Pope Francis

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2018/11/13/temporary-mobile-health-clinic-for-the-poor-opens-in-st-peters-square/

Temporary mobile health clinic for the poor opens in St. Peter’s Square
Carol Glatz   Nov 13, 2018
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

A free health clinic for the needy is pictured in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Nov. 13. The clinic is offering services for a week in advance of the Vatican's Nov. 18 World Day for the Poor. (Credit: Paul Haring/CNS.)
ROME - As workers were getting St. Peter’s Square ready for this year’s Nativity scene, nearby a large mobile health care facility was set up and running to serve the city’s homeless and poor.

About two dozen men and a few women were sitting or standing in a spacious area, quietly waiting their turn or filling out basic paperwork before being called for their free checkups.

Doctors volunteering from Rome hospitals or other health clinics and nurses from the Italian Red Cross took shifts running laboratory tests and seeing patients from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day.

For the second time, the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization organized the free health care initiative in conjunction with Pope Francis’s celebration of the World Day of the Poor, which was to be celebrated Nov. 18. But this year, the clinic offered extended morning and evening hours. Anyone in need could find general and specialist care, including cardiology, dermatology, gynecology and ophthalmology.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-11/apostolic-journey-morocco-pope-francis-march.html

Pope Francis to visit Morocco in March
13 November 2018, 12:26

Pope Francis will make an Apostolic Journey to Morocco in early 2019, visiting the cities of Rabat and Casablanca.

The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Greg Burke, announced on Tuesday that Pope Francis will visit Morocco from the 30th to the 31st of March 2019.
 
Greg Burke said that this decision comes in response to an invitation extended by King Mohammed VI and the Catholic Bishops of Morocco.

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-11/usccb-fall-general-assembly-sex-abuse-crisis.html

US Bishops begin discussion of sexual abuse crisis
13 November 2018, 19:22

The United States Bishops begin discussions related to the clergy sexual abuse crisis on Tuesday, making suggestions about how to move forward, listening to experts, and asking questions.
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

The United States Bishops began the second day of the Fall General Assembly on Tuesday by approving a letter addressed to the Pope. Proposals came forward regarding how to continue the momentum begun to “close the gap” so that The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People would also extend to Bishops. Lastly, information was provided regarding a reporting system for complaints involving a Bishop.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-11/usccb-fall-general-assembly-letter-pope.html
US Bishops to Pope: We turn our thoughts to you
13 November 2018, 17:28

The United States Bishops began the second day of the Fall General Assembly approving a letter to Pope Francis updating him about what the Church in the US is currently experiencing.

“We…prayerfully turn our thoughts to you”, begins the letter to Pope Francis, drafted and approved by the US Bishops. They thank the Pope for his message sent for the V Encuentro, and assure him of their participation in the World Day of the Poor on Sunday. After mentioning the pain suffered over the recent anti-Semitic violence in Pittsburgh, they renew their commitment to combat the “grave evil of sexual abuse and other sexual misconduct”, which is the main focus of the Fall Assembly.

Follows is a working transcript of the letter to the Holy Father:
 

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https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/11002/pope-names-archbishop-scicluna-adjunct-secretary-of-cdf

13 November 2018 | by Cindy Wooden, CNS   
Pope names Archbishop Scicluna adjunct secretary of CDF

Archbishop Scicluna is expected to have a key role organising the meeting called by Pope Francis in February on child protection

Pope Francis named Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta, arguably the Catholic Church's most respected abuse investigator, to be adjunct secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Announcing the appointment Nov. 13, the Vatican press office said the archbishop would continue to serve simultaneously as head of the Malta Archdiocese. "To fulfil the duties entrusted to him by Pope Francis, Archbishop Scicluna will travel to Rome on a regular basis," said a note on the archdiocese's website.

Archbishop Scicluna is expected to have a key role in the organisation of a meeting in February on child protection that Pope Francis has asked all presidents of national bishops' conferences to attend.

The 59-year-old archbishop, who holds a doctorate in canon law, worked at the doctrinal congregation for 10 years as the "promoter of justice" – a position similar to prosecuting attorney – dealing with cases of alleged clerical sexual abuse
 
https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/11003/why-scicluna-appointment-helps-make-sense-of-us-issue
13 November 2018 | by Christopher Lamb in Rome   
Why Scicluna appointment helps make sense of US issue

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-11/pope-francis-audience.html

Pope Audience: Gossip kills, God is truth
14 November 2018, 12:05

In his continuing catechesis on the Ten Commandments, the Pope during his General Audience reflects on the eighth commandment: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour”.

In his Catechesis devoted to the eighth commandment, Pope Francis told pilgrims in St Peter’s Square on Wednesday that Christians are called to be “truthful not only in our words but in our entire way of acting towards others.” Speaking at his weekly General Audience, the Pope said that, “our ultimate model in this regard is Jesus himself. He is the truth in person who, at his trial before Pilate, revealed that he came into this world to testify to the truth.”
 
https://zenit.org/articles/holy-fathers-general-audience-do-not-bear-false-witness/
Holy Father’s General Audience: ‘Do Not Bear False Witness’ 
November 14, 2018 14:36

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

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-11/usccb-fall-general-assembly-proposals-sex-abuse-bishops.html

US Bishops discuss three proposals intended to address abuse and negligence
14 November 2018, 10:49

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is actively seeking a way to hold Bishops accountable for abuse, sexual misconduct or negligence in responding to the clergy sex abuse crisis.
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

On Tuesday afternoon, the US Bishops began to discuss three proposals. They are concrete ideas which they hope will be implemented in some form in the future. Drawing on the existing Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the Bishops hope to close the gap in that Charter by including Bishops themselves among those to be investigated and disciplined for abuse, sexual misconduct or negligence in responding to the clergy sex abuse crisis.
 
What now?

The Bishops were encouraged to contribute their thoughts in the form of amendments so that all three draft proposals could be improved. Amendments to all three proposals were due on Tuesday evening. The Bishops will pick up the discussion on Wednesday morning.

The proposals before the Bishops and the discussions, questions and debate currently under way are allowing the Bishops the chance to address the issue as a corporate body. A discussion of this type is a first, not only for them, but for the Church in general. Many of the Bishops agreed that the discussion and amended documents will be helpful to Cardinal DiNardo as he represents the Church in the United States at the meeting Pope Francis has called in February.

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-11/usccb-fall-general-assembly-heather-banis-victim-assistance.html
Victim counselor to US Bishops: Children have been betrayed
14 November 2018, 15:43

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-11/notification-of-decree-of-excommunication.html

Notification of decree of excommunication
14 November 2018, 09:24

The Archbishop of Palermo has declared the excommunications "latae sententiae" incurred by Fr Alessandro Maria Minutella.
By Vatican News

The Archdiocese of Palermo, Sicily, has published a formal decree concerning the excommunication of an Italian priest for the crimes of heresy and of schism.

In canon law, some crimes are punished latae sententiae, or “automatically,” by force of the law itself, once they are committed. According to the Code of Canon Law, those who are excommunicated are forbidden from participating in the Eucharist or other ceremonies of worship; celebrating the sacraments or sacramentals and receiving the sacraments; exercising any ecclesiastical offices, ministries, or functions, or placing acts of governance.

In addition, further consequences follow once a latae sententiae excommunication has been formally declared.

Below, please find the notification of the decree of excommunication issued in regard to Father Alessandro Maria Minutella, published by the Archdiocese of Palermo The Italian original can be found on website of the Archdiocese of Palermo.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta/2018-11/pope-francis-homily-daily-mass-martyrdom-does-not-make-news.html

Pope at Mass: Martyrdom doesn’t make the news
15 November 2018, 11:53

Mass at the Casa Santa Marta  (Vatican Media)
At Mass at the Casa Santa Marta, the Pope comments on the day’s Gospel, saying that the Church is made manifest “in the Eucharist and in good works.”
By Barbara Castelli

The Church grows “in simplicity, in silence, in praise, in the Eucharistic sacrifice, in fraternal community, where all are loved,” and none are rejected. That was the message of Pope Francis during the daily Mass celebrated in the chapel at Casa Santa Marta. Commenting on the day’s Gospel (Lk 17:20-25), the Pope said that the Kingdom of God “is not spectacular,” and that it grows in silence.

Good works don’t make the news

The Church, he said, is manifested “in the Eucharist and in good works,” even if they don’t “make the news.” The Bride of Christ has a temperament given to silence; she produces fruit “without making a fuss,” without “sounding the trumpet, like the Pharisees”:
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-11/pope-francis-pope-benedict-xvi-letters-ratzinger-foundation.html

Pope and Pope Emeritus write in support of Ratzinger Foundation
15 November 2018, 14:52

Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI  (ANSA)
Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI have both sent letters to Fr. Federico Lombardi, President of the Ratzinger Foundation, for the inauguration of its 2018 Symposium.
By Francesca Merlo

Two letters addressed to Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, President of the Ratzinger Foundation: the first, dated November 12th, from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, and the second, dated November 13th, from Pope Francis.

These were written to mark the inauguration of the 2018 International Symposium “Fundamental rights and conflicts among rights”, being held by the Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation in Rome.

Benedict's letter
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-11/pope-francis-priests-latin-american-college.html

Pope urges Latin American priests to create communion and be close to their people
15 November 2018, 15:02

Pope Francis meeting the community of Collegio Pio Latino Americano.   (Vatican Media)
Pope Francis on November 15 spoke to the some 100 student priests and staff of the Collegio Pio Latino, or the Latin American College of Rome, on the occasion of its 160th anniversary.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis on Thursday urged Latin American priests to create bonds of friendship and fraternity among themselves and be close to the life of their people with the love of Christ.

He was speaking to some 100 student priests and staff of the Collegio Pio Latino, or the Latin American College of Rome, on the occasion of its 160th anniversary this year.

A pontifical college in Rome is a hostel for student priests who pursue higher ecclesiastical studies in various Church universities and institutes.   
 

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http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2018/pope-meets-israeli-president-at-the-vatican.cfm

Pope meets Israeli president at the Vatican
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service
11.15.2018 10:56 AM ET

CNS photo/Paul Haring
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis welcomed Israeli President Reuven Rivlin to the Vatican Nov. 15 for a private discussion that included the importance of building greater trust between Israelis and Palestinians.

During their 35-minute meeting, they spoke about the importance of mutual trust in negotiations "so as to reach an accord respecting the legitimate aspirations of both peoples," the Vatican said in a statement.

"The hope was expressed that suitable agreements may be reached" also between Israeli authorities and local Catholic communities "in relation to some issues of common interest," it said, adding that the Holy See and the State of Israel would soon celebrate the 25th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2018/11/15/bishops-meeting-ends-with-no-immediate-action-on-abuse-crisis/

Bishops’ meeting ends with no immediate action on abuse crisis
Christopher White   Nov 15, 2018

BALTIMORE - On what was expected to be a climatic close to the U.S. bishops’ gathering on Wednesday, the much-watched meeting ended without any immediate action on the Church’s response to clerical sexual abuse.

Instead, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the conference, concluded with a vow of “strongest possible actions at the earliest possible moment” in response to the crisis and a pledge of loyalty from the U.S. bishops to Pope Francis.

“I opened the meeting expressing some disappointment. I end it with hope,” said DiNardo, who was left to repackage the agenda news from the Vatican on Sunday that it was requesting a delay in planned voting on new standards for bishops’ accountability until after a summit with presidents of bishops’ conferences from around the world in Rome Feb. 21-24.

DiNardo ended the three-day general assembly by saying they “are on course” to investigate former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, ease the process of reporting abuse or misconduct by bishops, and develop an independent and lay-led means of holding bishops accountable.

“I am sure that, under the leadership of Pope Francis, the conversation that the global Church will have in February will help us eradicate the evil of sexual abuse from our Church,” he said. “It will make our local efforts more global and the global perspective will help us here.”

Yet despite DiNardo’s confident final summation, what emerged throughout the final day of their bi-annual meeting was often confusion and frustration among the bishops.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-11/pope-francis-surprise-visit-world-day-poor.html

Pope pays surprise visit to First Aid Station in St Peter's Square
16 November 2018, 17:43

Pope Francis visits First Aid Station, St Peter's Square
Pope Francis surprises patients and medical assistants with an unannounced visit to St Peter’s Square’s First Aid Station ahead of the Second World Day for the poor.
By Francesca Merlo

Pope Francis visited St Peter’s Square on Friday 16th of November where, upon his request, a First Aid Station has been installed. This initiative, supported by the Pontifical Council for promoting New Evangelisation, aims to offer medical attention to those most in need. The walk-in-clinic, in fact, is open 14 hours a day, from 8am to 10pm, and offers free medical examinations and care to the poor.

Just two days ahead of the Second World Day of the Poor, celebrated on Sunday 18th November, Pope Francis took the surprise visit as an opportunity to chat to medical assistants and patients, even joking with a group of people whilst they waited to receive medical attention.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2018-11/human-rights-under-the-spotlight-at-vatican-symposium.html

Human Rights under the spotlight at Vatican Symposium
16 November 2018, 12:57

“Fundamental Rights and Conflicts among Rights”, that is the title of an International Symposium which has been taking place this week at Rome’s LUMSA University
“Fundamental Rights and Conflicts among Rights”, that is the title of an International Symposium which has been taking place this week at Rome’s LUMSA University.
By Lydia O’Kane

The two day symposium which ends Friday has been organized by the Joseph Razinger/Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation. Among those taking part is Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal, Pietro Parolin, as well as, Princeton Professor Robert George, and Harvard Professor, Mary Ann Glendon. In an address to the meeting on Friday, Professor Glendon spoke on the “universal dimension of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its effective application.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-11/ratzinger-prize-benedict-xvi-awarded-theologian-architect.html

Ratzinger prize awarded to theologian and architect
17 November 2018, 11:53

Marianne Schlosser and Mario Botta with Pope Francis during the award ceremony  (Vatican Media)
Pope Francis awards the Ratzinger Prize to architect Mario Botta and theologian Marianne Schlosser on Saturday 17th of November.
By Francesca Merlo

The external and internal contributions that both winners have made to the world of faith are not to be underestimated. Both Mario Botta, an architect and Marianne Schlosser, a theologian, work to facilitate the act of faith, though one works on the external expression of faith and the other on the faith that comes from within.

This is perhaps one of the reasons for which they are being awarded this prize. Seventy years after the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, both winners help explain how the Church is responding to the new challenges facing Human Rights, acting as mediators between societies and needs.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-11/pope-francis-ratzinger-prize-winners-2018.html
Pope: Ratzinger Prize-winners help us turn our thoughts to God
17 November 2018, 14:27

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-11/pope-francis-blind-ecclesial-movement-poor.html

Pope commends blind people's work for poorest and abandoned
17 November 2018, 13:26

Pope Francis addressing members of the Apostolic Movement of the Blind on November 17, 2018.   (Vatican Media)
Pope Francis on November 17 met some 400 members of the Apostolic Movement of the Blind on their 90th anniversary.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis on Saturday thanked members and associates of Italy’s Apostolic Movement of the Blind (MAC) for their witness as missionary disciples of the Gospel of love and encouraged them on their path of sharing and friendship, especially with the poorest and most abandoned of the world.

Some 400 members of the Apostolic Movement of the Blind met the Pope in the Vatican on the occasion of 90 years of their association.  MAC brings together both the blind and sighted people in sharing and in  human  promotion, not only in Italy but also in poor countries through a variety of apostolates.
 

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Hmmm...

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/cupich-and-wuerl-collaborated-on-alternative-sex-abuse-proposal-10934

Cupich and Wuerl collaborated on alternative sex abuse proposal
By Ed Condon

Washington D.C., Nov 16, 2018 / 06:56 pm (CNA).- Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago and Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington collaborated extensively on a recently proposed policy for handling abuse allegations against bishops, CNA has learned.

Cupich submitted the plan Tuesday to leaders of the U.S. bishops’ conference, proffering it as an alternative to a proposal that had been devised by conference officials and staffers.

The conference’s proposed plan would have established an independent lay-led commission to investigate allegations against bishops. The Cupich-Wuerl plan would instead send allegations against bishops to be investigated by their metropolitan archbishops, along with archdiocesan review boards. Metropolitans themselves would be investigated by their senior suffragan bishops.

Sources in Rome and Washington, DC told CNA that Wuerl and Cupich worked together on their alternative plan for weeks, and presented it to the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops before the U.S. bishops’ conference assembly in Baltimore. Cupich and Wuerl are both members of Congregation for Bishops.
 
The Cupich-Wuerl plan was submitted to the U.S. bishops even after a Vatican directive was issued Monday barring U.S. bishops from voting on any abuse-related measures. The Vatican suspended USCCB policy-making on sexual abuse until after a February meeting involving the heads of bishops’ conferences from around the world.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-11/pope-world-day-poor-homily.html

Pope at Mass: go up to God to go down to others
18 November 2018, 12:45

On the World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis reflects on the Gospel for the Dedication of the Basilica of St Peter, saying that like Jesus, Christians must go down to meet the needs of others after having gone up to meet God in prayer.
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

“This is the road Jesus tells us to take”, Pope Francis said in his homily on Sunday, during Mass on the Second World Day of the Poor. That road takes us down to meet our brothers and sisters after we have spent time on the mountain in prayer with God. These words began the Pope’s homily which he delivered in St Peter’s Basilica in front of 6,000 of Rome’s poor and those who assist them.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/pope-francis-homily-on-world-day-of-the-poor/
Pope Francis: Homily on World Day of the Poor 
November 18, 2018 14:29

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

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-11/pope-francis-angelus-catechesis.html

Pope: 'when we meet the Lord we will bring only what we have given'
18 November 2018, 16:24

Reflecting on the Gospel reading of the day at the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis reminded the faithful that when we meet the Lord we will be called to account for our lives.
By Linda Bordoni

Addressing the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Angelus, Pope Francis on Sunday reflected on the Gospel passage in which the Lord talks to disciples about how all men will be called to account for their lives.

Referring to the reading from the Gospel of Mark, the Pope said it is not so much a discourse about the end of the world, but rather an invitation to live the present well, to be vigilant and always ready for when we will be called to account for our lives.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-11/pope-appeal-angelus-central-african-republic-california-fire.html
Pope prays for peace in Central African Republic and for victims of California fire
18 November 2018, 12:17
 
https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-address-on-the-end-and-goal-of-the-history-of-peoples-and-individuals/
Angelus Address: On the End and Goal of the History of Peoples and Individuals 
November 18, 2018 15:16•Virginia Forrester•

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

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-11/pope-francis-world-day-poor-lunch.html#.W_FmzanA14E.twitter

Pope Francis’ lunch with the poor
18 November 2018, 13:52

Pope Francis on Sunday joined about 1,500 poor people and a group of volunteers for lunch to mark the World Day of the Poor.

After Holy Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, during which he urged believers to heed the cry of the poor and said that “the cry of the poor daily becomes stronger but heard less, drowned out by the din of the rich few, who grow ever fewer and more rich”, the Pope addressed the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Angelus prayer, and then went to a beautifully decked out Paul VI Hall and took his seat at the main table.

Before lunch was served, the Pope asked for thanks for those who prepared the lunch and for those who were serving and prayed for the Lord’s blessing for all those present.