bishops and two lay people.

Daniels, a lawyer specialising in pro-life and religious freedom issues, is one of two women appointed to the group - the other is Mexican-born psychologist Leticia Soberon.

They will be members of the Holy See’s Secretariat for Communications, established following a review of the Holy See’s media strategy by Lord (Chris) Patten and management consultants McKinsey & Co.

The new secretariat’s aim is to better co-ordinate the Vatican’s media strategy and output and to ensure it operates across all digital platforms.
 
https://cruxnow.com/analysis/2016/07/13/another-american-gets-vatican-communications-assignment/
Second American gets Vatican communications post
Austen Ivereigh
July 13, 2016

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http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-condemns-nice-attack-as-homicidal-madness-53007/

Vatican condemns Nice attack as 'homicidal madness'

Vatican City, Jul 15, 2016 / 02:52 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Updated July 15, 2016, at 12:23 local time to include a letter from the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, His Excellency André Marceau, Bishop of Nice.

After a truck plowed through crowds celebrating Bastille Day in the French city of Nice, killing 84, Pope Francis voiced his sorrow for the act of “blind violence,” and assured the French people of his prayers.

In a July 15 letter signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Pope expressed “his deep sorrow and spiritual closeness to the French people,” entrusting the dead to God’s mercy and uniting himself in the pain of grieving families.

He offered his sympathy to the wounded and to rescuers, praying that the Lord “sustain each one in the event” and grant “the gift of peace and harmony” to the grieving and to the entire French nation.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-angelus-listen-and-offer-welcome-to-one-anoth

Pope Angelus: Listen and offer welcome to one another
2016-07-17 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Before the recitation of the Marian prayer the Holy Father spoke of the importance of hospitality calling it a real Christian virtue, but one which at times the world neglects.

He drew his inspiration for this theme from the Sunday Gospel in which St Luke recounts the story of Jesus who is welcomed into the home of two sisters Martha and Mary. They both offer their hospitality in different ways. Martha is busy preparing things while Mary stays to listen to Jesus’ words. When Martha protests that she has to do everything, Jesus reminds her that in order to welcome him many things are not necessary; indeed, only one thing is necessary, said Pope Francis, to listen to Jesus, "show him a fraternal attitude, so he feels what it is like to be part of the family, and not in a temporary shelter. "
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/angleus-pope-francis-prays-for-nice-victims

Angelus: Pope Francis prays for Nice victims
2016-07-17 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) During his Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis recalled the terrible events of last Thursday when a man ploughed a lorry into crowds of people celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, France, killing over 80 and injuring many others.
 
Remembering the loss of innocent lives, many of whom were children, the Pope said, “the pain of the massacre is alive in our hearts”. “I am close to each family and the entire French nation which is in mourning.” He added, “may God, the good Father, welcome all the victims into his peace, support the injured and comfort their families. May he dissolve every project of terror and death, so that man no longer attempts to spill his brother's blood.”
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-jesus-answer-to-restlessness-in-youth

Pope Francis: Jesus answer to "restlessness" in youth
2016-07-18 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis sent greetings to an Evangelical Christian gathering which took place on Saturday in Washington, DC.

Thousands of people filled the National Mall for the “Together 16” event.

In a video-message released before the event, Pope Francis said young people have a “restlessness” in their hearts, and Jesus is the answer.

“Young men and women, I know there is something in your heart that moves you. And that makes you restless, because a young person who is not restless is an old person,” Pope Francis said in the message.

“And you have youthfulness, and youthfulness breeds restlessness. What is your restlessness? Do you know what it is or do you not know? Do you want to know what your restlessness is?” – the Pope continued – “I invite you to … to find the One who can give you an answer to your restlessness.”
 

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Video at the link

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/07/19/pope_sends_video_message_wyd_participants_and_polish_nation/1245398

Pope sends video message to WYD participants and to the Polish nation
19/07/2016 19:35

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent his personal greetings to young people from throughout the world gathering in Krakow for World Youth Day and to all the people of the “beloved Polish nation” as he prepares to travel to Poland next week.

The Pope’s 15th apostolic journey abroad, from 27 to 31 July, will take him to Krakow where the 31st WYD is being held, to Czestochowa and to the former Nazi extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Please find below the full text of the Pope's video message:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

    The 31st World Youth Day is fast approaching.  I look forward to meeting the young people from throughout the world gathered in Kraków and having the opportunity to meet the beloved Polish nation.  My entire visit will be inspired by Mercy during this Jubilee Year, and by the grateful and blessed memory of Saint John Paul II, who instituted the World Youth Days and was the guide of the Polish people in its recent historic journey towards freedom.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/schedule-of-popes-assisi-pilgrimage-released

Schedule of Pope’s Assisi pilgrimage released
2016-07-20 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) More details have been released about Pope Francis’ upcoming pilgrimage for the eighth centenary of Franciscan feast of the “Pardon of Assisi.”

On 4 Aug, the Pope will make a private pilgrimage to Assisi, a small medieval town in the Italian region of Umbria known for being the birthplace of the Franciscan order. While there, he will pray in the Porziuncola chapel, where the feast of the “Pardon of Assisi” originated.

According to new details released on the local website for the Franciscan order, the Holy Father will arrive in Assisi by helicopter at 3:40pm. At 4pm, he will arrive at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, inside which the small Porziuncola chapel is located. There, he will take a moment of silent prayer in the chapel, before offering a reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 18:21-35.
 

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http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2016/pope-issues-rules-to-help-contemplative-women-be-beacons-for-world.cfm

Pope issues rules to help contemplative women be beacons for world
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service
7.22.2016 9:04 AM ET

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In an effort to help contemplative women religious renew their life and mission in the church and the world, Pope Francis issued a series of new rulings dealing with formation, assets, prayer life, authority and autonomy.

The new rulings include a mandate that "initially, all monasteries are to be part of a federation" based on "an affinity of spirit and traditions" with the aim of facilitating formation and meeting needs through sharing assets and exchanging members. Monasteries voting for an exception from joining a federation will need Vatican approval.

All institutes of contemplative women religious will need to revise or update their constitutions or rules so as to implement the new norms and have those changes approved by the Holy See.
 
https://press.vatican.va/content/dam/salastampa/it/fuori-bollettino/pdf/Inglese%20VULTUM-DEI-QUAERERE.pdf
APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION
VULTUM DEI QUAERERE
ON WOMEN’S CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/07/24/pope_reflects_on_lords_prayer_in_angelus_address/1246392

Pope reflects on Lord's Prayer in Angelus address
24/07/2016 14:06

(Vatican Radio) In his Angelus address on Sunday, Pope Francis focused on Jesus’ teaching on prayer, from the day’s Gospel.

When the Apostles asked the Lord to teach them to pray, Jesus responded, “When you pray, say ‘Father…’” This word, “Father,” the Pope said, is the “secret” of the prayer of Jesus – “it is the key that He Himself gives us so that we too can enter into that relationship of confidential dialogue with the Father.”

Moving on to the various petitions addressed to God in the Lord’s Prayer, Pope Francis said the first two petitions, “hallowed be Thy Name,” and “Thy kingdom come” are associated with the name “Father.” Jesus’ prayer – and thus Christian prayer – consists first of all in making room for God, allowing Him to act in our lives.
 

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http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-responds-to-violence-in-munich-and-kabul-with-call-for-more-prayer-73332/

Pope responds to violence in Munich and Kabul with call for more prayer

Vatican City, Jul 24, 2016 / 06:23 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Sunday, Pope Francis responded to recent acts of violence in Germany and Afghanistan, expressing his closeness to the families of the victims, and stressing the importance of prayer in the face of threats against “safety and peace.”

“At this time, our spirit is once more shaken by the sad news relating to the deplorable acts of terrorism and violence which have caused suffering and death,” the Pope said in an appeal after the weekly Angelus at the Vatican.

In his July 24 address, the Pontiff spoke in reference to “the dramatic events in Munich, Germany, and Kabul, Afghanistan, where the lives of numerous innocent people have been lost.”

“I am near to the families of the victims and the wounded,” he said. “I invite you to join in my prayer, in order that the Lord may inspire all good and fraternal resolutions.”

In the face of seemingly “insurmountable” difficulties, and dark “prospects of safety and peace,” the Pope said, our prayer should be “all the more persistent.”
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/final-preparations-for-wyd-in-krakow

Final preparations for WYD in Krakow
2016-07-25 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The final preparations are underway in Krakow for World Youth Day which begins on the 26th of July. While the city prepares for Pope Francis, the finishing touches are being made to many of the areas the Pope will visit over the course of the celebration. Dorata Abdelmoula is the spokesperson for World Youth Day (WYD) in Krakow and spoke to Lydia O’Kane.

Preparations

“All over Krakow we can already see that World Youth Day is approaching”, Dorata says, adding that everything is almost ready at Campus Misericordia where Pope Francis will celebrate  the final Mass. She says, “it’s not very sophisticated because we’re trying to maintain the spirituality of Pope Francis, it’s a pretty simple construction but a I think a beautiful one.” Another theme, she notes which is very much in evidence is the Divine Mercy “and the spiritual heart of this World Youth Day will be the Shrine of the Divine Mercy.”
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-scraps-official-discourse-to-polish-bishops-i

Pope scraps official discourse to Polish bishops in favour of private meeting
2016-07-25 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has decided to scrap a previously scheduled official discourse to Polish bishops on the first day of his apostolic journey to Poland, in favour of a private encounter with them during which the Pope and the bishops will be able to listen to each other and converse in total freedom.

Speaking to Vatican Radio, Father Federico Lombardi SJ, Director of the Holy See Press Office, explained that the Pope wants the occasion to be as spontaneous and authentic as possible: a moment in which the bishops and the Pope will be at ease and free to exchange opinions and ask questions.

Lombardi pointed out that in fact there have been no real changes to the schedule; rather, he said, the Pope has made it clear that the formula he prefers in these occasions – and it is the one he has most often resorted to during his apostolic journeys – is that of a “familiar encounter and of dialogue”.

Thus, Lombardi said, Pope Francis has no intention of addressing the bishops with a grand speech: he wants to talk to them, listen to what they have to say and possibly answer the questions they will be asking in a climate of absolute serenity.

This is the reason, he explained, it has been decided there will be no live television broadcast of the event which will be conducted in a fraternal atmosphere.
 

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http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/5887/0/polish-authorities-ramp-up-security-as-pilgrims-begin-to-arrive-in-krakow-for-world-youth-

Polish authorities ramp up security as pilgrims begin to arrive in Krakow for World Youth
25 July 2016 

No specific terror alert but attacks elsewhere have led to beefing up of security ahead of Pope Francis' arrival

Pilgrims will be subjected to random stop and searches, including personal luggage at all major events put on for World Youth Day in Krakow after a weekend of terrorist atrocities in Germany, which shares a border with Poland.

The checks, using mobile x-ray devices, handheld metal detectors, and dogs trained to detect explosives, will be carried out at railway and bus stations and major road and transport hubs, as well as anywhere a crowd has gathered, according to the organisers of World Youth Day 2016.
 
Despite there being no specific security threats in Poland ahead of Pope Francis' arrival in the country on Wednesday Polish authorities have expressed concern after a 48-year-old Iraqi man was charged with possessing trace amounts of explosives. The man - who has recently been expelled from Sweden - was arrested and charged in Lodz, which is 140 miles away from Krakow.

Prosecutor Beata Marczak told reporters that the man was charged on Sunday with "possessing trace amounts of explosive material". The offence carries a maximum term of eight years in prison.

"That does not mean we found enough explosive material to cause an explosion," she added, "There are no grounds for charging him with participating in terrorist activity."

However, satellite news channel Polsat News has reported today that the explosive traces that were allegedly found on the man's luggage and clothes at hotels in Lodz and Krakow.