Pope Francis

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-we-can-always-praise-god-whose-love-never-fails.html
Pope at Audience: We can always praise God, whose love never fails
13 January 2021, 09:36

Continuing his catechesis on prayer at the Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis reflects on “the prayer of praise”, which is possible in every circumstance because God is always faithful.
By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis reflected on the dimension of praise in prayer, at the General Audience on Wednesday, taking as his starting point “a critical moment in the life of Jesus.”

At the beginning of His ministry, when He had already begun to preach the Kingdom of God and perform miracles, “the mission of the Messiah goes through a crisis,” the Pope said: John the Baptist expresses doubts, while the people to whom He had preached showed hostility to Jesus and His message.

But “precisely in this disappointing moment,” Pope Francis said, “Jesus does not lift up a lament to the Father, but rather a hymn of jubilation… in the midst of a crisis, Jesus blesses the Father, He praises Him.”
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/iraq-papal-visit-logo-unveiled-amid-uncertainty-over-pope-francis-march-trip

Iraq: Papal visit logo unveiled amid uncertainty over Pope Francis’ March trip
By Hannah Brockhaus

Rome Newsroom, Jan 13, 2021 / 12:00 pm MT (CNA).- More information has been released about the papal visit to Iraq, as Pope Francis expressed doubt this week about whether the trip would take place as planned in March.

In a television interview on Sunday, the pope said that he had canceled two international trips in 2020, “because in conscience I cannot cause gatherings, can I? Now I don’t know if the next trip to Iraq will take place,” he told the news program Tg5.

Meanwhile, local organizers of the visit released on Monday the logo and motto of the visit.

The logo for the trip depicts Pope Francis in front of an outline of Iraq, with the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and a palm tree. There is also a dove carrying an olive branch flying over the Vatican and Iraqi flags.

The motto -- “You are all brothers,” taken from Matthew 23:8 -- is written above in Arabic, Chaldean, and Kurdish.

The Vatican announced in December that the pope’s March 5-8 trip would include stops in Baghdad, Erbil, and Mosul.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-01/vatican-begins-vaccination-campaign.html

Vatican begins vaccination campaign
13 January 2021, 14:38

The Vatican began its program of vaccination on Wednesday, starting with the elderly and others in high-risk categories.
By Vatican News

Matteo Bruni, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, has confirmed that the Vatican’s vaccination campaign against Covid-19 began on Wednesday in the Paul VI Hall in Vatican City. As already noted by the Governorate’s Directorate of Health and Hygiene, priority is being given to health care and public safety personnel, the elderly, and those persons most frequently in contact with the public.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-benedict-xvi-covid-19-vaccine.html

Pope Francis and the Pope emeritus receive Covid-19 vaccine
14 January 2021, 12:08

Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI receive their first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine in the Vatican.
By Vatican News

The vaccination campaign against Covid-19 in the Vatican which began on Wednesday continues with both Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI receiving their first doses of the vaccine.

“I can confirm that as part of the vaccination program of the Vatican City State, as of today, the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine has been administered to Pope Francis and to the Pope Emeritus,” said Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office in response to journalists’ questions.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/benedict-xvi-the-pandemic-first-christmas-without-his-brother.html
Benedict XVI, the pandemic, first Christmas without his brother
14 January 2021, 12:45

Archbishop Georg Gänswein shares how the Pope emeritus, who was vaccinated on Thursday morning, is living through these difficult times.
By Vatican News

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/what-changes-to-the-vatican-may-the-replacement-of-the-archpriest-of-st-peters-basilica-bring-62052

What changes to the Vatican may the replacement of the Archpriest of St Peter's Basilica bring
By Andrea Gagliarducci

Vatican City, Jan 14, 2021 / 05:45 pm MT (CNA).- Pope Francis might soon choose a new Archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, to replace Cardinal Angelo Comastri, who turned 77 in September. His replacement, according to Vatican observers, may bring a broader generational change that could involve at least five Vatican dicasteries.

Comastri, who had a private audience with Pope Francis on Jan. 11, is a well-known preacher whose books are good sellers. During the lockdown due to the pandemic, Cardinal Comastri began to pray the rosary at noon in St. Peter's Basilica.

St. John Paul II appointed Comastri as his general vicar for the Vatican City State, President of the Fabric of St. Peter, and coadjutor Archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica in 2005. In 2006, Benedict XVI appointed Comastri Archpriest of the St. Peter's Basilica. He succeeded Cardinal Francesco Marchisano.

One clue of Comastri's upcoming retirement is Pope Francis' decision to postpone the election of the members of the Chapter of St. Peter, the college of priests that governs the Basilica under the guidance of the archpriest. The elections were supposed to take place at the end of the summer or during the fall, but the Pope asked to hold them after Jan. 11
 
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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-01/vatican-museums-reopening-february-barbara-jatta.html

Vatican Museums looking towards reopening in February
14 January 2021, 18:25

The Director of the Vatican Museums says that, conditions permitting, the intention is to open the Museums to the public as from 1 February.
By Paolo Ondarza

The current Covid-19 situation in Italy does not allow for certainties but "The intention is to reopen the Vatican Museums on 1 February.”

This is according to Vatican Museums Director, Barbara Jatta, who told Vatican Radio that it has proved necessary to extend the current closure of the Museums for an extra 15 days, after having previously set 16 January as a possible date for re-opening

Jatta explained that this is in accordance with decisions taken by the board of administrators of the Governorate of the Holy See and in line with Italian government indications.

She noted that the seven-kilometre itinerary that has been mapped out through the Vatican Museums for small numbers of visitors, in compliance with anti-Covid precautions, “does not constitute a health problem or a vehicle for infection.”

“So it would be a very nice message to be able to reopen our collections to the public,” she said.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-condolences-prayers-indonesia-earthquake-telegram.html

Pope prays for quake-struck Indonesians
15 January 2021, 20:10

Pope Francis expresses his closeness and assures his prayers to all those affected by an earthquake in the Indonesian island of Sulawesi where search and rescue operations are underway.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis said he is saddened to learn of the tragic loss of life and of the destruction caused by the violent earthquake that has struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

In a telegram sent on his behalf by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the Pope expressed his “heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by this natural disaster and said he is praying for the repose of the deceased, the healing of the injured and the consolation of all who grieve.”
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-ambassador-callista-gingrich-has-farewell-meeting-with-pope-francis-15717

Vatican ambassador Callista Gingrich has farewell meeting with Pope Francis
By Hannah Brockhaus

Vatican City, Jan 15, 2021 / 12:40 pm MT (CNA).- The United States ambassador to the Holy See, Callista Gingrich, met with Pope Francis Friday as she prepares to leave Rome in tandem with the end of Donald Trump’s presidency.

She will leave the post Jan. 20 to return to the United States. Deputy Chief of Mission Patrick Connell will be Chargé d’ Affaires until a new ambassador is appointed, an embassy official confirmed to CNA.

Gingrich was nominated for the position by President Trump in May 2017, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate the following October.

During her three years in Rome, Gingrich, wife of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, drew attention to issues such as human trafficking, Christian persecution, and religious freedom, by hosting symposiums and other events.