Pope Francis

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-02/pope-at-angelus-pray-for-those-who-wrong-us.html
Pope at Angelus: Pray for those who wrong you
20 February 2022, 12:15

During the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis invites people to follow the example of Jesus and react to wrongdoing with kindness rather than anger or violence.
By Vatican News staff reporter

In his catechesis during the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis turned his thoughts to the Gospel of the day focusing on the basic life guidance that Jesus gives his disciples. He noted that the Lord is referring “to the most difficult situations, those that constitute the litmus test for us .”

The Pope explained that the disciple “is called not to give into instinct and hatred, but to go further, much further.”

Drawing from the Gospel of Luke, Pope Francis underlined that Jesus says: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you" and "If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also.”

The Pope went on to consider that sense of injustice that we feel in "turning the other cheek".

He described how Jesus, during his unjust trial before the high priest, receives a slap from one of the guards. “The Lord then asks for an account of the evil received,” said the Pope.

“Turning the other cheek,” commented Pope Francis, “does not mean suffering in silence, giving into injustice. With his question, Jesus denounces what is unjust. But he does so without anger nor violence, rather with kindness.”
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-02/pope-prays-for-victims-of-natural-disasters-after-angelus.html
Pope prays for victims of natural disasters, hails healthcare workers in remarks after Angelus
20 February 2022, 13:22

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2022.index.html
Angelus - Regina Cæli 2022
Angelus, 20 February 2022

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250438/fssp-says-pope-francis-has-issued-decree-confirming-its-use-of-1962-liturgical-books

FSSP says Pope Francis has issued decree confirming its use of 1962 liturgical books
By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Feb 21, 2022 / 04:49 am

Pope Francis has issued a decree confirming that the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) can continue to use the liturgical books in force in 1962, according to the traditionalist group.

In a communique published Feb. 21, the FSSP said that Pope Francis met with two members of the priestly fraternity for nearly an hour, a week before he promulgated the decree.

“In the course of the audience, the pope made it clear that institutes such as the Fraternity of St. Peter are not affected by the general provisions of the motu proprio Traditionis custodes, since the use of the ancient liturgical books was at the origin of their existence and is provided for in their constitutions,” it said.
 
The decree gives the FSSP full permission to offer the Traditional Latin Mass, carry out the sacraments, and fulfill the Divine Office, according to the Missal, the Ritual, the Pontifical and the Roman Breviary that were used in 1962.

This faculty is limited to the FSSP’s own churches and oratories, unless there is consent from the local Ordinary, with the exception of private Masses.
 

The communique
https://www.fssp.org/en/official-communique-of-the-priestly-fraternity-of-st-peter/
Official communiqué of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter
Published 21 February 2022

The decree
https://www.fssp.org/en/decree-of-pope-francis-confirming-the-use-of-the-1962-liturgical-books/
Decree of Pope Francis confirming the use of the 1962 liturgical books
Published 11 February 2022

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250440/what-is-the-fssp
What is the FSSP?
By Carl Bunderson
Denver Newsroom, Feb 21, 2022 / 10:02 am

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-02/pope-online-dialogue-students-americas.html

Pope to engage in online dialogue with University students of the Americas
22 February 2022, 11:56

On 24 February Pope Francis is scheduled to connect virtually with students from across the Americas. The event is promoted by Loyola University, in collaboration with the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
By Vatican News staff writer

University students from the Americas will link up with Pope Francis for about an hour and a quarter, to discuss education, migration, environmental sustainability, economic justice and integral human development in a synodal manner.

Scheduled for Thursday, 24 February at 7 pm (CET) the event foresees an open conversation between the students, the Pope and to talk about building a world made of bridges and collaboration in the spirit of Fratelli tutti.

A number of migrants will also be linked up to give their fundamental perspective.

The event has been conceived and organized by the Department of Theology of Loyola University in Chicago in collaboration with the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, the Institute of Pastoral Studies and the Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-02/theme-for-108th-world-day-of-migrants-and-refugees-announced.html

Theme for 108th World Day of Migrants and Refugees announced
22 February 2022, 13:56

The Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development announces the theme of this year’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees
By Vatican News staff reporter

Pope Francis has chosen “Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees,”as the theme for the 108th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, to be celebrated on 25 September.

The Day is observed every year on the last Sunday of September as an occasion to express support and concern for people who are forced to flee their homes, to encourage Catholics worldwide to remember and pray for those displaced by conflict and persecution and increase awareness about the opportunities that migration offers. It  was fisrt celebrated in 1914.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-02/jubilee-2025-official-logo-competition.html

Holy See invites entries for Jubilee 2025 Official Logo
22 February 2022, 14:29

The Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization launches a competition open to all, for the creation of the Official Logo for the Jubilee 2025. The contest begins on Tuesday, 22 February and ends on Friday, 20 May, 2022.
By Benedict Mayaki, SJ

Pope Francis has charged the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization with coordinating the Holy See’s preparations for the Holy Year 2025 with the motto: “Pilgrims of Hope.”

As preparations begin within the Church, the Pontifical Council has launched a competition, open to all, for the creation of the Official Logo for the Jubilee 2025.

The contest begins on Tuesday, 22 February and ends on Friday, 20 May, 2022.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250446/pope-francis-appoints-father-jacques-fabre-as-new-bishop-of-charleston

Pope Francis appoints Father Jacques Fabre as new bishop of Charleston
By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Feb 22, 2022 / 05:05 am

Pope Francis has appointed Father Jacques Fabre as the new Catholic bishop of Charleston, South Carolina.

The Vatican announced the 66-year-old priest’s appointment on Feb. 22.

Fabre was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In the early 1990s, he was a chaplain at a Haitian refugee camp at the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He has served as an administrator at the San Felipe de Jesús Mission in Georgia for the past 12 years.
 

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Pope Francis:  Dialogue with university students of the Americas on February 24

Video at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-02/cardinal-grech-videomessage-synodal-meeting-pope-francis.html
Cardinal Grech to US university students: Be wise, ask the right questions
23 February 2022, 15:24

Cardinal Mario Grech sends a video message to university students from across the United States who are due to participate in a meeting with the Pope.
By Vatican News staff writer

In a video message sent out on Wednesday, Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, tells American university students to "Be wise" and "Ask the right questions!"
 
Follow the meeting

The meeting is being promoted by Loyola University of Chicago with the collaboration of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

The organization was entrusted to the Hank Centre for Catholic Intellectual Heritage, the Institute of Pastoral Studies, and the Department of Theology at Loyola University. University students representing the entire American continent will participate, but anyone can register through the following link: https://www.luc.edu/popefrancis.

The meeting will be streamed live in Spanish, English, and Portuguese at the same address, https://www.luc.edu/popefrancis.

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-02/pope-francis-general-audience-old-age-generations-alliance.html
Pope at Audience: Alliance between generations must be found again
23 February 2022, 09:15

Starting a new series of reflections on the meaning and value of old age, Pope Francis in his General audience this week stresses the need for an inter-generational alliance, drawing inspiration from scriptures.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis begins this week’s General Audience with the dynamics of today’s demographics, where a truly “new people”, the elderly, have never been so numerous in human history. Often seen as ‘a burden’, they risk being discarded even more frequently, as has been seen in the first phase of the pandemic. Already the weakest and the most neglected, they paid the highest price. “We did not look at them much when they were alive, we did not even see them die”, he laments.

In this regard, the Pope draws attention to the charter of rights of the elderly and the duties of the community, saying it is a secular document drafted by governments, not the Church. “It is good to know that the elderly have rights. It will be good to read it.”
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-02/pope-announces-2-march-as-day-of-prayer-and-fasting-for-ukraine.html
Pope announces 2 March as day of prayer and fasting for Ukraine
23 February 2022, 11:37

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2022.index.html
Audiences 2022
General Audience of 23 February 2022

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250461/pope-francis-cardinal-advisers-discuss-role-of-women-in-the-church

Pope Francis’ cardinal advisers discuss role of women in the Church
By CNA Staff
Vatican City, Feb 23, 2022 / 12:20 pm

Pope Francis’ cardinal advisers have discussed a report on the role of women in the Church, the Vatican said on Wednesday.

The Holy See press office said on Feb. 23 that during the three-day meeting the seven cardinals heard and commented on report by the theologian Sister Linda Pocher, F.M.A., on “the role of women and the ‘Marian principle’ in the Church.”

Pocher, a member of the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco, is an adjunct professor at the Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences “Auxilium” in Rome.

Pope Francis spoke of the “Marian principle,” which theologians often contrast with the “Petrine principle,” in a homily at St. Peter’s Basilica in 2019.
 

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Pope Francis:  Dialogue with university students of the Americas on February 24

Video at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-02/pope-encourages-students-from-the-americas-to-build-better-world.html
Pope encourages students from the Americas to build better world
24 February 2022, 20:30

On Thursday evening Rome time, Pope Francis met with students from across the Americas for an online event and dialogue organized by Loyola University, in collaboration with the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
By Vatican News staff writer

The two-hour online meeting brought together Pope Francis with students from seven regional working groups of university and college students who engaged in a synodal process of preparation through mutual encounter, listening, and discernment. Representatives came from the USA/Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean/Central America, Brazil, and South America, and discussed a host of issues regarding migration challenges, such as education, migration, environmental sustainability, economic justice, and integral human development in a synodal manner.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-02/pope-francis-lenten-message-sow-seeds-of-goodness.html

Pope Francis’ Lenten message: Sow seeds of goodness
24 February 2022, 10:40

In his message for Lent 2022, Pope Francis invites the faithful to sow seeds of goodness, so that we might reap a harvest of salvation for ourselves and others.
By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis based his Message for Lent 2022 on a passage from St Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up. So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all” (6:9-10).
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/lent.index.html
Messages Messages for Lent
Lent 2022: “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up. So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all” (Gal 6:9-10)

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From the Vatican...

Video, with English text, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-02/parolin-may-those-who-hold-the-fate-of-the-world-in-their-hands.html
Parolin: May those who hold the fate of the world in their hands spare us from the horrors of war
24 February 2022, 15:37

The Cardinal Secretary of State after the Russian attack on Ukraine: "There is still time for goodwill and negotiation".
By Vatican News

On the day the crisis in Ukraine escalated into conflict, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, issued the following statement to Vatican Media:

In light of today's developments in the crisis in Ukraine, we see even more clearly the timeliness of the clear and heartfelt appeal that the Holy Father made yesterday at the conclusion of the General Audience. The Pope spoke of “great sorrow,” “anguish and concern.” He also urged all the parties involved to “refrain from any action that would cause even more suffering to the people, destabilising coexistence between nations and bringing international law into disrepute.”
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250469/catholics-in-europe-react-to-russia-s-invasion-of-ukraine

Catholics in Europe react to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, Feb 24, 2022 / 06:05 am

This story is developing and will continue to be updated.

Catholics across Europe have reacted to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with expressions of solidarity with the Ukrainian people and prayers for peace.

"Today peace on the whole European continent and beyond is facing a serious threat," Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich said Feb. 24.

Hollerich, who serves as the president of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union, said that he is deeply worried that the escalating Russian military actions in Ukraine have opened up "the alarming scenario of an armed conflict causing horrific human suffering, death and destruction."

The Catholic cardinal called on EU leaders to "endorse measures promoting de-escalation ... while avoiding any steps that could potentially reinforce the violent conflict."

Archbishop Gintaras Grušas, the Lithuanian–American archbishop of Vilnius and the president of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences, issued a statement urging the EU to "strive to end a war that would inevitably spread from Ukraine to neighboring states and become a threat to the whole of Europe."

"The Churches in Europe strongly condemn what has happened tonight in Ukraine. We must act together, and with determination, to put an immediate end to the Russian aggression and to do everything possible to protect innocent women, men and children: in the name of God, stop now!" Grušas wrote.
 

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Pope Francis visits the Russian Embassy to the Holy See...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-02/war-in-ukraine-pope-francis-goes-to-russian-embassy.html
War in Ukraine: Pope Francis goes to Russian embassy to express concern
25 February 2022, 13:52

Pope Francis spent more than a half-hour at the Russian embassy on the Via della Conciliazione in Rome on Friday morning. A day earlier, Cardinal Pietro Parolin appealed for greater space for negotiations.
By Salvatore Cernuzio

Pope Francis wished to express his concern about the war in Ukraine when he went to the headquarters of the Russian Embassy to the Holy See – headed by Ambassador Alexander Avdeev — around midday Friday morning. He arrived in a white car and remained in the building on Via della Conciliazione for over half an hour, as confirmed by the director of the Vatican Press Office, Matteo Bruni.

The appeal at the General Audience
Pope Francis is closely following the evolution of the situation in the eastern European country, which has been under attack since the night of 24 February, where numerous people have already been killed and injured. Already at the General Audience on Wednesday, before the Russian invasion began, the Pope had expressed the “great sorrow in his heart” over the worsening situation in the country.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250485/pope-francis-visits-russian-embassy-to-vatican-to-show-his-concern-at-ukraine-conflict
Pope Francis visits Russian embassy to Vatican ‘to show his concern’ at Ukraine conflict
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Feb 25, 2022 / 04:57 am

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250483/russia-s-catholic-bishops-call-on-leaders-to-end-conflict-with-ukraine
Russia’s Catholic bishops call on leaders to end conflict with Ukraine
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Feb 25, 2022 / 04:00 am

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/anti-war-protesters-take-to-russias-streets-to-oppose-putins-invasion-of-ukraine/
Anti-war protesters take to streets in Russia to oppose Putin’s invasion of Ukraine
The protests follow an emotional plea by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urging the Russian people to oppose their government’s aggression against Ukraine.
Ashley Sadler
Fri Feb 25, 2022 - 10:07 am EST

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-02/pope-francis-florence-ash-wednesday-health-knee-pain.html

Pope cancels Florence visit, presiding at Ash Wednesday for health reasons
25 February 2022, 12:35

Due to acute knee pain, Pope Francis will no longer be travelling to Florence on Sunday for a meeting of Mayors and Bishops of the Mediterranean, nor will he preside at the Ash Wednesday liturgy next week.
By Vatican News staff writer

The Holy See Press Office on Friday said that due to acute knee pain, Pope Francis will no longer be able to make a visit to Florence, which had been scheduled for Sunday, 27 February.

In addition, the Pope will also not preside at the upcoming Ash Wednesday, 2 March celebrations.

“Due to acute gonalgia, for which his doctor has prescribed a period of more rest for his leg, Pope Francis will not be able to travel to Florence on Sunday, Feb. 27, or preside over Ash Wednesday celebrations on March 2,” the Holy See press office said in a statement on 25 February.

Pope Francis had been scheduled to make a trip to the Tuscan capital on Sunday for the last day of the “Mediterranean, Frontier of Peace” meeting, taking place from 23 – 27 February, which gathers Bishops and Mayors of major cities of the Mediterranean.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250484/pope-francis-cancels-ash-wednesday-mass-trip-to-florence-due-to-knee-pain
Pope Francis cancels Ash Wednesday Mass, trip to Florence due to knee pain
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Feb 25, 2022 / 04:27 am

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-02/pope-in-malta-to-pray-meet-authorities-and-migrants.html

Pope in Malta to pray, meet authorities and migrants
25 February 2022, 14:05

The Press Office of the Holy See announces the official programme of Pope Francis’ 36th Apostolic Journey, which will be to Malta on April 2-3. The highlights of the two-day visit will include a visit to the Grotto of St Paul at the Basilica in Rabat and a meeting with refugees.
By Vatican News staff reporter

Pope Francis’ tight schedule visit to Malta on April 2 and 3 will be marked by a stop at St Paul’s Grotto, commemorating the shipwreck of the 'Apostle of the peoples' in the island; and a meeting with refugees, as well as moment’s of prayer and meetings with civil authorities.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/travels/2022/outside/documents/malta-2022.html
APOSTOLIC JOURNEY OF HIS HOLINESS FRANCIS
TO MALTA
2-3 APRIL 2022

https://cruxnow.com/church-in-europe/2022/02/malta-general-elections-could-overshadow-papal-visit
Malta general elections could overshadow papal visit
By Elise Ann Allen
Feb 25, 2022

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-02/zayed-award-for-human-fraternity-recipients-announced.html

Winners of Zayed Award for Human Fraternity announced
25 February 2022, 11:46

“Zayed Award for Human Fraternity” announces that it has selected the King and Queen of Jordan and Haitian humanitarian organization FOKAL as winners of this year’s edition.
By Vatican News staff reporter

King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, alongside the Haitian Foundation for Knowledge and Liberty (FOKAL), are the three recipients the second edition of the “Zayed Award for Human Fraternity” 2022.

The Award was established in 2019 and is organized by the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, an independent international committee instituted to fulfil the aspirations of the Document on Human Fraternity signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Iman Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb of Al-Azhar in Abu Dhabi of February 2019.

Named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late ruler of Abu Dhabi and founder of the United Arab Emirates, it aims to recognize and honour individuals or organizations with outstanding achievements and contributions to building a more peaceful, harmonious and compassionate world based on the values of human fraternity.
 

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Pope Francis and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy speak by phone...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-02/pope-ukraine-president-zelenskyy-russia-war-telephone-call.html
Pope and Zelenskyy speak by phone: “Deep pain for the war in Ukraine"
26 February 2022, 21:27

The Ukrainian President thanks Pope Francis for his prayers for peace and says the Ukrainian people feel his “spiritual support”.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis on Saturday engaged in a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In a statement, Holy See Press Office Director, Matteo Bruni, said the telephone call took place as dramatic news was coming in from the areas where war is raging and from Kyiv where street fighting has erupted in a battle for the capital.

A tweet from the Ukrainian Embassy to the Holy See said Pope Francis expressed his "most profound pain for the tragic events unfolding in our country.”

In another tweet, President Zelenskyy said:

“I thanked Pope Francis for praying for peace in Ukraine and a ceasefire. The Ukrainian people feel the spiritual support of His Holiness”.

For the second day in a row that the Pope has used his Twitter account @Pontifex to forcefully affirm his “no to war” in Ukrainian and in Russian:

“Jesus teaches us to respond to the diabolical senseless of violence with God’s weapons: with prayer and fasting. May the Queen of peace preserve the world from the folly of war”.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-02/pope-francis-italy-alpine-association-audience-fraternity-servic.html

Pope: Field hospitals need warm presence more than tents
26 February 2022, 13:28

Meeting members of Italy’s National Alpine Association, Pope Francis says that Gospel commitments of fraternity and service need to be concretely practised amidst today’s individualism and indifference.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis on Saturday commended Italy’s National Alpine Association (ANA) as “a fine Gospel of fraternity and service”, saying its members are “experts in field hospitals” who are close to the suffering and needy.  The Pope’s made the remarks to a delegation of 150 ANA representatives whom he received in the Vatican on the occasion of 150 years of the Alpine Corps, the Italian Army's specialist mountain infantry.

The ANA instead is a non-partisan association founded in 1919 that perpetuates the values of the Alpine Corps. Its members are active soldiers, former alpine soldiers as well as others, including in other countries, who share the vision of fraternity and service of the Alpine troops.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2022-02/florence-meeting-bishops-mayor-charter-mediterranean.html

Florence Charter: Church and State together for the Mediterranean
26 February 2022, 16:52

Both Church and civil authorities commit to common values and principles to guide their future journey as the "Florence Charter" was signed on Saturday, at the meeting of Bishops and Mayors of the Mediterranean Forum in Florence, Italy.
By Benedict Mayaki, SJ

It was a beautiful scene on Saturday afternoon at the Sala Cinquecento of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence! Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, president of the Italian Bishops Conference, and Mayor Dario Nardella of Florence signed "The Florence Charter" on the penultimate day of the 5-day meeting of Bishops and Mayors of major cities of the Mediterranean.

The “Mediterranean, Frontier of Peace” meeting, held from 23 – 27 February in Florence, Italy, presented an opportunity to continue the conversation from the first meeting in Bari in February 2020, which saw the presence of Pope Francis and 20 bishops from various countries surrounding the Mare Nostrum.