Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/new-auxiliary-bishop-for-galveston-houston-in-us.html

New Auxiliary Bishop for Galveston-Houston in US
18 May 2021, 12:14

Pope Francis appoints the Rev. Italo Dell’Oro, C.R.S. as auxiliary bishop of Galveston-Houston in the United States.
By Vatican News staff reporter

Bishop-elect Dell’Oro is a priest of the Congregation of the Somascan Fathers, and currently serves as vicar for clergy for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

The appointment was publicized in Washington, D.C. on 18 May 2021 by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Father Dell’Oro was born June 20, 1953 in Malgrate, Italy. He attended the Somascan Novitiate and Theologate in Rome and made his first religious profession in 1978, and his solemn profession in 1981. He received his baccalaureate in sacred theology from the University of St. Anselmo in Rome, Italy in 1982 and a master’s degree in counseling and psychotherapy from Rivier University in Nashua, New Hampshire in 1988. He was ordained to the priesthood in Como, Italy on September 11, 1982.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247693/pope-francis-names-italian-born-somascan-priest-an-auxiliary-bishop-in-texas
Pope Francis names Italian-born Somascan priest an auxiliary bishop in Texas
CNA Staff, May 18, 2021 / 05:10 am America/Denver (CNA).

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-05/dicastery-laity-family-life-pastoral-guidelines-world-youth-day.html

Vatican offers guidelines for diocesan WYD celebrations
18 May 2021, 12:25

The Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life presents guidelines for World Youth Day celebrations in particular churches as a resource to be creative in planning and implementing initiatives which show that the Church considers its mission with young people to be a pastoral priority.
By Vatican News staff writer

The Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life held a press conference on Tuesday to present some “Pastoral Guidelines for the Celebration of World Youth Day in the Particular Churches.”

The guidelines, according to the Dicastery, are “intended to be a resource that presents the ideal motivations and possible practical implementations that will allow a diocesan/eparchial WYD to be an opportunity to bring out the potential for good that is in each young person, with their generosity, thirst for authentic values and great ideals.”

The event, streamed live from the Holy See Press office, featured several speakers including Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello and and Fr. João Chagas, the Secretary and head of the Youth office of the Dicastery respectively, among others.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2021-05/hungary-pope-francis-eucharistic-congress-coronavirus.html

Hungary prepares for Pope's arrival at Eucharistic Congress
17 May 2021, 19:32

Preparations are underway in Hungary for the International Eucharistic Congress, where Pope Francis is due to preside at the closing Mass in September. Hungarian Cardinal Péter Erdő spoke with the Vatican about the gathering, which he views as a sign of hope for Hungary amid human misery.
By Stefan J. Bos

The head of Hungary's Catholic Church said the upcoming International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest attended by Pope Francis this September is a symbol of life after the coronavirus pandemic.

Cardinal Erdő made the comments when his nation mourned with more than 29,000 reported Covid-19-related deaths out of a population of nearly 10 million. Hungary is among the nations with the highest reported coronavirus death tolls per capita in the world.

Cardinal Erdő said in a statement that he spoke about the Pope's participation in the International Eucharistic Congress with the Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The Cardinal stressed that his talks focused on organizational matters about the upcoming Congress, which was postponed last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Cardinal added that a Vatican delegation inspected the Budapest venue of the Congress last week.

With Hungary slowly reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic, the event is to include the September 12 closing Mass held at Budapest's majestic Heroes Square.

Pope Francis is expected to preside at the Mass in the heart of Hungary's capital. Organizers say the ceremony will feature the 120-member orchestra of the Hungarian State Opera with a choir of 2,000. 
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/overcoming-difficulties-in-prayer-pope-at-general-audience.html
Overcoming difficulties in prayer: Pope at General Audience
19 May 2021, 09:09

In his catechesis at the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis says we must always persevere in order to overcome the difficulties we face in prayer.
By Christopher Wells

Speaking at the Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis identified three difficulties we often experience in prayer: distraction; feelings of dryness or barrenness; and “acedia,” a certain listlessness in prayer.
 
Pope's Address at the link
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247705/pope-francis-at-the-general-audience-praying-is-not-easy
Pope Francis at the general audience: ‘Praying is not easy’
CNA Staff, May 19, 2021 / 03:50 am America/Denver (CNA).

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/pope-francis-scholas-occurentes-meeting.html

Pope to Scholas Occurentes: A nation at war is not morally sound
20 May 2021, 20:00

Pope Francis visits the Scholas Occurrentes headquarters in Rome to bless new initiatives of the Pontifical Foundation.
By Francesca Merlo

Pope Francis on Thursday met young adults, faculty and guests to announce the launch of new Scholas Occurrentes chapters in Washington, USA; Valencia, Spain; Chaco, Argentina; and Sydney, Australia.

The Pope was greeted at the Scholas Occurrentes headquartes in Rome by songs and applause. Some of the young people participating in the educational project presented the Pope with gifts, including a t-shirt. Two young Italians, in particular, asked the Pope to choose between two gifts: a tree of life and a wooden lyre. The Pope chose the latter.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247728/charity-is-fundamental-to-politics-pope-francis-tells-youth
Charity is fundamental to politics, Pope Francis tells youth
Washington D.C., May 20, 2021 / 15:20 pm America/Denver (CNA).

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/pope-francis-civilta-cattolica-renewed-spanish-edition.html

Pope on Civiltà Cattolica: ‘More than a review, a true spiritual experience’
20 May 2021, 11:00

Pope Francis sends a message to the Jesuit magazine to mark the relaunch of the Spanish-language edition, as the Society of Jesus marks 500 years since conversion of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
By Vatican News

The Spanish edition of La Civiltà Cattolica expands its publications in a completely renewed format at the address www.laciviltacattolica.es. And it does so with a special message from Pope Francis on occasion of the beginning of the Ignatian Year during which the Society of Jesus will celebrate 500 years of the conversion of the saint of Loyola.

“Your review is one of a kind in its genre,” wrote the Pope, addressing himself to the writers and collaborators of La Civiltà Cattolica. He added, “More than a review, it is a true spiritual, communitarian, and intellectual experience.”
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247727/pope-francis-blood-of-martyrs-slain-by-isis-a-seed-that-will-bear-rich-fruit

Pope Francis: Blood of martyrs slain by ISIS ‘a seed that will bear rich fruit’
CNA Staff, May 20, 2021 / 14:00 pm America/Denver (CNA).

Pope Francis has said that the blood of 21 martyrs killed by ISIS on a Libyan beach in 2015 is “a seed that will bear rich fruit for Christian unity.”

In a May 10 letter to the Coptic Orthodox Patriarch Tawadros II, the pope said that the men's deaths had touched the lives of Christians around the world.

Referring to those who have suffered in Christ’s name, he wrote: “Among this ‘cloud of witnesses’ (Hebrews 12:1), I call to mind particularly the 21 Coptic martyrs killed on Feb. 15, 2015, whose blood is not only the ‘seed of Christians,’ but also, I am deeply convinced, a seed that will bear rich fruit for Christian unity.”

“Thanks to their powerful witness, many Christians in our world have come to realize that the ranks of the martyrs include not only saints of the early Church depicted in ancient icons, but also men and women of our day, our contemporaries. They too are saints, saints of every Christian tradition.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/pope-francis-ambassadors-coronavirus-prayer-holy-land.html

Pope to diplomats: Promote 'culture of care' to emerge from current crisis
21 May 2021, 10:56

Pope Francis receives the ambassadors of several countries as they present their credential letters. He highlights the importance of a “culture of care” and the role of diplomats in the development of a global consensus to respond to the ethical challenges facing the world.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis, on Friday, addressed the new Ambassadors of Singapore, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Algeria, Sri Lanka, Barbados, Sweden, Finland and Nepal, as they presented their credential letters to the Holy Father.

“I am pleased to welcome you as you present the Letters accrediting you as Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassadors of your countries to the Holy See,” said the Pope to the diplomats.
 
Invitation to prayers for the Holy Land
Recalling the escalation of violence and hostilities going on in the Holy Land in recent days, Pope Francis renewed his call for all parties to pursue "the paths of dialogue and peace.”

He also invited all the pastors and the faithful of the Catholic Church to unite themselves spiritually in prayer with the Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land as they gather on Saturday to celebrate the Vigil of Pentecost in Saint Stephen’s Church in Jerusalem and to “implore the gift of peace.”

“May every community pray to the Holy Spirit that Israelis and Palestinians may find the path of dialogue and forgiveness, be patient builders of peace and justice, and be open, step by step, to a common hope, to coexistence among brothers and sisters,” Pope Francis urged.

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/pope-francis-appeals-bishops-pray-for-peace-holy-land.html
Holy Land: Pope Francis invites entire Church to pray for peace
21 May 2021, 10:54

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/pope-francis-address-lazare-association.html

Pope to Lazarus Association: All are precious, worthy, welcome and beautiful
21 May 2021, 13:37

Pope Francis meets with members of the French "Lazare" Association, and thanks them for their courage and strength in a service aimed at making every person feel precious, worthy, welcome and beautiful.
By Francesca Merlo

Greeting members of the French "Lazare" (Lazarus) Association on the occasion of its tenth anniversary, Pope Francis thanked God for their meeting, "which was cancelled last year due to the health crisis".

"It is always a joy to see that even today many people, full of faith, good will, and courage, are committed to living the experience of service and fraternity", he said.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/synod-of-bishops-will-begin-in-the-local-churches.html

Synod of Bishops will begin in the local Churches
21 May 2021, 12:00

In October, Pope Francis will open a three-year synodal journey with three phases (diocesan, continental, universal) of consultations and discernment, culminating with the assembly in October 2023 in Rome.
By Salvatore Cernuzio

“One listening to the others; and all listening to the Holy Spirit.”

To make the synodality desired by Pope Francis since the beginning of his pontificate concrete and visible, the next Synod of Bishops, scheduled for October 2023, will not only be celebrated in the Vatican but in each particular Church of the five continents, following a three-year itinerary divided into three phases: diocesan, continental and universal.
 
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2021/05/21/0314/00693.html#en
XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops
“For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission”

An interview--
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-05/cardinal-grech-interview-synod-secretariat-changes.html
Cardinal Grech: Transformation of Synod to create space for People of God
21 May 2021, 12:06

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/permanent-synodal-church-martini-dream
Permanent Synodal Church — A Progressive Jesuit Cardinal’s ‘Dream’ Come True

Today’s announcement of a two-year process for the upcoming synod on synodality appears to reflect the ideas of Jesuit Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, who viewed synodality as a vehicle for questioning Church teaching.
Edward Pentin   May 21, 2021

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Video at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/pope-meets-with-european-commission-president.html
Pope and European Commission President underscore good relations
22 May 2021, 13:08

On Saturday morning at the Vatican Pope Francis met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who spoke to Vatican News in this exclusive interview.
By Vatican News staff writer

During their private meeting, Pope Francis and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted the good bilateral relations between the Holy See and the European Union, including the initiatives underway to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

A statement by the Holy See Press Office also mentioned their discussions on human and social development issues affecting the continent, also in view of the recently launched Conference on the Future of Europe. Both leaders also looked at other issues of common interest, such as the social consequences of the pandemic, and the topics of migration, climate change, and recent developments in the Middle East.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247752/pope-francis-meets-european-commission-president-at-the-vatican
Pope Francis meets European Commission president at the Vatican
CNA Staff, May 22, 2021 / 08:00 am

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/pope-francis-decree-sainthood-causes-virtues-martyrdom-semeraro.html

Pope authorizes seven decrees for sainthood causes
22 May 2021, 12:47

Pope Francis on Saturday authorized the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate 7 decrees, including a martyrdom.
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 to him for approval 7 decrees regarding the sainthood causes of 7 candidates. The Holy Father authorized the Congregation to promulgate a decree on martyrdom and 6 decrees on heroic virtues.

The candidates from Peru, Italy, Poland, Spain and Hungary include 3 women and 4 men.  They are as follows:
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/pope-francis-students-codogno-institute-covid19-audience.html

Pope urges students to interact with “head”, “hands” and “heart”
22 May 2021, 11:40

Pope Francis on Saturday met a delegation from Ambrosoli Institute of Codogno, in northern Italy, which became the first epicentre of Europe’s outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic last year.
By Robin Gomes

With schools reopening after long months of lockdown and distance learning due to the pandemic, students should avoid isolating themselves in the digital world and rebuild real relationships using the head, hands and the heart.  Pope Francis offered the exhortation to a delegation of students and staff from the Ambrosoli Institute of Codogno, a small northern Italian town of some 15,000.  On February 21, 2020, Italy's first coronavirus cases were detected in Codogno, in what became the first major outbreak in Europe.
 

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Video at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/pope-francis-charis-pentecostal-ecumenical-vigil-pentecost.html
Pope to CHARIS Pentecost vigil: Holy Spirit changes us so we can change the world
22 May 2021, 23:00

Pope Francis highlights the importance of fraternal love, forgiveness and Christian witness, in a video message for an ecumenical Pentecost Vigil in Jerusalem organized by CHARIS.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis on Saturday, the eve of Pentecost, sent a message for the ecumenical Pentecost Vigil organized by the Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service (CHARIS), through the Commission for Christian Unity.

The video message was broadcast during the vigil from the Anglican Christ Church in Jerusalem, where the faithful from different Christian traditions were gathered.

Opening his message, the Pope expressed gratitude to the Anglican Church for its hospitality in making the broadcast possible, and in particular, Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury, for sharing “a beautiful reflection on the Holy Spirit.”

The Pope also acknowledged CHARIS for organizing the vigil as part of the mission he had entrusted to it to work for Christian unity, through its commission made up of Catholics and other believers from other Christian communities.
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/pope-on-pentecost-open-your-heart-to-the-holy-spirit.html
Pope on Pentecost: Open your heart to the Holy Spirit
23 May 2021, 10:50

Presiding over Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica on Pentecost Sunday, Pope Francis recalls Jesus’ promise to send His disciples the Holy Spirit, “the ultimate gift, the gift of gifts”, the Spirit who “is the very love of God”.
By Vatican News staff writer

In his homily for the Pentecost Sunday Mass, Pope Francis reflected on the meaning of the mysterious word, difficult to translate, that Jesus used to describe the Holy Spirit: Paraclete. He said two essential meanings are present: Comforter and Advocate.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247753/pope-francis-open-your-heart-to-the-holy-spirit
Pope Francis: ‘Open your heart to the Holy Spirit’
CNA Staff, May 23, 2021 / 04:50 am

Pope Francis and the second advice of the Spirit:  "The Spirit also tells us, 'Look to the whole.'” --
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247754/full-text-pope-francis-homily-on-pentecost-sunday
Full text: Pope Francis’ homily on Pentecost Sunday
By Pope Francis
Vatican City, May 23, 2021 / 05:00 am
 
The Spirit also tells us, “Look to the whole”. The whole, not the part. The Spirit does not mould isolated individuals, but shapes us into a Church in the wide variety of our charisms, into a unity that is never uniformity. The Paraclete affirms the primacy of the whole. There, in the whole, in the community, the Spirit prefers to work and to bring newness. Let us look at the apostles. They were all quite different. They included, for example, Matthew, a tax collector who collaborated with the Romans, and Simon called the zealot, who fought them. They had contrary political ideas, different visions of the world. Yet once they received the Spirit, they learned to give primacy not to their human viewpoints but to the “whole” that is God’s plan. Today, if we listen to the Spirit, we will not be concerned with conservatives and progressives, traditionalists and innovators, right and left. When those become our criteria, then the Church has forgotten the Spirit. The Paraclete impels us to unity, to concord, to the harmony of diversity. He makes us see ourselves as parts of the same body, brothers and sisters of one another. Let us look to the whole! The enemy wants diversity to become opposition and so he makes them become ideologies. Say no to ideologies, yes to the whole.
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/pope-regina-coeli-pentecost-sunday-catechesis.html
Pope at Regina Coeli: 'The Holy Spirit gives us courage, hope and faith'
23 May 2021, 12:10

Pope Francis reflects on the action of the Holy Spirit who is “like a strong and freely flowing wind” and invites the faithful to open their hearts to the gift of the Spirit and go out to witness to the Lord’s love.
By Linda Bordoni

On Pentecost Sunday Pope Francis invited the faithful to open their hearts to the Holy Spirit and go out in the world with courage, hope and faith to witness to the love of the Risen Jesus Christ.

Addressing pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square for the recitation of the Regina Coeli prayer, the Pope reflected on the book of the Acts of the Apostles that recounts what happened in Jerusalem 50 days after the Pasch of Jesus.

He recalled that the disciples were gathered in the Upper Room, and the Virgin Mary was with them. They had been told by Risen Lord to remain in the city until they received the gift of the Spirit from on High.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/pope-appeal-regina-coeli-laudato-si-action-platform-appeal.html
Pope: “Keep listening to the cry of the earth and of the poor”
23 May 2021, 12:47

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/pope-calls-catholics-to-accompany-church-in-china-with-prayer.html
Pope calls on Catholics to accompany Church in China with fervent prayer
23 May 2021, 13:24

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/pope-regina-coeli-appeal-colombia-protests-dialogue.html
Pope appeals for dialogue in Colombia
23 May 2021, 13:37

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/pope-francis-vatican-radio-osservatore-romano-visit-palazzo-pio.html

Pope Francis encourages Vatican journalists to always set out in search of the truth
24 May 2021, 11:06

The Dicastery for Communication was graced with the presence of Pope Francis on Monday, in his first-ever visit to the Holy See’s historic Radio station.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis on Monday morning, visited Palazzo Pio – the building which houses Vatican Radio, the Holy See’s Radio station; and L’Osservatore Romano, the daily newspaper of the Vatican City State.

The Holy Father’s visit comes as Vatican Radio and L’Osservatore Romano mark their 90th and 160th anniversaries respectively, this year. This is Pope Francis’ first-ever visit to the Radio.

Both Vatican Radio and L’Osservatore Romano are part of the Dicastery for Communication of the Holy See. The Dicastery is comprised of other sectors including the Vatican Television Center, the Vatican Publishing House, the Holy See Press Office, the Photographic Service, the Vatican Internet Service and the Vatican Printing press.
 
https://www.ncregister.com/news/despite-challenging-headwinds-vatican-radio-retains-its-relevance-and-reach
Despite Challenging Headwinds, Vatican Radio Retains Its Relevance and Reach
Edward Pentin  Vatican  May 22, 2021

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2021/05/pope-challenges-vaticans-journalists-who-reads-your-news/
Pope challenges Vatican’s journalists: Who reads your news?
Nicole Winfield  May 24, 2021

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/pope-writes-to-dominicans-on-anniversary-of-dominic-s-death.html

Pope calls on Dominicans to be at forefront of renewed proclamation of the Gospel
24 May 2021, 12:08

On the 800th anniversary of St Dominic's death, Pope Francis says the founder of the Order of Preachers can serve as an inspiration to all Christians to be missionary disciples.
By Christopher Wells

Even today, Pope Francis says, St Dominic can “serve as an inspiration to all the baptized, who are called, as missionary disciples, to reach every ‘periphery’ of our world with the light of the Gospel and the merciful love of Christ.”

In a letter to the Master General of the Dominican Order on the 800th anniversary of their founder's death, Pope Francis emphasizes that St Dominic embraced a “renewed and vibrant preaching of the Gospel” and offered a “convincing witness to its summons to holiness” in the communion of the Church.

St Dominic’s great call, he says, “was to preach the Gospel of God’s merciful love in all its saving truth and redemptive power,” showing the “inseparability of faith and charity.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/pope-francis-italian-bishops-conference-general-assembly.html

Pope inaugurates Italian Bishops’ 74th General Assembly
24 May 2021, 20:41

The Italian Episcopal Conference General Assembly gets underway in the presence of over 200 bishops with a focus on synodality.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis on Monday inaugurated the Italian Episcopal Conference’s (CEI) 74th General Assembly that takes place from 24 to 27 May in Rome.

Greeting participants at the start of the Assembly, the Pope highlighted three themes to be addressed during discussions: seminaries, ecclesiastical courts and Synods.

In fact, the theme of this year’s General Assembly is “Proclaiming the Gospel in a time of rebirth – setting out on a synodal journey.”

During the gathering, two vice-presidents will be elected, for the Northern and Central areas, as well as members of the Council for Economic Affairs and the presidents of the Episcopal Commissions.

Before proceeding with a question-and-answer session, the Pope reflected on the theme of the Assembly.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247761/pope-francis-encourages-italian-bishops-as-the-conference-begins-synodal-journey
Pope Francis encourages Italian bishops as the conference begins ‘synodal journey’
By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, May 24, 2021 / 11:00 am

https://cruxnow.com/church-in-europe/2021/05/synod-process-must-begin-from-bottom-up-pope-tells-bishops/
Synod process must begin ‘from bottom up,’ pope tells bishops
Cindy Wooden  May 24, 2021  CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-05/pope-francis-telegram-italy-stresa-mottarone-cable-car.html

Pope sends condolences for Italian cable-car crash
25 May 2021, 13:01

Pope Francis expresses his condolences for the deaths of 14 people after a cable-car crashed in the northern Italian region of Piedmont, and prays for the lone survivor, a 5-year-old child.
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis has sent a telegram of condolence to the Bishop Franco Giulio Brambilla of Novara, following a tragic accident which led to the death of 14 people.

The message was signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.

In the telegram, the Pope expressed his “great sorrow” over the crash of the Stresa-Mottarone cable-car, which occurred on Sunday.

He sent his “closeness and heartfelt condolence” to the relatives of the victims.

“With compassion for so many lives tragically cut short while immersed in the wonders of Creation,” the Pope offered “assurance of his prayer for the deceased and those who mourn them.”