Pope Francis

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-ash-wednesday-mass-lent-return-god.html
Pope at Ash Wednesday Mass: ‘Lent is a journey of return to God’
17 February 2021, 10:47

Pope Francis celebrates Mass on Ash Wednesday in St. Peter’s Basilica, and urges Christians to experience Lent as a return journey toward the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
By Devin Watkins

As the Church begins the holy season of Lent, Pope Francis celebrated Mass for Ash Wednesday, with the blessing and imposition of ashes.

In his homily, the Holy Father reflected on Lent as a journey of return to God and as an opportunity to deepen our love of our brothers and sisters.

God, said the Pope, is appealing to our hearts and our entire being, inviting us to Him.

“It is a time to reconsider the path we are taking,” he said, “to find the route that leads us home and to rediscover our profound relationship with God, on whom everything depends.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-brazil-lent-message-ecumenical-fraternal-campaign.html

Pope to Brazilians: Lent, a time to be brothers and in dialogue
17 February 2021, 15:47

As the Brazilian Bishops' Conference (CNBB) and the National Council of Christian Churches (CONIC) kick of their joint Ecumenical Fraternity Campaign (CFE) on Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis urges Christians in the country to overcome divisions and unite around life in order to overcome the pandemic.
By Robin Gomes

Lent offers Christians ample scope to do much in terms of charity. But when combined with ecumenism, charity brings to the forefront solidarity with dialogue. This is what Pope Francis says in his message on the occasion of  Brazil’s Ecumenical Fraternity Campaign, which allows us to open our hearts to our fellow travellers without fear or suspicion, seeking peace before the one God.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/brazilian-bishops-discuss-controversial-text-of-ecumenical-lenten-campaign-70491
Brazilian bishops discuss controversial text of ecumenical Lenten campaign

Brasilia, Brazil, Feb 17, 2021 / 12:39 pm MT (CNA).- The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil has issued a statement to confront a wave of complaints over the inclusion of gender ideology and the almost null presence of Catholic concepts in the base text of the Ecumenical Fraternity Campaign for Lent 2021.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/brazils-military-archbishop-distances-himself-from-lenten-campaign-over-gender-ideology-90986
Brazil's military archbishop distances himself from Lenten campaign over gender ideology

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-02/dicastery-for-divine-worship-issues-holy-week-guidelines.html

Dicastery for Divine Worship issues Holy Week Guidelines
17 February 2021, 12:30

The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issues a note to bishops and episcopal conferences on the celebration of Holy Week 2021 with worship and health safety in mind.
By Vatican News staff writer

The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has issued a Note to bishops and episcopal conferences on the celebration of Holy Week 2021. The text offers basic guidelines to assist bishops in their task of providing for the spiritual welfare of pastors and faithful in living this great week in the Church’s liturgical year. The Covid-19 pandemic presents the key challenge once again this year in celebrating these liturgies normally. The Note calls for “prudent decisions in order that the liturgy can be celebrated fruitfully for the People of God…while respecting the safeguarding of health and what has been prescribed by the authorities responsible for the common good.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-spiritual-exercises-roman-curia.html

Pope gifts Roman Curia book on spirituality to accompany annual retreat
18 February 2021, 15:31

This year, the annual retreat for the Roman Curia will be observed individually from 21-26 February. To accompany this time of prayer, Pope Francis has gifted the participants a book on spirituality titled “Abbi a cuore il Signore.”
By Vatican News staff writer

The Spiritual Exercises for the Roman Curia is scheduled for 21 – 26 February. This year, however, due to the persistence of the current health emergency, Pope Francis invited the Heads of Dicasteries and Superiors of the Curia to make private arrangements for their annual retreat. Normally, the Spiritual Exercises of the Roman Curia are observed communally at the Casa Divin Maestro in Arricia, Italy.

The Holy Father, expressing his closeness to the retreatants during this period, is gifting each one of them a book titled “Abbi a cuore il Signore”- a Pauline’s publication, edited by Jesuit priest, Daniele Libanori. The gift is accompanied by a letter from the Holy Father, addressed to Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, the Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State.

In light of the difficulties attached to being able to gather together in person, Pope Francis encourages each one of the retreats to do the Spiritual Exercises where it is most convenient for them and expresses hope that the book would help everyone in their spiritual lives.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/cardinal-says-vatican-employees-could-lose-jobs-for-refusing-covid-19-vaccine-70515

Cardinal says Vatican employees could lose jobs for refusing COVID-19 vaccine
By Hannah Brockhaus

Vatican City, Feb 18, 2021 / 08:30 am MT (CNA).- In a decree issued earlier this month, the cardinal who heads the Vatican City State said that employees who refuse to receive the COVID-19 vaccine when deemed necessary for their work could face penalties up to termination of employment.

The Feb. 8 decree from Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, president of the Pontifical Commission of Vatican City State, gave Vatican employees, citizens, and officials of the Roman Curia regulations to follow intended to control the spread of the coronavirus on Vatican territory, such as wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing.

Failure to follow the regulations could result in fines.
 
The Governorate of the Vatican City State issued a note on Thursday regarding the Feb. 8 decree, stating that the reference to possible consequences for refusing to receive the vaccine “in no case has a sanctioning or punitive nature.”

It is “rather intended to allow a flexible and proportionate response to the balance between the health protection of the community and the freedom of individual choice without putting in place any form of repression against the worker,” the note said.
 
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2021/02/vatican-makes-covid-vaccine-mandatory-for-employees/
Vatican makes COVID vaccine mandatory for employees
Inés San Martín  Feb 18, 2021

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-02/vatican-healthcare-coronavirus-vaccine-employees.html

Vatican: No punishment for those who refuse Covid-19 vaccine
19 February 2021, 08:10

The Vatican City State Governorate releases a statement explaining a recent decree on the need to vaccinate employees who work in public-facing jobs, saying the directive seeks to strike a balance between protecting the community and an individual’s freedom of choice.
By Vatican News

The Governorate of Vatican City State issued a statement on Thursday regarding the issue of Covid-19 vaccinations within the Vatican.

It follows on the heels of the Decree of the President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State No. 398, issued on 8 February on the subject of health emergencies.

The Decree, reads the note, "was issued to provide an urgent regulatory response to the primary need to safeguard and guarantee the health and well-being of employees, citizens, and residents of Vatican City State. The presupposition, therefore, is that of protecting the individual employee and the working environment, in the case of the event that a public health.

“In particular,” continues the statement, “the provision concerns all the appropriate measures aimed at preventing, tracking, and dealing with unique situations of a public health emergency. At the same time, it lays out all the instruments required for an adequate and proportional response to the health risk.”

Taking stock of risks posed by vaccine refusal

The Vatican statement also specifies that certain jobs may require vaccination.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-budget-holy-see-2021.html

Pope Francis approves the 2021 budget of the Holy See
19 February 2021, 14:38

The Pope approved the 2021 Budget of the Holy See on Thursday. Despite the heavy economic impact created by the Covid-19 pandemic, employment security continues to be a priority for Pope Francis amid these trying times.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis, on Thursday evening, provided his nulla osta to the Holy See’s budget for 2021 proposed by the Secretariat for the Economy and approved on Tuesday by the Council for the Economy.

This year, with total revenues of €260.4M and expenses of €310.1M, the Holy See expects a deficit of €49.7M.

The approved budget, said a statement from the Holy See Press Office, “is heavily impacted by the economic crisis generated by the Covid-19 pandemic.”

St. Peter’s Pence Fund consolidated

As repeatedly requested by Pope Francis, for the first time, with the objective of providing more visibility and transparency to the economic transactions of the Holy See, the 2021 Budget is consolidating St. Peter’s Pence Fund (Obolo) and all dedicated Funds, the statement said.

In this regard, with incomes of €47.3M and grants of €17M, the Holy See expects a net balance of €30.3M from those items. Excluding the Peter’s Pence and dedicated funds, the statement notes, the Holy See’s deficit would be €80M in 2021.
 

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Video at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-proclaim-promise-los-angeles-congress-video-message.html
Pope to Proclaim the Promise Congress: 'Dream and look ahead!'
19 February 2021, 03:30

Pope Francis sends a video message to participants of the 2021 Religious Education Congress hosted online by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. This year marks the Congress's 65th anniversary and the 50th of its Youth Day. 56 speakers from around the US will give talks hoping to inspire and transform Church members in proclaiming the Gospel, giving voice to justice, and serving others.
By Vatican News staff writer

Participants at this year’s Religious Education Congress are discussing the theme, “Proclaim the Promise!” – a radical invitation to believe that our lives and our world are sustained by God’s promise.

In his video message in Spanish at the beginning of the Congress, Pope Francis said:

“We need to proclaim and remember that we have God's promise and that God always keeps his promises.”

He noted that every woman and man in every generation “brings the promise of new relational, intellectual, cultural and spiritual energies”.

The Congress unfolds at the same time the world is going through exceedingly difficult times due to the pandemic and resulting economic hardship. But, the Pope said, the current crisis should not keep us from being hopeful and looking to a future that engages everyone’s commitment, strength, and dedication.

He held up the model of the Good Samaritan who was moved by the suffering of the person he encountered and took action to help him.
 

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Video at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-meets-with-sampdoria-players.html
Pope on sports: "A pathway to life, maturity and holiness"
19 February 2021, 13:46

Pope Francis meets with the president, coach and players of Italy's Sampdoria football team of Genoa.
By Amedeo Lomonaco

Sport in general, and football in particular, can be "a pathway of life, maturity and holiness", the Pope said in greeting the Sampdoria football team founded in 1946 in the northern Italian city of Genoa. He recalled that "you can never go forward all on your own", but "always as a team".
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-respira-peru-coronavirus.html

Pope sends message to “Respira Perú” campaign organizers
19 February 2021, 12:53

The Holy Father sends a message to the collaborators of the “Respira Perú” initiative prior to a second telethon scheduled to take place on Saturday aimed at donating more oxygen plants and medical equipment to combat the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis, on Friday, sent a message to the organizers and collaborators of Respira Perú, an initiative of the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference, alongside other collaborators, working to raise support and resources for combating the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The Holy Father greets "with affection the organizers and collaborators of the solidarity initiative Respira Perú (Breath, Peru), which is doing so much good to help people suffering from Covid-19 and their families,” reads the letter, signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and addressed to the President of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference, Archbishop Miguel Cabrejos of Trujillo.

Pope Francis encouraged them to “make God’s tenderness reach everyone through care, building a more humane and fraternal society in which we ensure that no one is left alone, that no one feels excluded or abandoned.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-decree-sainthood-causes-miracle-virtues-semeraro.html

Pope authorizes eight decrees concerning candidates for sainthood
20 February 2021, 15:55

Pope Francis on Saturday authorized the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate eight decrees, including a decree confirming a miracle.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis on Saturday received in audience Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, who presented for his approval the causes of several candidates on the way to sainthood. The Holy Father authorized the Congregation to promulgate a decree on the miracle attributed to an Italian laywoman, clearing her for beatification. One of the seven decrees on heroic virtues concerns an English priest.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-meets-with-auschwitz-survivor.html

Pope Francis meets with Auschwitz survivor
20 February 2021, 17:45

Hungarian author Edith Bruck, now almost 90 years old, has lived in Italy for many years. In January, L'Osservatore Romano interviewed her for Holocaust Memorial Day. Struck by her witness, Pope Francis on Saturday decided pay her a visit at her home in Rome's centre.
By Vatican News

He read her interview, which related the horrors she and her family experienced during the Nazi persecution, and was deeply moved. So he asked to meet her and paid her a visit in her home. Pope Francis on Saturday afternoon left the Vatican and headed to the centre of Rome for a private visit to the home of Edith Bruck, a Jewish writer of Hungarian origin who has spent two thirds of her life in Italy.

"I have come here to thank you for your testimony and to pay homage to the people martyred by the insanity of Nazi populism," Pope Francis told her. "And with sincerity I repeat to you the words that I spoke from my heart at Yad Vashem and that I repeat before every person who, like you, has suffered so much because of this: [I ask] forgiveness, O Lord, in the name of humanity."
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-caring-for-others-a-vaccine-against-individualism.html

Pope: Caring for others a ‘vaccine’ against individualism
20 February 2021, 14:07

In a letter addressed to Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Pope Francis remembers doctors, nurses and other healthcare personnel who have died in the performance of their duties during the Covid-19 pandemic.
By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis has recalled the “generous” and “heroic” efforts of doctors, nurses and other health care personnel during the coronavirus emergency.

The Pope’s remarks come in a letter addressed to Archbishop Vincent Paglia on the occasion of a memorial service for health care workers who have died as a result of the pandemic. The event was organized by the Pontifical Academy for Life, which Paglia heads, to mark the day set aside in Italy to recognize the service of health care personnel. The commemoration occurs on the one-year anniversary of the detection of the first case of Covid-19 in the country.
 

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Hmmm...

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/venerable-vatican

A Venerable Vatican: Many Current Curial Leaders Are Past Retirement Age

Almost half of the Roman Curia’s most important departments are currently led by prelates past the recommended retirement age of 75.
Edward Pentin  Blogs  February 13, 2021

VATICAN CITY — On Tuesday, Pope Francis’ pontificate will exceed that of Pope Benedict XVI in duration.

Francis will have led the Church for 2,868 days on Feb. 16, compared to Benedict’s 2,867.

When he was elected at the age of 76, few — including Francis himself — expected his pontificate to last this long. Francis appears to be as active as ever, about to embark on his first overseas papal trip in more than a year, and apart from his recurring bouts of painful sciatica, seemingly in relatively good health.

But that’s not necessarily the case for the Roman Curial heads he oversees. Although not quite as senior as Pope Francis’ 84 years, for the most part they are not far behind, with almost half the Curia’s most important departments currently led by prelates past the recommended retirement age of 75. The same also applies to a number of heads of pontifical academies and commissions.

Of the 22 most important dicasteries of the Roman Curia (excluding pontifical academies, commissions and the Governatorate of Vatican City State), nine are headed by cardinals or bishops who could officially by now be in pensione (see full table below).
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-02/pope-francis-acceptance-reisgnation-cardinal-robert-sarah-divine.html

Pope accepts resignation of Cardinal Robert Sarah
20 February 2021, 12:06

Pope Francis accepts the resignation of Cardinal Robert Sarah as Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

Pope Francis on Saturday accepted the resignation of Cardinal Robert Sarah from the post of prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

Born in Guinea in 1945, Cardinal Sarah Guinea, turned 75 on 15 June last year. He was ordained a priest on 20 July 1969, and was appointed Archbishop of Conakry by John Paul II in 1979, at the age of 34. In 2001 he was named secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, and in 2010 Benedict XVI appointed him president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum". The same year he was created Cardinal with the title of the Diaconia of St. John Bosco in Via Tuscolana, Rome. On 23 November 2014, Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-accepts-cardinal-robert-sarahs-resignation-from-divine-worship-congregation-65397
Pope Francis accepts Cardinal Robert Sarah's resignation from divine worship congregation

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-02/pope-francis-appointment-archpriest-saint-peters-basilica.html

Pope appoints new Archpriest of Saint Peter's Basilica
20 February 2021, 12:19

Pope Francis appoints Cardinal Mauro Gambetti as new Archpriest of Saint Peter's Basilica, accepting the resignation of Cardinal Angelo Comastri.

The Holy Father has named Cardinal Mauro Gambetti as Vicar General for His Holiness for Vatican City, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter and President of the Fabric of Saint Peter. Cardinal Gambetti had served as General Custos of the Sacred Convent of Saint Francis in Assisi from 2013 to 2020.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-appoints-cardinal-mauro-gambetti-archpriest-of-st-peters-basilica-56122
Pope Francis appoints new archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-with-faith-prayer-and-penance-we-overcome-evil.html

Pope Francis: With faith, prayer and penance we overcome evil
21 February 2021, 12:15

Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis explained how the Word of God shows us the path to live fruitfully the 40 days of Lent we have just embarked upon.
By Vatican News staff writer

The account in Mark’s Gospel (Mk 1:12-15) on this first Sunday of Lent emphasizes that the “Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert”. There, the Pope noted, Jesus remained forty days and was tempted by Satan. The natural and symbolic reality of the desert is the place “where God speaks to the human heart and prayer is a response”, he observed, but it is also the place of “trial and temptation” and the “’duel’ between Jesus and the devil begins, which will end with the Passion and the Cross.” At the same time, Jesus’ entire existence is placed under the sign of the Spirit of God, who animates, inspires and guides him.

The Pope continued that the entire ministry of Christ marks a struggle against the Evil One  - whether healing from illness, liberating the possessed, and forgiving sins. While it may appear that the devil has the upper hand when the Son of God is rejected, captured and condemned to death, in reality, the Pope remarked, “death was the last ‘desert’ to cross” to finally defeat Satan and free us all from his power.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-pass-on-the-fire-of-jesus-merciful-love.html

Pope Francis: 'Pass on the fire of Jesus’ merciful love'
22 February 2021, 12:44

Pope Francis says we are called to pass on “the fire of Jesus’ mercy”, in a letter marking the 90th anniversary of the first apparition to St Maria Faustina Kowalska in Płock, Poland.
By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis has written a letter to the Bishop and Church of Płock, Poland, on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the first apparition of the Merciful Jesus to St Maria Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun. The apparitions to St Faustina formed the basis of the Divine Mercy devotion.

In his letter, Pope Francis recalls the words heard by St Faustina on 22 February 1931: “Paint a picture according to the pattern you see, with the caption: Jesus, I trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated first in your chapel and then throughout the world.” The image of the Divine Mercy has subsequently spread around the globe.

“I share the joy of the Church of Płock that this special event is already known throughout the world and remains alive in the hearts of the faithful,” Pope Francis writes.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-asks-new-bishop-of-divided-swiss-diocese-to-serve-at-least-five-years-46735

Pope Francis asks new bishop of divided Swiss diocese to serve for at least five years

CNA Staff, Feb 23, 2021 / 06:00 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis has asked the new bishop of a divided Swiss diocese to remain in the post for at least five years, serving beyond the customary retirement age of 75. 

Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Bishops, conveyed the pope’s request in a letter dated Feb. 15, the day that the Vatican announced Msgr. Joseph Bonnemain’s appointment as bishop of Chur in eastern Switzerland.

Normally, the 72-year-old bishop-elect would be expected to offer his resignation to the pope when he reaches his 75th birthday on July 26, 2023. But he will remain in post until at least 2026 if his health permits.

CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner, reported that the Diocese of Chur announced the pope’s request on Feb. 22.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-telegram-congo-ambassador-italian-luca-attanasio-killed.html

Pope sends telegram on the death of Italian Ambassador in DRC
23 February 2021, 19:20

On Tuesday evening, Pope Francis sends a telegram to Italian President Sergio Mattarella noting the 'exemplary witness' of the Italian Ambassador, and the 'expert and generous service' of the police offier both slain in an attack on Monday.
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

In a message sent via telegram to Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Tuesday evening, Pope Francis expressed his sorrow regarding Monday's attack in the Democratic Republic of the Congo which left the Italian Ambassador, Luca Attanasio, a police officer and their Congolese driver dead. The three were travelling in a United Nations Convoy.

Pope Francis said in the telegram that he was saddened when he heard the news. "I express heartfelt condolences to their families, the diplomatic corps, and the carabinieri on the death of these servants of peace", he wrote.