Pope Francis

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Reminder...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-10/decree-plenary-indulgence-faithful-departed-november.html
Decree extends indulgence for the faithful departed throughout November
23 October 2020, 12:00

The Apostolic Penitentiary announces modifications to the Plenary Indulgence for the deceased during the month of November.
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

Many of the Church’s pastors have requested an adaptation to the requirements to obtain the Plenary Indulgence for the deceased in the month of November. Thus, “by the special mandate of His Holiness Pope Francis”, the Apostolic Penitentiary released on Friday some changes to the normal practice. The Decree containing these modifications was signed on 22 October, the liturgical memorial of Pope St John Paul II.

Plenary Indulgence during month of November

Due to the coronavirus pandemic and the need to avoid large groups from forming where prohibited, the Plenary Indulgence applicable to thedeceased by those who visit a cemetery has been extended beyond the normal dates of 1 to 8 November. This year, the indulgence can be obtained by anyone who visits a cemetery, even if only mentally, on any day in November, and devoutly prays for the faithful departed.

Plenary Indulgence for Feast of All Souls’ Day

Regarding the Plenary Indulgence attached to All Souls’ Day, 2 November, this year, it can be obtained not only on the preceding or succeeding Sunday, or on the actual Feast day, but on any other day of the month chosen by each member of the faithful. In this case, the indulgence is obtained by “devoutly visiting a church or an oratory”, along with the recitation of the Our Father and the Creed, and the other requirements associated with a Plenary Indulgence.

The homebound

For anyone who cannot leave their home for various reasons, including anti-Covid restrictions, they too can obtain the Plenary Indulgence by “uniting themselves spiritually to other members of the faithful”. In this case, the condition of being “completely detached from sin” and the intention of completing the other requirements for obtaining a Plenary Indulgence remain. These conditions are Sacramental Confession, reception of Holy Communion and a prayer for the Holy Father’s intentions.

The Decree suggests that such prayer take place before an “image of Jesus or the Blessed Virgin Mary”. Among the various prayers that are recommended are “prayers for the deceased, Morning or Evening Prayer from the Office of the Dead, the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, meditating on various Gospel passages proposed for the liturgy of the Dead, or completing a work of mercy by offering to God the suffering and discomforts of one’s own life”.
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-angelus-all-saints-beatitudes-catechesis.html
Pope at Angelus: ‘go against the current, choose meekness and mercy'
01 November 2020, 12:15

Pope Francis celebrates the Feast of All Saints reminding Christians of their personal and universal vocation to holiness.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis observed the solemn Feast of All Saints inviting the faithful to reflect on the great hope that is based on Christ’s resurrection.

Speaking during the Sunday Angelus, the Pope upheld the Saints and Blesseds as the most authoritative witnesses of Christian hope. He also invited us all to choose purity, meekness and mercy while entrusting ourselves to the Lord and dedicating ourselves to justice and peace.

He reflected on two Beatitudes – the second and the third - that, he said, Jesus preached and which resound in the Liturgy (see Mt 5:1-12a), and described them as the path to holiness.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-francis-appeal-angelus-nagorno-karabakh.html
Pope renews his appeal for peace in the Caucasus
01 November 2020, 12:34

https://zenit.org/2020/11/01/pope-francis-notes-beatification-of-fr-michael-mcgivney/
Pope Francis Notes Beatification of Fr. Michael McGivney
NOVEMBER 01, 2020 14:37

https://zenit.org/2020/11/01/pope-prays-for-victims-of-aegean-earthquake/
Pope Prays for Victims of Aegean Earthquake
NOVEMBER 01, 2020 16:02

Holy Father’s full commentary
https://zenit.org/2020/11/01/pope-at-angelus-put-the-beatitudes-into-practice/
Pope at Angelus: Put the Beatitudes into Practice
NOVEMBER 01, 2020 14:12  JIM FAIR

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Update:  Pope Francis on civil unions in the documentary “Francesco."

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-secretariat-of-state-provides-context-of-pope-francis-civil-union-remark-66566
Vatican Secretariat of State provides context of Pope Francis civil union remark

CNA Staff, Nov 1, 2020 / 04:55 pm MT (CNA).-  The Vatican’s Secretary of State has asked papal representatives to share with bishops some clarifications regarding comments on civil unions made by Pope Francis in a recently released documentary, according to the apostolic nuncio to Mexico.

The clarifications explain that the pope’s comments do not pertain to Catholic doctrine regarding the nature of marriage as a union between one man and one woman, but to provisions of civil law.

“Some statements, contained in the documentary ‘Francisco’ by screenwriter Evgeny Afineevsky, have provoked, in recent days, various reactions and interpretations. Therefore, some helpful points are offered, with the desire to present an adequate understanding of the Holy Father's words,” Archbishop Franco Coppolo, apostolic nuncio, posted on Facebook Oct. 30.
 
The Secretariat of State's statement seems to confirm that the pope said “I stood up for that,” immediately after his other remarks on civil unions, a fact which had not previously been made clear.

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Update:  Pope Francis on civil unions in the documentary “Francesco."
The unabridged text of the letter shared by Monsignor Franco Coppola at the link

https://zenit.org/2020/11/02/letter-of-vatican-on-popes-words-in-documentary-francis/
Letter of Vatican on Pope’s Words in Documentary ‘Francis’
Pastoral Clarification Willed by Francis
NOVEMBER 02, 2020 16:56
By Larissa I. Lopez with Anita Bourdin

A letter published by the Secretariat of Vatican State explains what Pope Francis said on persons of the same sex living together in the documentary “Francesco” (Francis).

It is a “pastoral” document for the use of Bishops, willed by the Holy Father himself, to give all the necessary clarifications, after the confusion caused by interpretations of the documentary, Vatican sources confirmed to i French edition.

A letter published by the Secretariat of Vatican State explains what Pope Francis said on persons of the same sex living together in the documentary “Francesco” (Francis).

It is a “pastoral” document for the use of Bishops, willed by the Holy Father himself, to give all the necessary clarifications, after the confusion caused by interpretations of the documentary, Vatican sources confirmed to i French edition.

The text, in Spanish, was published last October 31, without any other indication of origin or recipient, in the Facebook page of Monsignor Coppola, which indicates implicitly the origin of the letter (State Secretariat) and Francis desire to clarify the context of his observations, which were misinterpreted.

As Zenit did, the letter explains that during “an interview, more than a year ago, Pope Francis responded to two different questions in two different moments, which, in the mentioned documentary, were edited and published as just one answer without due contextualization, which has generated confusion.”

Pastoral Reference

In the extract that has caused disturbance in the media, the Holy Father made “a pastoral reference, in the first place, about the need that, within the family, a son or daughter with homosexual orientation never be discriminated. It is to them that the Pope’s words refer: ‘homosexual persons have the right to be in the family; they are children of God, they have the right to a family. No one can be thrown out of the family or make his/her life impossible because of it,’” reads the text.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-francis-mass-teutonic-cemetery-all-souls-2-november-2020.html
Pope at All Souls Mass: Christian hope is the Lord's free gift
02 November 2020, 16:30

Pope Francis celebrates Holy Mass on All Souls' Day for the commemoration of the deceased faithful in the Church of the Teutonic Cemetery in the Vatican before praying on the tombs of the cemetery and in the Vatican Grottoes where deceased Pontiffs are laid to rest.
By Alessandro Di Bussolo

In his homily at Mass for the commemoration of the deceased faithful, in the Church of the Teutonic Cemetery in the Vatican, Pope Francis made the prophet Job's words his own, and explained that Christian hope is a free gift of the Lord that we must ask for, an "anchor that we have on the other side, where Jesus awaits us".

In moments of joy as well as in moments of trial, even when death is approaching, "let us repeat, as Job did: I know that my Redeemer lives, and I will see Him with my own eyes". This is Christian hope, the Pope said, a gift that only the Lord can give us, if we ask Him for it. Today, "in the thought of so many brothers and sisters who have died, it will do us good to look up".

This was the message at the heart of Pope Francis' homily during Mass for the deceased faithful, celebrated on Monday afternoon, All Souls' Day, in the church of the Pontifical Teutonic College of Santa Maria in Camposanto. The Pope then prayed at the tombs of the Vatican cemetery and in the Vatican Grottoes, at the tombs of the deceased Pontiffs.
 
Video and translation of the  Pope’s homily, provided by the Vatican, at the link below--
https://zenit.org/2020/11/02/pope-francis-celebrates-mass-for-all-souls-day-at-vaticans-teutonic-cemetery/
Pope Francis Celebrates Mass for All Souls Day at Vatican’s Teutonic Cemetery
NOVEMBER 02, 2020 18:38  JIM FAIR

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-bishop-peters-pence-not-used-to-cover-london-investment-losses-35888

Vatican bishop: Peter’s Pence not used to cover London investment losses

CNA Staff, Nov 2, 2020 / 01:00 pm MT (CNA).- A Vatican bishop said Saturday that the Holy See did not use money from Peter’s Pence or the pope’s discretionary fund to cover its losses on a controversial London property.

Bishop Nunzio Galantino, president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See (APSA), said Oct. 31 that the sum came instead from the Secretariat of State’s reserves.

Galantino told Avvenire, a newspaper owned by the Italian bishops’ conference, that “independent estimates” put the losses at 66-150 million pounds ($85-194 million).

Referring to the Secretariat of State by its Italian acronym, SdS, he said: “The losses of the London investment were borne by the reserve fund of the SdS, and not by Peter’s Pence or by the one available to the Holy Father.”

He added that no “plundering” of accounts intended for charitable purposes had taken place.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-francis-telegramme-condolences-austria-terror-attack.html

Pope on Vienna attack: 'Enough violence. Only love can silence hate'
03 November 2020, 14:00

Pope Francis expresses his closeness to victims and their families, and all those affected by Monday night's terror attack in the city of Vienna in Austria.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis has expressed his "deepest sympathy to the families of the victims" and to all the people of Austria following the tragic terror attack that saw at least four people dead and fifteen more injured on Monday night.

Telegram of closeness

His closeness came in a telegram addressed to Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Archbishop of Vienna, and signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican's Secretary of State. In the telegram, Cardinal Parolin writes that "Deeply affected, the Holy Father Francis learned of the violent acts in Vienna that have brought death and pain to innocent people". He expresses his closeness to all the wounded, and prays for their prompt recovery."

The telegram concludes saying that "Pope Francis entrusts the victims to God's mercy and implores the Lord that violence and hatred cease and that peaceful coexistence in society be promoted. From his heart, His Holiness accompanies those affected by this tragedy with his Blessing."
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-cardinal-marks-70-years-since-proclamation-of-dogma-of-the-assumption-90543

Vatican cardinal marks 70 years since proclamation of dogma of the Assumption
By Courtney Mares

Vatican City, Nov 3, 2020 / 02:00 pm MT (CNA).- Catholics in Rome marked the 70th anniversary of the proclamation of the dogma of the Assumption Sunday with a solemn Mass offered by Cardinal Mauro Piacenza.

Pope Pius XII defined the Assumption of the Virgin Mary formally as a dogma of the Catholic faith on Nov. 1, 1950, invoking papal infallibility to proclaim in his apostolic constitution “Munificentissimus Deus” that “the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”

In doing so, the pope confirmed this belief about the Virgin Mary as the perennial teaching of the Church, recognizing the longstanding traditions by which the Church has celebrated the Assumption throughout its history.

“Munificentissimus Deus,” which means “Most Bountiful God,” cited testimonies from the early Church Fathers on the subject, and described the history of theological reflection on many biblical passages which are seen as indicating that Mary was assumed into heaven following her death.

Although the bodily assumption of Mary is not explicitly recorded in Scripture, Catholic tradition identifies her with the “woman clothed with the sun” who is described in the 12th chapter of the Book of Revelation.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-francis-catechesis-general-audience-prayer-strength.html

Pope at Audience: Prayer is rudder to guide course of our lives
04 November 2020, 09:43

At the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis says Jesus shows us that we must pray early, often, and in silence, and urges everyone to pray for those who are ill with Covid-19 and the medical personnel working to treat them.
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis began his Wednesday General Audience noting that the event must “unfortunately” be held once again in the library of the Apostolic Palace without the presence of the faithful.

He called it a reminder of the importance of respecting the directives laid out by political and health authorities.

He also invited everyone to pray for those who are ill with Covid-19 and for the medical personnel working hard to treat them.

"Let us offer the Lord this distance between us, for the good of all," he said. "And let us think often about the ill, those who are already considered left behind. Let us think about doctors, nurses, volunteers, and the many people who are working with the sick right now, who risk their lives but do it out of love, their vocation, and love for their neighbor. Let us pray for them."

Mysterious reality

The Pope then continued his catechesis on Jesus’ example of prayer.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-general-audience-victims-attacks-terrorism-vienna-nice.html
Pope prays for defenseless victims of hatred and terror
04 November 2020, 11:28

https://zenit.org/2020/11/04/pope-resumes-privately-streamed-general-audiences-due-to-covid19-resurgence/
Pope Resumes Privately Streamed General Audiences Due to COVID19 Resurgence (FULL TEXT)
NOVEMBER 04, 2020 10:58  DEBORAH CASTELLANO LUBOV

Video, with English commentary, at the link below--
POPE'S GENERAL AUDIENCE OF 4 NOVEMBER 2020
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/papal-audience/2020-11/video-pope-francis-general-audience-4-november-2020.html

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-francs-apostolic-letter-motu-propio-institutes-consecrated.html

Pope issues Motu proprio on the establishment of institutes of consecrated life
04 November 2020, 11:52

In the Apostolic Letter "Authenticum charismatis," issued motu proprio, Pope Francis amends canon law to require the Holy See's approval for the valid erection of institutes of consecrated life.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis, with an Apostolic Letter issued motu proprio, and entitled Authenticum charismatis, has modified Canon 579 of the Code of Canon Law concerning the erection of institutes of consecrated life.

With this amendment, new institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life must receive written approval by the Apostolic See, which alone has final judgment as regards their erection. Previously the law stated that Diocesan Bishops could establish new institutes with prior consultation with the Holy See.

The new law will be promulgated by publication in L’Osservatore Romano. It will enter into force on 10 November 2020 and will be subsequently published in the official commentary of the Acta Apostolicae Sedis.
 
https://zenit.org/2020/11/04/apostolic-letter-authenticum-charismatis-in-form-of-a-motu-proprio-with-which-canon-579-of-code-of-canon-law-is-modified/
Apostolic Letter ‘Authenticum Charismatis,’ in Form of a Motu Proprio With Which Canon 579 of Code of Canon Law is Modified
Enters into Force on November 10, 2020
NOVEMBER 04, 2020 14:21

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-11/vatican-museums-closed-coronavirus-statement-holy-see-press.html

Covid-19: Vatican Museums, Pontifical Villas close again to public
04 November 2020, 12:40

Following the Italian government decree of 4 November, the Vatican Museums are being closed to the public, in compliance with precautionary anti-covid measures.
By Vatican News staff writer

A statement issued by the Holy See Press Office on Wednesday said the Vatican Museums will be closed to the public from 5 November to 3 December, in compliance with the Italian Government’s latest anti-covid regulations.

The statement also said that, due to the current health situation, the Museum of the Pontifical Villas and the “Scavi” - the Vatican Excavations Office - will also be closed.

A note on the Vatican Museums website informs that all tickets that have already been purchased will be automatically refunded.
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-offers-mass-for-deceased-cardinals-and-bishops.html
Pope celebrates Mass for deceased Cardinals and Bishops
05 November 2020, 11:16

Pope Francis, on Thursday, celebrates a Requiem Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica for the six Cardinals and 163 Bishops who have died in the past 12 months.
By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis on Thursday offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in suffrage for the souls of Cardinals and Bishops who have died over the course of the past year. The liturgy was celebrated in St Peter’s Basilica with only a small number of faithful present due to health and safety measures taken in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Resurrection and life

In his homily, Pope Francis recalled the words of Jesus, “I am the resurrection and the life,” from the Gospel account of the raising of Lazarus from the dead; as well as Martha’s profession of faith in Him: “’Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one coming into the world’.”

Jesus’ words, the Pope said, bring Martha’s hope in a future resurrection into the present, and challenge us “to believe in the resurrection” as a reality that is “even now mysteriously at work in our lives.” In the face of death, we experience sorrow and confusion. But with Jesus’ revelation, we are able to perceive invisible realities, and to see things in light of eternity.
 
https://zenit.org/2020/11/05/reminding-god-never-abandons-us-pope-encourages-us-to-follow-selfless-example-of-deceased-prelates-full-homily/
Reminding God Never Abandons Us, Pope Encourages Us to Follow Selfless Example of Deceased Prelates (Full Homily)
NOVEMBER 05, 2020 11:30  DEBORAH CASTELLANO LUBOV

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Video, with English text, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-francis-november-prayer-intention-robotics-ai-human.html
Pope’s November prayer intention: that progress in robotics and AI “be human”
05 November 2020, 15:44

In his video message on his prayer intention for November, Pope Francis emphasizes that progress in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) be oriented “towards respecting the dignity of the person and of Creation”.
By Vatican News staff writer

During the month of November, Pope Francis draws our attention to the epochal change that humanity is experiencing thanks to advances in artificial intelligence.  He, therefore, invites us to pray that this progress always “serve humankind,” respecting human dignity and taking care of Creation.

True progress

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made exponential advances, as evidenced by its many applications in different fields of knowledge. Today, 37% of organizations in the world have implemented AI in some way (which represents a 270% increase in the past four years).

In “The Pope Video” this month, Pope Francis clarifies that this progress in robotics and AI “can make a better world possible if it is joined to the common good.”  In this sense, he hopes for technological progress that does not increase the inequalities in society.  If it does, the Pope says, it will not be “true progress”.  Such progress does not take into account the dignity of the human person and care for Creation.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-11/administration-funds-secretariat-state-apsa.html

Management of funds of Secretariat of State passes to APSA
05 November 2020, 13:33

Pope Francis establishes a commission that within the next three months will implement the plans the Pope himself indicated to the Secretary of State in a letter last August. The funds of the Secretariat of State will be controlled by the Secretariat for the Economy.
By Vatican News

The funds managed by the Secretariat of State will soon be managed by the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA) and controlled by the Secretariat for the Economy (SPE). The move was explained by the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, who stated that on Wednesday 4 November, Pope Francis presided over a meeting attended by the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin; the Substitute of the Secretariat of State, Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra; the Secretary General of the Governorate of Vatican City State, Bishop Fernando Vergez; the President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See , Bishop Nunzio Galantino; and the Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, Fr Juan Antonio Guerrero. The purpose of the meeting was to promote the implementation of what Pope Francis had asked for in a letter addressed to the Secretary of State last 25 August, concerning the transfer of the administrative management of the funds of the Secretariat of State to the APSA and their control at the SPE.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-transfers-financial-administration-out-of-secretariat-of-state-58860:
Pope Francis transfers financial administration out of Secretariat of State

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Update:   Cardinal Becciu

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/lawyer-downplays-suspended-vatican-officials-role-in-london-property-deal-21698
Lawyer downplays suspended Vatican official’s role in London property deal
By Hannah Brockhaus

Rome Newsroom, Nov 5, 2020 / 01:00 pm MT (CNA).- A lawyer for Msgr. Mauro Carlino downplayed the suspended Vatican official’s involvement in a controversial London property deal, saying that his role was limited and ultimately benefited the Secretariat of State by saving five million euros.

Msgr. Carlino was secretary to Cardinal Angelo Becciu when he was “sostituto,” or the second-ranking official, at the Secretariat of State. In October 2019, Carlino was also one of five Vatican employees suspended after a raid on Secretariat of State offices.

While the Vatican has not commented on his current status, Carlino is listed as a resident of the Italian city of Lecce on the website of the local archdiocese.

Salvino Mondello, Carlino’s lawyer, responded this week to claims about the suspended secretariat official in an Oct. 15 article in Italian newspaper La Stampa.
 
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pope-francis-backed-controversial-london-investment-deal-lawyer-for-cardinal-beccius-ex-secretary-claims
Pope Francis backed controversial London investment deal, lawyer for Cardinal Becciù’s ex-secretary claims

Salvino Mondello, representing Cardinal Becciù’s former secretary Monsignor Mauro Carlino, wrote a letter to La Stampa, an Italian newspaper, stating that negotiations with financier Gianluigi Torzi over investments in a luxury apartment development scheme on London’s Sloane Avenue had the 'backing' of Pope Francis. 
Thu Nov 5, 2020 - 1:37 pm EST

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Update:  former cardinal Theodore McCarrick

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/mccarrick-report-due-for-release-next-week-38076
McCarrick report due for release next week
By Ed Condon and JD Flynn

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Nov 5, 2020 / 01:30 pm MT (CNA).- The Vatican’s long-awaited report on the career of former cardinal Theodore McCarrick is set to be released early next week, multiple Vatican sources have told CNA.

The report, which was initially expected to be released in December 2019, comes after a Vatican review of documents and witness accounts spanning McCarrick’s 40-year episcopal career, after he was accused of serial sexual crimes related to minors and seminarians in 2018.

Sources at the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops and Secretariat of State, which coordinated the review and report, independently told CNA that the report is slated for release early next week, with both identifying Nov. 10 as the expected publication date.

Reuters reported Nov. 5 that the report would be released ahead of a U.S. bishops’ meeting later this month.

One official who had seen the report described it to CNA as “lengthy.”

“The version I saw was more than 600 pages,” the official told CNA. “I don’t know if it will all go out in the end, or answer everyone’s questions, but it says a lot.”

McCarrick was a cardinal and the archbishop of two large American sees before he was found by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith “guilty of the following delicts while a cleric: solicitation in the Sacrament of Confession, and sins against the Sixth Commandment with minors and with adults, with the aggravating factor of the abuse of power,” and laicized in February 2019.

Pope Francis first announced an internal Vatican investigation into the career of McCarrick in October 2018.
 

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Update:  Vatican’s London property scandal

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/searches-carried-out-on-key-figures-in-vatican-financial-scandal-22694
Searches carried out on key figures in Vatican financial scandal
By Hannah Brockhaus

Rome Newsroom, Nov 6, 2020 / 01:00 pm MT (CNA).- Rome financial police executed a search warrant this week against three figures tied to the Vatican’s London property scandal. According to Italian media reports, the warrant was issued as part of an investigation into suspicions that the three were working together to defraud the Secretariat of State.

The homes, cars, and safety deposit boxes of Raffaele Mincione, Enrico Crasso, and Fabrizio Tirabassi were reportedly raided on the order of a Rome judge on Thursday, as part of the Vatican investigation into alleged fraud, money laundering, and extortion in connection to a luxury property development.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-francis-president-kenyatta-private-audience.html

Pope Francis receives Kenya’s President Kenyatta
06 November 2020, 13:41

Pope Francis receives the President of the Republic of Kenya in private audience in the Vatican.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis received President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta in private audience on Friday in the Vatican’s Apostolic Library.

A communique by the Holy See Press Office said that during the cordial discussions between the Pope and the President of the Republic of Kenya, the good existing bilateral relations were highlighted.

In particular, the two leaders spoke of the contribution of the Catholic Church to the good of Kenyan society, with special reference to the education and healthcare sectors.

Attention was also focused on the current situation of the country and the contribution it may make to multilateralism at both continental and international levels.

“Themes of common interest were also discussed, including the pandemic crisis in the region, climate change and the issue of refugees,” the press office statement read.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-francis-donates-pectoral-cross-to-crucifix-museum.html

Pope Francis donates pectoral cross to Crucifix museum
06 November 2020, 14:58

Pope Francis donates a pectoral cross to the International Museum of the Crucifix of Caltagirone, and in a letter encourages the faithful and pilgrims to adhere ever more intensely to Christ: the Way, the Truth and the Life.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis has donated a pectoral cross to the International Crucifix Museum in the Sicilian town of Caltagirone. The Museum was opened this year on 14 September, the feast of the Triumph of the Cross.

The Pope’s gift will be presented by the Bishop of Caltagirone, Calogero Peri. After celebrating the Mass for First Friday, Bishop Peri will entrust the pectoral cross to Father Enzo Mangano, the founder of the Museum.
 

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https://www.catholicnews.com/papal-nuncio-in-poland-announces-cardinals-ban-from-public-ministry/

Papal nuncio in Poland announces cardinal’s ban from public ministry
By: Jonathan Luxmoore
Date: November 6, 2020

WARSAW, Poland (CNS) — A retired Polish cardinal has been banned from all public appearances, and ordered to compensate his alleged victims, after being investigated for sexual abuse.

“As a result of inquiries into accusations against Cardinal Henryk Gulbinowicz, and after analyzing other charges concerning his past, the Holy See has taken disciplinary measures,” the Vatican’s nunciature in Warsaw said Nov. 6.

“He is barred from any kind of celebration or public meeting and from using his episcopal insignia, and is deprived of the right to a cathedral funeral and burial,” the nunciature’s brief statement said without providing details why the steps were being taken.

The announcement follows an 18-month investigation into abuse claims against the 97-year-old prelate, the oldest of Poland’s six cardinals. Cardinal Gulbinowicz headed the Archdiocese of Wroclaw for 28 years until his 2004 retirement. In the past, he was widely praised for his human rights advocacy during Poland’s communist era.

The statement also said that Cardinal Gulbinowicz would be required to pay an “appropriate sum” to the St. Joseph Foundation, which was established by the Polish bishops’ conference in November 2019 to assist abuse victims and coordinate abuse prevention and child protection.