Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-caring-for-the-sick-is-not-optional.html

Pope Francis: Caring for the sick is not optional
07 February 2021, 12:10

Pope Francis reflects on Jesus’ ministry of healing during the Angelus on Sunday, the first to be held in St Peter's Square as anti-covid distancing measures are slowly eased.
By Christopher Wells

The healing of St Peter’s mother-in-law is characteristic of Jesus’ miracles of healing, Pope Francis says during his weekly Angelus address. In St Mark’s Gospel, we read that Jesus drew near her, took her hand, and raised her up from the bed where she was suffering from a fever.

The episode also shows the outcome of the healing: the person healed immediately resumes their normal life, thinking immediately of others, and not themselves. This, the Pope says, “is significant, it is a sign of true ‘health’.”
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-angelus-appeal-myanmar.html
Pope appeals to Myanmar leaders to serve the common good
07 February 2021, 12:46

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-angelus-appeal-unaccompanied-minors-trafficking-bakhita.html
Pope speaks out for unaccompanied minors and Day Against Trafficking
07 February 2021, 13:17

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-on-day-for-life-demographic-winter-menaces-italy-s-future.html
Pope on Day for Life: Demographic winter threatens Italy's future
07 February 2021, 16:15

Video, with English commentary, at the link below--
POPE'S ANGELUS OF 7 FEBRUARY 2021
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/angelus/2021-02/pope-s-angelus-of-7-february-2021.html

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-diplomatic-corps-pandemic-crises.html

Pope to diplomats: Fraternity, the true remedy to crises and divisions
08 February 2021, 14:21

Pope Francis on Monday addressed members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See for the annual exchange of New Year greetings. In the state-of-the-world address, he reviewed the multiple crises affecting various parts of world, including those caused by the pandemic, and said that fraternity and hope can help overcome them.
By Robin Gomes

In his traditional encounter with the ambassadors to the Holy See, Pope Francis reflected on the numerous crises unleashed by the pandemic, and on other problems affecting the world, stressing that the fraternity is the true cure for them.

However, the most serious of them, he said, is “the crisis of human relationships, as the expression of a general anthropological crisis, dealing with the very conception of the human person and his or her transcendent dignity”. “I am convinced that fraternity is the true cure for the pandemic and the many evils that have affected us. Along with vaccines, fraternity and hope are, as it were, the medicine we need in today’s world,” the Pope said.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-tells-diplomats-right-to-life-is-a-foundational-human-right-24844
Pope Francis tells diplomats 'right to life' is a foundational human right

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-asks-people-to-pray-for-every-victim-of-human-trafficking-26276

Pope Francis asks people to pray for every victim of human trafficking
By Courtney Mares

Vatican City, Feb 8, 2021 / 08:30 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis has asked people to pray Monday for every person who is currently a victim of human trafficking.

“In times of crisis, human trafficking proliferates; therefore, an economy needs to be strengthened so that it may respond to the crisis in a way that is not short-sighted, in a lasting way, in a solid way,” Pope Francis said in the video message published Feb. 8.

“Dear brothers and sisters, let us put all this in our prayer, especially today, through the intercession of St. Josephine Bakhita. … Let us all pray together for every person who is a victim of  human trafficking at this moment.”
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2021-02/thalita-kum-human-trafficking-prayer-marathon.html
8 February: International Day of Prayer Against Human Trafficking
07 February 2021, 12:30

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-programme-for-apostolic-visit-to-iraq-announced.html

Pope Francis' programme for Apostolic Visit to Iraq announced
08 February 2021, 13:53

The Holy See's Press Office announces Pope Francis' schedule for his upcoming Apostolic Visit to Iraq from March 5 - 8.
Vatican News

Pope Francis' Apostolic Visit to Iraq begins on Friday morning 5 March when he departs from Rome and arrives at Baghdad International Airport in the afternoon.

Official Welcome and Visit with Civil Authorities
The official welcome ceremony will take place at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad followed by a courtesy visit to the President. Pope Francis will also meet with civil authorities and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

Meeting with Priests and Religious
As part of the schedule on Friday, the Pope will meet with Bishops, Priests, Religious, Consecrated Persons, Seminarians and Catechists at the Syro-Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad.
 
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2021/02/08/0082/00167.html#in
Apostolic Journey of His Holiness Francis to Iraq
(5-8 March 2021)

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Vatican Radio to launch web radio

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-02/vatican-radio-90th-anniversary-statement-web-radio.html
Vatican Radio celebrating 90th anniversary with new services
09 February 2021, 12:30

As the Pope’s Radio celebrates its 90th anniversary, the directors of Vatican Radio announce the creation of a new website and a 24-hour web radio.
By Devin Watkins

Pope Pius XI inaugurated Vatican Radio on 12 February 1931 with the clear mission of carrying the voice of the Pope and the hope of the Gospel to every corner of the globe.

It was designed and set up by Guglielmo Marconi, who invented the first commercially-successful radio transmission system, and was entrusted to the Jesuit Order until 2017.

Now, 90 years later, Vatican Radio has expanded its operations to include radio transmissions in 41 languages.

To mark this major milestone, the broadcaster is also launching a reworked website and a web radio which will broadcast programming 24 hours a day.
 
New services

The Web Radio of Vatican Radio will debut on 12 February in English, Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and Armenian, at the website: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/epg.html .

Throughout the year, about 30 live program schedules will be created.

Vatican Radio currently transmits in 41 languages: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Belarusian, Brasilian, Bulgarian, Czech, Chinese, Croatian, English, Esperanto, Ewondo, French, German, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Kikongo, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Latin, Latvian, Lingala, Lithuanian, Malagasy, Malayalam, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Slovenian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Tigrinya, Tshiluba, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-radio-to-launch-web-radio-on-90th-birthday-23338
Vatican Radio to launch web radio on 90th anniversary

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-general-audience-prayer-daily-events-life-today.html

Pope at Audience: We meet God in prayer, in the 'today' that we live
10 February 2021, 10:49

Continuing his catechesis on Christian prayer, Pope Francis reflects on why and how we should pray in all the events of everyday life.
By Robin Gomes

In last week’s General Audience, Pope Francis spoke about how Christian prayer is “anchored” in the liturgy. In this week’s audience, streamed live from the Library of the Apostolic Palace, he explains how prayer returns from the liturgy to the daily situations of life, such as on the streets, in offices and on public transport.

“Essentially, everything becomes a part of this dialogue with God,” which is prayer. “Every joy becomes a reason for praise, every trial is an opportunity to ask for help,” he says. “Prayer,” according to the Pope, “is always alive in life, like embers of fire... Even when the mouth does not speak, the heart talks.” 

Every thought, even apparently “profane” ones, can be permeated by prayer, "which illuminates the few steps in front of us and then opens up to the entire reality that precedes it and surpasses it."

"Christian prayer instills an invincible hope in the human heart," the Pope said, adding, “whatever experience we touch on our journey, God’s love can turn it into good."
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-audience-appeal-india-flood-lunar-new-year-greeting.html
Pope prays for victims of calamity in India
10 February 2021, 12:07

Video, with English commentary, at the link below--
POPE'S GENERAL AUDIENCE OF 10 FEBRUARY 2021
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/papal-audience/2021-02/pope-francis-video-general-audience-10-february-2021.html

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-presented-with-historic-prayer-manuscript-saved-from-isis-67382

Pope Francis presented with historic prayer manuscript saved from Islamic State
By Courtney Mares

Vatican City, Feb 10, 2021 / 01:00 pm MT (CNA).- Pope Francis was presented on Wednesday with a historic Aramaic prayer manuscript rescued from the Islamic State’s destructive occupation of northern Iraq.

Dating back to sometime between the 14th and 15th century, the book contains liturgical prayers in Aramaic for the season of Easter in the Syriac tradition.

The manuscript was formerly kept in the Great Al-Tahira Immaculate Conception Cathedral (pictured below), the Syriac Catholic cathedral in Bakhdida, also known as Qaraqosh. The cathedral was plundered and set alight when the Islamic State had control of the town from 2014 to 2016.

Pope Francis is due to visit the cathedral in Bakhdida on his upcoming trip to Iraq on March 5-8.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-pakistan-karachi-appointment-travas-coutts.html

Pope appoints new archbishop in Karachi, Pakistan
11 February 2021, 11:52

As Cardinal Joseph Coutts retires, Pope Francis appoints Bishop Benny Travas as the new Archbishop of Karachi.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis has appointed a new archbishop in the Archdiocese of Karachi, Pakistan.  On Thursday, he accepted the resignation of Cardinal Joseph Coutts of Karachi, who stepped down on reaching the canonical retirement age of 75 in July 2020. In his place, the Pope appointed Bishop Benny Mario Travas of Multan as Archbishop.

Bishop Travas was born on November 21 1966 and ordained a priest on December 7, 1990.  Appointed Apostolic Administrator of Multan in 2014, he was nominated its bishop on May 29, 2015 and was consecrated bishop on August 15, 2015.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/lourdes-shrine-invites-the-sick-to-find-hope-through-virtual-visit-51732

Lourdes shrine invites the sick to find hope through virtual visit
By Courtney Mares

Rome Newsroom, Feb 11, 2021 / 08:00 am MT (CNA).- On the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the papal delegate for the Marian shrine urged masked pilgrims and virtual viewers alike not to lose hope in the face of sickness and difficulties.

“Lourdes is the place where numerous sick usually come to entrust to Mary their lives, their pains, sometimes their discouragement, but also to find peace, confidence, daily hope,” Bishop Antoine Hérouard said in his homily for the Mass offered at Lourdes on Feb. 11.

Hérouard, the papal delegate for the Lourdes sanctuary and auxiliary bishop of Lille, said that he knew that many people “have a heavy heart not being able to come to Lourdes” during this difficult time. But he underlined that, whether from behind a screen or through the airwaves, “the power of prayer brings the whole world together with Mary here in Lourdes.”

More than 6,000 viewers tuned in live online to watch the Mass at the Lourdes Basilica of St. Pius X and prayer at the Marian grotto through the sanctuary’s YouTube live-stream Thursday morning.
 
The feast of Our Lady of Lourdes coincides with the World Day of the Sick, established by St. John Paul II in 1992.

Lourdes has been known as a sanctuary for the sick for more than a century. The shrine contains a spring through which miraculous healings have been documented.
 
In this year’s message for the World Day of the Sick, Pope Francis said that Christ’s death and resurrection gave full meaning to the experience of illness.

He wrote: “The Gospel frequently makes this clear by showing that Jesus heals not by magic but as the result of an encounter, an interpersonal relationship, in which God’s gift finds a response in the faith of those who accept it. As Jesus often repeats: ‘Your faith has saved you.’”

The pope also said that “sickness raises the question of life’s meaning, which we bring before God in faith.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-appointments-pontifical-academy-for-life.html

Pope names new members to Pontifical Academy for Life
12 February 2021, 15:37

Pope Francis appoints four new members to the Pontifical Academy for Life, three of whom hail from Italy and one from El Salvador.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis added 4 new Ordinary Acadamicians to the Pontifical Academy for Life on Friday.

Fr Paolo Benanti, T.O.R., is a professor of Moral Theology, Bioethics, and Neuro-ethics at Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University.

Sister Margarita Bofarull, R.S.C.J., serves as a professor of Moral Theology at the all’Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas in El Salvador.

Professor Gualtiero Walter Ricciardi directs the Department of Sciences of Women’s, Children’s, and Public Health at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, in Italy.

Professor Maria Chiara Carrozza is a professor of Industrial Engineering at the Normal School of Pisa, in Italy.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/renewing-faith-hope-and-love-pope-francis-lenten-message.html

Renewing faith, hope and love: Pope Francis’ message for Lent 2021
12 February 2021, 12:13

In his message for Lent 2021, Pope Francis calls on the faithful to “renew our faith, draw from the living waters of hope, and receive with open hearts the love of God.”
By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis focuses on the three theological virtues in his Lenten message for 2021, inviting the faithful to “renew our faith, draw from the living waters of hope, and receive with open hearts the love of God.”

Grounding his reflection on the Paschal Mystery, the Pope says, “This Lenten journey… is even now illumined by the light of the resurrection, which inspires the thoughts, attitudes and decisions of the followers of Jesus.”

He goes on to say that the journey of conversion, through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, “makes it possible for us to live lives of sincere faith, living hope, and effective charity.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-commissaries-holy-land-annivesary.html

Pope sends message on 600th anniversary of Holy Land Commissaries
12 February 2021, 12:59

Pope Francis highlights the important service of the Commissaries of the Holy Land, in a message for the 600th anniversary of their institution.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis sent a message Friday for the six hundredth anniversary, on Sunday, of the institution of the Commissaries of the Holy Land.

“The coming 14th [of February] is the 600th anniversary of the institution of the Commissaries of the Holy Land by Pope Martin V,” Pope Francis noted in the letter addressed to Custos of the Holy Land, Brother Francesco Patton, OFM.

After all these centuries, the Pope said, “the mission of the Commissaries is still relevant: to support, promote and enhance the mission of the Custody of the Holy Land by making a network of ecclesial, spiritual and charitable relationships that have as their focal point the land where Jesus lived.”

Reiterating his support for their “precious service” and extending his blessing on it, the Holy Father went on to express hope that it may "increasingly become a seed of fraternity.”

“I bless all from my heart - and please do not forget to pray for me,” the Pope said, concluding his message.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2021-02/nobel-peace-prize-priest-slovenia.html

Father Opeka of "Akamasoa" nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
11 February 2021, 11:55

Lazarist missionary, Fr. Pedro Opeka has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work among the poor in Madagascar.
By Lisa Zengarini

The Argentinian-Slovenian Lazarist missionary Father Pedro Opeka and his humanitarian association “Akamasoa” (“City of Friendship”) have been nominated for the Peace Nobel Prize by the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Janez Janša. The nomination was announced on January 31st on the official website of the Slovenian government.

According to the Prime Minister,  the Akamasoa Community - which father Opeka founded over 30 years ago and which Pope Francis visited in September 2019 during his Apostolic Journey to Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius - has given an outstanding contribution to "social and human development" in Madagascar, helping it to achieve the 2030 UN goals for sustainable development. Janša has also remembered the former Malagasy President Hery Rajaonarimampianina as saying that father Opeka “is a living beacon of hope and faith in the fight against poverty".
 
During his visit to the Akamasoa City of Friendship, on September 8, 2019, Pope Francis remarked that at its foundations “is a living faith translated into concrete actions capable of ‘moving mountains’” and that its success shows “that poverty is not inevitable”.

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-angelus-gospel-prejudice-healing.html

Pope at Angelus: ‘Overcome prejudice and get involved in the lives of others'
14 February 2021, 12:35

Pope Francis invites the faithful to overcome prejudices and the fear of getting involved in the lives of others, and follow the example of Jesus who shares our wounds and heals our lives.
By Linda Bordoni

Reflecting on the Gospel reading of the day (Mk 1:40-45), Pope Francis spoke of how the Lord drew near to us, broke down every barrier, and touched our lives to heal them.

Speaking during the Sunday Angelus in St Peter’s Square, the Pope recalled the day's Gospel reading, which tells of the encounter between Jesus and the sick man who had leprosy.

He noted that lepers were considered impure and, according to the prescriptions of the Law, were marginalized and excluded from every human, social and religious relationship.

But Jesus, the Pope said, allowed the man to draw near to Him, even to the point of extending His hand and touching him.

“This is how He fulfills the Good News He proclaims: God drew near to our lives, He is moved to compassion because of the fate of wounded humanity and comes to break down every barrier that prevents us from being in relationship with Him, with others and with ourselves,” the Pope said.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-thanks-colombia-for-efforts-to-protect-migrants.html
Pope thanks Colombia for efforts to protect migrants
14 February 2021, 13:14

Video, with English commentary, at the link below--
POPE'S ANGELUS OF 14 FEBRUARY 2021
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/angelus/2021-02/pope-s-angelus-of-14-february-2021.html

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Appointments...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-gary-janak-auxiliary-san-antonio-texas.html
Pope appoints new Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio
15 February 2021, 12:26

Pope Francis appoints Msgr. Gary W. Janak as the new auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio, Texas (USA).
By Vatican News staff writer

The Holy Father on Monday named a new Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas.

Bishop-elect Gary W. Janak hails from the clergy of the Texan Diocese of Victoria.

Pope Francis also assigned him the titular see of Dionysiana.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/india-coadjutor-dibrugarh-albert-hemrom-succeeds-bishop.html
New bishop of Dibrugarh Diocese in India
15 February 2021, 16:34

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-remembers-children-struggling-with-cancer.html

Pope remembers children struggling with cancer
15 February 2021, 13:25

Pope Francis calls on everyone to remember those who suffer, especially children, on the 15 February annual International Childhood Cancer Day.
By Vatican News staff writer

In a tweet on Monday, Pope Francis expressed his closeness with children suffering from cancer.

He called on all people to assist them and make sure helping the weakest is given top priority.

"May the Lord inspire everyone to draw near to those who suffer, especially children, and to put the weakest in first place. I entrust the doctors and all sick children to the Virgin Mary so that with her motherly affection she might look after them. #ICCDay"
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/libya-21-christians-martyr-pope-francis.html

Pope: Christians killed in Libya in 2015 were 'witnesses of Jesus'
15 February 2021, 18:30

Pope Francis recalls the faithful witness of 21 Christians - 20 Egyptian Orthodox Copts and 1 Ghanaian - who were killed by Islamist extremists in 2015 in Libya.
By Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ

Pope Francis sent a video message on Monday on the sixth anniversary of the death of 21 Coptic Orthodox Christians killed in Libya by the so-called Islamic State.

“Today is the day I have in my heart, that February of 2015,” the Pope said. “I hold in my heart that baptism of blood, those twenty-one men baptised as Christians with water and the Spirit, and that day also baptised with blood.”

“They are our Saints, Saints of all Christians, Saints of all Christian denominations and traditions,” the Pope affirmed. “They are those who have blanched their lives in the blood of the Lamb, they are those... of the people of God, the faithful people of God."

The occasion was commemorated virtually on Friday in an online event, which saw the attendance of Coptic Orthodox Patriarch Tawadros II. The Primate of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury, was also present, along with several other dignitaries
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-updates-vatican-legal-code.html

Pope Francis updates Vatican legal code
16 February 2021, 12:51

Pope Francis has issued a motu proprio updating the Vatican penal code, adapting it to the “changed sensibilities of the times.” Among the provisions: the new norms abolish the “processo in contumacia” and ensure that a single office can prosecute a case throughout the different stages of the judicial process.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis’ motu proprio Recante modifiche in materia di giustizia (“Introducing modifications in the area of justice”), published on Tuesday, provides for reduction of sentences, the possibility of agreeing on a programme of community service and voluntary work, and suspension of trials in cases of legitimate impediment on the part of the defendant. The new regulations update the criminal justice system of Vatican state and remodels norms in order to respond to the needs of the times and establishes procedures for penalties aimed at the rehabilitation of offenders.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-ends-deadlock-over-new-bishop-for-swiss-diocese-of-chur-15990

Pope Francis ends deadlock over new bishop for Swiss diocese

CNA Staff, Feb 16, 2021 / 04:00 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis on Monday ended the deadlock over the appointment of a new bishop in a historic Swiss diocese that traditionally holds episcopal elections.

The Holy See press office said on Feb. 15 that the pope had named Msgr. Joseph Marie Bonnemain as bishop of Chur in eastern Switzerland.

Bonnemain, a 72-year-old member of Opus Dei, previously served as judicial vicar and canon of the cathedral chapter of Chur diocese. He succeeds Bishop Vitus Huonder, who retired on May 20, 2019, at the age of 77.

CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner, reported that the diocese has seen fierce internal battles and the new bishop’s priority will be to heal divisions in the diocese.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-02/vatican-budget-council-economy-meeting.html

Council for the Economy meeting focuses on 2021 budget
17 February 2021, 13:04

A virtual meeting of the Vatican’s Council for the Economy on Tuesday discussed financial matters, including the Holy See’s budget for 2021.
By Vatican News staff writer

The Vatican’s Council for the Economy, on Tuesday afternoon, held a virtual meeting focused on discussing the Holy See’s annual budget for this year, 2021.
 
The budget was presented in detail by Dr. Caballero Ledo, followed by observations from Dr. Ferrar on behalf of the Audit Committee. Subsequently, Dr. Ferrara presented some principles for the application of the two points of the Motu proprio issued on 28 December 2020, A better organization concerning the approval of budgets and financial statements and the appointment of official auditors. The meeting also discussed the statutes of the Audit Committee.

The online meeting ended at 18:00, with the next meeting scheduled to take place in April 2021.