Pope Francis

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Catholic News Svc‏Verified account @CatholicNewsSvc · 11h  11 hours ago 
Today, #PopeFrancis told 5 new cardinals to be #ServantLeader http://bit.ly/2t1qw0d

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/06/29/peter_and_paul_pope_highlights_christian_persecution/1322119

Peter and Paul: Pope highlights Christian persecution, prayer, confession
29/06/2017 13:00

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis celebrated Mass in St Peter's Square on Thursday to celebrated the feast of Saints Peter and Paul highlighting the plight of persecuted Christians, the importance of prayer and confessing the faith.

In a sunny St Peter’s Square on Thursday, Pope Francis was joined by new Cardinals and Metropolitan Archbishops created in the last year, as well as pilgrims and Romans alike, to celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Co-Patrons of the eternal city.

Following a blessing of the Pallium which will be placed on the 36 Metropolitan Archbishops in their own dioceses, the Pope in his homily focused his attention on three words, confession, persecution and prayer, which he said, “are essential for the life of an apostle.”
 
http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/06/29/pope_francis_homily_for_feast_of_saints_peter_and_paul/1322071
Pope Francis: homily for feast of Saints Peter and Paul
29/06/2017 10:56


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlAepBHqtHw
2017.06.29 - Holy Mass with the imposition of the Pallium 
Streamed live 15 hours ago
WITH COMMENTARY - Pope Francis presides over the Holy Mass with the imposition of the Pallium on the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul.

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/06/29/pope_at_angelus__prays_for_city_and_people_of_rome_/1322098

Pope at Angelus prays for city and people of Rome
29/06/2017 12:22

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Thursday prayed for the city and people of Rome, as he gave an Angelus address for the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul, patron saints of the Italian capital.

Listen to our report:

Speaking from his study window to the crowds gathered in St Peter’s Square, the Pope recalled how both of these two apostles suffered persecution and gave their lives in service to the first Christian communities.

The liturgical readings of the day, the Pope continued, remind us that even in the most difficult moments of persecution, the Lord remained close to Peter and Paul, just as he remains by our side today. Especially in our times of trial, he said, God holds out his hand and comes to help us, liberating us from the threats of our enemies.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuR2ymFsmxM
2017.06.29 Angelus Domini

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/06/29/cardinal_pell_im_totally_innocent_of_these_charges/1322052

Cardinal Pell: I'm totally innocent of these charges
29/06/2017 09:34

(Vatican Radio) “I’m totally innocent of these charges.”

At a press conference Thursday morning at the Vatican, Cardinal George Pell, the Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, forcefully denied charges of “historical” sexual offences filed against him by Australian police. "All along I have been completely consistent and clear in my total rejection of these allegations," he said.

In brief remarks ahead of an official statement by the Holy See Press Office, Cardinal Pell said he has kept Pope Francis regularly informed of the situation. He expressed his gratitude to the Pope for granting him leave to return to Australia to clear his name.

Cardinal Pell was critical of media leaks concerning the situation, and lamented the “relentless character assassination directed against him. “I’m looking forward, finally, to my day in court,” the Cardinal said, proclaiming his innocence and denouncing the charges as false. “The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me,” he said.

In its official statement, the Holy See Press Office said, “The Holy See has learned with regret the news of charges filed in Australia against Card. George Pell for decades-old actions that have been attributed to him.” It noted that Cardinal Pell has chosen to return to Australia “in full respect for civil laws… recognizing the importance of his participation to ensure that the process is carried out fairly, and to foster the search for truth.” During his absence, the statement noted that the Vatican’s Secretariat for the Economy “will continue to carry out its institutional tasks.”

The Press Office statement goes on to say, “The Holy Father, who has appreciated Cardinal Pell’s honesty during his three years of work in the Roman Curia, is grateful for his collaboration, and in particular, for his energetic dedication to the reforms in the economic and administrative sector, as well as his active participation in the Council of Cardinals (C9).”

After expressing the Holy See’s “respect for the Australian justice system,” the statement also noted that Cardinal Pell “has openly and repeatedly condemned as immoral and intolerable the acts of abuse committed against minors; has cooperated in the past with Australian authorities (for example, in his depositions before the Royal Commission); has supported the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors; and finally, as a diocesan bishop in Australia, has introduced systems and procedures both for the protection of minors and to provide assistance to victims of abuse.”

Below, please find the full text of the Statement of the Holy See Press Office:
 

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Uh, oh...

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/cardinal-mueller-to-be-dismissed

Blogs  |  Jun. 30, 2017
Cardinal Müller to Be Dismissed?
Reports say prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith will not have his five year mandate renewed on Sunday.

Edward Pentin

Three Vatican sources, including one close to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, have told the Register this evening that Cardinal Gerhard Müller is to be imminently dismissed as prefect of the dicastery, although the Vatican itself has not officially confirmed the news.

If true, an announcement is likely this weekend or on Monday.

The Italian Catholic website Corrispondenza Romana and the Rorate Caeli blog were the first to break the news, with Corrispondenza Romana sending out an email this evening with the definitive message: “His Eminence Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from July 2, 2012, has been fired by Pope Francis on the exact date that his 5-year mandate expires.”

It went on to note that Cardinal Müller is one of the cardinals who sought to interpret Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation on the family, “according to a hermeneutic of continuity with the Tradition of the Church.” It added that that had made him a critic of the direction taken by the Pope.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/07/01/abp_ladaria_to_succeed_card_m%c3%bcller_as_prefect_of_cdf/1322522

Abp Ladaria to succeed Card. Müller as Prefect of CDF
01/07/2017 12:59

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Saturday named Archbishop Luis Ladaria, SJ, to replace Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, at the end of Cardinal Müller's five-year term.

Archbishop Ladaria is a Spanish Jesuit and theologian who spent many years teaching at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, before being called to serve as Secretary of CDF in 2008.

A note from the Press Office of the Holy See released Saturday says the Holy Father thanks Cardinal Müller at the end his quinquennial mandate as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, the Pontifical Biblical Commission and the International Theological Commission, and now calls the former Secretary, Archbishop Ladaria, to take on those roles.
 
http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/cardinal-mueller-to-be-dismissed
Blogs  |  Jun. 30, 2017
Pope Francis Appoints Spanish Jesuit Ladaria to Succeed Cardinal Müller

http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2017/pope-names-archbishop-to-succeed-cardinal-muller-at-doctrine-office.cfm
Pope names archbishop to succeed Cardinal Muller at doctrine office
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
7.1.2017 6:31 AM ET

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https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2017/07/cardinal-muller-reacts-to-dismissal-in.html

Cardinal Müller Reacts to Dismissal in Interview with German Newspaper
Posted by Sacerdos Romanus   at 7/01/2017 05:16:00 PM

Photo: hbz / Stefan Sämmer / Allgemeine Zeitung

Cardinal Müller was in Mainz, Germany, today, for a reunion of his high school class, and he granted an interview to the Allgemeine Zeitung, based in Mainz. Passages from the interview have been published in an article on the Allgemeine Zeitung’s website. The main topic was of course his dismissal from the CDF (see Rorate's report). We present here an excerpt from the article in an original  Rorate translation (please credit upon replication).

 “The five year term was over,” Cardinal Müller said. Although it is customary to renew the term, in his case Francis decided not to do so. Francis told him that it was his plan from now in general not to extend such terms, “and I was the first one for whom the plan was implemented,” said Müller. The pope did not give any further reason. And Müller himself says that he does not know of any further reason why the pope would not want him to continue. “There were no differences between me and Pope Francis,” said Cardinal Müller… He insisted that there was no quarrel about Amoris Laetitia, the Apostolic Exhortation in which Pope Francis allowed more flexibility in the pastoral care of the divorced and remarried, and which in some points he did not find complete agreement with Cardinal Müller. It was regrettable, however, Müller said, that the pope fired three of his officials a few weeks previously. “There were competent people,” he said. At 12 o’clock on Friday, he learned from Pope Francis himself that he wanted a new prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. “It doesn’t bother me,” said the 69 year old, smiling. “Everyone has to retire at some point.” 

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http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/four-reasons-why-this-consistory-was-an-unusual-one-16946/

Four reasons why this consistory was an unusual one
By Andrea Gagliarducci

Vatican City, Jul 1, 2017 / 04:35 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A consistory is a gathering of cardinals, which the Pope can convoke to give solemnity to a particular decision, or simply to ask his “Senate” to counsel him on an important issue. However, the most recent consistory, held June 28, was rather exceptional. Here are four reasons why.

A surprise consistory

The June 28 consistory was a real surprise: when Pope Francis announced it May 21, there had been none of the normal hints that he was going to call for one.

For one thing, there were only a few open “slots” in the College of Cardinals. According to the norm set by Bl. Paul VI and confirmed by St. John Paul II, there can be only 120 cardinals who have voting rights in the event of a conclave to choose the next Pope (the primary responsibility of cardinals).

However, Pope Francis made the decision to create five new cardinals, so following this week’s consistory, there are now 121 cardinals with the right to vote in a future conclave, surpassing the normal limit of 120.

He is not the first Pope to do so. St. John Paul II created 44 cardinals in the Feb. 21, 2001 consistory. This made 135 cardinals with voting rights, a full 15 over the limit set by Paul VI.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/07/02/pope_francis_missionary_disciples_put_christ_first/1322702

Pope Francis at Angelus: missionary disciples put Christ first
02/07/2017 15:12

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis used his remarks ahead of the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer to reflect on the essential characteristics of Christian missionary discipleship, which he identified as being bound to Our Lord Jesus Christ and being bearers of Him – ambassadors of Christ, as St. Paul says – who put on Christ and bring Him to others, forsaking themselves and all others and everything else in the world for His sake.

“Not,” explained Pope Francis, “because He wants us to be heartless and ungrateful – not hardly, not at all.”

“On the contrary,” he continued, “because the condition of the disciple requires that one’s relationship with the Master take precedence over all others.”

Departing from his prepared text, the Holy Father said, “Any and every disciple, whether he be a lay man, a lay woman, a priest, a bishop: the relationship [with Christ, the Divine Teacher] takes precedence.”
 
https://zenit.org/articles/the-missionary-does-not-bring-himself-but-jesus/
Angelus Address: The Missionary Does not Bring Himself but Jesus 
July 2, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1mMgiC1aYE
2017.07.02 Angelus Domini

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/07/03/pope_francis_sends_message_to_fao/1322739

Pope Francis sends message to UN Food and Agriculture Organization: Full Text
03/07/2017 11:30

Pope Francis sent a message to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - AP

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis on Monday sent a message to participants in the 40th General Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Rome.

The message was read out by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State.

At the end of the message, Cardinal Parolin officially announced that Pope Francis will visit the Rome headquarters of the FAO on World Food Day, 16 October 2017, at the invitiation of its Director-General, José Graziano da Silva.

Please find below the official English translation of the message:
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/07/03/pope_francis_expresses_closeness_to_charlie_gard’s_parents/1322731

Pope Francis expresses closeness to Charlie Gard’s parents
03/07/2017 09:01

Terminally-ill baby Charlie Gard with his parents, Connie Yates and Chris Gard, in London's Great Ormond Street Hospital - AP
(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis has expressed his “affection and emotion” at the situation of Charlie Gard and “his own closeness to his parents”.

A statement from Greg Burke, Director of the Holy See Press Office, on Sunday said the Pope prays for 10-month old Charlie Gard’s parents and hopes “that their desire to accompany and care for their own child to the end is not ignored.”

Charlie was born with a rare genetic condition called mitochondrial depletion syndrome, which causes progressive muscle weakness and brain damage.

The European Court of Human Rights last week rejected a plea from the baby’s parents to be allowed to move him to the United States for experimental medical treatment.

Please find below a Vatican Radio English translation of the full statement:
 

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2017/07/04/popes-hospital-says-uk-doctors-wont-let-charlie-gard-travel-care/

Pope’s hospital says UK doctors won’t let Charlie Gard travel for care
July 4, 2017

ROME - After publicly volunteering to care for UK infant Charlie Gard, whose parents were denied permission to take him to the United States for experimental therapy in a last-ditch effort to save his life, an official of the pope’s pediatric hospital in Rome said Tuesday that the parents have informed her that doctors won’t allow them to do that either for legal reasons.

In brief comments to reporters, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, added on Tuesday that “I think it’s a problem of nationality,” referring to the refusal for travel, and that “the Holy See will do anything possible, and if it can help, it will.”
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/07/04/pope_francis_makes_donation_to_greek_lesbos_island/1323002

Pope Francis makes donation to Greek Lesbos island after earthquake
04/07/2017 11:49

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis has donated 50,000 Euro in aid for victims of the 12 June earthquake on the Greek island of Lesbos, according to the Apostolic Nunciature of Greece.

“It is an unexpected donation and concrete sign of the closeness and affection of [Pope] Francis for the population, which has been deeply tried by the 6.3-magnitude earthquake,” remarked Msgr. Massimo Catterin, chargé d affaires of the Nunciature.
 

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Video and text at the link

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/07/04/pope_francis_prayer_intention_for_july/1323084

Pope Francis' prayer intention for July: 'Those distant from Christian faith'
04/07/2017 15:00

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis has released his video message accompanying his monthly prayer intention for July.

This month’s intention is for those distant from the Christian faith: "that our brothers and sisters who have strayed from the faith, through our prayer and witness to the Gospel, may rediscover the beauty of the Christian life."
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/07/04/catholic_and_reformed_churches_mark_ecumenical_milestone/1323039

Catholic and Reformed Churches mark ecumenical "milestone"
04/07/2017 13:24

General Secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), Rev. Christopher Ferguson, embraces Pope Francis during a meeting in the Vatican on June 10th 2016

(Vatican Radio) Another “milestone” in ecumenical relations takes place in the German town of Wittenberg on Wednesday, as the World Communion of Reformed Churches signs up to the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification.

The signing ceremony takes place during an ecumenical prayer service, in the context of the WCRC’s General Council, taking place in Germany from June 29th to July 7th. The WCRC represents some 80 million Christians in Congregational, Presbyterian, Reformed, United, Uniting and Waldensian churches in over a hundred countries around the world.

Bishop Brian Farrell, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, is heading the Vatican delegation in Wittenberg for the signing ceremony. He told Philippa Hitchen more about the importance of this historic event…

Bishop Farrell recalls that “one of the major problems of 16th century was the theological and spiritual understanding of how the salvation brought by Christ actually takes effect in the life of people”. This “bone of contention” over whether “we are saved by grace, or we are saved by good works” was at the heart of the Reformation. But  in the ecumenical process, he says, we have come to see that we have a common understanding, “that we are saved by grace, but that that requires that we show our changed relationship to God in good works”.

Catholic and Protestant common understanding

The original document was signed by Lutherans and Catholics in 1999, with the Methodists signing up in 2006 and the Anglicans due to formalize their adherence later this year.  Bishop Farrell notes that this means that “Catholics and most of the historical Protestant Churches now agree on the essence of justification, so we have a much stronger basis on which to build our spiritual and ecclesial relationship”.

Bishop Farrell notes that Pope Benedict, who, as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, was one of the architects of the 1999 document, defined it as “a milestone in ecumenical relations”.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/07/04/vatican_note_on_reformed_churches_signing_of_justification/1322981

Vatican note on Reformed Churches' signing of Justification Declaration
04/07/2017 10:41

Visitors stand in front of a video installation displaying Luther's nailing of his 95 theses in a movie entitled '95 Treasures - 95 People' in Wittenberg, Germany - AP

(Vatican Radio)  The Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity has released a note regarding the association of the Reformed Churches to the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ), calling the occasion an “important milestone”.

The Joint Declaration was signed between the Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation in 1999, with the World Methodist Council adopting the document in 2006.

On Wednesday, 5 July 2017 the World Communion of Reformed Churches becomes the fourth party to associate itself to the doctrine on Justification as accepted by Catholics, Lutherans, and Methodists.

“One of the crucial issues of dissent between the Reformers and the authorities of the Catholic Church in the sixteenth century is thus being diffused and overcome, making further growth in spiritual and ecclesial communion between the Protestant and Catholic Churches possible,” the note states.

An ecumenical prayer service held in Wittenberg, Germany by the Communion of Reformed Churches, along with representation by the Vatican and other signatories, marks their association with the Joint Declaration.

The Vatican is represented by Bishop Brian Farrell, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and Fr. Avelino Gonzalez, an official of the Western Section of the same dicastery.

Though a milestone in ecumenical relations and “the full, visible unity of Christians”, the note says the event is “not yet the end of the road but a significant stage on the way.”

Please find below the full statement:
 

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http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/7419/0/new-cdf-prefect-faces-accusations-over-handling-of-2012-abuse-case

New CDF prefect faces accusations over handling of 2012 abuse case
04 July 2017 | by Christopher Lamb   

Archbishop Ladaria was the second signatory on a letter granting a request to remove Gianni Trotta from the clerical state

The new prefect of the Vatican’s doctrine department is coming under scrutiny over his handling of a sexually abusive former Italian priest who was laicised but then went on to commit more crimes against children. 

Italian media have reported that Archbishop Luis Ladaria, appointed to his new job on Saturday, was the second signatory on a letter granting a request to remove Gianni Trotta from the clerical state.

The 2012 letter, written in Latin and obtained by Italian newspaper La Repubblica and an online version of L’Espresso magazine, tells the local bishop not to publicise details of the case so as to avoid “generating a scandal amongst the faithful.” It does point out, however, that information can be publicised “if there is a danger of minors being abused”.

Authored by then Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal William Levada, it is a pro-forma response issued when a laicisation request is accepted. 

But the case of Trotta will raise questions about whether the best way to deal with abusive clergy is through laicising them, a process which means the Church no longer has formal responsibility for them. Furthermore, the canonical requirement for silence in such cases runs against the need for open, transparent processes in reporting. 

Despite Trotta’s laicisation, he continued to present himself as a priest and became the coach of a youth football team, where the abuse continued. He was jailed for eight years in 2014 after being convicted of one case of abuse of a minor. There are allegations of abuse in eight further cases which are being investigated.

Under normal Church guidelines, responsibility for reporting Trotta’s behaviour would have laid with Bishop Domenico Cornacchia, who was then leading the diocese of Lucero, in South East Italy.

In some cases, safeguarding experts believe that rather than laicisation priests-abusers should be pulled out of ministry and kept under the oversight of the local church in order to prevent repeat offending.

To date, the CDF have not responded to the accusations, nor has the Vatican made any official comment on the case.

Pope Francis has faced accusations of being soft on abusers by reducing a sentence against serial child abuser and former priest, Mauro Inzoli, by going against a recommendation of laicisation by Ladaria’s department. Last week, however, it was announced that Francis had ruled Inzoli should be removed from the clerical state.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/07/05/pope_francis_sends_telegramme_on_death_of_cardinal_meisner/1323327

Pope Francis sends telegramme on death of Cardinal Meisner
05/07/2017 15:58

This file photo taken on March 11, 2013 shows German cardinal Joachim Meisner arriving at the Vatican - AFP

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis has sent a telegramme upon the death of Cardinal Joachim Meisner, Archbishop emeritus of Cologne, who died on Wednesday at the age of 83.

“With profound emotion I learned that, suddenly and unexpectedly, Cardinal Joachim Meisner was called from this earth by the God of mercy,” the Pope wrote.

The Pope addressed his telegramme to Cardinal Rainer Woelki, current Archbishop of Cologne.

He said Cardinal Meisner was “dedicated to the proclamation of the Good News” with “profound faith and sincere love for the Church”.

“May Christ the Lord reward him for his faithful and intrepid efforts in favour of the good of people of East and West.”

Pope Francis closed the telegramme by imparting his Apostolic Blessing on all who “commemorate the late Pastor with prayers and sacrifices”.
 

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http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/cardinal-joachim-meisner-dies-at-83

Blogs  |  Jul. 5, 2017
Cardinal Joachim Meisner Dies at 83
The former Archbishop of Cologne, one of the four cardinals to send questions about Amoris Laetitia to Pope Francis, died peacefully in his sleep.

Edward Pentin

Cardinal Joachim Meisner, the archbishop emeritus of Cologne who was a strong defender of the Church’s doctrine and orthodoxy, has died at the age of 83.

The German cardinal died “peacefully” after falling asleep while on vacation in Bad Füssing, Cologne’s Domradio reported on Wednesday, citing the archdiocese.

Cardinal Rainer Woelki of Cologne said he fell asleep at his bedside after having prepared to celebrate morning Mass and with his breviary in his hand.

Born in Breslau in what was then Germany but now known as Wrocław in Poland, Cardinal Meisner led Germany’s largest diocese for 25 years from 1989 to 2014.

He was considered for many years to be one of the country’s most influential bishops who had a close relationship with Pope St. John Paul II, and especially with Benedict XVI. He reportedly spoke on the telephone with the Pope emeritus just yesterday.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/07/05/pope_openness_is_necessary_for_a_culture_of_encounter_/1323388

Pope: 'openness is necessary for a culture of encounter'
05/07/2017 17:18

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a video message to the Congress of the Scholas Occurentes which concludes on Wednesday in Jerusalem. The Congress focused on the theme “Between the University and the School, building peace through the culture of encounter.”

In his message, Pope Francis encouraged the participants, young and old, who had come from Israel, the Palestinian territories, and from other countries from across the globe. “I want to celebrate these days lived out there in Jerusalem,” he said, “because you yourselves, beginning from your differences, have achieved unity.”

The Holy Father praised them for seeing one another without prejudice; an attitude, he said, that is essential “because it produces an encounter.” This encounter, he said, gives our lives meaning and purpose.