Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-grand-imam-alazhar-audience.html

Pope receives Grand Imam of Al-Azhar
15 November 2019, 17:21

[Pope Francis on Friday received in the Vatican the Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb of Al-Azhar of Egypt and his retinue.

Among those whom Pope Francis received along with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar were Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ambassador of the Republic of Egypt to the Holy See, Mahmoud Samy and some personalities and representatives of the University of Al-Azhar and the Superior Committee, said a communique of the Holy See Press Office.

It said the purpose of the meeting was to help achieve the objectives contained in the Document on the Human Brotherhood for World Peace and Common Living together, established in August.

Among those representing the Holy See at the meeting were Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and Bishop Yoannis Lahzi Gaid, Secretary of the Holy Father.

During the cordial talks, the Vatican said, the issue of the protection of minors in the digital world was discussed, as well as the recent visit of His Holiness to the United Arab Emirates and the initiatives taken by the Superior Committee to achieve the objectives of the Document on the Human Brotherhood in the months since its foundation.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-penal-law-justice-environment.html

Pope urges strengthening of penal law against “idolatry of market”
15 November 2019, 16:40

Pope Francis on Friday received in audience in the Vatican participants in the 20th International Congress of Penal Law and examined several critical issues of human justice in the light of the Christian vision of justice.
By Robin Gomes

“Criminal law has not been able to protect itself from the threats that weigh down democracies and the full force of the rule of law.” Pope Francis made the point while addressing some 600 participants in the 20th International Congress of Penal Law.

Known by its French acronym, AIDP (Association Internationale de Droit Pénal), the group is the oldest scientific association of specialists in criminal law, such as university professors, lawyers, magistrates, researchers, students and criminal law practitioners. The theme of their November 13-16 congress in Rome is “Criminal Justice and Corporate Business”.

What threatens penal law, he said, are the "idolatry of the market" and the "risks of criminal idealism".
 
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/11/15/pope-considering-adding-sin-against-ecology-to-churchs-catechism/
Pope considering adding ‘sin against ecology’ to Church’s catechism
Inés San Martín  Nov 15, 2019

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-dicastery-family-laity-life-plenary.html

Pope to Dicastery for Laity, Family, Life: make the heart of the Church your own
16 November 2019, 16:24

Addressing participants in the first plenary assembly of the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life on Saturday, Pope Francis urged them to cultivate two basic attitudes: feeling with the heart of Mother Church and having a brotherly gaze.
By Robin Gomes

In his reform of the Roman Curia, Pope Francis created the new Dicastery in 2016.   The 13-16 November plenary assembly on the theme, “The Lay Faithful, Identity and Mission in the World,” is the first since the Dicastery was created. 
 
Speaking to some 85 members and consultants participating in the assembly, Pope Francis indicated some basic attitudes that will inspire their work for the coming years,
 
No to clericalizing the laity

Setting aside his prepared text, Pope Francis warned against the danger of what he termed as “clericalizing the laity”.  Sometimes, he said, permanent deacons, who are to be the custodians of service in dioceses, soon find themselves “looking at the altar” and end up as “wannaby priests”.  Work with the laity but don’t clericalize them, the Pope said. "Move the deacons away from the altar… They are the custodians of service, not first-class altar boys or second-class priests,” he added.

Women’s role in the Church

The Pope noted that the Dicastery, with great difficulty, has appointed two women undersecretaries which, he said is not enough. We need to have women in the council and administration keeping in mind that their position is not just functional. 

In the final list of candidates to the post of the head of Vatican Secretariat for the Economy, the Pope said, two were women.  That’s only functionality, but what is important is the advice of the woman.  “On this,” the Pope said, “we haven't worked yet.”   “Women,” he said, “are the image of the Mother Church, because the Church is woman; the Church is mother.”

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-bambino-gesu-hospital-150-anniversary.html

Pope to Bambino Gesu Children’s Hospital: ‘Blessed are the hands that heal’
16 November 2019, 14:17

Pope Francis urges staff of the Bambino Gesu Hospital not to spare themselves as they heal sick children and to redouble their efforts to find cures for rare diseases.
By Devin Watkins

The Children’s Hospital is marking its 150th anniversary this year, and Pope Francis expressed the Holy See’s unwavering support for this “venerable Institution.”
Meeting with the administration, staff, doctors, nurses, and paramedics on Saturday, the Pope described the founding of Italy’s first children’s hospital in 1869 as “an intuition and a gift.”

He said Arabella Salviati had the intuition of a woman and a mother, and the generosity to create an institution dedicated to children.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-caccia-new-*******-united-nations-appointment.html

Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines is appointed new Permanent ******* to the UN
16 November 2019, 17:04

Italian Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia is the new representative of the Holy See to the United Nations.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis on Saturday appointed Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia as the new Permanent ******* of the Holy See to the United Nations.  He succeeds Philippine Archbishop Bernardito Auza, who on October 1, 2019 was named by Pope Francis as Apostolic Nuncio to Spain and Andorra.

Since September 12, 2017, Archbishop Caccia has been serving as Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines.

Born in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February 1958, he has ordained to the priesthood on 11 June 1983.  After serving in a parish for three years, he was sent to the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome where obtained a Doctorate in Theology and a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Gregorian University.
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-mass-world-day-poor-homily.html
Pope at Mass on World Day of the Poor: ‘the poor lead us straight to God’
17 November 2019, 11:04

Pope Francis marks the 3rd World Day of the Poor celebrating Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica for poor people in Rome and beyond.
By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis on Sunday said the poor remind us of how we should live the Gospel: “like beggars reaching out to God.”

Marking the 3rd World Day of the Poor with Holy Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in the presence of poor people from the city of Rome accompanied by volunteers who assist the homeless and the most needy, the Pope said the poor “facilitate our access to heaven”, “they are the treasure of the Church.”

The Church has celebrated the World Day of the Poor on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time since 2017.  Pope Francis established the commemoration in his Apostolic Letter, Misericordia et Misera, to celebrate the end of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. During his homily, the Holy Father reflected on the liturgical reading of the day and on how it speaks to a world in which there are fewer and fewer certitudes.

Jesus, he said, tells us that almost everything will pass away, but not everything,  and he explained that “what will collapse and pass away are the penultimate things, not the ultimate ones: the temple, not God; kingdoms and human events, not humanity itself”.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/pope-francis-homily-on-world-day-of-the-poor-2/
Pope Francis’ Homily on World Day of the Poor
November 17, 2019 15:06

YouTube video at the link below--
Pope Francis-Holy Mass-World Day of the Poor 2019-11-17
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-angelus-gospel-world-day-poor.html

Pope at Angelus: ‘Be peacemakers, witnesses of hope’
17 November 2019, 12:29

Pope Francis invites the faithful to live their lives responding to hatred with love, to offence with forgiveness, and to always be attentive and loving towards the poor.
By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis on Sunday reflected on the Gospel reading on this penultimate Sunday of the liturgical year and invited believers to collaborate with the Lord in the construction of history, becoming, together with Him, peacemakers and witnesses of hope in a future of salvation and resurrection.

He was addressing the pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Angelus prayer shortly having celebrated Holy Mass in the Basilica on the World Day of the Poor.
 
Finally, Pope Francis said that on Tuesday he is scheduled to set off on an apostolic visit to Thailand and Japan, and he asked those present for prayers.

Video, with English commentary, at the link below--
Pope's Angelus of 17 November 2019
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/angelus/2019-11/pope-angelus-17-november-2019.html
or
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-president-cyprus-mediterranean.html

Pope meets with President of the Republic of Cyprus
18 November 2019, 17:37

Pope Francis and other members of the Vatican Secretary of State meet with the President of the Republic of Cyprus on Monday, speaking among other things of the resumption of the reunification process.
Vatican News

Pope Francis met with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, His Excellency Mr. Nicos Anastasiades on Monday morning in the Apostolic Palace. After meeting with the Pope, Mr. Anastasiades then met with Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, together with the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Gallagher.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-argentine-interreligious-dialogue-institute.html

Pope meets Argentine Interreligious Dialogue Institute
18 November 2019, 11:34

Pope Francis receives members of the Instituto de Diálogo Interreligioso (I.D.I.) of Buenos Aires, who are meeting to discuss the Document "Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together".
By Vatican News

Pope Francis received participants of a meeting promoted by the Instituto para el Dialogo Interreligioso (IDI) from Argentina. The topic of this meeting is the Human Fraternity Document which Pope Francis, together with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, signed during his visit to Abu Dhabi on 4 February 2019. The Document calls on all people to work towards inter-faith harmony and to advance a “culture of mutual respect” and peace.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-system-parish-evangelization-cells-audience.html

Pope urges ‘Evangelization Cells’ to revive parish life
18 November 2019, 16:10

Pope Francis greets volunteers of the Parish System of Evangelization Cells, founded 30 years ago by Fr Piergiorgio Perini.
By Linda Bordoni

The some 6.000 volunteers who were welcomed by Pope Francis in the Paul VI Hall were accompanied by 90-year-old Fr. Piergiorgio Perini, an Italian parish priest who founded the “Parish System of Evangelization Cells” in 1987, after a similar model that operated in the United States.

The system has adopted a method of evangelization that operates in small groups that meet weekly in homes. According to its mission statement, with the help of their “cells”, parish priests are able to educate their parishes in evangelization and to continue their ordinary pastoral ministry while also giving it a missionary quality.  The System’s Statute has been formally recognized by the Church.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-abu-dhabi-crown-prince-joint-declaration-global-health.html

Pope signs Joint Declaration of Global Health with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince
18 November 2019, 16:25

The Declaration comes just ahead of a major summit on global health, hosted in Abu Dhabi.
By Fr. John Waters

Pope Francis has become a signatory to the Joint Declaration on Global Health. The declaration was signed on his behalf ahead of the Reaching the Last Mile Forum, in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, is the other signatory.

The one-day, invitation only event, which convenes in Abu Dhabi on 19th November, brings together world leaders, health care experts, philanthropists and advocacy groups in order to study current medical challenges across the globe. The event also provides the opportunity for participants to network and build contacts with like-minded groups and individuals.

The Joint declaration sets out the right of all people, no matter their background, to live a dignified and healthy life.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/vatican-financial-authority-pope-rene-bruelhart-new-appointment.html

Pope appoints new President of Vatican Financial Authority
18 November 2019, 12:41

Holy See Press Office communiqué says Pope Francis has chosen a successor to the current President of the Vatican Financial Authority, René Brüelhart, as his mandate ends.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis has thanked René Brüelhart for his service in recent years. The current President of the Vatican Financial Authority (AIF) is ending his term in office, 

A communiqué released on Monday by the Holy See Press Office also said the Pope has proceeded to appoint a successor to Brüelhart, “identifying a figure of high proressional profile and accredited competence at the international level”.   
 
The Financial Information Authority is the competent authority of the Holy See/Vatican City State for fighting money-laundering and financing of terrorism. In that capacity, the AIF carries out the tasks of financial intelligence unit and supervisor.

The new  appointment will be announced and will be effective, on November 26,  upon the return of the Holy Father from his Apostolic Journey to Thailand and Japan on November 26.
 

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Video, with English text, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-video-message-japan-prayer-nuclear-arms.html

Pope asks people of Japan to protect life, ahead of Apostolic Journey
18 November 2019, 09:00

Pope Francis sends a video message to the people of Japan, and urges them to protect all life - symbolized there by cherry blossoms - and to pray for his upcoming Apostolic Journey.
By Devin Watkins

Addressing the Japanese people with “words of friendship”, the Pope recalled the theme of his 23-26 November visit: “Protect All Life”.

In his video message sent on Monday, Pope Francis said this protective instinct resonates in our hearts and is particularly important in light of current threats to peaceful coexistence, especially those posed by armed conflicts.

“Your country is well aware of the suffering caused by war. Together with you, I pray that the destructive power of nuclear weapons will never be unleashed again in human history.”

And to make his point clearer, Pope Francis said:

“The use of nuclear weapons is immoral.”
 

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Update:  Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/venerable-fulton-sheen-to-be-beatified-december-21-25080
Venerable Fulton Sheen to be beatified in December

Peoria, Ill., Nov 18, 2019 / 02:42 pm (CNA).- The Diocese of Peoria announced Monday that Venerable Fulton Sheen will be beatified Dec. 21 at the city's Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception.

Sheen had been ordained a priest of the diocese in that cathedral Sept. 20, 1919.

“It seems entirely fitting that the Beatification will take place at the end of this 100-year anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood,” the Peoria diocese stated Nov. 18.
 
https://www.pjstar.com/news/20191118/vatican-approves-beatification-of-fulton-sheen
Vatican approves beatification of Fulton Sheen
By Phil Luciano
of the Journal Star
@lucianophil
Posted at 2:54 PM
Updated at 5:22 PM

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-latin-america-meeting-youth-ministry-pastoral-lima.html

Pope: young people are the new fertile soil of God
19 November 2019, 14:04

In a message to the 20th Latin American Meeting of National Youth Pastoral Leaders, underway in Peru, the Pope encourages the young people to deepen their knowledge of the person of Jesus.
By Robin Gomes

The Latin American Meeting of National Youth Pastoral Leaders is taking place in the Peruvian capital, Lima, November 18 to 23.  The initiative promoted by the Peruvian Bishops' Conference has as its theme, “We young people are sacred land, the now of God.”

God's new fertile soil

In his message, the Pope tells youth pastoral leaders that they are rendering a service to the Church that cannot be neglected.   “Young people,” he says, “speak to us and challenge us, they make us realize the lights and shadows of our community, and with their enthusiasm they encourage us to give responses in keeping with our times.”
“They are the fertile and new soil that God gives to Christian communities,” the Pope says. He reminds those engaged in youth ministry that they are entrusted with the task of accompanying young people with "respect and benevolence in the journey of their personal maturity so that they may be strengthened in faith and, with the grace of the Lord, bear fruits of love and hope".
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2019-11/the-holy-see-ratifies-the-addis-ababa-convention-on-higher-educa.html

The Holy See ratifies the Addis Ababa Convention on Higher Education
19 November 2019, 12:17

The Convention, already adopted on 12 December 2014, will enter into force on 15 December 2020 and represents a legal recognition also to Catholic universities that will allow students to finish their studies abroad and to find a job in another country, in this case in Africa.

On November 15, 2019, on the occasion of the 40th Session of the General Conference of UNESCO in Paris, the Permanent ******* of the Holy See, Monsignor Francesco Follo, Head of the Delegation of the Holy See to the Session, handed the Director General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, the document of Ratification of the Holy See of the Continental Convention for the academic recognition of studies, certificates, diplomas, degrees and other qualifications in higher education in the African region of UNESCO.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2019-11/omi-missionaries-japan-rozairo-mission-to-migrants.html

‘Work takes priority over religion in Japan’, says Oblate priest ahead of Pope’s visit
19 November 2019, 12:01

Ahead of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Journey to Japan, an OMI missionary priest explores how the face of the local Catholic Church is changing and the challenges of preaching the Gospel where people give priority to work, not religion.
By Devin Watkins

Catholics are a tiny minority in Japan, numbering 536,000 in total, or just 0.42% of the population.

But that won’t keep them from turning out in (relatively-large) droves when Pope Francis makes his Apostolic Journey on 23-26 November.

“Although the Catholic population is quite small, I think people are looking forward to [his] visit and that it might help them strengthen their faith and the Church at large. It’s going to bring hope.”

That was how Fr. Bradly Rozairo, OMI, described the faithful’s expectations, in an interview with Vatican Radio. The missionary priest from Sri Lanka serves as the Delegation Superior of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and lives in Itami City.

“Many are getting ready to go to Nagasaki, Hiroshima, and Tokyo, practically from every church there are people going to attend,” he said, adding that many people from his church in Osaka are making travel plans.

Church’s new face

Those ‘droves’ are not just Japanese Catholics. There is a growing number of migrant workers who hail from the Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Brazil, and Peru.
 

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Update:  Cardinal Pell

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6501101/timeline-set-down-for-george-pell-appeal/?cs=14231

November 19 2019 - 6:07PM
Timeline set down for George Pell appeal

George Pell's lawyers have less than two months to tell Australia's highest court why the sex offender's convictions should be overturned.

A timeline for the Catholic cardinal's High Court case has been set down, with written submissions on his behalf due by January 8.
 
However, the High Court has agreed to hear Pell's case to plead his innocence, before deciding whether to grant special leave to hear the appeal.

Prosecutors have until February 5 to respond to the cardinal's arguments, with Pell then to respond by February 26.
 

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Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/10/vatican-publishes-updated-schedule-for-papal-trip-to-thailand-japan/
Vatican publishes updated schedule for papal trip to Thailand, Japan
Catholic News Service  Oct 28, 2019

ROME - After spending most of October at the Vatican working with the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon and dedicating the first two weeks of November to ad limina visits with bishops from the United States, Pope Francis will travel to Thailand and Japan in late November.

The Vatican had released Oct. 2 an initial version of the pope’s schedule for the trip Nov. 19-26. The updated schedule adds no new events but provides specific times for most of the activities on the pope’s itinerary.

Here is the updated schedule released by the Vatican Oct. 28, which does not include times for some meetings in Japan. Times listed are local, with Eastern Time in parentheses:

Tuesday, Nov. 19 (Rome)

- 7 p.m. (1 p.m.) Departure from Rome’s Fiumicino airport.

Wednesday, Nov. 20 (Bangkok)

- 12:30 p.m. (12:30 a.m.) Arrival at Bangkok’s Military Air Terminal 2. Official welcome.
 

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Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-departs-for-thailand-japan.html
Pope Francis departs on 32nd Apostolic Journey abroad
19 November 2019, 19:17

Pope Francis sets off on his Apostolic Journey to Thailand and Japan aboard the papal plane on Tuesday evening.
By Devin Watkins

The papal plane departed from Rome’s Fiumicino airport at around 7:15 PM.

It is scheduled to touch down in the Thai capital of Bangkok at 12:30 PM local time (6:30 AM Rome time).

As is customary, one Vatican employee was chosen to accompany the Pope on his Apostolic Journey. The honor for this trip was given to Antonino Enea, a calligrapher at the Secretariat of State.

Before departing from the Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis met briefly with a group of 10 elderly people assisted by the Little Sisters of the Poor at the Church of St Peter in Chains.

First leg: Thailand