Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-economy-inclusive-capitalism.html

Pope: economics without ethics leads to “throw-away” culture
11 November 2019, 14:32

Pope Francis on Friday met members of the Council for Inclusive Capitalism and urged for the promotion of a more just and humane economy that contributes to the eradication of poverty on the global level.
By Robin Gomes

In the face of rising levels of poverty in the world that bear witness to the prevalence of inequality rather than a harmonious integration of persons and nations, what is urgently needed is a fair, trustworthy and capable system to address the most profound challenges of humanity and the planet.

Pope Francis made the comment on Monday while receiving the members of the Council for Inclusive Capitalism, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the inclusive capitalism movement.

He encouraged the Council to “persevere along the path of generous solidarity and to work for the return of economics and finance to an ethical approach which favours human beings”.

Referring to his encyclical ”Laudato Si”, the Pope said that “business is a noble vocation, directed to producing wealth and improving our world”. “It can be a fruitful source of prosperity for the areas in which it operates, especially if it sees the creation of jobs as an essential part of its service to the common good”.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2019-11/us-bishops-meet-for-fall-general-assembly.html

US Bishops meet for Fall General Assembly
The 2019 Meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) opens on Monday.
11 November 2019, 15:41
By Vatican News/USCCB

The Bishops of the United States are set to elect a new President and Vice-President of the episcopal conference, during the Fall General Assembly, which opened on Monday in Baltimore.

In addition, the Bishops are expected to vote for the chairman of the Committee for Religious Liberty, and for Chairman-elect of five standing committees: on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance; Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs; Evangelization and Catechesis; International Justice and Peace; and Protection of Children and Young People.

On the Agenda

The agenda for the Fall Meeting will also feature votes on the Program for Priestly Formation, for use in the United States; and supplements to the document “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship”, addressed to all the faithful, concerning the political responsibility of Catholics.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/analysis-usscb-elections-and-the-churchs-theological-vision-26862
Analysis: USCCB elections and the Church's theological vision

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/us-nuncio-francis-pastoral-thrust-must-reach-americans-46337
US nuncio: Francis' 'pastoral thrust' must reach Americans
By Ed Condon

Baltimore, Md., Nov 11, 2019 / 10:03 am (CNA).- The apostolic nuncio to the United States told the nation’s bishops that their commitment to evangelization is the measure of their communion with Pope Francis.

Archbishop Christoph Pierre addressed the bishops during the opening session of the USCCB general assembly in Baltimore Monday morning.
 
Address of the apostolic nuncio to the United States bishops--
http://www.usccb.org/about/leadership/usccb-general-assembly/2019-november-meeting/upload/usccb-assembly-2019-11-nov-nuncio-speech-20191111.pdf

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/cardinal-omalley-pope-francis-will-publish-vatican-mccarrick-report-soon-40701

Cardinal O'Malley: Pope Francis will publish Vatican McCarrick report 'soon'
By Matt Hadro

Baltimore, Md., Nov 11, 2019 / 03:41 pm (CNA).- The results of the Vatican’s investigation of Theodore McCarrick should be published by early 2020, Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston told U.S. bishops on Monday.

“The intention is to publish the Holy See’s response soon, if not before Christmas, soon in the new year,” Cardinal O’Malley said on Monday afternoon

O’Malley presented a brief update on the status of the Vatican’s McCarrick investigation during the annual fall meeting of the U.S. bishops in Baltimore, Maryland, held from Nov. 11-13.

Earlier on Monday morning, Bishop Earl Boyea of Lansing, Michigan, had requested that an update on the Vatican’s McCarrick investigation to be added to the agenda of the bishops’ meeting. Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, seconded the motion and the bishops approved it by a voice vote.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta/2019-11/pope-francis-mass-devil-destroys-because-envious.html

Pope at Mass: The devil destroys because he is envious
12 November 2019, 13:42

In his homily during Mass at the Casa Santa Marta on Tuesday, Pope Francis reflects on the Book of Wisdom and describes how the devil tries to destroy humanity out of jealousy because God became Man.
By Alessandro Di Bussolo

The devil exists, sowing hatred and death throughout the world because he is envious that the Son of God became man. This was at the heart of Pope Francis’ homily at Mass in the Casa Santa Marta on Tuesday morning.

The Pope was reflecting on the First Reading from the Book of Wisdom, and the first verse in particular, which begins: "God created us for incorruption, and made us in His image". The same verse continues adding: "But through the devil’s envy, death entered the world".

Pope Francis explained how "the envy of that proud angel who refused to accept the incarnation" led him "to destroy humanity". That is how "jealousy, envy, rivalry" entered our hearts, said the Pope, while instead "we could live in peace like brothers and sisters”. This is where "the struggle and the desire to destroy" begins, he added.
 

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Update:  US Bishops' Fall General Assembly

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/archbishops-gomez-and-vigneron-elected-usccb-president-and-vice-president-25976

Archbishops Gomez and Vigneron elected USCCB president and vice president
By Ed Condon

Baltimore, Md., Nov 12, 2019 / 09:13 am (CNA).- The bishops of the US have elected a new president and vice president to lead the USCCB for the next three years. On Tuesday morning, the second day of their fall general session, the bishops elected Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles as president and Archbishop Allen Vigneron of Detroit as vice president of the conference.
 
As the votes were cast Nov. 12, Archbishop Gomez was serving as the USCCB vice president, and the bishops customarily elected the vice president to the presidency. From a slate of 10 candidates, Gomez was elected with 176 votes, more than double the number of the second-place candidate.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/us-bishops-elect-new-committee-leadership-10746
US bishops elect new committee leadership

Baltimore, Md., Nov 12, 2019 / 09:50 am (CNA).- Members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) elected six new chairmen on Nov. 12 at their Fall General Assembly in Baltimore. The Board of Directors for Catholic Relief Services was also elected.
 

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Update:  Cardinal Pell--High Court of Australia agreed to hear his appeal!

https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/12209/pell-granted-right-to-appeal-abuse-conviction

12 November 2019, The Tablet
Pell granted right to appeal abuse conviction
by Mark Bowling

Cardinal George Pell has been granted a final chance to have his child sex convictions overturned after the High Court of Australia agreed to hear his appeal.

The appeal before a full bench of seven judges is likely to take place early next year after the high court decision in Canberra on Wednesday morning that there is sufficiently important legal principle to be heard.

The case will centre on a claim that an appeal court in Victoria wrongly required Pell to show “the offending was impossible”.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-at-angelus-married-couples-laity-models-for-the-faith.html

Pope at General Audience: Married couples, laity, models for the faith
13 November 2019, 12:48

Pope Francis, in his continuing catechesis on the Acts of the Apostles, recalls St Paul’s journey to Corinth and his encounter with a devout married couple, Aquila and Priscilla, describing them as an example of Christian hospitality.
By Lydia O’Kane

Pope Francis on Wednesday during his General Audience focused his attention on St Paul’s journey to Corinth, and the welcome he received from husband and wife Aquila and Priscilla, who, like the Apostle, were tentmakers by trade.

Christian hospitality

Continuing his catechesis on the Acts of the Apostles, the Pope highlighted this devout married couple’s Christian hospitality.

Persecution

He explained to the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square that the couple had been forced to move from Rome to Corinth after the emperor Claudius had ordered the expulsion of the Jews. Dwelling on this point in off the cuff remarks, the Pontiff spoke of the suffering of Jewish people down through history. He said, they were “driven out, persecuted” and suffered many brutalities.

The Pontiff also underlined that the “habit of persecuting Jews is beginning “to be reborn here and there.” “The Jews are our brothers”, he said, and “they should not be persecuted.”

Returning to the theme of hospitality, the Pope noted how the house of Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth opened its doors not only to the Apostle, but also to their brothers and sisters in Christ.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/pope-continues-journey-through-acts-of-apostles-general-audience-full-text/
Pope Continues Journey Through Acts of Apostles: General Audience Full Text
November 13, 2019 15:22Virginia Forrester

Video at the link below--
Pope Francis - General Audience 2019-11-13
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2019-11/pope-francis-pope-emeritus-benedict-xvi-world-kindness-day.html

World Kindness Day: ‘A true Christian brings kindness to others’
13 November 2019, 16:16

As the world marks World Kindness Day, we recall the kindness shared by and between Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
By Francesca Merlo

Someone once told Pope Francis “your kindness is my home and the place where I feel safe”. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI spoke those kind words as the two celebrated 65 years since Benedict’s ordination to the priesthood.

Pope Francis demonstrates acts of kindness on a daily basis: as a bishop, he would roam the streets of Buenos Aires handing out food to the homeless and as Pope he has invited them to lunch.

Throughout his pontificate he has stood up for the rights of the poor, the ill, the elderly, migrants, refugees and all those who are in need.

“Deus caritas est” wrote Benedict XVI. God is love. ‘Love’ is the word used to describe God’s unlimited loving kindness towards everyone.
 

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Photo gallery at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-receives-archbishop-welby-at-casa-santa-marta.html

Pope Francis receives Archbishop Welby at Casa Santa Marta
13 November 2019, 19:55

Pope Francis meets with Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury and Archbishop Ian Ernest, the newly appointed Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome. Archbishop Ernest, the Bishop of Mauritius and former Primate of the Anglican Church of the Indian Ocean, also serves as the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Personal Representative the Holy See.
By the Holy See Press Office

This afternoon, 13th November 2019, Pope Francis received in audience His Grace Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, accompanied by His Grace Archbishop Ian Ernest, Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome and Representative of the Anglican Communion to the Holy See.

During the friendly discussions, the condition of Christians in the world was mentioned, as well as certain situations of international crisis, particularly the sorrowful situation in South Sudan.
 

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Update:  Cardinal Pell

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/australian-high-court-allows-cardinal-pell-to-appeal-sex-abuse-conviction-25366
UPDATED: Australian High Court refers Cardinal Pell's appeal of sex abuse conviction

Melbourne, Australia, Nov 13, 2019 / 07:15 am (CNA).- The Australian High Court announced Wednesday that Cardinal George Pell's application for special leave to appeal has been refferred to the full court for decision. Pell is seeking to appeal an August decision by the Court of Appeal in Victoria to uphold his conviction for child sexual abuse.

His application will now be considered by all the members of Australia's highest court, and a decision is expected in March or April.

Pell’s appeal to the High Court in Canberra, Australia’s supreme court, is his last legal avenue to overturn a conviction which has divided opinion in the country and internationally.
 
On Wednesday morning, the Vatican also issued a statement "reiterating its trust in the Australian justice system."

"The Holy See acknowledges the decision of Australia’s High Court to accept Card. George Pell’s request of appeal, aware that the Cardinal has always maintained his innocence," the statement said.

"At this time, the Holy See reaffirms once again its closeness to those who have suffered because of sexual abuse on the part of members of the clergy."
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-to-sophia-university-walk-together-to-build-a-true-culture.html

Pope to Sophia University: Walk together to build a true culture of encounter
14 November 2019, 12:53

Pope Francis receives teaching staff from the Sophia University Institute, telling them to continue their journey with joy, vision and determination

The Sophia University Institute was established twelve years ago by the Focolare Movement, which was itself founded by Chiara Lubich.

The Institute, which is based in the Italian town of Loppiano in Tuscany, aims to promote dialogue and interaction between the different fields of knowledge in a wisdom perspective.

Greeting the University’s academic community on Thursday, Pope Francis told them that after twelve years, their journey was just beginning. The Pope also urged those gathered to continue that journey with joy, vision and determination under the guidance of three words: wisdom, pact, and going forth.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-audience-university-staff-students.html

Pope urges university staff and students to pursue integral education
14 November 2019, 13:29

Pope Francis on Thursday greets staff and students of Rome’s Catholic LUMSA University as the institute celebrates 80 years from its foundation, and urges them to pursue integral education in a fragmented world full of contradictions.
By Linda Bordoni

The LUMSA (Libera Università degli Studi Maria Ss. Assunta di Roma), Rome’s second oldest University, was founded by the Venerable Luigia Tincani, who dedicated her life to creating initiatives for education and the apostolate in schools, with the help of Pope Pius XII.

Greeting teachers, students and staff in the Vatican, Pope Francis recalled the fact that the university was founded in 1939 in response to a need that is still urgent today: training educators.

He underscored the need to place that mission in the context of the change of epoch that we are currently experiencing and noted that the very term, "university", designates a community, but also an idea of convergence of knowledge, in the search to provide truth and meaning to dialogue between all men and women in the world.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-digital-child-abuse-congress-vatican.html

Pope urges concrete, urgent action to prevent abuse of minors in digital world
14 November 2019, 14:47

Pope Francis on Thursday addressed participants in an international congress in the Vatican on the theme, “Promoting Digital Child Dignity From Concept to Action, From 2017 to 2019”.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis on Thursday called on experts in science and technology, the media, businesses, legislators, parents, religious leaders and others to join hands to take concrete and urgent action to protect children from criminal violence and harm in the digital world.

 “We must ban from the face of the earth violence and every form of abuse against children,” the Pope told some 80 participants in the November 14-15 congress that is being jointly hosted by the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Child Dignity Alliance and the United Arab Emirates Government.

“Let us look into their eyes: they are your sons and daughters; we must love them as God’s masterpieces and children,” the Pope told them, adding, “they have the right to a good life”.  “We have the duty to do everything possible to ensure that right.”

Among those attending the 2-day meeting are important religious leaders from different communities, experts, academics, policymakers, and technology industry leaders.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-names-spanish-jesuit-head-of-vaticans-economy-secretariat-90731

Pope Francis names Spanish Jesuit head of Vatican's economy secretariat
By Hannah Brockhaus

Vatican City, Nov 14, 2019 / 04:47 am (CNA).- Pope Francis Nov. 14 appointed Spanish Jesuit Fr. Juan Antonio Guerrero Alves as prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, following the expiration of Cardinal George Pell’s term in February.

From Merida, Spain, Guerrero, 60, will begin his term as prefect in January 2020.

Pope Francis established the Secretariat for Economy in 2014 as part of his financial reform of the Vatican. Its task is to oversee the financial aspects of both the Roman Curia and the Vatican City State administration, including a review of financial reports.

The position of prefect of the economy secretariat has been empty since Feb. 26, when Pell was confirmed to no longer hold the position via a tweet from Alessandro Gisotti, then-interim Holy See press office director.
 

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Hmmm...

http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/the-political-pan-amazon-synod
Vatican |  Nov. 15, 2019
The Political Pan-Amazon Synod?

NEWS ANALYSIS: A set of ideological presuppositions, derived from the political left and also rooted in some strands of liberation theology, informed both the synodal discussions and the synod’s final document.
Edward Pentin

VATICAN CITY — The Pan-Amazonian synod that took place last month highlighted an array of sociopolitical and environmental concerns affecting both the indigenous people of the region and the wider world.

Common themes included threats to the environment, the exploitation by corporations at the expense of the indigenous people, and the harmful effects these extraction industries have on both people and the environment.

But while these were genuine concerns, many of them also carried with them a set of political presuppositions.

These presuppositions included the assertion that climate change was anthropogenic and would be as devastating as the United Nations and others claim, that corporations and some governments are generally exploitative, and that the West was chiefly to blame for most of the destruction and injustice in the region.

The synod’s final document stressed that the Church must listen and learn from the indigenous people and a colonialist attitude must be avoided. Meanwhile, many of the martyrs the synod highlighted were those who heroically laid down their lives, but often for resisting exploitation or fighting social injustice, rather than killed because of odium fidei — hatred of the faith.
 

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Update:  Cardinal Pell

http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/cardinal-pells-appeal-and-australias-high-court-whats-in-play

Vatican |  Nov. 15, 2019
Cardinal Pell’s Appeal and Australia’s High Court: What’s In Play?

While this week’s court ruling is only a partial victory, in terms of securing a full review of the cardinal’s sexual abuse conviction, sources say it could be a ‘turning point’ in favor of his ultimate acquittal.
Edward Pentin

VATICAN CITY — What does the decision of Australia’s High Court this week on the appeal of Cardinal George Pell mean for the cardinal, and what is likely to happen next?
On Tuesday, two High Court judges, Michelle Gordon and James Edelman, referred the cardinal’s application for special leave to appeal to a full bench of the High Court’s justices after Cardinal Pell’s lawyers argued a lower appellate court had made mistakes.

At that hearing, expected in March or April next year, up to seven justices will listen to arguments presented by all parties on whether the cardinal should or should not be granted leave and the substantive appeal.
 

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Video at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-says-havana-founded-on-roots-of-faith-hope-and-charity.html
Pope says Havana founded on roots of faith, hope and charity
15 November 2019, 12:03

Pope Francis sends a video message on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the foundation of the city of San Cristóbal de La Habana, from whose name Havana is derived.

Marking this Cuban city’s milestone anniversary, the Pope in his video message says that over these five centuries, many lives given for others, many dreams, efforts, shared sacrifices have been intertwined to build the present and future of the children of Cuba.

On this auspicious occasion, the Pontiff emphasizes three historical aspects of the city that still continue to be pillars today, 500 years on from the city’s foundation.

These are, he says, faith, hope and charity.
 

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Video at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-world-day-of-poor-2019.html
Pope to pilgrims in Lourdes for World Day of Poor: 'God hears your prayers'
15 November 2019, 09:45

Pope Francis sends a video-message to participants of a 4-day gathering in Lourdes responding to his call for a ‘Poor Church for the Poor’.
By Vatican News

Marking the 3rd World Day of the Poor on 17 November 2019, the Fratello association has invited believers to spend four days in Lourdes with socially excluded people.

In a video-message to those gathered in Lourdes for the event, the Pope reminds those who suffer want and are abandoned to always bear in mind that God loves them and hears their prayers.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/11/15/pope-blesses-palace-given-to-homeless-on-the-doorstep-of-the-vatican/

Pope blesses palace given to homeless on the doorstep of the Vatican
Paulina Guzik  Nov 15, 2019
SPECIAL TO CRUX

ROME - Pope Francis on Friday opened a new place for the homeless on the doorstep of the Vatican. Although calling it a “place” is rather an understatement: It’s really a palace, using the historic name it has had for centuries - Palazzo Migliori.

The structure, just yards away from the colonnade of St. Peter’s Square, occupies an entire four-story building owned by the Vatican. The building had been used by a female religious congregation until a few months ago, and was then transferred to the Papal Almoner - Polish Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, who has given it a second life.

“We decided to keep the historical name of the place” - he told Crux during a tour of the building a few weeks ago, while it was still under construction - “the name is Palazzo Migliori - it is the name of the family that owned it before 1930 and sold it to the Vatican, but it also translates in Italian to ‘the Palace of the Best’ - and indeed considering who will stay here, it is exactly the case.”

Inside one will find nothing that looks like a homeless shelter - the building has historic wooden ceilings and pieces of art on the walls.
 

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Video at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-video-message-thailiand-apostolic-journey.html
Pope sends video message to Thailand ahead of his Apostolic Journey
15 November 2019, 12:00

Pope Francis sends his greetings to the people of Thailand ahead of his visit to the country from the 20th to the 23rd of November.
By Francesca Merlo

Pope Francis acknowledges that “in this world that too frequently experiences discord, division, and exclusion”, Thailand has shown commitment to work hard “to promote harmony and a peaceful coexistence”.

This commitment, he says, “can serve as an inspiration” for all the people around the world who are working to “promote a great, true development of our human family in solidarity, in justice and in living in peace”.

His words came in a video message to the people of Thailand. The country is preparing to welcome Pope Francis who travels there on his 32nd Apostolic Journey, before heading to Japan.