Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-04/pope-francis-un-guterres-international-day-multilateral-diplomac.html

Pope, UN urge global multilateral solutions for peace, prosperity
24 April 2021, 16:07

On the occasion of the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, Pope Francis and the United Nations chief are stressing the importance of multilateral diplomacy for peace, prosperity and the common good of all, saying the pandemic has shown us how inter-connected the global community is today.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis took to Twitter on Saturday to once more underscore the importance of multilateral diplomacy and cooperation for solutions to the world’s problems. 

“How do we prevent conflicts? No people, no social group can single-handedly achieve peace, prosperity, security and happiness. None," Pope Francis pointed out. “The lesson learned from the recent pandemic is the awareness that we are a global community, all in the same boat,” he said in a post on his Twitter handle, @Pontifex.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-americas/2021/04/latam-begins-synodal-process-with-continent-wide-assembly/

LatAm begins synodal process with continent-wide assembly
Inés San Martín  Apr 24, 2021

ROME – As the Catholic Church in different countries begins various synodal processes, the conference of Latin American bishops could not stay behind, and has launched its own Ecclesial Assembly.

“Did you know that our Latin American church is calling together the 377 million Catholics in 46 countries of the continent to discern a joint pastoral plan?” reads the header of an invitation to the presentation of the initiative in Chile, which took place on Thursday. “The idea is to open ways to respond as a Church to the current social, health, political, economic, ecological and ecclesial crisis.”

“Pope Francis asks all the People of God (not only the bishops) to make their voices heard in the ‘Listening Process’ of the First Ecclesial Assembly,” the invitation continues.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2021/04/papal-safeguarding-commission-continues-work-online-and-in-rome/

Papal safeguarding commission continues work online and in Rome
Carol Glatz  Apr 23, 2021  CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

ROME — Even as the COVID-19 pandemic continued, members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors remained active in promoting outreach and providing new educational opportunities.

As they met online and in Rome for their plenary assembly April 19-22, the members also welcomed a new member, Juan Carlos Cruz, a survivors’ advocate, who was participating in his first meeting since Pope Francis appointed him March 24.

Cruz said “he hoped his presence and contribution will bring renewed impulse to the churches’ commitment to hearing, welcoming, assisting and accompanying the children, men and women who have been abused and in creating a space for them in the life of the church,” according to a press release by the commission April 22.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-04/pope-francis-ordains-9-priests-rome-mass.html

Pope at Mass: Priestly ordination ‘a gift of service’
25 April 2021, 09:47

Pope Francis celebrates Mass on Good Shepherd Sunday, and ordains 9 men to the priesthood for the Diocese of Rome.
By Vatican News staff writer

As the Church marks Good Shepherd Sunday, Pope Francis celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica with the Rite of Ordination of Priests.

The Pope, the Bishop of Rome, ordained nine deacons to the priesthood. They are: Georg Marius Bogdan, Salvatore Marco Montone, Manuel Secci, Diego Armando Barrera Parra, Salvatore Lucchesi, Giorgio de Iuri, Riccardo Cendamo, Samuel Piermarini, and Mateus Henrique Ataide da Cruz.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247400/you-will-be-shepherds-like-him-pope-francis-ordains-nine-new-priests-in-st-peters-basilica
‘You will be shepherds like him’: Pope Francis ordains nine new priests in St. Peter’s Basilica
CNA Staff, Apr 25, 2021 / 04:25 am America/Denver (CNA).

Video at the link below--
25 April 2021 Holy Mass with Priestly Ordinations Pope Francis
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7E-LYc1wivk33iyt5bR5zQ

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-04/pope-francis-regina-coeli-catechesis-4th-sunday-easter.html

Pope at Regina Coeli: Jesus defends, knows and loves
25 April 2021, 12:20

Speaking on the fourth Sunday of Easter, Pope Francis tells the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square for the recitation of the Regina Coeli that Jesus, the good shepherd, defends, knows and loves each person individually.
Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis on Sunday greeted the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square for the recitation of the Regina Coeli prayer.

The Pope reflected on the Gospel according to John in which Jesus is presented to us at the true shepherd who defends, knows and loves his sheep.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-04/pope-francis-appeals-migrants-mediterranean-regina-coeli-easter.html
Pope: Migrants at sea should never be denied aid
25 April 2021, 12:31

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247401/pope-francis-at-the-regina-coeli-mediterranean-migrant-deaths-are-moment-of-shame
Pope Francis at the Regina Coeli: Mediterranean migrant deaths are ‘moment of shame’
CNA Staff, Apr 25, 2021 / 06:00 am America/Denver (CNA).

Video at the link below--
April 25 2021 Regina Coeli prayer Pope Francis
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7E-LYc1wivk33iyt5bR5zQ

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-04/pope-francis-donates-health-equipment-armenia.html

Pope Francis donates medical equipment to Armenia
26 April 2021, 08:12

Pope Francis expresses his affection for the people of Armenia with a gift of medical equipment, including a new ambulance.
By Devin Watkins

The Pope’s representative in Armenia, Archbishop Jose Bettencourt, delivered a concrete sign of the Holy Father’s care and concern on Sunday.

The Apostolic Nuncio blessed a gift from Pope Francis for the Catholic “Redemptoris Mater” Hospital in the northern Armenian town of Ashotsk.

Covid-fighting equipment

According to a statement from the Holy See Press Office, the gift consisted in a new ambulance equipped with the latest mobile medical equipment and emergency respirators to assist patients with Covid-19.

Archbishop Bettencourt, joined by Fr. Mario Cuccarollo—the director of the hospital, held a ceremony at the Ordinariate for Catholics of Armenian Rite in Eastern Europe
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-04/pope-date-consistory-canonizations.html

Pope announces Consistory for vote on Canonizations
26 April 2021, 11:47

Cardinals will vote on proceeding with the canonizations of seven Blesseds, including those of Blessed Charles de Foucauld and of the first Indian layperson to be elevated to that rank.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis has called an Ordinary Public Consistory for a vote on several causes for canonization.

The Consistory will take place on Monday, 3 May at 10 am Rome time, in the Consistory Hall in the Apostolic Palace, where he will preside at the celebration of Terce (Mid-Morning Prayer), with the Consistory following immediately.

Cardinals who are resident in Rome, or present in the City, are invited to take part, in accordance with anti-Covid-19 precautionary measures.

During the Consistory, the Cardinals will consider the causes for canonization of seven Blesseds, including Charles de Foucauld, the French missionary who was killed in Algeria in 1916, and Blessed Lazarus, called Devasahayam, an 18th-century Hindu married man who converted to Catholicism. He is the first layman to be elevated to the rank of Blessed in India.

The other Blesseds whose causes are being considered are:
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-04/pope-francis-poor-clares-of-paganica-earthquake-message.html

Pope to Poor Clares: Never tire of offering prayerful, consoling presence
26 April 2021, 13:25

Pope Francis meets with a group of Poor Clare nuns whose convent in the Italian town of Paganica was destroyed in a 2009 earthquake in L'Aquila, and says they have offered a sign of hope amid tragedy.
By Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ

Pope Francis on Monday met with the religious sisters of the Poor Clares’ Convent of St. Clare of Paganica, outside the Italian city of L’Aquila.

In his greetings to the nuns, the Holy Father thanked them for the support they give him through their prayers, and also expressed gratitude for the gift of the Easter Candle that they decorated for the Chapel of Casa Santa Marta.

He highlighted that the nuns are spiritually present at the celebrations taking place at the chapel through their gift of “the symbol of Christ, the light of the world.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-04/pope-bishop-carlassare-bishop-elect-south-sudan-attack.html

Pope praying for Bishop-elect of South Sudan after shooting attack
27 April 2021, 12:11

According to a Holy See Press Office statement Pope Francis was immediately informed of the attack against the bishop-elect of Rumbek, Fr Carlassare, on Sunday night and is praying for him.
By Paul Samasumo – Vatican News

Unknown armed men have shot and wounded the Bishop-elect of South Sudan’s Rumbek Catholic Diocese. The Italian-born Fr. Christian Carlassare, a Comboni Missionary, was attacked on Sunday night in Rumbek.

The gunmen went to his residence, shot at his bedroom door till it opened, and when Fr. Carlassare came out, they shot him on both legs.
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-04/pope-francis-general-audience-meditation-prayer.html
Pope at Audience: Meditating is a way of encountering Jesus
28 April 2021, 10:00

Continuing his catechesis on Christian prayer during the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis explains the importance of meditation, highlighting that it is a means of prayer that helps us encounter Jesus and find ourselves.
By Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ

For a Christian, Pope Francis said at the General Audience, "to 'meditate' is to seek meaning: it implies placing oneself before the great page of Revelation in order to try to make it our own, taking it in completely.”

Therefore, having welcomed the Word of God, a Christian does not keep it closed up inside, because that Word must meet with “another book,” which the Catechism calls “the book of life.” This, the Pope affirmed, “is what we attempt to do every time we meditate on the Word.”

The Holy Father dedicated his catechesis on Wednesday to meditation as a form of prayer.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247429/pope-francis-at-the-general-audience-christian-meditation-is-not-a-withdrawal-into-ourselves
Pope Francis at the general audience: Christian meditation ‘is not a withdrawal into ourselves’
CNA Staff, Apr 28, 2021 / 04:00 am America/Denver (CNA).

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2021/documents/papa-francesco_20210428_udienza-generale.html
POPE FRANCIS
GENERAL AUDIENCE
Library of the Apostolic Palace
Wednesday, 28 April 2021

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247432/pope-francis-to-launch-rosary-marathon-for-end-to-pandemic

Pope Francis to launch rosary ‘marathon’ for end to pandemic
Vatican City, Apr 28, 2021 / 07:00 am America/Denver (CNA).

Pope Francis on Saturday will lead a rosary to begin a month-long prayer marathon for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pope’s rosary will be broadcast live from the Gregorian Chapel of St. Peter’s Basilica at 6 p.m. Rome time on May 1.

Situated directly to the west of the Holy Sacrament Chapel, the Gregorian Chapel contains the relics of St. Gregory of Nazianzus, a Doctor of the Church, as well as a 7th-century icon of Our Lady of Help.

The rosary kicks off a month of daily rosaries prayed at Catholic shrines around the world for the intention of an end to the coronavirus pandemic and the resumption of work and social activities.

Families, teens, and young adults from Rome and the surrounding region will lead the rosary together with Pope Francis.

During the event May 1, Pope Francis will also bless rosaries to be sent to the 30 Marian shrines participating in the daily live-streamed prayers.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247431/cardinal-ladaria-pastoral-care-church-law-are-not-in-conflict-in-marriage-cases

Cardinal Ladaria: Pastoral care, Church law are not in conflict in marriage cases
By Hannah Brockhaus

Vatican City, Apr 28, 2021 / 06:15 am America/Denver (CNA).

The prefect of the Vatican’s doctrinal office stressed on Tuesday that in marriage annulment or dissolution cases, the Church’s procedural law and the pastoral care of persons are not in conflict.

Cardinal Luis Ladaria, S.J., spoke at the opening session of a study day hosted by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) and the Pontifical Lateran University.

The April 27 study day was devoted to the 2001 instruction Potestas ecclesiae, which regulates the Catholic Church’s process for the dissolution of a prior non-sacramental marriage “in favorem fidei” (in favor of the faith).

According to Ladaria, in both dissolution and annulment cases in the Church, “the importance of the inclusion of all the realities of marriage in a pastoral framework” is already contained in the 1983 Code of Canon Law.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-04/pope-francis-message-st-catherine-of-siena.html

Pope Francis sends message to mark Italy's patron saint
29 April 2021, 15:08

Pope Francis sends a telegram to mark the memorial of St. Catherine of Siena, patroness of Italy and co-patroness of Europe, which is celebrated on 29 April.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis sent a message on Thursday for the liturgical memorial of St. Catherine of Siena, patroness of Italy and co-patroness of Europe, commemorated on 29 April.

St. Catherine of Siena was a member of the Dominican Third Order. She died on 29 April 1380, was canonized in 1461 by Pope Pius II, and was named a doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI in 1970. She is particularly remembered for her role in helping the return of the papacy from Avignon, France, back to Rome, and for her continuous prayers for the restoration of the unity of the Church.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-04/pope-francis-motu-proprio-anti-corruption-law-vatican.html

New anti-corruption law for members of Vatican management
29 April 2021, 12:00

Pope Francis releases a Motu proprio requiring a declaration on the part of senior management and administrators that they are clear of convictions or investigations regarding terrorism, money laundering or tax evasion. They will also be prohibited from placing assets in tax havens or investing in companies whose principles are against the Church’s doctrine. All employees are prohibited from receiving gifts worth more than 40 euro.
By Vatican News

“According to Scripture, faithfulness in matters of little consequence is related to faithfulness in more important ones.”

These words introduce Pope Francis’s new Motu proprio on transparency, released on Thursday, through which the Pope will require everyone in a management position in the Holy See, and all who carry out administrative, judicial or supervisory functions, to sign a declaration stating they have never received a conviction, and that they are not subject to any pending criminal trials or investigations regarding corruption, fraud, terrorism, money laundering, exploitation of minors, or tax evasion. The declaration also covers cash holdings or investments in countries at high risk of money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities, in tax havens, or in companies whose policies are against the Church’s social doctrine
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-04/pope-francis-italian-catholic-action-audience.html

Pope urges Catholic Action to “listen” to the suffering of people
30 April 2021, 16:25

Pope Francis on Friday received some 80 members of the Azione Cattolica Italiana (ACI), or Italian Catholic Action, a popular lay Catholic association that functions under the Italian bishops’ conference.
By Robin Gomes

Receiving the Catholic Action group on the occasion of their 17th national assembly, April 25 to May 2, the Pope reflected on their very name.  The great human and social suffering generated by the pandemic, he said, risks becoming an educational catastrophe and an economic emergency, unless lay Catholics allow their actions to be permeated by a “high and demanding form of listening” to the suffering people.
 
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2021/04/pope-synodality-must-be-based-on-reality-not-fashionable-ideas/
Pope: Synodality must be based on reality, not fashionable ideas
Junno Arocho Esteves  Apr 30, 2021  CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-04/pope-francis-chemin-neuf-community-poor-fraternity.html

Pope to Chemin Neuf Community: “Continue to walk the paths of fraternity"
30 April 2021, 12:00

Pope Francis encourages the members of the Chemin Neuf Community in their mission of service of the poor, reminding them that the Lord counts on their boldness, courage and enthusiasm.
By Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ

Pope Francis on Friday met with the members of the Chemin Neuf Community and its Politics Fraternity.

Addressing them, the Pope thanked them for making the journey to Rome despite the limitations caused by the pandemic and extended his warm greetings to the young people from various countries who benefit from the expertise and accompaniment of the Chemin Neuf Community.

The Chemin Neuf Community is a Catholic community of couples, consecrated brothers and sisters, women and men from different cultures who have chosen to live in community following Christ with an ecumenical vocation. Its Politics Fraternity, established in 2014 in France, brings together young people between the ages of 18 -35 from different countries and political leanings, who share the same passion for the common good and desire to be active in politics according to the heart of God.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-04/pope-allows-cardinals-bishops-to-be-tried-by-vatican-tribunals.html

Pope allows Cardinals, Bishops to be tried by Vatican tribunals
30 April 2021, 13:19

Pope Francis has issued a new Apostolic Letter “motu proprio,” which modifies the judicial system in Vatican City State. Until now, Cardinals and Bishops could only be tried by the “Corte di Cassazone” (Court of Cassation, the Vatican’s Supreme Court), presided over by a Cardinal. With the new motu proprio, the Pope allows Cardinals and Bishops to be tried by a court of first instance, with the stipulation that cases will still have to be authorised by the Supreme Pontiff.
By Vatican News

Cardinals and Bishops accused of criminal offences by Vatican magistrates, can now be tried by the Tribunal of the Vatican City State instead of the Court of Cassation presided over by a cardinal, as had been the case until now. Pope Francis made the change in an Apostolic Letter issued motu proprio, which amends the judicial system of the Vatican State promulgated in March 2020. However, trials will still require the Pope’s prior authorization before they can proceed.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247471/pope-francis-changes-law-to-allow-vatican-city-court-to-judge-cardinals-bishops
Pope Francis changes law to allow Vatican City court to judge cardinals, bishops
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Apr 30, 2021 / 07:00 am America/Denver (CNA).

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/motu_proprio/documents/papa-francesco-motu-proprio-20210430_competenza-organigiudiziari.html
APOSTOLIC LETTER
ISSUED "MOTU PROPRIO"
BY THE SUPREME PONTIFF
FRANCIS
AMENDING THE JURISDICTION OF THE JUDICIAL BODIES OF VATICAN CITY STATE

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247472/is-the-vaticans-new-judicial-activism-good-for-the-holy-see

Is the Vatican’s new judicial activism good for the Holy See?
By Andrea Gagliarducci

Vatican City, Apr 30, 2021 / 08:00 am America/Denver (CNA).

Experts attending the Moneyval plenary assembly in Strasbourg, France, this week approved a highly anticipated report on the Holy See.

Moneyval, the committee of the Council of Europe which assesses countries’ compliance with international financial transparency standards, is expected to publish its report in the coming weeks.

The Vatican judicial system prepared for Moneyval’s evaluation with reform and seemingly never-ending investigations over a Secretariat of State investment in London that have not led to any prosecutions.

The reform is about new measures, provisions, and treatment for Vatican tribunal officials. But it also in practice shuts down the appeal court of the Vatican City State -- a significant change in the way cases are handled.

The investigations concern the Secretariat of State’s purchase of a luxury property in London in 2018. This became the focus of scrutiny after a report by the Institute for the Works of Religion (also known as the IOR or “Vatican bank”).
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247470/pope-francis-appoints-new-bishop-of-president-bidens-home-diocese

Pope Francis appoints new bishop of President Biden’s home diocese
By Courtney Mares

Vatican City, Apr 30, 2021 / 06:15 am America/Denver (CNA).

Pope Francis appointed Friday a new bishop of Wilmington, the home diocese of President Joe Biden.

The pope selected Msgr. William Koenig to lead the Diocese of Wilmington, which covers the state of Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland, upon the retirement of Bishop William Francis Malooly at the age of 77.

Bishop-elect Koenig, 64, is a priest of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, where he served as the vicar of clergy after more than 10 years as rector of St. Agnes Cathedral. His episcopal ordination is scheduled for July 13 at St. Elizabeth Church in Wilmington.

“I express my deep gratitude for the trust placed in me by His Holiness, Pope Francis in appointing me the 10th Bishop of Wilmington, Delaware,” Koenig said.
 
https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2021/04/new-bishop-of-bidens-hometown-mum-on-communion-question/
New bishop of Biden’s hometown mum on Communion question
Nicole Winfield and Luis Andres Henao  Apr 30, 2021

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Video, with English text, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/pope-francis-blesses-new-cathedral-saint-joseph-madagascar.html
Pope sends message as new Cathedral blessed in Madagascar
01 May 2021, 09:30

Pope Francis sends a video message to Madagascar to mark the consecration of the new Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Miandrivazo.
By Devin Watkins

The Church in the island nation of Madagascar is celebrating on Saturday, as the Diocese of Morondava gets a new Co-Cathedral in the town of Miandrivazo.

The local Bishop blessed the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph on 1 May, the same day the universal Church celebrates the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker.

Pope Francis took the opportunity to join the faithful of Madagascar through a video message sent to mark the event.

“I congratulate you for this work that you are doing,” he said, “and I congratulate you for all the educational, social, and religious work you are doing.”