Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-02/pope-francis-angelus-disciple-mission-dispel-darkness.html

Pope at Angelus: Church hears the cry of marginalized and poor
09 February 2020, 12:14

In his Angelus address on Sunday, Pope Francis urges Catholics to dispel the darkness lurking in society, and says the Church cannot abandon her mission of evangelization and service.
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis reflected on Jesus’ call in the day’s Gospel (Mt 5:13-16) for His disciples to be salt and light.

Jesus’ use of symbolic language, said the Pope, lays out criteria for how the Lord’s disciples are to live their mission in the world.

Salt: resisting sin and moral degradation

Beginning with the metaphor of salt, he said it gives flavor and preserves food from spoiling.

So, said the Pope, “the disciple is therefore called to keep society away from the dangers and corrosive elements that pollute people’s lives.”

Christians do this by resisting sin and moral degradation, as well as by bearing witness to honesty and solidarity. He also warned of several temptations to be on guard against, including careerism, power, and wealth.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-02/pope-francis-heartfelt-appeal-for-syria-women-children.html
Pope Francis renews ‘heartfelt’ appeal for Syria
09 February 2020, 12:12

https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-address-full-text-on-being-salt-of-the-earth-and-light-of-the-world/
Angelus Address Full Text: On ‘Being Salt of the Earth’ and ‘Light of the World’
February 09, 2020 14:56  Virginia Forrester

Video, with English commentary, at the link below--
Pope's Angelus of 9 February 2020
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/angelus/2020-02/video-pope-francis-angelus-9-february-2020.html
or
Pope Francis - Angelus prayer 2020-02-09
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-02/pope-praises-knights-of-columbus-for-charity-devotion-to-peter.html

Pope praises Knights of Columbus for charity, devotion to Peter
10 February 2020, 12:04

Pope Francis received members of the Knights of Columbus in an audience at the Vatican on Monday. The Knights are marking the one hundredth anniversary of their charitable activity in the city of Rome.
By Christopher Wells

In 2020, the Knights of Columbus – the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal organization – are celebrating one hundred years of charitable activity in the city of Rome.

Charitable work in Rome

In his address to the Board of Directors of the organization, Pope Francis recalled that Pope Benedict XV had invited the Knights to provide humanitarian aid to young people
and others in Rome “following the terrible conflict of the First World War”. He praised their efforts to establish sports centres for youth “which quickly became places for education, catechesis, and the distribution of food and other essentials so needed at the time”. In this way, he said, the Knights “proved faithful to the vision of [their] founder, Venerable Michael McGivney, who was inspired by the principles of Christian charity and fraternity to assist those most in need”.

Faithful witness to sacredness of human life

Turning to the works of the order today, Pope Francis highlighted the Knights’ “faithful witness to the sacredness and dignity of human life”, and their aid to Christian communities in the Middle East. He thanked them “for seeing in our persecuted and displaced brothers and sisters of that region our neighbours for whom you are a sign of God’s infinite love”.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2020/02/u-s-bishops-ask-pope-about-amazon-synod-discuss-range-of-issues/

U.S. bishops ask pope about Amazon synod, discuss range of issues
Catholic News Service  Feb 10, 2020

ROME - Talking about debates, differences and discernment, Pope Francis told a group of U.S. bishops that people focused on the possibility of ordaining some married men and women deacons for service in the Amazon will be disappointed in his apostolic exhortation.

The Vatican will release Querida Amazonia (Beloved Amazonia), the pope’s postsynodal document, Feb. 12.

The document came up Feb. 10 in the two-and-a-half-hour discussion Francis had with bishops from New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah and Wyoming, two of the bishops said. The bishops were making their ad limina visits to Rome to report on the status of their dioceses.
 
As is his normal practice, Francis told the bishops they could talk about whatever issues they wanted to raise, offering him information, asking him questions or even critiquing him, as long as the critique remained in the room.

Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe, New Mexico, told Catholic News Service the pope told the bishops: “I want to hear what you have to say. Criticisms, complaints and questions are welcome. That’s how the Holy Spirit works. The Holy Spirit can’t work if we’re all walking on eggshells and afraid to say anything.”

The clerical sexual abuse crisis, immigration, polarization in society and in the Church, training seminarians, the ministry of bishops and the role of women in the Church were among the topics discussed, several bishops said.

Bishop Oscar A. Solis of Salt Lake City said Francis did not go into detail about Querida Amazonia, but he did give the bishops the impression that the issues of ordaining married men and women deacons for ministry in far-flung communities would still be a matter for future discussion and discernment.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2020/02/pope-ukrainian-president-talk-about-peace-freeing-prisoners-of-war/

Pope, Ukrainian president talk about peace, freeing prisoners of war
Cindy Wooden  Feb 10, 2020
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

ROME - After meeting Pope Francis, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy tweeted that he was inspired by their discussions about peace.

The pope, he said in the Feb. 8 tweet, “does everything possible to bring peace and harmony to the whole world.”

Francis and Zelenskiy spent about half an hour meeting privately before the Ukrainian president met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.

Zelenskiy said he asked the pope’s help “to liberate the Ukrainians imprisoned in Donbass, Crimea and Russia.”

Russia annexed Crimea in early 2014 and, shortly afterward, Russian-backed separatists began fighting Ukrainian government forces in eastern Ukraine in the area known as Donbass.

A Vatican statement about Zelenskiy’s visit did not mention what the pope and president spoke about; however, journalists present in the room said Francis gave him a medal of St. Martin of Tours, telling him the saint “helped people who were needy and in difficulty.”
 

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https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-middle-east/2020/02/mideast-patriarchs-tell-pope-theyre-concerned-about-christian-survival/

Mideast patriarchs tell pope they’re concerned about Christian survival
Doreen Abi Raad  Feb 10, 2020
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

BEIRUT, Lebanon - In a private meeting with Pope Francis, Catholic patriarchs of the Middle East had an opportunity to sound the alarm regarding the survival of Christians in the region as a result of persecution, extremism, economic insecurity and immigration to the West.

They provided Francis with an overview of the general conditions of their countries and regions - Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Egypt and the Holy Land - particularly wars and crises that have led to the emigration of Christians and the need to follow the faithful pastorally in their adopted Western countries. They also presented the pope with a more detailed memorandum at the Feb. 8 meeting at the Vatican.

The Vatican did not comment on the meeting, but, in a statement, Cardinal Bechara Rai said he was “very happy” about the Holy Father’s awareness and concern regarding the churches’ affairs in the Middle East and the issues they face as well as “the importance of the presence of Christians, their role and mission” in coexisting with Muslims.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-02/pope-to-visit-malta-in-may.html

Pope to visit Malta in May
10 February 2020, 11:50

The Holy Press Office announces that Pope Francis is to make an Apostolic visit to the island nation of Malta in the heart of the Mediterranean.

Pope Francis will make an Apostolic visit to Malta and Gozo on May 31.

The announced was make in a communiqué by the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni which reads "Welcoming the invitation of the President of the Republic of Malta, the Authorities and the Catholic Church of the Country, His Holiness Pope Francis will make an Apostolic Journey to Malta and Gozo on 31st May 2020.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2020-02/pope-francis-malta-apostolic-visit-scicluna.html
Pope’s Malta visit a commitment to migrants and healing wounds - Archbishop Scicluna
10 February 2020, 17:47

The Catholic Church of Malta has released the motto and logo of the visit of Pope Francis to Malta on Pentecost Sunday, May 31. In a video message, Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta comments on the significance of this visit.
By Robin Gomes

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-01/pope-francis-world-day-sick-message-2020.html

Pope’s message for World Day of the Sick
03 January 2020, 12:50

“Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened” is the theme of the World Day of the Sick, which is observed on 11 February, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. In caring for the sick, Pope Francis is encouraging in healthcare workers the human warmth and personalized approach of Christ, the Good Samaritan.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis is urging the human warmth and personalized approach of Christ, the Good Samaritan, in healthcare professionals, workers and volunteers.

He makes the call in his Message for the 28th World Day of the Sick, which the Vatican released on Friday.

The Catholic Church marks the annual day on 11 February, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.  The theme of this year’s observance is “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest,” taken from Matthew’s Gospel (11:28).
 
https://zenit.org/articles/popes-message-for-28th-world-day-of-the-sick-2/
Pope’s Message for 28th World Day of the Sick
‘Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest’ (Mt 11:28)
February 11, 2020 16:27

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-02/vatican-city-lateran-treaty-holy-see-pope.html

Vatican City turns 91
11 February 2020, 16:22

The world’s smallest sovereign state was born on February 11, 1929, with the signing of the Lateran Treaty between the Holy See and the Kingdom of Italy. On Tuesday, Vatican City State turned 91. We briefly trace its history before it came into existence.
Vatican News

For many, Vatican City and the Holy See are synonymous but they are not.  While Vatican City State refers to the sovereign geographical state which came into being only in 1929, the existence of the Holy See is a juridical entity, whose existence goes back to early Christian era and is the central authority overseeing the worldwide Catholic Church.

Vatican City is an enclave or an independent sovereign state in the Italian capital, Rome.  With an area of just 0.44 square kilometres enclosed within a perimeter of 3.2 km, it is equivalent to some 61 standard football grounds.

Christianity under Roman Empire

Vatican City lies just beyond the right bank of the river Tiber in Rome, on a slight rise, part of the ancient Vatican Hill, on which several villas were built in pre-Christian times.  The history of Vatican City is liked with the history of Christianity and the Italian Kingdom and Republic.  For most of its first 300 years, Christianity in the Roman Empire was considered an underground and even criminal movement and hence was persecuted.

It appears that many Christians living in Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero were martyred in an arena called "circus", that was built in the Vatican area by Emperor Caligula.  Peter the Apostle, the first Bishop of Rome, hence the first Pope, was martyred in Rome and buried to the north of the circus.  Constantine, who ruled from 306 to 337 AD, became the first Roman Emperor to embrace Christianity and legalized Christianity and other religions 313 AD.  Constantine built a magnificent basilica over the burial site of St. Peter, and from then on the area started to become more populated.   It was replaced by the present St. Peter’s Basilica between the 16th  and 17th centuries. 
 

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Update: Pope Francis' post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Amazon, Querida Amazonia, will be presented on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020

https://zenit.org/articles/popes-post-synodal-exhortation-on-the-amazon-to-be-presented-next-week/
Pope’s Post-Synodal Exhortation on the Amazon to Be Presented Next Week
Title of Papal Document Is ‘Querida Amazonia’ (‘Dear Amazon’)
February 07, 2020 13:50  Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis’ post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Amazon will be presented next week.

In a statement from the Holy See Press Office today, journalists were informed that Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 , at 1 pm , there will be the presentation of the document, titled: “Querida Amazonia (‘Dear Amazon’),” in the Holy See Press Office.

The papal document is the fruit of the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan- Amazonian Region, on the theme “Amazon: new paths for the Church and for an integral ecology.”

The regional synod took place in the Vatican, Oct. 6-27, 2019.
 

Just a reminder:  the final document released by bishops after the Synod on the Amazon last year--

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-02/final-document-synod-amazon.html
Final Document of the Synod on the Amazon: Full Text
The Final Document of the Synod on the Pan-Amazon Region was released on 26 October 2019. The full text follows.

FINAL DOCUMENT
THE AMAZON: NEW PATHS FOR THE CHURCH AND
FOR AN INTEGRAL ECOLOGY
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-02/pope-at-audience-sorrow-is-rooted-in-love-for-god.html

Pope at Audience: Sorrow is rooted in love for God
12 February 2020, 11:12

Pope Francis during his weekly General Audience in the Paul VI hall, reflects on the second Beatitude: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted”, and he explains that there are two types of sorrow.
By Vatican News

The Pope continued his journey through the Beatitudes on Wednesday reflecting on the second: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted”.

He explained to those present at the General Audience, that in the Greek language in which the Gospel is written, such mourning is described by the desert Fathers with the Greek word “penthos” which he added, is an interior sorrow that can open us up to an authentic relationship with the Lord and with each other. 

Two types of sorrow

Pope Francis went on to say that the Bible speaks of two types of sorrow: The first is for “the death or suffering of someone.” Grief, the Pope pointed out “is a bitter road, but it can be used to open one's eyes to life and to the sacred and irreplaceable value of each person, and at that moment one realizes how short time is.”

The other aspect, he highlighted “is tears for sin - for one's own sin - when one’s heart bleeds for the pain of having offended God and neighbour. Taking St. Peter as an example of expressing sorrow for sin, the Pope said, that his sorrow was manifested in his tears after his betrayal of Jesus which came as a gift from the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.

Both types of sorrow, the Pontiff underlined are grounded in loving concern for others, but above all in love for God.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/holy-fathers-february-12-general-audience-full-text/
Holy Father’s February 12 General Audience: Full Text
Continued Commentary on Beatitudes
February 12, 2020 14:39  Virginia Forrester

Video at the link below--
Pope Francis - General Audience 2020-02-12
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-02/pope-apostolic-exhortation-querida-amazonia-press-briefing.html

"Querida Amazonia": Only what is loved can be saved
12 February 2020, 18:51

Pope Francis’ Post-Synodal Exhortation “Querida Amazonia” is presented to the media at a press conference in the Holy See Press Office hosted by Cardinals Baldisseri and Czerny, Father Araújo dos Santos, Sister de Oliveira, Professor Nobre and Bishop Martínez.
By Vatican News

Addressing the media present in the Holy See Press Office for the presentation of Querida Amazonia (The Beloved Amazon), Sister Augusta de Oliveira, Vicar General of the Servant Reparatrix Sisters servants of Mary explained that the document indicates the way for the Church to stand by the peoples of the Amazon region.

Sister Augusta’s congregation has been present in the Pan-Amazon region for 100 years, and she spoke with gratitude of the Pope's Exhortation which, she said, is a precious tool in the mission to uphold the rights and the dignity of the poor, of indigenous people, of Afro-Americans, of women.

She noted that the plight of all of the above was highlighted during October’s Synod of Bishops, which also underscored the need to recognize the role of the laity.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-officials-querida-amazonia-is-magisterium-amazon-synods-final-doc-is-not-54859
Vatican officials: 'Querida Amazonia' is magisterium, Amazon synod's final doc is not
By Hannah Brockhaus

Vatican City, Feb 12, 2020 / 07:56 am (CNA).- Pope Francis' post-synodal exhortation on the Amazon is part of the Church's ordinary magisterium -- that is officially a kind of Church teaching -- while the final document of the Vatican’s 2019 Amazon synod is not, Cardinal Michael Czerny, special secretary of the Amazon synod, said Feb. 12.
 
Video at the link below--
Press Conference to present the post- Synodal Apostolic Exhortation “Querida Amazonia” 2020-02-12
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

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The Full Text of "Querida Amazonia" – Pope Francis’ Post-Synodal Exhortation on the Amazon

Vatican Press
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2020/02/12/0091/00189.html#ing
POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION

QUERIDA AMAZONIA

OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD
AND TO ALL PERSONS OF GOOD WILL

or
https://zenit.org/articles/full-text-of-querida-amazonia-dear-amazon-pope-francis-post-synodal-exhortation-on-the-amazon-2/
Full Text of ‘Querida Amazonia’ (‘Dear Amazon’) – Pope Francis’ Post-Synodal Exhortation on the Amazon
‘Let us now lift our gaze to Mary’
February 12, 2020 12:09

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Uh oh...mixed signals?   

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/querida-amazonia-launch

Feb. 12, 2020
Vatican Sends Mixed Signals at ‘Querida Amazonia’ Launch

Officials at a news conference said the Pope’s post-synodal document affirmed the discipline of priestly celibacy, but also said the door is still open to ordaining married men.
Edward Pentin

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis did not endorse the possibility of ordaining married men in the Amazon, nor does the synod’s final document, in which that proposal appeared last October, have magisterial authority.

And yet Cardinal Michael Czerny, one of the Amazon Synod’s two special secretaries, told the media Wednesday the matter is not “closed” and remains “unresolved,” part of the “synodal process,” which is a “journey” along a “long road.”

This was the contradictory message communicated today at the Vatican press launch of the Pope’s post-synodal apostolic exhortation, Querida Amazonia — a document in which, contrary to many people’s expectations, the possibility of ordaining married men in the region, to help deal with a shortage of priests, and ordaining female deacons failed to materialize.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta/2020-02/pope-francis-daily-mass-slippery-slope-to-worldliness.html

Pope at Mass: Beware of ‘slippery slide’ toward worldliness
13 February 2020, 11:58

In his homily at Mass in the Casa Santa Marta on Thursday, Pope Francis warns against letting our hearts wander unwittingly into apostasy.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis reflected on the First Reading (1 Kgs 11:4-13), which tells of the “apostasy of Solomon” as he turns away from the Lord in his old age.

“When Solomon was old his wives had turned his heart to strange gods,” the passage says of King David’s son.
Slow slide into apostasy

Pope Francis said King Solomon began as a “good boy”, who asked the Lord for wisdom and received it. Judges, and even the Queen of Sheba in Africa, came bearing gifts because they had heard of his wisdom.

At that time, said the Pope, it was possible to have more than one wife, even though, he explained, that did not mean it was licit to be “a womanizer”.
But Solomon’s heart became weak not because he married several women, but because they came from other peoples who served other gods. He fell into “a trap” by letting his wives convince him to adore their idols, “entering into paganism”.

“His wasn’t an apostasy from one day to the next,” said Pope Francis. “It was a slow apostasy.” King Solomon did not just sin once but “slid” into sin.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-02/pope-audience-president-keita-mali.html

Pope receives President Keita of Mali
13 February 2020, 14:59

Pope Francis receives in audience President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of Mali.
By Vatican News

A statement released by the Vatican Press Office on Thursday revealed that during the morning Pope Francis received in audience, in the Apostolic Palace, the President of the Republic of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

The statement said that during the discussions, which took place in a cordial atmosphere, the two leaders expressed satisfaction for existing good bilateral relations. They went on to focus on the situation in the West African country, with particular reference to humanitarian and security issues, endangered by the spread of religious radicalism and terrorism.
 

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https://cnstopstories.com/2020/02/13/pope-shares-with-u-s-bishops-his-frustration-with-reaction-to-amazon-text/

Pope shares with U.S. bishops his frustration with reaction to Amazon text
Posted on February 13, 2020
By Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis told a group of U.S. bishops that, like them, he is accused of not being courageous or not listening to the Holy Spirit when he says or does something someone disagrees with — like not mentioning married priests in his document on the Amazon.

“You could see his consternation when he said that for some people it was all about celibacy and not about the Amazon,” said Bishop William A. Wack of Pensacola-Tallahassee.

“He said some people say he is not courageous because he didn’t listen to the Spirit,” the bishop told Catholic News Service Feb. 13. “He said, ‘So they’re not mad at the Spirit. They’re mad at me down here,'” as if they assume the Holy Spirit agreed with them.

Bishop Wack was one of 15 bishops from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina who spent close to three hours with Pope Francis Feb. 13 as part of their “ad limina” visits to the Vatican. They were joined by two from Arizona — Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger of Tucson and Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo A. Nevares of Phoenix — who had been unable to meet the pope with their group Feb. 10.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2020/02/vatican-releases-popes-lent-holy-week-easter-schedule-2/

Vatican releases pope’s Lent, Holy Week, Easter schedule
Catholic News Service  Feb 13, 2020

ROME - Pope Francis and top officials of the Roman Curia will leave the Vatican March 1-6 for their annual Lenten retreat, the Vatican announced[/color.

And, as is customary when first publishing the pope’s calendar for Holy Week, the Vatican did not provide the time or place for his celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 9. Francis has made it a tradition to celebrate the Mass and foot-washing ritual at a prison or detention center, refugee center or rehabilitation facility.

Here is the schedule of papal liturgical ceremonies for February, March and April released by the Vatican Feb. 12 (times listed are local):

- Feb. 26, Ash Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. penitential procession from Rome’s Church of St. Anselm to the Basilica of Santa Sabina for Mass with the imposition of ashes.

- March 1-6, Lenten retreat with the Roman Curia at the Pauline Fathers’ retreat center in Ariccia, southeast of Rome.

- March 20, 5 p.m., penitential liturgy in St. Peter’s Basilica.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2020/02/ex-brazilian-leader-da-silva-meets-the-pope-gets-blessing/

Ex-Brazilian leader da Silva meets the pope, gets blessing
Associated Press  Feb 13, 2020

ROME - Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met Thursday with Pope Francis at the Vatican, received a papal blessing and said the two discussed prospects for a “more just and fraternal world.”

Da Silva posted photos of the encounter on his Twitter and Facebook accounts with a brief comment about the content of their meeting. The Vatican had no comment and didn’t even list the audience, which lasted an hour, on Francis’s official agenda Thursday.

Da Silva was released from prison in early November after 19 months in detention, when Brazil’s Supreme Court ruled a person can be imprisoned only after all appeals have been exhausted. Later that month, a court upheld the corruption conviction and ruled his sentence should be raised by four years to 17 years.
 
https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-americas/2020/02/meeting-between-francis-and-lula-causing-controversy-in-brazil/
Meeting between Francis and Lula causing controversy in Brazil
Eduardo Campos Lima  Feb 13, 2020
SPECIAL TO CRUX

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-on-st-john-paul-ii-i-learned-from-him-16903

Pope Francis on St John Paul II: 'I learned from him'
By Hannah Brockhaus

Vatican City, Feb 13, 2020 / 10:33 am (CNA).- In a newly published book, Pope Francis answers questions about himself and St. John Paul II, saying he learned the importance of joy and mercy from his predecessor, and they are in “total harmony” on the subject of priestly ministry.

“I think that joy is the most important characteristic of the encounter with the risen Jesus,” Pope Francis said, noting the joy and mercy of John Paul II’s pontificate, “I learned from him.”

Pope Francis’ thoughts on his predecessor and other topics are recorded in the Italian-language book “St. John Paul the Great,” published Feb. 11 and co-authored with Fr. Luigi Maria Epicoco.

The book is divided into five chapters, each with information on an aspect or period of the life of John Paul II, written by Epicoco. These are followed by conversations with Pope Francis on related topics which took place from June 2019 to January 2020.

In one chapter, Fr. Epicoco, 39, quotes at length from John Paul II’s letter “Gift and Mystery,” which the Polish saint wrote for the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination.

Francis said he believes it is enough to read letters he wrote on Holy Thursday or some of the homilies he gave as a bishop in Buenos Aires “to see that there is total harmony with the thought of St. John Paul II with respect to the priesthood.”

Pope Francis goes on to say he is “convinced celibacy is a gift, a grace, and walking in the footsteps of Paul VI and then of John Paul II and Benedict XVI, I am convinced that celibacy is a decisive grace that characterizes the Latin Catholic Church. I repeat: It is a grace, not a limit.”
 

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Update:  Cardinal George Pell

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-14/george-pell-high-court-appeal-hearing-date-set-for-march/11965208

George Pell High Court appeal hearing date set for March
Updated 34 minutes ago

The High Court has set a date to hear Cardinal George Pell's appeal against his convictions for abusing two choirboys in 1996 while he was Catholic archbishop of Melbourne.

The case will be heard on March 11 and 12 in Canberra.

Pell, 78, was convicted on five charges — one count of sexual penetration of a child under the age of 16 and four counts of committing an indecent act with, or in the presence of a child.

In March last year he was sentenced to six years' jail, with a non-parole period of three years and eight months.