Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-05/pope-renews-ecumenical-commitment-on-anniversary-of-ut-unum-sint.html

Pope renews ecumenical commitment on anniversary of Ut unum sint
25 May 2020, 11:19

In a letter marking the 25th anniversary of Saint John Paul II’s landmark encyclical “Ut unum sint”, Pope Francis calls for a renewed commitment to ecumenism.
By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis has recalled the Church’s “irrevocable” commitment to the task of ecumenism on the 25th anniversary of Saint John Paul II’s encyclical Ut unum sint.

In a letter addressed to Cardinal Kurt Koch, the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, the Holy Father notes that Ut unum sint was published on the Solemnity of the Ascension, “under the sign of the Holy Spirit, the creator of unity in diversity”. It is in “that same liturgical and spiritual context”, the Pope says, that “we now commemorate it and propose it once more to the People of God”.

Faith and gratitude

Pope Francis writes, “On this anniversary, I give thanks to the Lord for the journey He has allowed us to travel as Christians in quest of full communion”. He says he shares the impatience of those who would like to see greater progress but insists that “we should not be lacking in faith and gratitude”. The Pope points to the growth in “mutual knowledge and esteem” among separated Christians and the ongoing “theological dialogue and dialogue in charity”, as well as various forms of ecumenical cooperation in daily life, as positive steps that have been taken since the Second Vatican Council “to heal the wounds of centuries and millennia”.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-catholic-shrines-to-offer-rosary-for-marys-help-during-pandemic-10899

Pope Francis, Catholic shrines to offer rosary for Mary’s help during pandemic
By Hannah Brockhaus

Vatican City, May 25, 2020 / 10:04 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis will pray the rosary in the Vatican Gardens’ Lourdes grotto on Saturday, as Catholic shrines from around the world join via video streaming.

The intention of the worldwide rosary is for the Blessed Virgin Mary’s help and solace during the coronavirus pandemic.

According to a letter sent to shrine rectors by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, the livestreamed prayer will take place at 5:30 p.m. Rome time on May 30.

Catholic shrines have been asked to participate by holding their own recitation of the rosary, in accordance with local health measures, at the same time as the Rome event and to promote the initiative.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-05/vatican-climate-season-of-creation-laudato-si.html

Season of Creation to take place during special Laudato Si’ Year
25 May 2020, 13:01

As the Laudato Si’ Anniversary Year gets underway, the Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development urges Catholics to take part in the annual Season of Creation.
By Devin Watkins

The Season of Creation is an annual ecumenical celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home.

It takes place from 1 September – the World Day of Prayer for Creation – to 4 October – the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

Christians of all traditions are invited to take part by organizing prayer services, community litter clean-ups, or advocacy actions.

Special invitation

This year’s event takes place within the context of the special Laudato Si’ Anniversary Year, which Pope Francis opened on Sunday, 24 May. The Year coincides with the 5th anniversary of his encyclical.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-05/pope-nominates-ordinary-member-pontifical-academy-sciences.html

Pope appoints scientist Eric Lander to Pontifical Academy of Sciences
25 May 2020, 12:27

Pope Francis names Professor Eric Lander as an Ordinary Member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis has appointed Professor Eric Steven Lander, President and Founding Director of the Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard (Cambridge, United States of America), as Ordinary Member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences the Illustrious

Curriculum vitae of Professor Eric Steven Lander

Professor Eric Steven Lander was born in New York (USA) on 3 February 1957. He graduated from Princeton University in 1978 and received his PhD from Oxford University as Rhodes Scholar in 1981.

As a geneticist, molecular biologist and mathematician, he has played a pioneering role in the definition, understanding and biomedical application of the human genome.
 

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Stay in contact with Pope--links--articles, playback, subscribe..

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2020-05/catholics-thank-pope-for-daily-live-mass-coronavirus-lockdown.html
Covid-19: Gratitude pours in for Pope’s nearness during lockdown
25 May 2020, 12:22

Countless messages and videos pour in as Catholics around the world express their heartfelt appreciation for Pope Francis’ live-streamed daily Mass during the lockdown.
By Vatican News

Starting in March, nations across the globe urged citizens to shelter-in-place to avoid spreading the coronavirus.

In response, Pope Francis decided to broadcast and live-stream his daily Mass celebrated each morning in the Casa Santa Marta.

Many people of all walks of life took part, praying in spiritual communion with the Pope through modern means of communication.

On Monday, 18 May, the Holy Father celebrated his final live-streamed Mass, as countries began to ease restrictions.
 
Stay in contact with Pope

Articles regarding the Holy Father's daily activities can be found using the following links:
-  Vatican News web portal
-  Vatican News Facebook page. Please note that you can change the language/region on a computer by clicking on the three horizontal dots to the right of the Share button
-  Vatican News Twitter account. Other languages of Vatican News on Twitter are also available.

Playback of all the Pope's daily liturgies, along with summaries or translations of his homilies:
-  Vatican News web portal Here you will find both the playback and a summary of the day's homily;
-  Vatican News YouTube English Channel Should you wish to view in another language, search for it on YouTube as Vatican News with the language you seek;
-  Vatican web site Here you will find translations of the homilies in at least 6 languages.

To subscribe to the daily newsletter from Vatican News, please click here.

To find out when an event with the Pope will be broadcast, please check the Vatican News web portal. The top block on the upper right hand side always contains information regarding the next live transmission.

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-05/pentecost-pope-resumes-regina-coeli-with-faithful-in-st-peter.html

Pentecost: Pope to resume Regina Coeli in St. Peter's Square
26 May 2020, 16:37

On Sunday 31 May, Pope Francis will celebrate Mass in the Vatican Basilica without the participation of the faithful. Later he will recite the Regina Coeli from St Peter’s square.

The Holy See Press Office said on Tuesday that the Pope will celebrate the solemnity of Pentecost on Sunday at 10am local time from St Peter’s Basilica.

Immediately afterwards, at 12.00 noon, Pope Francis will resume the recitation of the Regina Coeli prayer with the faithful from the window of his private study overlooking St. Peter's Square.

Police will be on hand to guarantee safe access, taking care the faithful respect the necessary social distancing measures.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-05/pope-appoints-new-bishop-for-wagga-wagga-australia.html

Pope appoints new Bishop for Wagga Wagga, Australia
26 May 2020, 12:23

Pope Francis appoints Bishop Mark Stuart Edwards, O.M.I., as Bishop of Wagga Wagga, Australia.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Mark Stuart Edwards, O.M.I., as Bishop of Wagga Wagga, Australia.

He has been serving as Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne with the titular see of Garba.

Curriculum vitae of Bishop Mark Stuart Edwards O.M.I.

Bishop elect Mark Stuart Edwards was born in Balikpapan, Indonesia in 1959. He moved to Australia in 1962.

After attending Saint Leonard's Primary School in Glen Waverley and Mazenod College in Mulgrave, he received his Bachelor of Science degree at Monash University in Melbourne.

In 1980 he entered the Novitiate of the Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate and completed his ecclesiastical studies at the Catholic Theological College in Melbourne and the Melbourne College of Divinity.

He was ordained a priest in 1986.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-05/pope-francis-audience-prayer-of-the-just-catechesis.html

Pope at Audience: Prayer cultivates flowers of rebirth
27 May 2020, 09:50

Pope Francis continues his catechesis on prayer, turning his thoughts to the prayer of the just.
By Francesca Merlo

Pope Francis began his General Audience on Wednesday telling the faithful that “God’s plan regarding humanity is for the good”, even though “we experience the presence of evil” in our everyday lives.

The Pope recounted two stories from the book of Genesis that describe the emergence and expansion of evil and sin across successive generations.

The first, in the first chapters of Genesis, is the story of Adam and Eve. In doubting God’s intentions “their hearts yield to the temptation of the evil one”, said the Pope.

However, “the experience goes in the opposite direction”: “their eyes are opened and they discover that they are naked”.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-05/pope-general-audience-prayer-greetings-languages.html
Pope Francis’ lexicon of prayer during Audience
27 May 2020, 14:56

Video, with English commentary, at the link below--
Pope's Audience of 27 May 2020
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/papal-audience/2020-05/pope-francis-general-audience-of-27-may-2020.html

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-05/church-recognizes-miracle-attributed-to-ven-michael-mcgivney.html

Church promulgates new decrees for Causes of Saints
27 May 2020, 11:57

With the approval of Pope Francis, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints publishes decrees advancing the causes of various holy men and women, including Venerable Michael McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus; Blessed Charles de Foucauld, a French hermit who was martyred in North Africa; and Venerable Pauline-Marie Jaricot, a French laywoman who founded the Society of the Propagation of the Faith and the Living Rosary Association.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis on Wednesday advanced the causes for canonization of twelve holy men and women, authorizing the publication of decrees recognizing various miracles, as well as the martyrdom of an Italian missionary in El Salvador and a group of Cistercian monks in Italy.

The Congregation for the Causes of the Saints recognized miracles attributed to the intercession of Venerable Father Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus; and to Venerable Pauline-Marie Jaricot, foundress of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and the Living Rosary Association. The way is now cleared for the two to be beatified.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/church-in-europe/2020/05/vatican-exiles-leader-of-bose-monastic-community/

Vatican exiles leader of Bose monastic community
Nicole Winfield  May 27, 2020
ASSOCIATED PRESS

ROME - The Vatican has disciplined another charismatic religious leader, exiling the founder of an Italian monastic community over governance problems.

Enzo Bianchi, a Catholic layman who founded the Bose Monastery in northern Italy, had enjoyed the blessing of three popes for his outreach to other Christians. He was appointed an ecumenical expert for Vatican meetings in 2008, 2012 and 2018, and Pope Francis named him as an adviser to the Vatican’s ecumenical office in 2014.

But the Vatican launched an investigation last year after what the community said were “a series of concerns from the Holy See that indicated a tense situation and problems concerning the exercise of authority by the founder, governance issues and the fraternal climate in the community.”

Bianchi, 77, started the community during the 1960s and handed off its leadership in 2017, but apparently the transition didn’t go smoothly.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-05/pope-francis-message-centro-astalli-migrants.html

Pope Francis thanks Rome’s Astalli Center for assisting refugees
28 May 2020, 14:52

Pope Francis sends a message to the Jesuit-run Astalli Center in Rome to express appreciation for assisting migrants and refugees.
By Devin Watkins

“May your example ignite in society a renewed desire to promote an authentic culture of welcome and solidarity.”

Pope Francis wrote those words of encouragement to the Astalli Center in a letter made public on Thursday.

The Jesuit-run Center published the Pope’s letter, dated 23 May 2020, on its Twitter feed.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-05/pope-francis-bishops-message-uk-ireland-day-for-life-2020.html

Pope sends blessing to Churches in UK and Ireland for Day for Life
28 May 2020, 17:17

Pope Francis sends his blessings to the Catholic Church in the UK and Ireland for the annual Day for Life, and invites everyone to uphold the dignity of every human life.
By Robin Gomes

"Choose life" is the theme chosen for the 2020 edition of the Day for Life of the Catholic Churches in the UK and Ireland.

Meaning and value of human life

The purpose of the annual observance promoted by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW), together with the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Scotland (BCOS) and the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, is to create awareness about the meaning and value of human life at every stage and in every condition.

The Church teaches that life is to be nurtured and protected from conception to natural death.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-05/holy-see-osce-discrimination-religious-liberty-coronavirus.html

Covid-19: Vatican urges OSCE to promote religious freedom amid rising intolerance
28 May 2020, 11:23

The Holy See warns that religiously-motivated hate crimes are on the rise, as the Covid-19 pandemic increases intolerance and inequality.
By Devin Watkins

Msgr. Janusz Urbańczyk took part this week in an OSCE conference aimed at raising awareness about intolerance and discrimination.

The Holy See’s Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe focused his remarks at the 25-26 May event on the impact that intolerance has on Christians.

The OSCE is an intergovernmental organization whose members include most countries of the Northern Hemisphere and is concerned with conflict prevention and crisis management.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-05/pope-francis-rosary-shrines-saturday.html

How to pray the Rosary with the Pope on Saturday
29 May 2020, 08:28

Join Pope Francis in praying the Rosary on Saturday, 30 May, for an end to the Covid-19 pandemic. Ways to participate are indicated below.
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis is once again urging all of humanity to pray together for divine help during the coronavirus pandemic.

On Saturday, 30 May, at 5:30 PM Rome time (GMT +2), the Pope will lead the recitation of the Rosary from the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens.

United in prayer with Mary

The event takes place under the title: “Devoted with one accord to prayer, together with Mary” (Acts 1:14). It is organized by the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization.

The Decades of the Rosary will be recited by men and women representing the various categories of people who have been particularly affected by Covid-19.
 
How to participate

The event will be broadcast live throughout the world on a host of Vatican channels, with English-language commentary provided.

-          Via the Vatican News portal: click here
-          Via the Vatican News English YouTube channel: click here
-          Live-streamed on our Facebook page: click here

The event will also be live-streamed in the original language (Italian) accompanied by Sign Language used in Italy : click here

https://cruxnow.com/covid-19/2020/05/worlds-marian-shrines-to-join-popes-saturday-rosary-for-covid-19-pandemic/
World’s Marian shrines to join pope’s Saturday rosary for COVID-19 pandemic
Inés San Martín  May 29, 2020
 
He will be praying live from the replica of the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens May 30, the eve of Pentecost, starting 11:30 a.m. EDT. Joining him in Rome will be “men and women representing various categories of people particularly affected by the virus,” including a doctor and a nurse, a recovered patient and a person who lost a family member to COVID-19.
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-05/pope-francis-rosary-lourdes-grotto-shrines.html
Gathered together in prayer with Mary the Mother of Jesus
30 May 2020, 18:32

Thousands of people joined the approximately 130 persons gathered in the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens to recite the Rosary with Pope Francis on the last Saturday of the month of May.
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

Pope Francis united with thousands of people throughout the world sought the Blessed Mother's help to end the coronavirus pandemic. The Pope along with about 130 gathered at the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens. Thousands of others prayed with them as they watched and listened through television, radio and digital platforms. As they prayed, images of numerous Marian shrines throughout the world appeared on a large screen at the Vatican Lourdes Grotto and on the screens of those connected for the event.

The intentions for the Rosary

The first Glorious Mystery was led by a doctor and a nurse in the name of all the medical personnel dedicated on the fronts lines in the hospitals for doctors, nurses and all medical personnel.
 
Other highlights
At the beginning and at the end of the recitation of the Rosary, Pope Francis prayed the prayers he suggested be used to accompany the Rosary throughout the month of May. After extending his apostolic blessing, the Pope said a few spontaneous words acknowleding those connected from the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe and other Latin American Shrines: "To all of the shrines in Latin America – Guadalupe and many others – who are connected with us, united in prayer, I greet you in my own mother tongue: thank you for being near. May Our Mother of Guadalup accompany us!"

Approximately 50 shrines were connected throughout the moment of prayer. They included the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal, Our Lady of Lourdes in France, the Immaculate Conception in the United States, Walsingham in England, Our Lady of Pompeii, Divine Love and Pietrelcina in Italy,  Our Lady of Lujan in Argentina, Our Lady of Knock in Ireland, Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil, St Mary of the Angels in Assisi, Notre Dame in Canada and the Basilica of the Annunciation in Israel.

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-05/pope-to-priests-of-rome-promote-new-life-jesus-wants-to-give-us.html

Pope to priests of Rome: Promote new life Jesus wants to give us
30 May 2020, 16:30

In a letter addressed to the priests of the Diocese of Rome, Pope Francis looks forward to the next phase of efforts to respond to the new situation brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis has written a letter to the priests of the Diocese of Rome, saying he wants "to draw near to them, to accompany, share, and confirm” their journey in providing a pastoral response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The new phase we are beginning”, he writes, “asks us for wisdom, foresight, and common commitment, so that all the efforts and sacrifices made so far will not be in vain”.

The Holy Father said he had hoped to meet with Rome’s priest at the Chrism Mass, which normally takes place each year on Holy Thursday. Due to the coronavirus emergency, however, this year’s Chrism Mass has been postponed. “Since a celebration of a diocesan character is not possible, Pope Francis explains to the diocesan clergy, “I am writing this letter to you”.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-to-kick-off-sports-camp-for-kids-this-summer-74128

Vatican tees up summer fun with sports camp
By Hannah Brockhaus

Vatican City, May 30, 2020 / 09:00 am MT (CNA).- After weeks stuck indoors, the children of Vatican employees will be able to stretch their legs, and grow in their faith, at a sports camp hosted inside the Vatican this summer.

“Estate Ragazzi in Vaticano” is a camp for the children of Vatican City State employees in the style of the oratory of St. John Bosco.

And it is not letting ongoing coronavirus safety measures get in the way of an “educational, sporty, and fun” experience for kids ages 5-14, one organizer told CNA.

“What we are trying to do is to not change the way in which kids play, but to change the games” to comply with the safety measures in place, said Pasquale Acunzo.

Acunzo works for “Tutto in una Festa” which runs children’s events and is partnering with the Vatican’s Salesian community to put on the day camp, which will take place in July.

The idea for the camp, he said, started from Pope Francis’ desire to welcome kids to the Vatican in the model of the Salesian oratory.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-05/pope-francis-world-mission-sunday-message-here-i-am-send-me.html

Pope Francis: in mission with Jesus, the 'Father's Missionary'
31 May 2020, 13:00

On Pentecost Sunday, Pope Francis releases the annual Message for World Mission Sunday, placing mission with the context of the current coronavirus pandemic.
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

Pope Francis released his annual Message for World Mission Sunday 2020 on Pentecost Sunday. It’s theme is taken from Isaiah: “Here am I, send me” (6:8 ). World Mission Sunday is celebrated on October 18 in 2020.

Call to mission in the current crisis

The Pope began his message recalling the words he expressed on the occasion of the extraordinary moment of prayer on 27 March. Even in the disorientation and fear provoked by the current international crisis, Pope Francis says the Lord continues to ask “Whom shall I send?” Even as we touch our frailty in the pain and death we are experiencing, we are also reminded “of our deep desire for life and liberation from evil”. This is where the call to mission emerges as an “invitation to step out of ourselves for love of God and neighbour” through °service and intercessory prayer”, he writes.
 

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Video, with English text, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-05/pope-thy-kingdom-come-pentecost-archbishop-canterbury-welby.html

Pope Francis’s Pentecost message for ecumenical prayer movement
31 May 2020, 10:00

Pope Francis shares a Pentecost message for “Thy Kingdom Come”, an annual global ecumenical prayer movement promoted by the Right Reverend Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
By Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ

Pope Francis has recorded a video message to be broadcast as part of the Pentecost service of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Right Reverend Justin Welby, on Pentecost Sunday.

Pentecost celebrates the moment when the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles. One of the gifts they received was the gift of tongues that allowed people from all over the then-known world to understand the Apostles’ proclamation. Because of this, many consider the period between the Feasts of the Ascension and Pentecost as a time of prayer for Christian unity. The “Thy Kingdom Come” prayer movement, promoted by Archbishop Welby, has made this period a special time for Christians to unite in prayer for the evangelization of the world.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-05/pope-francis-vide-message-charism-eve-of-pentecost.html

Pope to CHARIS: May we bring an end to the pandemic of poverty
30 May 2020, 22:30

Pope Francis sends a video message to CHARIS (Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service) on the eve of Pentecost, and warns that life after the pandemic will not be the same so we must take advantage of this opportunity to improve the lives of the most vulnerable.
By Vatican News

In his video message to CHARIS, Pope Francis noted that the Holy Spirit, promised to us by Jesus, “comes to renew, to convert, to heal each one of us”.

CHARIS was created by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life in 2018 to foster unity and communication between the different Catholic charismatic realities.

No one saves themselves

The Holy Spirit “comes to heal our wounds”, continued the Pope, including the wounds we inflict on each other. “He comes to transform us" into courageous "missionary disciples" in order to preach the Gospel of Jesus, he said.

Today we need the Holy Spirit “more than ever”, continued the Pope. We live in a suffering world, he explained, one that is “severely wounded”. This suffering is felt especially by the poorest of our society. “Now that all our human security has vanished”, the world needs Jesus, made present through our witness, said the Pope.