Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-03/pope-francis-france-emmanuel-macron-call-iraq.html

Pope Francis speaks with French President Macron
22 March 2021, 15:27

Pope Francis speaks to French President Emmanuel Macron by phone, discussing his recent visit to Iraq and the challenges of a post-Covid world.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis and France’s President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone on Sunday, according to a press release from the President’s Office at Élysée Palace.

The call, which was requested by the Pope, marks the fifth time the two world leaders have spoken since Macron’s election in 2017.

Their conversation reportedly lasted around 40 minutes, and came after President Macron sent the Pope a message on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of his election to the papacy.

The last time they spoke was October 30th of last year, after the attacks on the Cathedral of Nice, which killed 3 people.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-03/pope-world-water-day-waste-pollution-solidarity-poor.html

Pope on World Water Day: ‘Do not waste or pollute’
22 March 2021, 14:05

Marking World Water Day, Pope Francis sends a message calling for an urgent change of lifestyle so as not to waste or pollute water, and ensure that this basic human right is made accessible to all.
By Linda Bordoni

Pope  Francis called for responsibility and care in the use of “sister water”, pointing out that, still today, “access to safe, drinkable water is not within everybody’s reach” , that it is not a “commodity”, and that we need to make haste “to give drink to the thirsty.”

In a video message sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, on behalf of the Pope, to participants at a webinar organized by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Pope Francis marked the 2021 World Water Day. The commemoration, held on 22 March every year since 1993, offers an opportunity to celebrate water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to potable water.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/private-mass-restrictions-come-into-force-at-st-peters-basilica

Private Mass restrictions come into force at St. Peter’s Basilica
By Courtney Mares

Vatican City, Mar 22, 2021 / 05:30 am MT (CNA).- The restriction of private Masses in the upper side chapels of St. Peter’s Basilica went into force Monday.

The basilica was quiet on March 22 without the usual murmur of prayers in many languages being offered to God in the sacrifice of the Mass at the tombs of saints.

A person entering the basilica at 8:30 a.m. would not have seen any Masses taking place in the empty side chapels.

The only official Mass scheduled at that time occurred out of sight behind a curtain behind a barricade. Only eight people were present at the Mass offered in Italian by one priest ad orientem (facing liturgical east) without any hymns.

A sign on the door of St. Peter’s Basilica lists four official daily Masses -- all in Italian -- taking place in the upper basilica at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 5 p.m. during March. A security guard told CNA that Masses also took place on March 22 at 7 a.m. in the Chapel of the Choir and at 9 a.m. at the Altar of the Chair.

The basilica appeared more like a silent museum where the art above the altars can be viewed, but the altars themselves are left unused for their intended purpose.

Security guards chatted and watched as maintenance workers ascended on an aerial lift above the bronze statue of the apostle St. Peter, the first pope, to whom the basilica is dedicated.

Until now, the 45 altars and 11 chapels in St. Peter’s Basilica have been used every morning by priests to celebrate their daily Mass. Many of them are Vatican officials who begin their day with the celebration.
 

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https://www.ncregister.com/news/like-a-museum-dead-silence-in-st-peter-s-basilica-as-suppression-of-individual-masses-comes-into-force

‘Like a Museum’: Dead Silence in St. Peter’s Basilica as Suppression of Individual Masses Comes into Force

Cardinal Gerhard Müller, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, told the Register March 22 that the directive will have the effect of making clergy working in the Vatican “more like functionaries and with less priestly identity.”
Edward Pentin   News  March 22, 2021

The side altars of St. Peter’s basilica were almost all devoid of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass this morning as a Vatican directive suppressing individual Masses being celebrated in the upper part of the basilica came into force.

From today, priests can only concelebrate the Masses in the main body of the basilica in the morning between 7am and 9.30am Rome time — a break with the usual custom of allowing individual priests to freely celebrate their daily Mass at the basilica’s many altars.
 
It is still not clear who was behind the directive which has been discussed for many years but has coincided with the departure in February of the previous archpriest, Cardinal Angelo Comastri, who was known to be resistant to such a change. Reliable sources have told the Register Pope Francis authorized it himself with the help of one of his close confidants, Cardinal Beniamino Stella, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, and a number of other cardinals close to the Holy Father.

The Register has asked the Holy See Press Office, Archbishop Peña Parra, and his superior, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, for an explanation of the change and how it came into being but has not yet received a response.

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-03/the-pope-saint-alphonsus-a-teacher-of-mercy-for-the-evangeliza.html

The Pope: Saint Alphonsus, a teacher of mercy for the evangelization of the least
23 March 2021, 14:09

Pope Francis sends a message on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori as a Doctor of the Church.
By Vatican News staff reporter

In a message to the Rev. Fr. Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R., Superior General of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) and Moderator General of the Alphonsian Academy, Pope Francis writes that 150 years on from this “joyous anniversary,” the example of Saint Alfonsus “vigorously indicates the main road to bring consciences closer to the welcoming face of the Father, because the salvation that God offers us is the work of his mercy.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2021-03/pope-francis-holy-week-easter-2021.html

Pope Francis' schedule of events for Holy Week 2021
23 March 2021, 16:47

The Holy See Press Office releases Pope Francis’ schedule for Holy Week this year. The Mass of the Lord Supper on Holy Thursday will be presided by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re and the Good Friday Way of the Cross meditations will be prepared and animated by a Scouts group, a Roman parish and other young people.
By Vatican News staff writer

As the Lenten season draws closer toward Holy Week, the Vatican on Tuesday released details of the programme of celebrations for Holy Week at which Pope Francis will preside. A note from the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Ceremonies, Msgr. Guido Marini, indicates the following:

- On 28 April, Palm Sunday Mass is scheduled for 10:30 am at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica;

- Chrism Mass, on Thursday, 1 April, will take place at 10:00 am at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica, and will be presided by the Pope. Later that day, the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper will take place at 6:00 pm. It will be presided by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals;

- On Good Friday, 2 April, the celebration of the Passion of the Lord will begin at 6:00 pm at the Altar of the Chair. Afterwards, the Way of the Cross will take place at 9:00 pm at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican;

- Easter Vigil celebrations on Holy Saturday will be held at 7:30 pm in St. Peter’s Basilica. Easter morning Mass will also be celebrated in the Basilica, at 10:00 am on Easter Sunday, which will be followed by the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing at midday.

All of these events will take place with limited presence of the faithful in strict accordance with precautionary measures to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-03/pope-francis-mary-annunciation-catechesis-prayer.html
Pope at Audience: Mary near to those who die alone in pandemic
24 March 2021, 09:34

At the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis reflects on the theme of prayer in communion with Mary, and says Our Lady is at the bedside of those who die alone without the comfort of their loved ones.
By Devin Watkins

As the Church prepares to celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation on Thursday, Pope Francis reflected on the beauty of the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Speaking at the Wednesday General Audience, the Pope continued his catechesis on prayer, focusing on “prayer in communion with Mary.”

He began by noting the centrality of Jesus in all forms of Christian prayer.

“Each prayer we raise to God is through Christ, with Christ and in Christ and is fulfilled thanks to His intercession,” said the Pope, adding that Christ “is the only Redeemer: there are no co-redeemers with Christ.”
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-03/pope-appeal-niger-general-audience-democracy-terrorism-victims.html
Pope prays for victims of terror attacks in Niger
24 March 2021, 11:05

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-03/pope-francis-appeal-australia-floods-general-audience.html
Pope close to those affected by floods in Australia
24 March 2021, 12:22

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Video, with English text, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-03/pope-francis-videomessage-50-years-bangladesh.html
Pope congratulates Bangladesh on 50th anniversary of independence
24 March 2021, 12:01

Pope Francis sends a video message to the people of Bangladesh as they mark two special occasions: the centenary of the birth of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the fiftieth anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh.
By Vatican News staff writer

Celebrating two historical births, Pope Francis sent a video message on Wednesday to the people of Bangladesh. The first celebration is for the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the second is for the 50th anniversary of the Independence of Bangladesh.

Opening his message, Pope Francis welcomed the occasions as an opportunity to offer his "heartfelt greetings and best wishes" to Bangladesh's President, Prime Minster and to "all the beloved people of Bangladesh".

"I join all of you in thanking God for the many blessings bestowed upon Bangladesh over these years," he said.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-03/salesian-sister-appointed-undersecretary-of-human-development.html

Salesian sister appointed undersecretary of Human Development
24 March 2021, 12:05

Pope Francis appoints a Salesian economist as new undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
By Vatican News staff writer

Renowned economist Sister Alessandra Smerilli is a religious of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, more commonly known as the Salesians of Don Bosco. On Wednesday, Pope Francis appointed Sister Smerilli as undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

Born in Vasto, Italy, in 1974, Sister Smerilli has been assisting the Dicastery and the Vatican Commission for Covid-19 as coordinator of the Economy Taskforce. In her work she has underscored the importance of bringing together Gospel values and good economics, assisting the Holy See's commitment to ensure we emerge better from the crisis caused by the pandemic.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-appoints-juan-carlos-cruz-to-pontifical-commission-for-protecting-minors

Pope Francis appoints Juan Carlos Cruz to pontifical commission for protecting minors
By Courtney Mares

Vatican City, Mar 24, 2021 / 09:00 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis appointed Wednesday Juan Carlos Cruz to the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

Cruz, a Chilean survivor of clerical sex abuse, will sit on the Vatican commission for three years.

“I am very grateful to Pope Francis for trusting me with this appointment. I deeply appreciate it,” Cruz wrote on his Twitter account following the announcement on March 24.

“This renews my commitment to continue working to end the scourge of abuse and for so many survivors who still do have justice.”

Cruz joins the existing members of the commission. Fifteen of their appointments were renewed for a year by the pope.

The Vatican Commission for the Protection of Minors was established by Pope Francis in March 2014 as a papal advisory body to improve the Church’s norms and procedures for the protection of children and vulnerable adults.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-03/vatican-salaries-of-cardinals-others-cut-due-to-covid-crisis.html

Vatican: salaries of Cardinals and department heads cut due to Covid crisis
24 March 2021, 11:59

The salaries of Cardinals will be reduced by 10%, department heads and secretaries by 8%, clergy and religious by 3%. A two-year freeze in automatic seniority increases will affect all employees from paygrade level 4 on up.
By Vatican News

“A sustainable economic future requires today, among other decisions, adopting measures that also concern employee salaries”. These words open the motu proprio in which Pope Francis has decided to cut proportionally and indefinitely the salaries of Cardinals (10%), department heads and secretaries (8%), and all priests and religious in service at the Holy See (3%). All employees will have automatic seniority pay increases frozen until 2023, exept for lay employees with paygrade levels one to three.

The Pope wants to ensure that employees not be laid off. However, as costs must be contained, he has decided to act “according to criteria of proportionality and progressivity” with some adjustments regarding especially clergy, religious, and those with higher paygrade levels. According to the motu proprio, the pope's decision is motivated by "the deficit over the years affecting the financial management of the Holy See”, and above all the situation caused by the pandemic, “that has negatively influenced all sources of income for the Holy See and Vatican City State”. The provisions are intended to contribute, along with other measures, to assuring a sustainable financial future for the mission of the central offices of the Church.
 
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2021/03/24/210324c.html
Apostolic Letter issued “Motu proprio” by the Supreme Pontiff Francis on the containment of staff expenses of the Holy See, the Governorate of Vatican City State, and related bodies, 24.03.2021

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-03/pope-francis-audience-ukrainian-prime-minister-shmyhal.html

Pope meets Ukrainain Prime Minister
25 March 2021, 16:56

During the talks, the Holy See and Ukraine expressed hope in gestures for a peaceful resolution in eastern Ukraine.
Vatican News

Pope Francis on Thursday received Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal of Ukraine in a private audience in the Vatican, the Holy See's Press Office said in a brief note.  Later, Shmyhal also held talks with Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who was accompanied by Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-03/pope-francis-apostolic-letter-dante-anniversary.html

Pope Francis celebrates Dante: Prophet of hope and poet of mercy
25 March 2021, 12:00

Pope Francis releases an Apostolic Letter entitled "Candor lucis aeternae" marking the 700th anniversary of the death of the great Italian poet, Dante Alighieri, and highlights the relevance, timelessness and depth of faith in Dante’s masterpiece: “The Divine Comedy".
By Isabella Piro

700 years from his death in 1321, when exiled in Ravenna from his beloved Florence, Dante still speaks to us. He speaks to the men and women of today, asking to be read and studied, but also to be listened to and imitated in his journey towards happiness, that is, the infinite and eternal Love of God.

Thus writes Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter "Candor lucis aeternae - Splendour of Light Eternal," published on 25 March, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. The date is not accidental: the mystery of the Incarnation, stemming from Mary's full and total acceptance of God’s plan, the Pope says, is "the true heart and inspiration of the entire poem" for it effected the prodigious exchange whereby God enters our history by becoming flesh, and humanity “is taken up into God, in whom it finds true happiness.”
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-03/pontifical-council-for-culture-events-dante-anniversary.html
Pontifical Council for Culture celebrates Dante
25 March 2021, 13:21

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-03/ravasi-dante-alighieri-divine-comedy-culture.html
Cardinal Ravasi: Dante’s breviary and comedy, always with me
25 March 2021, 12:00

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-03/pope-frncis-appoints-new-archbishop-manila-philippines-advincula.html

Pope appoints new Archbishop in Manila
25 March 2021, 10:47

Cardinal Jose Fuerte Advincula of Capiz has been appointed the new Archbishop of Manila.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis on Thursday appointed a new archbishop in Manila Archdiocese, in the Philippine capital.  He transferred Cardinal Jose Fuerte Advincula of Capiz to succeed Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who the Pope had appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in the Vatican on December 8, 2019.  The See of Manila has been vacant for more than 15 months during which Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo has been serving as Apostolic Administrator.

Cardinal Jose Fuerte Advincula was born on March 30, 1952 in Dumalag, in Capiz, in the Western Visayas region.  After completing his elementary studies in Dumalag, he entered Pius X Seminary High School in Roxas City, where he also did his philosophical studies. He subsequently attended theology courses at The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas in Manila.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-03/documentary-film-francesco-afineevsky-pope-francis-streaming.html

The film "Francesco" on Discovery+
26 March 2021, 10:45

Francesco", the documentary film directed by Evgeny Afineevsky dedicated to Pope Francis, is to be streamed globally from Sunday, 28 March. Speaking about his experience with the film, Afineevsky says: "What I admire most about the Pope is the way he brings people together"
VATICAN NEWS

Premiered at the Rome Film Festival, the film "Francesco", by Oscar-nominated director Evgeny Afineevsky, will begin streaming globally on Sunday 28 March on Discovery+ channel, following an opening in virtual cinemas.

“It is an honor to host the global premiere of Francesco on Discovery+, spotlighting an intimate look at one of the world’s most beloved and influential leaders, Pope Francis”, said Lisa Holme, Group SVP of Content and Commercial Strategy for Discovery, Inc.

Relating his film on Pope Francis to his previous films, and in particular the one on Syria, the Afineevsky told Vatican News: “In my two previous films, I realized that humanity was in a crisis and I saw how movies and my visual storytelling could help bring attention to the important world issues of today’s world and create a call for action. I could see how my films were able to bring innocent and important voices of people from all over the world to the big screen. After Syria, I decided to do something that could bring hope, light, spread humanity and love, inspire change on many hot-bottomed world issues we are surrounded by. I later learned about Pope Francis and his remarkable humanitarian actions he is conducting towards all human beings on the planet, tasking actions and bringing attention towards all-important issues of today. So, I took the first step towards my own healing, as well as to present a road towards hope for our humanity, by presenting Pope Francis as the vehicle to inspire unity for all humankind”.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/yes-pope-francis-was-involved-in-the-cdfs-document-on-same-sex-blessings

Yes, Pope Francis was involved in the CDF’s document on same-sex blessings
By Andrea Gagliarducci

Vatican City, Mar 25, 2021 / 07:19 pm MT (CNA).- Following a Vatican clarification that the Church cannot bless same-sex unions, some media outlets have speculated about Pope Francis’ involvement – or lack thereof – in releasing the document.

However, the pope’s consent is a necessary part of any responsum, and Pope Francis himself has multiple times reiterated the Church’s well-established teaching on marriage and sexuality.

The document in question is the responsum (response) which the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith gave to a question about the blessing to same-sex unions. The responsum said that “God cannot bless sin.”

The responsum also stressed that “the Christian community and its Pastors are called to welcome with respect and sensitivity persons with homosexual inclinations and will know how to find the most appropriate ways, consistent with Church teaching, to proclaim to them the Gospel in its fullness.”

The Church cannot bless sexual unions outside the marriage of one man and one woman, the document said. However, blessings can be given “to individual persons with homosexual inclinations, who manifest the will to live in fidelity to the revealed plans of God as proposed by Church teaching.”

Although the document reiterates the Church's longstanding teaching, it has sparked controversy and harsh reactions from progressive voices within the Church.
 
https://www.ncregister.com/blog/is-pope-francis-distancing-himself-from-cdf-same-sex-blessing-clarification-unlikely-say-commentators
Is Pope Francis Distancing Himself from CDF Same-Sex Blessing Clarification? Unlikely, Say Commentators

The document has prompted an outcry from those in the Church who wish to see a change in teaching, mostly in the German-speaking world.
Edward Pentin  March 25, 2021

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Germany’s Synodal Path

https://cruxnow.com/church-in-europe/2021/03/critics-charge-german-synodal-path-exploits-suffering-of-abuse-victims/
Critics charge German ‘synodal path’ exploits suffering of abuse victims
Inés San Martín  Mar 26, 2021

This is part one of a series looking into Germany’s Synodal Path, a process launched by the bishops’ conference in 2019 in an attempt to respond to the clerical sexual abuse crisis.

ROME – Two years ago, the German Church embarked on its most ambitious effort yet to fight clerical sexual abuse and to stop the hemorrhaging of faithful that followed. As the program took shape, it seemed to adopt a much more sweeping agenda touching on virtually every aspect of Catholic life.

As what’s come to be called the German “Synodal Path” begins forwarding its mid-term conclusions to Rome, many lay activists and bishops are describing the process as an historic and inspiring moment, a potential springtime of sweeping reform and renewal in Catholic life.

The need for a comprehensive initiative that would help address the clerical sexual abuse crisis in Germany, that has seen hundreds of new allegations in recent years, is not called into question, even by the path’s most critical members.

Many of those taking part in the process believe it will bring reform and help restore credibility in the Catholic Church, particularly seeing that according to a poll by German Catholic news agency KNA, the over 200,000 people who left the Church between 2018 and 2019 did so motivated primarily by the abuse scandals. In addition, a recent survey showed almost 30 percent of the German Catholics are now considering leaving the Church.

However, some believe that the Synodal Path is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. In reality, they charge, the purpose of the Synodal Path is not to bring the sexual abuse crisis to a close, but to use the actual crisis to justify profound changes in the Church, concerning Catholic teaching, identity, and tradition.
 
https://www.ncregister.com/news/vatican-now-in-crisis-management-mode-with-german-bishops
Vatican Now in Crisis Management Mode with German Bishops

NEWS ANALYSIS: Sources say that two senior cardinals wanted to bring the president of the German bishops’ conference to Rome for correction regarding his recent controversial comments, but were overruled by Pope Francis.
Edward Pentin  Vatican  March 26, 2021

https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/schism-looms-pope-francis-and-the-willfully-rebellious-church-in-germany
Schism Looms: Pope Francis and the Willfully Rebellious Church in Germany

COMMENTARY: The Holy Father’s German gamble failed. He led with an open hand and got a clenched fist in return.
Father Raymond J. de Souza   Commentaries  March 25, 2021

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-03/cantalamessa-fourth-lent-sermon-2021-god-is-love.html

Card. Cantalamessa on being in relationship with the person of Jesus
26 March 2021, 14:24

Delivering his 4th Lenten homily, Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, the Preacher of the Papal Household, explains what it means to be in a real loving relationship with Jesus, saying it goes beyond all theological and doctrinal discussions - because God is love.
By Robin Gomes

The greatest and most inaccessible mystery for the human mind is not that God is one and triune, but that God is love, who loves and gives Himself up for me, a miserable and ungrateful creature. Jesus cannot be known as a person, unless one enters into a personal relationship from an ‘I’ to a ‘you’ with Him. This was the heart of this week’s Lenten sermon, which the Preacher of the Papal Household, Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, delivered on Friday to Pope Francis and his close collaborators.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-03/pope-francis-look-to-heaven-for-true-justice.html

Pope Francis: Look to heaven for true justice
27 March 2021, 12:01

Pope Francis on Saturday presided at the formal inauguration of the Vatican’s judicial year, calling on those engaged in the Vatican judiciary to be witnesses “to the immense patrimony of values that characterises the Church’s mission.”
By Christopher Wells

At the beginning of the Vatican’s judicial year, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude and recognition for the work of judiciary, especially in light of reforms made in recent years. “These changes,” the Pope said, “will be more fruitful to the extent that they are accompanied by further reforms in the penal sphere,” directed above all at combatting and repressing financial crimes; promoting and speeding up international cooperation between Vatican institutions and other financial oversight bodies; and other initiatives undertaken by the Vatican police.

The meaning and task of the Church

Pope Francis began his address by noting that the inauguration of the judicial year was taking place, due to anti-Covid measures, in the Hall of Blessings, located between St Peter’s Square and the main body of the Basilica. “In this singular position,” Pope Francis said, “one can see the meaning and task of the Church,” established by Christ “to carry out the mission of supporting the truth… and ‘proclaiming, even by its own example, humility and self-sacrifice.’”
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-to-vatican-tribunal-be-guided-by-founding-principles-of-ecclesial-life
Pope Francis to Vatican tribunal: be guided by ‘founding principles of ecclesial life’

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Germany’s Synodal Path

https://cruxnow.com/church-in-europe/2021/03/is-synodal-path-in-germany-a-road-to-schism/
Is Synodal Path in Germany a road to schism?
Inés San Martín  Mar 27, 2021

This is part two of a two part series looking into Germany’s Synodal Path, a process launched by the bishops’ conference in 2019 in an attempt to respond to the clerical sexual abuse crisis. Part one can be found here.

ROME – In 2019, the German Catholic Church envisioned a “Synodal Path” to try to address the institutional clerical sexual abuse scandal. Bishops, laity, priests, religious and experts were all summoned to find solutions and set forth a reform path that has expanded its scope to question Catholic Church teaching on areas of sexuality.

Schism?

Now some are warning that what was envisioned as an effort to restore the confidence lost by the abuse scandals and to promote internal church debate could lead many Germans into schism.

Jesuit Father Bernd Hagenkord, a longtime worker at Vatican Radio who currently serves as a spiritual director of the Synodal Path, recently said he believes Pope Francis is concerned that some fractions of the German church might split from Rome.

“I do believe that the pope is clearly concerned that the Catholic Church could also break apart on some conflict issues because some parties are making some issues too strong,” Hagenkord told the Catholic website domradio.de in February.

The examples he listed included sexual morality – including homosexuality, with many in Germany lobbying in favor of same-sex couples receiving a sacramental wedding – and the ordination of women.

The pope is, according to Hangenkord, worried about the unity of the Universal Church.