Pope Francis

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-francis-mass-world-day-poor-homily-roberto-malgesini.html
Pope at Mass on World Day of Poor: ‘The poor guarantee us eternal income’
15 November 2020, 10:32

Pope Francis celebrates Mass to mark the World Day of the Poor, and urges Christians to spend our lives in prayer, charity, and witness to the Gospel on behalf of those in need.
By Devin Watkins

The World Day of the Poor was instituted in 2016 by Pope Francis, and is celebrated annually on the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

This year’s occurrence marks its 4th iteration, and is being observed under the theme: “Stretch forth your hand to the poor.”

Celebrating Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday to mark the occasion, Pope Francis reflected on the day’s Gospel (Mt 25:14-30), in which Jesus recounts a parable about a master who entrusts his servants with talents distributed according to their ability.

The Pope said the parable sheds light on the beginning, center, and end of our own lives.
 
https://zenit.org/2020/11/15/pope-stresses-service-in-homily-for-world-day-of-poor/
Pope Stresses Service in Homily for World Day of Poor
Celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica
NOVEMBER 15, 2020 13:32  JIM FAIR

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-at-angelus-we-must-use-our-gifts-for-good.html

Pope at Angelus: We must use our gifts for good
15 November 2020, 12:28

Pope Francis reflects on the Parable of the Talents at the Angelus on Sunday, saying God will reward “those who have used their gifts to do good.”
By Christopher Wells

On the penultimate Sunday of the liturgical year, Pope Francis reflected on the Parable of the Talents in St Matthew’s Gospel.

Jesus shares this parable in His discourse on the end times, immediately before His Passion, death, and resurrection.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-appeal-angelus-ivory-coast-dialogue-reconciliation.html
Pope calls for reconciliation and collaboration in Ivory Coast
15 November 2020, 12:42

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-angelus-philippines-typhoon-romania-fire-covid-hospital.html
Pope prays for victims of Romania fire and Philippines floods
15 November 2020, 13:18

https://zenit.org/2020/11/15/pope-at-angelus-parable-of-talents-applies-to-all-full-text/
Pope at Angelus: Parable of Talents Applies to All (Full Text)
Angelus Address on World Day of Poor
NOVEMBER 15, 2020 13:45

Video, with English commentary, at the link below--
POPE'S ANGELUS OF 15 NOVEMBER 2020
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/angelus/2020-11/video-pope-francis-angelus-15-november-2020.html

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https://zenit.org/2020/11/17/pope-to-celebrate-feast-of-christ-the-king-at-altar-of-st-peter/

Pope to Celebrate Feast of Christ the King at Altar of St. Peter
Consignment of World Youth Day Symbols at End of Mass
NOVEMBER 17, 2020 15:41

On the occasion of the Solemnity of Christ, King of the Universe, on Sunday, November 22, at 10:00 am the Holy Father will preside over the Eucharistic Celebration at the Altar of the Chair of Saint Peter’s Basilica. At the end of the Mass, the consignment will take place of the WYD symbols — the Cross as well as the copy of the Icon Salus Popoli Romani — by the representation of the Panamanian young people to the Portuguese youths. In fact, the last World Youth Day was held in Panama, whereas the next, foreseen for 2023, will take place in Lisbon. In keeping with the present norms of health safety, the symbolic gesture of the consignment will take place in the presence of very restricted delegations of both countries.

All are invited to take part virtually in the Eucharistic Celebration, which will be broadcast live on the “Vatican News” official YouTube channel.

The same broadcast will be followed by those responsible for Youth Pastoral Care of the Episcopal Conferences and of International Movements, which from tomorrow and until Saturday will take part in the international online Meeting “From Panama to Lisbon — Called to Missionary Synodality,” organized by our Dicastery. Both the consignment of the WYD symbols as well as the International Meeting initially planned for April 2020, were postponed given the global health emergency still underway.
 

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Appointments...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-francis-appoints-new-bishop-for-the-diocese-of-youngstown.html
Pope Francis appoints new bishop for the diocese of Youngstown, USA
17 November 2020, 12:14

Pope Francis appoints Rev. David J. Bonnar as the new Bishop of Youngstown in the United States.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis on Tuesday appointed Rev. David J. Bonnar as the new Bishop of Youngstown, Ohio (U.S.A.).

Father Bonnar is a priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania), and has been until now parish priest of St. Aidan Parish in Wexford.
 
https://zenit.org/2020/11/17/point-appoints-vicar-apostolic-of-zamora-ecuador/
Point Appoints Vicar Apostolic of Zamora, Ecuador
Reverend Jaime Oswaldo Castillo Villacrés
NOVEMBER 17, 2020 15:50

https://zenit.org/2020/11/17/holy-father-names-members-of-congregation-for-evangelization-of-peoples/
Holy Father Names Members of Congregation for Evangelization of Peoples
Announced Today by Vatican
NOVEMBER 17, 2020 16:15

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Deaths of cardinals...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-telegram-condolences-cardinal-chiriboga-quito-ecuador.html
Pope expresses sorrow for death of Cardinal Vela Chiriboga
17 November 2020, 11:07

Pope Francis recalls the service and selfless dedication of Cardinal Raúl Eduardo Vela Chiriboga, Archbishop Emeritus of Quito, who died on Sunday.
By Vatican News staff writer

In a telegram addressed to Archbishop Alfredo José Espinoza Mateus of Quito, Ecuador, Pope Francis expressed his sadness for the death of Cardinal Raúl Eduardo Vela Chiriboga.

The Archbishop Emeritus, who served as Archbishop of Quito from 2003 to 2010, died on Sunday after spending several weeks in palliative care.

In his message, the Pope also said he is close to the deceased Cardinal’s family and to all members of the ecclesial community in Quito.

“Remembering this selfless pastor who, for years and in fidelity dedicated his life to serving God and the Church, I offer prayers for the eternal rest of his soul,” the Pope said, imparting his apostolic blessing upon the deceased and his community, "as a sign of Christian hope in the Risen Lord."
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-11/polish-cardinal-gulbinowicz-dies-age-97.html
Polish Cardinal Gulbinowicz dies at age of 97
16 November 2020, 15:19

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/california-bishop-cantu-faces-vatican-investigation-17520

California Bishop Cantu under Vatican 'Vos estis' investigation
By JD Flynn and Ed Condon

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Nov 17, 2020 / 07:52 am MT (CNA).- The Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops has ordered an investigation into Bishop Oscar Cantu’s handling of allegations of clerical sexual abuse and misconduct. The investigation is being carried out under the provisions of Vos estis lux mundi, Pope Francis’ 2019 law for holding bishops accountable in the handling of sexual abuse cases.

Senior sources in the Vatican told CNA that the investigation was ordered by Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, in October and that the allegations concern Cantu’s handling of abuse and misconduct cases in his former diocese of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Cantu is now Bishop of San Jose, California.

One senior official in the Vatican congregation, who spoke to CNA on condition of anonymity because the investigation is confidential, said that Pope Francis has adopted a “zero tolerance” policy with regard to American bishops’ handling of clerical sexual misconduct.
 

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Update:  McCarrick Report

https://zenit.org/2020/11/16/rectors-college-of-the-catholic-university-of-lublin-slandering-st-john-paul-ii-unsubstantiated/
Rector’s College of the Catholic University of Lublin: ‘Slandering St. John Paul II Unsubstantiated’

Recalls as early as 1993, JPII pointed out to US bishops that, for sexual crimes, ‘canonical punishments, including expulsion from priesthood, were necessary & fully justified’
NOVEMBER 16, 2020 11:33  PAWEŁ RYTEL-ANDRIANIK

The Rector’s College of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin says there are no facts or objective findings behind the subjective theses slandering St. John Paul II. The Pope from Poland was the one who started the fight against the perpetrators of the acts against the fundamental dignity of the weakest and introduced the principle of “zero tolerance for pedophilia.”

In a statement issued on Saturday, the College of the Catholic University of Lublin emphasizes that it recognizes the harm and pain of victims of sexual crimes. “We express our deep sympathy to them and assure them of our support and prayer, as well as of help they can receive in the ecclesial community. Undeniably, perpetrators of abuses must fairly account for their actions, repent, and ask for forgiveness for their shameful sins. It is also necessary to constantly raise the security level of children and young people in all environments,” says the document.

Its authors also add that the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin cannot remain indifferent in the face of «fallacious accusations, calumnies, and slander, directed recently against our patron saint.” “When observing the narrative presented by some media that relay opinions voiced by selected commentators, it is hard not to see that they are primarily motivated by a systemic or projected aversion to the Catholic Church. The subjective theses expressed by some circles are by no means substantiated by facts and objective findings—for example, presented in the Report of the Holy See’s Secretariat of State on Theodore McCarrick,” writes the Rector’s College of the Catholic University of Lublin.
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

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

Pope at Audience: Mary a woman of prayer and model for our prayer
18 November 2020, 09:22

Pope Francis reflects on prayer and on how the Virgin Mary, who entrusted herself to God with docility, is a model for our own lives.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis greeted the faithful on Wednesday morning, saying: “Today we meet the Virgin Mary as the prayerful woman.”

Continuing his catechesis on prayer during the weekly General Audience, which is currently streamed live from the Apostolic Library, the Pope upheld Mary as a model for our own life and prayer.
 
https://zenit.org/2020/11/18/pope-francis-want-a-model-for-our-prayer-look-to-mary-full-text/
Pope Francis: Want a Model for Our Prayer? Look to Mary (FULL TEXT)
NOVEMBER 18, 2020 10:41  DEBORAH CASTELLANO LUBOV

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-11/economy-of-francesco-valentina-rotondi-interview.html

The Economy of Francesco: ‘Young people fighting inequalities’
18 November 2020, 19:06

Valentina Rotondi, a social scientist with training in applied economics and econometrics, is a part of the Central Organizing Committee of "The Economy of Francesco". She talks about her long-term aims and expectations for the event.
By Linda Bordoni

The countdown is almost over. On Thursday 19 November, The Economy of Francesco event kicks-off setting into motion the 12 “EoF” thematic villages that will be working on key topics relating to a new, and more just, model of economy.

Preparatory work has been going on since the event was convoked by Pope Francis in 2019. At the time, the Holy Father asked economists and young people to give life to the idea of a different kind of economy, one that is more attentive to the weakest members of society and is not focused exclusively on increasing material wealth.

The Economy of Francesco will come to life on a virtual platform due to the global coronavirus pandemic, and foresees three intense days of webinars and seminars streamed on the organization’s official YouTube channel.

The conferences feature internationally recognized key speakers, including Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus and economists and experts such as Kate Raworth, Jeffrey Sachs, John Perkins, Vandana Shiva, Stefano Zamagni, Mauro Magatti, Juan Camilo Cardenas, Jennifer Nedelsky, Sr. Cécile Renouard as well as many top business entrepreneurs and managers.
 
https://edwardpentin.co.uk/poverty-and-inequality-what-to-think/
Poverty and Inequality, What to Think?
November 18, 2020  Edward Pentin
By Julio Loredo

Those who have known the communist world know that it is marked not only by the dictatorial character of the regime, but also by the drabness of everyday life: poor lighting, non-existent maintenance, dilapidated buildings, meager food, empty shelves, dull clothing, little choice of entertainment, absence of superfluous goods and so on.

This drabness is an obvious consequence of the economic failure of the communist regimes. But it also obeys a philosophical design. The communist system is designed to induce indolence. Outside of the privileged few of the nomenklatura, no one has the right to ensure a greater well-being in accordance with the systematic quantitative and qualitative increase in one’s commitment. This is due to the totalitarian principle of equality, the essence of communism: no one can have more than the other, so as not to produce any sort of “alienation.” And the only way for everyone to be equal is for everyone to be poor: all poor, all equal.

This egalitarianism is the key to understanding Pope Francis’ latest encyclical and, presumably, the international event “The Economy of Francesco” starting tomorrow. Poverty is the means. The goal is egalitarianism.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-11/holy-see-gallagher-religious-freedom-violence-populism-covid.html

Holy See denounces populism and violence against religions
18 November 2020, 14:26

Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher addressed the “Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom”, held online, Nov. 16-17. The forum brings together leaders from around the world to discuss the challenges facing religious freedom.
By Vatican News staff writer

The Holy See has once more condemned violence against religions or beliefs, as well as forms of populism and nationalism that regard migrants and refugees as “others” and “enemies”.  Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher made the point at the “Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom”, Nov. 16-17.

The annual event sponsored by the US Department of State brings together leaders from around the world to discuss the challenges facing religious freedom, identify means to address religious persecution and discrimination worldwide, and promote greater respect and preservation of religious liberty for all.  Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s summit, hosted by the government of Poland, was held online.
 

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Update:  Cardinal Becciu

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/cardinal-angelo-becciu-seeks-damages-over-groundless-italian-media-reports-37582
Cardinal Becciu seeks damages over 'groundless' Italian media reports
By Hannah Brockhaus

Rome Newsroom, Nov 18, 2020 / 09:30 am MT (CNA).- Cardinal Angelo Becciu said Wednesday he is taking legal action against an Italian media outlet for publishing “unfounded accusations” against him.

In the Nov. 18 statement, the former senior Vatican official again denied reports that he had used Church funds to benefit family members, or that he had attempted to influence the outcome of a sex abuse trial against Cardinal George Pell in Australia last year.

Becciu, until recently the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, called the allegations “all false” and repeated that he has not been contacted by Vatican judicial authorities.

Since September, Italian newsweekly L’Espresso has published several reports about the former curial official, including claims he is being investigated by the Vatican for misuse of Secretariat of State funds and papal alms while he was serving as the department’s sostituto.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-francis-message-passionists-300-anniversary.html

Pope to Passionists: Renew mission with gestures of love and gratitude
19 November 2020, 12:04

Pope Francis writes a message to the Passionists on the 300th anniversary of their foundation, and urges them to renew their charism and mission by focusing on gratitude, prophecy, and hope.
By Devin Watkins

The Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ, commonly known as the Passionists, was founded in Italy by Saint Paul of the Cross on 21 November 1720.

As the religious order celebrates its third centenary, Pope Francis wrote a message on Thursday to the Superior General, Fr. Joachim Rego, C.P.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-francis-latin-america-church-seminar-pandemic.html

Pope urges Latin American Church to promote solidarity during pandemic
19 November 2020, 16:20

Pope Francis sends a video message to a seminar on the Covid-19 pandemic in Latin America, and says the crisis has revealed the plight of the marginalized.
By Devin Watkins

Two Vatican offices teamed up with the local Church to host a seminar entitled: “Latin America: Church, Pope Francis, and scenarios of the pandemic.”

Taking place on 19-20 November, the online event was organized by the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, and the Conference of Latin American Bishops (CELAM). It seeks to find ways to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the people of the region by promoting solidarity.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-bishop-ethics-committee-will-guide-future-investments-41413

Vatican bishop: Ethics committee will guide future investments
By Hannah Brockhaus

Vatican City, Nov 19, 2020 / 07:30 am MT (CNA).- A Vatican bishop said this week that a committee of outside professionals is being created to help keep Holy See investments both ethical and profitable.

Bishop Nunzio Galantino, president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA), said Nov. 19 that statutes for a new “Investment Committee” were waiting to be approved.

The committee of “high-profile external professionals” will work with the Council for the Economy and the Secretariat for the Economy to “guarantee the ethical nature of investments, inspired by the social doctrine of the Church, and at the same time, their profitability,” Galantino told the Italian magazine Famiglia Cristiana.

Earlier this month, Pope Francis asked that investment funds be moved out of the Secretariat of State and into APSA, Galantino’s office.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-investigating-racy-instagram-like-by-papal-account-56590

Vatican investigating racy Instagram 'like' by papal account
By Christine Rousselle

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Nov 17, 2020 / 06:00 pm MT (CNA).- The Vatican is investigating usage of the papal Instagram account after Pope Francis’ official page liked a racy picture of a scantily-clad model.

The picture “liked” by Pope Francis’ verified account, Franciscus, features Brazilian model and Twitch streamer Natalia Garibotto wearing a lingerie outfit that resembles a school uniform. Garibotto’s mostly-uncovered posterior is visible in the picture. The exact time of the “like” is unclear, but it was visible and reported by news outlets on November 13.

The photograph was unliked on November 14, after CNA asked the Holy See Press Office for comment. An official for the Holy See Press Office declined to comment on the event.

Sources close to the Vatican press office confirmed to CNA that the pope’s various social media accounts are managed by a team of employees, and that an internal investigation is underway to determine how the “like” happened.
 

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The Economy of Francesco event

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-11/the-economy-of-francesco-begins-on-thursday.html
The Economy of Francesco event kicks off on Thursday
19 November 2020, 11:53

Inspired by Pope Francis, young people from around the world are meeting online over the course of three days to contemplate ideas and offer practical proposals for a new global economy.
By Vatican News staff writer

On Thursday, more than 2,000 young people from around the world gather online to envision possibilities for a more just, inclusive, and sustainable global economy.

The Economy of Francesco event is inspired by Pope Francis who, on the feast of St Joseph the Worker in 2019,  invited young economists and entrepreneurs from around the world to take part in a meeting that would contemplate “a different kind of economy: one that brings life not death, one that is inclusive and not exclusive, humane and not dehumanizing, one that cares for the environment and does not despoil.”

In his Letter, the Pope explained that the event would be an opportunity “to bring us together and allow us to meet one another and eventually enter into a ‘covenant’ to change today’s economy and to give a soul to the economy of tomorrow.”
 
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2020/11/economy-of-francis-event-to-showcase-papal-vision-for-global-economic-shakeup/
Economy of Francis’ event to showcase papal vision for global economic shakeup
Elise Ann Allen  Nov 19, 2020

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/leonardo-boff-keynote
Liberation Theologian Leonardo Boff Is a Keynote Speaker at Vatican’s ‘Economy of Francesco’ Conference
The controversial former Franciscan priest was disciplined by the Vatican in the 1980s, for disseminating Marxist-oriented ideas that demonstrated ‘a profound misunderstanding of the Catholic faith.’
Edward Pentin  November 19, 2020

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-francis-pontifical-latin-american-pious-college-address.html

Pope to Latin American seminarians: 'Cure the world of evil that afflicts it'
20 November 2020, 12:45

Pope Francis receives members of the Pontifical Latin American College in Rome, and reminds them of the richness that their culture has to offer to Christian communities around the world.
By Vatican News staff writer

 “Although history has separated our peoples, it has not destroyed the root that unites them in that great work of the evangelization of America.”

Pope Francis opened his remarks to the community of the Pontifical Latin American College with these words. He explained that it is on this premise that the College was born: “A commitment that would unite all our particular Churches and at the same time open them to the Universal Church in this city of Rome.”
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/cardinal-parolin-recalls-vaticans-1916-condemnation-of-anti-semitism-12579

Cardinal Parolin highlights recently found 1916 Vatican letter condemning anti-Semitism
By Courtney Mares

Vatican City, Nov 20, 2020 / 06:30 am MT (CNA).- The Vatican Secretary of State said Thursday that “a living and faithful common memory” is an indispensable tool to fight anti-Semitism.

“In recent years, we have witnessed the spread of a climate of evil and antagonism, in which anti-Semitic hatred has been manifested through a number of attacks in various countries. The Holy See condemns all forms of anti-Semitism, recalling that such acts are neither Christian nor human,” Cardinal Pietro Parolin said at a virtual symposium Nov. 19.

Speaking at the “Never Again: Confronting the Global Rise of Anti-Semitism” virtual event organized by the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See, the cardinal stressed the importance of a sense of history in combating anti-Semitism.

“In this context, it is particularly interesting to consider what only recently has been found in the Historic Archive of the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State. I would like to share with you one small example that is especially memorable for the Catholic Church,” he said.

“On Feb. 9, 1916, my predecessor, Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Gasparri, wrote a letter to the American Jewish Committee of New York, where he states: ‘The Supreme Pontiff […], head of the Catholic Church, which -- faithful to its divine doctrine and to its most glorious traditions -- considers all men as brethren and teaches to love one another, he will not cease to inculcate the observance among individuals, as among nations, of the principles of natural right, and to reprove any violation of them. This right should be observed and respected in relation to the children of Israel as it should be as for all men, for it would not conform to justice and to religion itself to derogate there from solely because of a difference of religious faith.’”
 

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https://cruxnow.com/church-in-europe/2020/11/italian-cardinal-discharged-from-hospital-after-battle-with-covid-19/

Italian cardinal discharged from hospital after battle with COVID-19
Elise Ann AllenNov 20, 2020

ROME – On Thursday, Italian Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti was discharged from the Saint Mary of Mercy hospital in Perugia, where he serves as archbishop, after spending roughly 20 days there fighting the COVID coronavirus.

The president of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, Bassetti is among the most senior officials in the Catholic Church to contract the coronavirus and recover, including the pope’s Vicar of Rome, Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, and Cardinal Philippe Ouédraogo, Archbishop of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).

Filipino Cardinal Luis Tagle, head of the Vatican’s department for the Evangelization of Peoples, also tested positive, but was asymptomatic.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2020-11/serbian-orthodox-patriarch-irinej-a-model-of-faith-and-dialogue.html

Serbian Patriarch Irinej was a model of faith and dialogue
21 November 2020, 11:50

The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity mourns the death of Patriarch Irinej, head of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
By Vatican News staff reporters

Just three weeks after presiding at the funeral of the Orthodox Metropolitan of Montenegro, Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Irinej succumbed to the coronavirus in a hospital in Belgrade, at the age of 90.

Irinej, born Miroslav Gavrilović, was elected Patriarch of Serbia in 2010. Christians are a large majority in Serbia, with most belonging to the Serbian Orthodox Church, of which Irinej was the head. The church has ecclesiastical jurisdictions in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Croatia, with other congregations located in the Serb diaspora.