Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-06/pope-francis-delegation-ecumenical-patriarch-constantinople.html#.WzS4KUShEfQ.twitter

Pope: Prayerful hopes for greater experience of unity
28 June 2018, 11:55

Pope Francis with members of the Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople  (Vatican Media)
On the eve of the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Pope Francis receives the traditional delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.
By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis on Thursday received members of a delegation representing the Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I, the primus inter pares (first among equals) of the heads of the autocephalous churches the make up the Eastern Orthodox Church.

At the audience, Pope Francis welcomed the delegation as a “a sign of the growth of communion between the Catholic Church and the Ecumenical Patriarch,” while also recalling “the common roots of our sister Churches.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-06/pope-consistory-cardinals.html

Pope Francis to new Cardinals: 'keep the faces of the distressed before you'
28 June 2018, 14:22

Pope Francis and Cardinals during the Consistory in St. Peter's Basilica  (Vatican Media)
Pope Francis reflects on Jesus’ interaction with the disciples on the way to Jerusalem during the Consistory in which he creates 14 new Cardinals.
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

Pope Francis on Thursday invited the 14 new Cardinals to follow Jesus, to eliminate vain and self-centered discussion in the Church, in order to further the interests of the Father. He drew inspiration from the Gospel of Mark (10:32-45) read during the Ordinary Public Consistory.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/popes-homily-at-consistory-to-create-14-new-cardinals-full-text/
Pope’s Homily at Consistory to Create 14 New Cardinals (Full Text) 
June 28, 2018 16:31

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

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https://zenit.org/articles/pope-francis-and-new-cardinals-visit-benedict-xvi/

Pope Francis and New Cardinals Visit Benedict XVI 
Visit After Consistory Creating 14 New Cardinals
June 28, 2018 19:17

Few can forget the images of the newly elected Pope Francis boarding the bus to return to his room with the Cardinals who had just elected him Pope.

On June 28, 2018, Francis took another short road trip, this time by van, escorting the new cardinals just created in a call on Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
 

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https://twitter.com/FatherRosica

Thomas Rosica Retweeted 
Catholic News Service‏Verified account @CatholicNewsSvc · 14h  14 hours ago 

Here's the breakdown of the College of Cardinals electors after #PopeFrancis elevates 14 more men today. #Cardinals #cardinali #cardinale

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-06/pope-francis-resignation-bishops-chile.html#.WzS4DzN2oPc.twitter

Pope Francis accepts the resignations of 2 Chilean Bishops
28 June 2018, 11:52

Pope Francis with the Bishops of Chile during their visit to Rome in May.  (Vatican Media)
The Holy See's Press Office announces that Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of two Chilean Bishops.

Diocese of Rancagua, Chile

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral governance of the diocese of Rancagua, Chile, presented by His Excellency Msgr. Alejandro Goić Karmelić, for reasons of having reached the age limit.

The Holy Father has appointed as Apostolic Administrator sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the same diocese, Rancagua, Chile, the His Excellency Msgr. Luis Fernando Ramos Pérez, Auxiliary Bishop of Santiago de Chile.
 
https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2018/06/28/pope-removes-two-chilean-bishops-accused-of-abuse-cover-ups/
Pope removes two Chilean bishops accused of abuse cover-ups
Inés San Martín   Jun 28, 2018

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https://twitter.com/JohnLAllenJr

John L. Allen, Jr. Retweeted 
Angelus News‏ @AngelusNews · Jun 27 

From @JohnLAllenJr for #AngelusNews | For Vatican-watchers, the 2018 synod’s newly released working document promises an interesting October. https://buff.ly/2IwbsxJ
 

http://www.synod2018.va/content/synod2018/en/fede-discernimento-vocazione/instrumentum-laboris-for-the-synod-2018--young-people--the-faith.html?platform=hootsuite

Instrumentum Laboris for the Synod 2018. Young People, The Faith and Vocational Discernment

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-06/pope-francis-mass-peter-paul-homily-pallium.html

Pope on feast of Sts. Peter and Paul: We cannot separate Christ’s glory from His cross
29 June 2018, 10:44

Pope Francis celebrates Mass for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul  (Vatican Media)
Pope Francis on Friday celebrated Holy Mass in Rome’s St. Peters Square on the solemn feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, during which he blessed the pallium which will be sent to 30 new metropolitan archbishops he appointed throughout the world during the past year.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis in his homily on Friday urged Christians not to be a stumbling block in the path of Christ, the Anointed One, whose glory cannot be separated from his cross.

“By not separating his glory from the cross, Jesus wants to liberate his disciples, his Church, from empty forms of triumphalism: forms empty of love, service, compassion, empty of people,” the Pope said in his homily during Mass in Rome’s St. Peter’s Square on June 29, the solemn feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, the patrons of Rome who were both martyred in the Eternal City.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/pope-francis-homily-for-the-feast-of-saints-peter-and-paul-4/
Pope Francis’ Homily for the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul 
June 29, 2018 10:16

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

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-06/pope-angelus-saints-peter-paul.html

Pope Francis at Angelus: ‘Christians are certain of Jesus’ identity'
29 June 2018, 13:12

Pope Francis delivering his reflections before the Angelus  (Vatican Media)
Speaking before the recitation of the Angelus on the Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul, patrons of Rome, Pope Francis reflects on Jesus’ dialogue with Peter and the disciples regarding His identity.
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

On Friday, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (Matthew 16:13-19), Pope Francis used the Gospel of the liturgy in his reflection before the recitation of the Angelus. He said that the dialogue between Jesus and his disciples regarding His identity is one that continues to our day.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-address-on-the-feast-of-saints-peter-and-paul-3/
ANGELUS ADDRESS: On the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul 
June 29, 2018 14:04

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

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-06/pope-francis-dinner-poor-homeless-krajewski.html

Pope Francis surprises poor and homeless at new cardinal’s dinner
30 June 2018, 17:56

Pope dining with the poor and homeless of Rome on June 29.
As new Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the pope’s alms giver, was treating the poor and homeless of Rome to a dinner Friday night, Pope Francis surprised them with a visit and joined their celebration as a guest.

There was great celebration on Friday in the Vatican when some 280 poor people were invited to a dinner by new Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the official almsgiver of the Pope, who was made cardinal by Pope Francis at the Consistory the previous day, June 28th.

The Pope's surprise visit

Pope Francis surprised Cardinal Krajewski, his guests and volunteers with a visit and joined them at table at the Vatican employees’ canteen.  "I came for the poor, not for you," a smiling Pope told Cardinal Krajewski, popularly known as Fr. Corrado (instead of Konrad) to the poor he serves on behalf of the Pope.

The Holy Father dined with the poor and spent about two hours chatting with them as if in a family, listening to their stories that often told of suffering but also of hope.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-06/pope-francis-most-precious-blood-family.html#.WzeFEf_cZYk.twitter

Pope: Precious Blood is fount of salvation for the world
30 June 2018, 12:58

On the eve of the month dedicated to the Precious Blood of Christ, Pope Francis receives members of the spiritual family of the Most Precious Blood  (Vatican Media)
Speaking to the spiritual family of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Pope Francis suggested three traits that can help them in their witness to Christ and in their charitable works: the courage of truth; attention to all, especially those who are furthest away; and the ability to captivate and communicate.
By Christopher Wells

“Since the beginning of Christianity, the mystery of love of the Blood of Christ has fascinated many people,” Pope Francis said on Saturday, as he addressed the spiritual family – religious men and women, and associated groups of lay faithful – of the Most Precious Blood of Christ.

The Holy Father noted that the audience comes on “the vigil of the month of July, when Christian piety turns in a special way to the Blood of Christ.”
 

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Photo gallery at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-06/pope-francis-audiences-bolivia-morales.html

Pope receives Bolivian president
30 June 2018, 15:57

Pope Francis meeting President Evo Morales of Bolivia in the Vatican on JUne 30, 2018.  (ANSA)
President Evo Morales of Bolivia paid a visit to Pope Francis in the Vatican on June 30.
 
The Holy See Press Office issued a statement after the meetings saying, “During the cordial discussions, the positive relations between the Holy See and Bolivia were evoked, with special reference to the implementation of the bilateral agreements, and there was an exchange of views on the regional situation.”

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-07/pope-angelus-catechesis-jesus-source-of-life.html#.WzjJ4dmjwlA.twitter

Pope at Angelus: ‘no one is an intruder in Jesus’s heart’
01 July 2018, 14:02

Pope Francis addresses the pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square for the Angelus Prayer   (AFP or licensors)
Addressing the faithful in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel reading of the day and said that in order to gain access to Jesus’s heart one must entrust oneself to Him and feel the need for healing
By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis on Sunday reflected on Jesus as the source of life, of He who restores life to those who trust in Him.

Taking his cue from the Gospel of Mark that tells of two miracles in which a girl is raised from death and a woman is healed, the Pope said faith is at the center of both of them and he highlighted that no one is excluded from the Lord’s saving love.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-07/pope-angelus-prayers-nicaragua-ethiopia-eritrea-syria-thailand.html
Pope Francis prays for Nicaragua, Syria, and peace in Horn of Africa
01 July 2018, 13:12

https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-address-on-two-requirements-for-jesus-to-heal-us/
ANGELUS ADDRESS: On What Is Required for Jesus to Heal Us 
July 01, 2018 14:37

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

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https://cruxnow.com/news-analysis/2018/07/01/in-bari-francis-to-extend-his-push-for-an-ecumenism-of-friendship/

In Bari, Francis to extend his push for an ‘ecumenism of friendship’
John L. Allen Jr.   Jul 1, 2018

ROME - C.S. Lewis famously wrote in The Four Loves, “What draws people to be friends is that they see the same truth. They share it.” That was a philosophical statement for Lewis, but one might say it’s also operationally Pope Francis’s approach to dialogue of all sorts, including the ecumenical push for greater Christian unity.

Next Saturday will bring a classic example of Francis’s “ecumenism of friendship in action,” when the pontiff joins the heads of Christian churches of the Middle East in Bari, Italy, for a day of prayer for peace.

Bari is a natural setting for the initiative. The city’s basilica contains the relics of St. Nicholas, venerated by Catholics and Orthodox alike, making it a popular pilgrimage destination for many Eastern Christians, and it’s long been a rendezvous point for ecumenical encounter. There’s actually an Orthodox chapel inside the Catholic basilica, and Orthodox liturgies are routinely celebrated at an altar by the tomb of St. Nicholas.

As a result, Bari is often described as an ecumenical city “par excellence.”
 
https://zenit.org/articles/vatican-releases-popes-schedule-for-july-7-2018-visit-to-bari/
Vatican Releases Pope’s Schedule for July 7, 2018, Visit to Bari
June 08, 2018 15:40

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2018-07/pope-francis-bari-peace-ecumenism-press-conference-koch.html

Pope’s ecumenical and peace initiative in Bari on Middle East Christians
03 July 2018, 15:15

Pope Francis is going to Bari, Italy on July 7 for a day of reflection and prayer for peace in the Middle East. 
A press conference in the Vatican on Tuesday presented the visit of Pope Francis to Bari, Italy, on July 7, where he will join other Christian Church leaders in an ecumenical reflection and prayer for the suffering Christians of the Middle East.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis is travelling on Saturday to the southern Italian Adriatic port city of Bari for an important ecumenical reflection and prayer with the heads and representatives of Christian Churches and Communities on the situation of Christians in Middle East.   

“We will live a day of prayer and reflect on the increasingly dramatic situation of that region, where so many of our brothers and sisters in faith continue to suffer,” was how the Holy Father described his upcoming trip, speaking after his midday ‘Angelus” prayer on Sunday in St. Peter’s Square in Rome.

“With one voice will implore “Peace upon you!”  he said, urging all to pray for this pilgrimage of peace and unity.

The Pope’s ecumenical and peace initiative in Bari was presented at a press conference in the Vatican on Tuesday by Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.
 

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more on the Reuters interview...

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-backstory-pope/cake-and-conversation-with-the-pope-idUSKBN1JS1VE

July 2, 2018 / 10:46 AM / a day ago
Cake and conversation with the pope

Reuters) - Philip Pullella brought three digital recorders and a cake made with leftover bread to his exclusive two-hour interview with Pope Francis in the pontiff’s private residence on June 17.

“Excuse me if it seems that I am paranoid, but if all three of them fail to work, it really will be a sign from the heavens,” Pullella joked with the pope. Francis laughed.

The one-to-one interview, with no other people in the room after a Vatican photographer and cameraman documented the first three minutes, was the culmination of years of building trust in the Vatican and beyond for Pullella, 64, who is a senior correspondent in the Rome bureau of Reuters.

While traveling to Portugal with the papal press corps in May 2017, Pullella stopped Francis while he was out of earshot of other correspondents.

Sponsored

“It would be nice to sit down and talk about international affairs,” Pullella told Francis, who was saying hello to members of the press corps in the back of the papal plane.

“That’s not a bad idea,” the pope replied.

He told Pullella, an Italian-American who grew up in New York and has been working for Reuters in Rome since 1983, to liaise with a person known to both of them, but who is not part of the Vatican media operation. Pullella was not surprised since Francis is known for doing things outside of the box.

And then Pullella waited.

“There was basically silence for about four months. At the end of August I got a call from the prefect of the Vatican Secretariat for Communication saying the pope had decided to go ahead with an interview, that we would aim for the end of September 2017 and that I should send over some ideas for topics,” Pullella said.
 

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https://zenit.org/articles/popes-summer-break-has-begun/

Pope Francis’ Summer Break Has Begun 
July 03, 2018 15:17•Deborah Castellano Lubov 

As is the case every summer, Pope Francis takes a break from his public meetings: his weekly Wednesday morning General Audiences are suspended throughout July.

The weekly Audiences will resume in August in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, rather than in St. Peter’s Square due to Rome’s intense heat.

The Pope’s morning Masses in the chapel of his residence Casa Santa Marta, are also suspended until September. Francis will celebrate Mass in private and the Vatican will not publish the content of his daily homilies.

Despite his ‘break’, the Pope will continue to give his Angelus address each Sunday at noon. He will do so, as usual, from St. Peter’s Square, given Pope Francis has opted since the start of his pontificate to stay in Rome over the summer, rather than to go to Castel Sant’Angelo like his predecessors.
 

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Video at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-07/pope-francis-july-prayer-priests.html#play

Pope's July prayer intention: For priests
03 July 2018, 16:01

Pope Francis on Tuesday released a video message accompanying his prayer intention for July, which this month is "For priests and their pastoral ministry".

In his prayer intention for the month of July 2018, Pope Francis said: "Let us pray together that priests, who experience fatigue and loneliness in their pastoral work, may find help and comfort in their intimacy with the Lord and in their friendship with their brother priests."

It has become the custom of Pope Francis to release a video message detailing his prayer intention for each month.

The full text of his intention is below:
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-07/pope-appointment-auxiliary-bishops-chicago.html

Pope Francis appoints 3 Auxiliary Bishops to the Archdiocese of Chicago
03 July 2018, 12:00

Pope Francis appoints Ronald Hicks, Mark Bartosic, and Robert Casey as auxiliary Bishops for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2018/in-chicago-pope-names-three-auxiliary-bishops-two-auxiliaries-retire.cfm
Update: In Chicago, three auxiliary bishops named; two auxiliaries retire
By Catholic News Service
7.3.2018 2:21 PM ET

CNS photo/Chicago Archdiocese

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http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2018/pope-names-new-leader-for-australias-largest-archdiocese.cfm

Pope names new leader for Australia's largest archdiocese
By Catholic News Service
7.2.2018 3:50 PM ET

CNS photo/courtesy ACBC
MELBOURNE, Australia (CNS) -- Pope Francis has named Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli as the ninth leader of the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

The announcement came late June 29 in Melbourne.

Archbishop Comensoli, 54, the bishop of Broken Bay, Australia, since 2014, succeeds Archbishop Denis Hart, 77, who is past the age at which canon law requires bishops to turn in their resignation.

The new archbishop said in a statement that he accepted the call "to be a new missionary among God's people of the Archdiocese of Melbourne" while acknowledging "the great responsibility entrusted to me, along with the frailties I carry."

The appointment comes as the Australian Catholic Church contends with the fallout from criminal charges against two high-ranking leaders within the church in regarding cases of clerical sexual abuse.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/australian-archbishop-sentenced-to-years-detention-for-not-reporting-sexual-abuse-52696
Australian archbishop sentenced to year's detention for not reporting sexual abuse

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http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/9337/vatican-choir-involved-in-financial-scandal-italian-newspaper-reports

03 July 2018 | by Gregorio Sorgi   
Vatican choir involved in financial scandal, Italian newspaper reports

Vatican has suspended administrative director, Michelangelo Nardella, and opened an internal investigation into his alleged financial misdoings

The Vatican’s choir is said to be involved in a financial scandal, according to reports from the Italian newspaper 'Il Fatto Quotidiano'.

The paper reports exclusively this morning (3 July), that the Vatican has suspended the administrative director of the Sistine Chapel Choir, Michelangelo Nardella, and opened an internal investigation into his alleged financial misdoings which are associated with the choir’s international trips. Il Fatto Quotidiano also reports that some of the signatures attributed to the Secretariat of State regarding the choir were forged.

The investigation is being led by the apostolic nuncio Mario Giordano, who has heard evidence from the director of the choir, monsignor Massimo Palombella, and from Mr Nardella.

The Vatican has suspended the choir’s trip to the United States, which was originally planned from 1 July to 26 July.