Pope Francis

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2018-02/bp-semeraro--for-pope-spiritual-exercises-are-the-ongoing-reform.html

Bp Semeraro: For Pope spiritual exercises are the ongoing reform
22 February 2018, 09:02

Pope Francis and Bishop Marcello Semeraro of Albano, Italy
Next Monday, February 26th, the 23rd meeting of Pope Francis with the Cardinal Councilors will begin. This is the first meeting of the C9 of 2018, in a journey that began over 4 years ago with the establishment - on 28 September 2013 - of this new body tasked with helping the Pope "in the governance of the universal Church and to study a draft revision of the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus regarding the Roman Curia". To frame the future perspectives of the work of the C9 we have gathered the thoughts of the secretary of the Council of Cardinals, the bishop of Albano, in Italy Marcello Semeraro.
By Alessandro Gisotti

R. - I would say that in the next session we will start again with the issues already put on the agenda, also because, by doing so, some steps become clearer. So let's say that the look, on the part of the Council of Cardinals on the fundamental dicasteries, is already in the final phase. It comes at a time of a re-reading also starting from a reflection on the work accomplished. The work done also helped to clarify some issues that at first did not seem urgent.

D. - In a recent article for the magazine "The Kingdom", you emphasized that the most important dimension of the reform is the spiritual one, not the structural or functional one. What is the significance of the Exercises that the Pope is carrying out with the Roman Curia in Ariccia this week?

A. - Just this morning (yesterday) I was there, at the Casa del Divin Maestro, to greet the Holy Father, to assure him of the diocese's prayer. I had a brief conversation with him at the end of the meditation. The Holy Father stressed once again that the Spiritual Exercises of the Roman Curia which interrupt the ordinary work - even through the symbolic gesture of moving away from the usual place of work to intensify an encounter with God - is a reflection that sees one next to the other, the different collaborators of the Pope in the Roman Curia. Already the Spiritual Exercises are ongoing reform! What does the Holy Father want to tell us? That yes, the reform for organizations is real, changes in structures, but the first change that must be made - and permanently - is a change in mentality. What the Curial reform intends to express is, first of all, a harmony with what the Pope has written in the Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, and then putting oneself in that paradigm of missionarity, of proclaiming the Gospel, in the light of which all  other organizational and institutional realities are faced. Secondly, reforming means making the service relationship even more evident.
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-audience-asia-bibi-rebecca-bitrus-religious-persecution.html

Pope prays for and with victims of religious persecution
24 February 2018, 17:25

Asia Bibi's husband and her caughter Eisham arrive in the Vatican prior to a private meeting with Pope Francis
A very special private meeting took place on Saturday morning in the Vatican between Pope Francis and some victims of religious persecution from different parts of the world.

Pope Francis on Saturday prayed for victims of religious persecution across the world as he met with the husband and daughter of Asia Bibi and with Rebecca Bitrus.

Asia Bibi is a Pakistani Christian woman who has been held in the Multan female prison, in Punjab since 2009, sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy; Rebecca Bitrus is a young Nigerian woman who was abducted and held captive by Boko Haram Jihadists for two years.

During the private meeting in the Vatican, Pope Francis prayed together with those present, putting faith and hope at the centre of this very special occasion.  Some of those present revealed dthat Asia Bibi’s youngest daughter Eisham prayed in Urdu, whilst Rebecca prayed in her own Hausa dialect, giving life to an extraordinary moment of sharing and emotional intensity.

Speaking to the Pope, Eisham reportedly told him she was bringing her mother’s love to him.

The meeting was organized by Aid to the Church in Need, a papal foundation that supports suffering Christians around the world
 
http://www.vaticannews.va/content/dam/vaticannews/images-multimedia/migrantes/Famiglia%20Asia%
Colosseum turns red to remember persecuted Christians
23 February 2018, 16:51

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-francis-audience-presidency-bosnia-herzegovina.html

Pope Francis receives Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
24 February 2018, 13:52

Pope Francis receives in audience the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina  (Vatican Media)
Pope Francis has received in audience leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a Balkan nation in which Islam, Orthodox Christianity, and Catholicism are all present, with the three faiths generally corresponding to three major ethnic groups: Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats, respectively.

Pope Francis on Saturday received in audience the members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina with whom he spoke of the good diplomatic relationship that exists between the Holy See and the Balkan State, pledging  to push ahead with constructive dialogue and collaboration.
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-to-arts-movement--make-god-s-love-visible-with-your-talents.html

Pope to arts movement: Make God's love visible with your talents
24 February 2018, 11:04

Pope Francis receives the arts movement Diakonia of Beauty  (Vatican Media)
Pope Francis on Saturday met with the arts movement, Diakonia of Beauty who are holding a Symposium here in Rome. In words to the participants, the Pope told them that the Church relied on them to make the deep beauty of God's love visible through their many talents.

The Diakonia of Beauty was founded  in 2012 with the mission of giving back artists to the Church and bringing the Church to artists in the form of education, prayer and spiritual as well as economic support. It is made up of musicians, poets, singers, painters, architects sculptors, actors and dancers.

This week the movement was holding a Symposium in Rome marking the feast of Blessed Fra Angelico and on Saturday they were greeted by Pope Francis in the Vatican who thanked them for the variety of their talents, which, he said, the Lord called them to develop in the service of ones neighbour and of all humanity.
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-angelus--transfiguration-a-prelude-to-jesus--passion.html

Pope Angelus: Transfiguration a prelude to Jesus' passion
25 February 2018, 12:22

Pope Francis during the Angelus   (AFP or licensors)
Pope Francis before the recitation of the Angelus from his studio above St Peter’s Square, contemplates the Gospel account of the Transfiguration of Jesus, on the second Sunday of Lent.

The Pope explained that this episode was related to what had happened six days before, when Jesus revealed to his disciples that in Jerusalem he would have to "suffer a lot and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the scribes, be killed and, after three days, rise again. "

This announcement, said the Pontiff had challenged Peter and the whole group of disciples, who rejected the idea that Jesus was to be rejected by the leaders of the people and killed.
 
http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-appeals-for-immediate-cessation-of-violence-in-syria.html
Pope appeals for immediate cessation of violence in Syria
25 February 2018, 11:21

https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-address-on-the-transfiguration-of-christ/
Angelus Address: On the Transfiguration of Christ 
February 25, 2018

Video at the link below--
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-visits-roman-parish.html

Pope visits Roman Parish
25 February 2018, 14:58

Roman parish of Saint Gelasius
On Sunday 25 February the Pope travels to the Roman parish of Saint Gelasius in Ponte Mammolo . During the visit, Pope Francis meets with young people, the sick, families and the Caritas workers from the parish, and presides over Mass.

At around 4pm Rome time on Sunday afternoon Pope Francis visits the parish of Saint Gelasius on the outskirts of Rome. 

The various meetings in the parish before the Mass

While there the Pope meets  with children and families, as well as  the sick, the elderly, the poor and the workers from the Caritas center. He is also meeting with two young people, aged 18 and 25, who come from the Republic of Gambia and who are being hosted in the parish.  At around 6pm Pope Francis presides over Holy Mass.
 

Video at the link below--
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

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https://zenit.org/articles/feature-welcome-to-a-winter-wonderland-of-snow-in-rome-the-vatican/
FEATURE: Welcome to a Winter Wonderland of Snow in Rome & the Vatican 
Zenit Wishes to Show Our Readers Some Scenes from a Rare Snowfall in Rome
February 26, 2018•Deborah Castellano Lubov


Video at the link
http://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2018-02/vatican-snowfall-st-peter-s.html#.WpPoXkKlj9U.twitter
Rare snowfall in the Vatican and on St. Peter's Basilica
26 February 2018, 11:16

A rare snowfall in Rome and in Vatican City State provided a great photo opportunity for Romans and tourists.

The city of Rome and the Vatican woke up on Monday morning under a blanket of snow.

Snow represents a rare event in the city's Mediterranean climate and it disrupted transport, shut down schools and prompted the authorities to call in the army to help clear the streets.
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta/2018-02/pope-francis-homily-santa-marta-lent-not-judging-mercy.html

Pope Francis: be merciful towards others to receive mercy from the Lord
26 February 2018, 11:27

“Do not judge and you will not be judged.” Pope Francis repeated Jesus’ invitation from the Gospel of Luke (6:36-38) in his homily during the celebration of the Liturgy at Casa Santa Marta.
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

Pope Francis reminds us that none of us will be able to escape God’s judgment—we will all be judged, both personally and universally. This reality helps the Church reflect on its own behavior toward one another and toward God. This call coming during Lent is an invitation to the Church for renewal.

God will judge us all

Beyond not judging, we are called to forgive one another. “Each of us might think: ‘But I never judge, I don’t make myself a judge.’ ” With this in mind, Pope Francis invites us to examine our consciences. For example, when we have been at a meeting, or during a meal, “how many minutes have I spent judging others?” we can ask ourselves. “Judging others is terrible because the Lord is the only judge,” the Pope continues.
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2018-02/vatican-college-of-cardinals-meeting.html

Pope meets cardinal advisors for first 2018 session
26 February 2018, 17:08

Pope Francis meets with the C9 College of Cardinals in the Vatican
The 23rd meeting of the C9 Council, charged with advising the Pope on reforming the Roman Curia, has begun in the Vatican By Richard Marsden

Pope Francis has met with his C9 Council of Cardinals for the first time in 2018 to continue their study of reform of the Roman Curia, with a particular focus on the main dicasteries.

The 23rd meeting of the body set up in September 2013 by Pope Francis began on Monday and is set to end on Wednesday.

In a recent interview with Vatican News, the secretary of the C9, Bishop Marcello Semeraro, explained that this working session would continue the “final phase” of study on the fundamental dicasteries of the Curia.
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2018-02/pope-francis-nominations-xuereb-bettencourt.html

Pope names Vatican officials Xuereb and Bettencourt as nuncios
26 February 2018, 12:52

Pope Francis names his former secretary Alfred Xuereb as nuncio in Korea and Mongolia
Mgr. Xuereb served as personal secretary to Pope Benedict and Pope Francis, while Mgr. Bettencourt was chief of protocol at the Secretariat of State

Pope Francis made some new nominations on Monday, elevating to the rank of archbishop two prelates who have served in the Vatican for many years.

Portuguese Monsignor José Avelino Bettencourt, currently the chief of protocol at the Secretariat of State, has been named titular Archbishop of Cittanova and raised to the office of apostolic nuncio.

He was ordained a priest in 1993 and entered the Holy See’s diplomatic service in 1999, serving in the nunciature of the Democratic Republic of Congo before coming to work in the Secretariat of State in 2012.

At the same time, Pope Francis raised Maltese Monsignor Alfred Xuereb to the rank of archbishop and named him as apostolic nuncio to Korea and Mongolia.
 

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http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2018/mideast-christian-leaders-shut-church-of-holy-sepulcher-to-protest-taxes.cfm

Update: Mideast Christian leaders shut Church of Holy Sepulcher to protest taxes
By Judith Sudilovsky Catholic News Service
2.26.2018 3:17 PM ET

CNS photo/Debbie Hill
JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Protesting several recent actions they described as a "systematic campaign ... against the churches and the Christian community in the Holy Land," the heads of Christian churches announced Feb. 25 they were closing of the doors of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher for an undisclosed period of time.

Bewildered pilgrims milled around the square in front of the church as Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III -- flanked by Franciscan Father Francesco Patton, custos of the Holy Land, and Armenian Patriarch Nourhan Manougian -- read a short statement to the press. At the same time, the only two people allowed to close the doors -- the Muslim custodian of the key, Adeeb Jawad Joudeh Al Husseini, and Muslim door keeper Wajeeh Nuseibeh -- closed and locked the doors.

"This systematic and unprecedented attack against Christians in the Holy Land severely violates the most basic ... and sovereign rights, trampling on the delicate fabric of relations between the Christian community and the authorities for decades," the heads of churches said in their statement.

The church leaders were protesting the Jerusalem municipality's intention to impose property taxes on church property, such as hotels and convention centers, not used for worship purposes. The proposal to levy taxes on some properties would run contrary to the unofficial historical tax-exempt status the churches have enjoyed for centuries.
 

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Pope Francis --  elected pope on March 13, 2013

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/analysis-pope-francis-makes-plans-as-fifth-anniversary-approaches-45859

Analysis: Pope Francis makes plans as fifth anniversary approaches
By Andrea Gagliarducci

Vatican City, Feb 26, 2018 / 11:44 am (CNA).- As the fifth anniversary of his pontificate approaches, it is obvious that Pope Francis has made his mark on the life of the Church, and will continue to. In fact, in the upcoming months, there could be a new document from the Pope, and a new consistory to create new cardinals.
 
These possibilities have not been officially confirmed. However, the rumors in Vatican corridors are widespread, and a new document, along with new cardinals, seems imminent.
 

http://www.mondayvatican.com/vatican/pope-francis-how-are-his-reforms-proceeding
Pope Francis, how are his reforms proceeding?
By Andrea Gagliarducci On 26 febbraio 2018

http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/francis-fifth-a-pontificate-of-footnotes
Commentary  |  Feb. 26, 2018
Francis’ Fifth: A Pontificate of Footnotes

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta/2018-02/pope-mass-no-threats-in-confessional-only-forgiveness.html

Pope: there are no threats in the confessional – only forgiveness
27 February 2018, 13:04

The Lord never grows weary of calling each of us to change our lives, to take a new step towards Him by being converted; and He does it with the sweetness and confidence of a Father. Confessors do the same. This was the heart of Pope Francis’ homily at the Mass at the Casa Santa Marta on Tuesday.
By Gabriella Ceraso

Lent is a time that is “helpful for conversion,” for growing close to God, for changing our life – and this is a grace we should ask for from the Lord.

Jesus calls us with the sweetness and confidence of a Father
 
Pope Francis’ homily began with the first reading, from the book of Isaiah, which he described as a true call to conversion. This reading, he said, shows us the special attitude Jesus takes with regard to our sins: “He does not threaten,” the Pope said, but instead, calls us “with kindness, gentleness, giving us confidence.” In the reading, after having pointed out to them the evil they should avoid and the good they should do, the Lord says to the rulers of Sodom and the people of Gomorrah: “Come, let us reason together.” And, the Pope said, He does the same with us:
 

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http://www.lastampa.it/2018/02/27/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/c-studies-how-to-expand-antiabuse-courts-VMTqhHs1xvGOiMmzMxg7CL/pagina.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

C9 studies how to expand anti-abuse courts
The Council of Cardinals examines O’ Malley’s proposals to establish courts against pedophilia in different areas of the world. Approximately 1,800 pending cases to be inquired
andrea tornielli  Pubblicato il  27/02/2018

Specialized courts to deal with cases of child abuse in different regions of the world, but always under the protection of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, are among the points included in the C9 work agenda, the Council of Cardinals called to collaborate with the Pope for the reform of the Roman Curia and the government of the universal Church meeting in the Vatican from 26 to 28 February 2018. The proposal taken into consideration, after the renewal and strengthening of the Vatican Commission for the protection of minors, is to decentralize - from a technical point of view - the handling of cases, but without weakening the role and responsibility of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Cardinal Sean O’ Malley, Archbishop of Boston - one of the most affected American dioceses in the recent past by the abuse scandal - has been working on this issue. 

There are currently about 1,800 pending cases of abuse. Not all of them can be classified as pedophilia acts (in several cases the victims are not children but young people on the verge of turning 18) and most importantly, they still need to be verified to assess the credibility of the accusations. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, led by the Jesuit Archbishop Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferrer, is overburdened with work. 
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-prays-for-syria-at-general-audience.html

Pope prays for Syria at General Audience
28 February 2018, 11:37

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in the Paul VI Hall  (Vatican Media)

The Pope was greeting pilgrims and visitors from Syria, the Holy Land and the Middle East present at the General Audience on Wednesday, when he improvised yet another appeal for what he called that “martyred nation”.

Praying for persecuted Christians

“We must pray for these brothers and sisters of ours”, he said, “and for all persecuted Christians”.

The UN Security Council has called for a ceasefire in order to allow humanitarian aid to reach the most affected areas. But reports from Syria claim that fighting is continuing despite the truce.

General Audience held in two locations

Given the number of people wanting to see Pope Francis, and keeping in mind the freezing temperatures in Rome these days, this week’s General Audience was held in the Paul VI Audience Hall, as usual, and subsequently in St Peter’s Basilica.

Here, the Pope’s remarks centred on the Lenten journey, describing it as a chance to make a “determined effort at conversion and spiritual renewal for a reawakening of authentic faith”. Pope Francis reminded those present that “love is the style of life that distinguishes the believer”.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

The main theme of the Pope’s catechesis this week was on the Liturgy of the Eucharist which begins, he said, with the “preparation of the gifts of bread and wine”. This rite, he added, “invites us to present our own lives as a spiritual offering”.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/general-audience-on-the-liturgy-of-the-eucharist-full-text/
GENERAL AUDIENCE : On the Liturgy of the Eucharist (FULL TEXT)
February 28, 2018

Video at the link below--
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

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https://zenit.org/articles/pope-francis-greetings-faithful-present-for-general-audience-in-st-peters-basilica/

Overflow of Faithful Were Put in St. Peter’s Basilica, When Paul VI Hall Was Decided Over St Peter’s Square Due to Weather; Pope Goes to Greet Them 
February 28, 2018

copyright - Vatican Media
The General Audience of this morning, was initially scheduled in St. Peter’s Square, but due to the cold climate, it took place at 9.40 am in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall where the Holy Father Francis met groups of pilgrims and faithful from Italy and from every part of the world. The faithful and the pilgrims who could not find a place in the Paul VI Hall followed the audience, from the Basilica, where the Pope went, at the end of the Audience, to greet those present. Here is a Zenit translation of what he said to those gathered there:
***
Dear Brothers and Sisters!

I’m happy to receive you in this Basilica, and to express to each one of you my warm welcome.

May the Lenten path we are following be a favorable occasion for a determined effort of conversion and of spiritual renewal, for a reawakening to genuine faith, for a salutary recovery of the relationship with God and for a more generous evangelical commitment. In the awareness that love is the style of life that distinguishes the believer, don’t tire of being witnesses of charity everywhere.
 

Video at the link below--
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2018-02/c9-college-of-cardinals-23rd-session.html

C9 Cardinals wrap up their 23rd meeting in the Vatican
28 February 2018, 14:51

Pope Francis meets with the C9 College of Cardinals in the Vatican   (Vatican Media)
The theological statutes of episcopal Conferences, human resources, cost-cutting within the Holy See and the protection of minors were the main themes of discussion for C9 Cardinals who wrapped up their 23rd meeting since the Pope established the Council of Cardinal Advisors in September 2013.
By Linda Bordoni

A statement released by the Holy See Press Office on Wednesday said all C9 members – with the exception of Cardinal Pell – were present for the three day session. The Pope attended the meetings on Monday and Tuesday but was unable to be present on Wednesday because of the General Audience.

Theological statutes of episcopal Conferences

The statement revealed that the reflection on the theological statute of episcopal Conferences stemmed from point n. 32 of Pope Francis’ encyclical “Evangelii Gaudium” that states that the “juridical status of episcopal conferences which would see them as subjects of specific attributions, including genuine doctrinal authority, has not yet been sufficiently elaborated. Excessive centralization, rather than proving helpful, complicates the Church’s life and her missionary outreach”.

Thus, the Cardinals agreed to re-examine the Motu Proprio “Apostolos suos” in the spirit of the healthy de-centralization Pope Francis so often refers to, highlighting that it is the Lord who safeguards unity within the Church.
 

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http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/8643/church-of-holy-sepulchre-reopens-after-netanyahu-steps-in

28 February 2018 | by James Roberts ,  Nathan Jeffay   
Church of Holy Sepulchre reopens after Netanyahu steps in

The Prime Minister has agreed to establish a team to 'formulate a solution for the issue of municipal taxes on properties owned by churches'

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday stepped in to the crisis in Jerusalem that resulted in the closure of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In response the three Christian leaders who took the action of closing the Church, the site of Christ’s crucifixion and Resurrection, have reopened it.

The leaders, Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land and Nourhan Manougian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem had accused Israel of a “systematic campaign against the Churches and the Christian community in the Holy Land,” and  “flagrant violation” of the status quo that governs relations between Church and state.

They were furious about a new bill that would allow the state to appropriate land that Churches have sold to private buyers, claiming it had echoes “of laws of a similar nature which were enacted against the Jews during dark periods in Europe.”
 

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http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/evangelii-gaudium-a-key-to-understanding-francis-papacy

Feb. 28, 2018
‘Evangelii Gaudium’ — A Key to Understanding Francis’ Papacy

Many of the central themes guiding the Pope’s subsequent actions were laid out in his first apostolic exhortation.

Edward Pentin

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-taps-helena-bishop-as-new-head-of-las-vegas-diocese-33788

Pope Francis taps Helena bishop as new head of Las Vegas diocese

Bishop George Leo Thomas. Credit: Diocese of Helena
By Elise Harris

Vatican City, Feb 28, 2018 / 05:36 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Bishop George Leo Thomas, who until now has led the Diocese of Helena, will be taking the reins in Las Vegas, bringing with him broad pastoral experience and expertise in psychology, mental health issues, mission work and prison ministry.

In the Feb. 28 announcement from the Vatican, it was noted that Bishop Thomas of will be taking over for Bishop Joseph Anthony Pepe, who has led the Diocese of Las Vegas since 2001, but is now stepping into retirement at age 75.
 
He speaks Spanish and is also a member of the Bishops for the American College in Louvain and Native-American Catholics committees for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.