Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-04/pope-francis-rediscover-the-value-of-family-life.html

Pope Francis: Rediscover the value of family life
29 April 2022, 13:31

Pope Francis addresses participants in the Plenary Session of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, and stresses the importance of rediscovering the value and beauty of family life, despite changes and prolonged crises affecting families.
By Vatican News staff reporter

Over the last three days, the Plenary Session of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences has been taking place in the Vatican under the theme, “The family as relational good: The challenge of love."

Greeting participants on Friday, Pope Francis went to the heart of this theme, focusing his attention on marriage and the challenges facing families today.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/april.index.html
Speeches 2022 April

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-04/pope-encourages-slovakians-to-promote-peace-with-solidarity.html

Pope encourages Slovakian pilgrims to promote peace through solidarity
30 April 2022, 13:40

Pope Francis encourages pilgrims from Slovakia to cultivate the richness of diversity of Slovakian society and Church and its culture of hospitality, commending Slovakia’s solidarity with Ukrainian refugees
By Lisa Zengarini

Pope Francis on Saturday  received in audience some 2,500 pilgrims from Slovakia visiting Rome to thank him for his Apostolic journey to the country from 12-15 September  2021.

They were accompanied by  Archbishop  Stanislav Zvolenský of Bratislava, President of the Slovakian Bishops’ Conference. Attending the audience were also Cardinal Jozef Tomko, Prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and  some representatives of Slovakian authorities, including the President of Parliament and the President of the Constitutional Court.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251102/pope-francis-the-doctor-has-told-me-not-to-walk
Pope Francis: ‘The doctor has told me not to walk’
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Apr 30, 2022 / 07:40 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/april.index.html
Speeches 2022 April
To Pilgrims from Slovakia (30 April 2022)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-04/pope-francis-india-appoints-nirmol-gomes-bishop-krishnagar.html

Pope appoints new Bishop of Krishnagar, India
30 April 2022, 17:17

Pope Francis has appointed Salesian priest Father Nirmol Gomes as the new Bishop of Krishnagar in eastern India’s West Bengal state.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis on Saturday appointed Father Nirmol Vincent Gomes SDB as the new Bishop of Krishnagar, some 10 kilometres north of the West Bengal state capital Kolkata (formerly Calcutta).

Father Gomes was born on 8 February 1959 in Ranaghat, in the Diocese of Krishnagar. After entering the minor seminary of the Salesians of Don Bosco at Bandel as an aspirant, he completed his novitiate at Sunnyside, Shillong.

He carried out his studies in philosophy in Sonada, Darjeeling, and pursued his theological studies at the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome, where he was awarded a doctorate in the science of education. He made his religious vows as a Salesian of Don Bosco (SDB) on 24 May 1979. He was ordained a priest on 22 July 1989, in his native town of Ranaghat.
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-05/pope-at-regina-coeli-may-we-rediscover-the-impulse-to-do-good.html
Pope at Regina Coeli: May we rediscover the impulse to do good
01 May 2022, 12:15

At the Sunday Regina Coeli prayer, Pope Francis encourages us to look beyond the "empty nets" we can find in life and look always with courage to the Lord who can fill our nets with his overflowing love and consolation, renewing our desire to do good.
By Thaddeus Jones

Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square for the recitation of the Regina Coeli, Pope Francis offered his customary reflections on the day's Gospel reading, which recounts the third appearance of the Risen Lord to the Apostles, when He met them on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. When the Apostle Peter told the other disciples he was going fishing - a profession he had abandoned since he left his nets to follow Jesus - the others accepted and went along with him, but they caught nothing during the night. The Pope observed that Peter, perhaps a bit disheartened at the time, proposed to the others to return to this former life.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-05/pope-grieves-for-suffering-in-ukraine-appeals-for-prayers.html
Pope "grieves" for suffering people of Ukraine, appeals for prayers
01 May 2022, 12:59

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-05/pope-francis-underscores-the-dignity-of-work-for-all.html
Pope Francis underscores the dignity of work for all
01 May 2022, 13:24

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2022.index.html
Angelus - Regina Cæli 2022
Regina Caeli, 1st May 2022

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-05/pope-tells-catholic-pharmacists-they-play-a-crucial-social-role.html

Pope tells Catholic pharmacists they play a crucial social role
02 May 2022, 13:46

Meeting with members of the International Federation of Catholic Pharmacists, Pope Francis highlights the crucial role this professional category plays in society, which has been further confirmed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
By Lisa Zengarini

Pope Francis has praised pharmacists for their engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic, recalling that they play a critical social role in society. “Pharmacists are like a ‘bridge’ between citizens and the health system”, he said.

His remarks came during an audience on Monday with 15 members of the International Federation of Catholic Pharmacists.

In his address, the Holy Father noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has put pharmacists “at the forefront” and has encouraged them support each other.

In this regard, he congratulated the Federation for taking the opportunity of the crisis to give a new impulse to its associative commitment  which, he noted, “is typical of the Catholic tradition.”
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251107/pope-francis-moves-meeting-to-vatican-home-because-of-painful-knee
Pope Francis moves meeting to Vatican home because of painful knee
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, May 2, 2022 / 07:40 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/may.index.html
Speeches 2022 May
To Members of the International Federation of Catholic Pharmacists (2 May 2022)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-05/bishop-martinelli-appointed-apostolic-vicar-of-southern-arabia.html

Bishop Martinelli named Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia
02 May 2022, 13:02

Pope Francis appoints Bishop Paolo Martinelli, O.F.M. Cap, as the Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, succeeding his Swiss confrere, Bishop Paul Hinder.
By Vatican News staff reporter

On 1 May, Pope Francis appointed Italian Bishop Paolo Martinelli as the new Apostolic Vicar of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia (Arabian Peninsula), after accepting the resignation presented by his Capuchin confrere, Bishop Paul Hinder, who has reached the age limit 75.

Bishop Martinelli was born in Milan, Italy, on 22 October 1958, and entered the Order of the Capuchin Friars Minor in the province of San Carlo in Lombardy in 1978.

He was ordained a priest in September 1985, and has studied and taught theology in various pontifical universities.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251105/bishop-paul-hinder-apostolic-vicar-of-southern-arabia-retires
Bishop Paul Hinder, apostolic vicar of Southern Arabia, retires
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, May 2, 2022 / 05:45 am

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-05/vatican-sends-message-for-buddhist-feast-of-vesakh.html

Vatican sends message for Buddhist feast of Vesakh
02 May 2022, 11:15

The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue sends its annual message, entitled "Buddhists and Christians: Standing Together in Hopeful Resilience," as Buddhists worldwide celebrate the holiday commemorating Buddha's birth.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Numerous Buddhists worldwide are marking the feast of Vesakh on Friday, 6 May.  Celebrated in different countries on different days, the feast commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha.

The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue on Sunday released their message for the occasion, entitled "Buddhists and Christians: Standing Together in Hopeful Resilience,"  conveying the Vatican's warm greetings for the holiday amid humanitarian crises globally.

The letter was signed by the Pontifical Council's President, Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, and its Secretary, Msgr. Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage.
 

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Video, with English text, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-05/pope-francis-may-2022-prayer-intention-young-people.html
Pope’s May prayer intention: ‘For faith-filled young people’
03 May 2022, 16:00

Pope Francis releases his prayer intention for the month of May, and urges everyone to pray for young Catholics to be courageous in their response to God’s call.
By Devin Watkins

As the Church marks the Marian month of May and prepares for the upcoming World Meeting of Families in late June, Pope Francis is urging Catholics to pray for young people and their response to God’s call to holiness.

The Pope released his monthly prayer intention on Tuesday in a video prepared by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network.

He held up the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a model for Christian family life.

“When I think of a model with whom young people can identify, our Mother, Mary, always comes to mind: her courage, the way she knew how to listen, and her dedication to service.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-05/the-pope-i-am-ready-to-meet-putin-in-moscow.html

Pope Francis: 'I am ready to meet Putin in Moscow'
03 May 2022, 11:04

Pope Francis grants an interview to Luciano Fontana, editor of the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, focused on the war in Ukraine, saying “I feel that before going to Kyiv I must go to Moscow.”
By Vatican News

“I have a torn ligament; I will have an operation with infiltrations and we will see... I've been like this for a long time; I can't walk. There was a time when popes used to go with the gestatorial chair. It requires a little humiliation.”

This is how Pope Francis justified the fact that he could not get up to greet Luciano Fontana and the deputy director Fiorenza Sarzanini of the Corriere della Sera, whom he received at the Casa Santa Marta for an interview that the newspaper published on Tuesday.

The conversation centred on the subject of the war in Ukraine, for which the Pope has appealed since it broke out on 24 February, and for which so far he has made many attempts at mediation, starting with the telephone call to President Zelensky, the visit to the Russian embassy to the Holy See, and above all the willingness to go to Moscow to meet President Putin.

"I asked Cardinal Parolin, after twenty days of war, to send a message to Putin to say that I was willing to go to Moscow.”

Of course, affirmed the Pope, the Russian President must first offer a window for dates. “We have not yet received an answer, and we are still insisting, even if I fear that Putin cannot and does not want to have this meeting at this time. But how can this brutality not be stopped? Twenty-five years ago we experienced the same thing with Rwanda.”
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251127/pope-francis-narrows-choice-for-next-leader-of-italy-s-catholic-bishops

Pope Francis narrows choice for next leader of Italy’s Catholic bishops
By Andrea Gagliarducci
Rome, Italy, May 3, 2022 / 11:52 am

In an interview published on Tuesday, Pope Francis narrowed down the field of contenders to be the next president of Italy’s influential Catholic bishops’ conference.

Speaking with journalists from the Corriere della Sera, Pope Francis stressed that the next president should be “an authoritative cardinal.”

His comments appear to exclude Archbishop Domenico Battaglia of Naples from the running, launching a two-way race between Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna and Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice of Siena-Colle di Val d’Elsa-Montalcino.

Italy’s bishops will meet in Rome to choose a new leader on May 23-27. The pope will then make the final choice.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-05/pope-japan-prime-minister-nuclear-weapons-inconceivable.html

Pope Francis: 'Use and possession of nuclear weapons inconceivable'
04 May 2022, 11:07

In talks on Wednesday with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Pope Francis says the use and possession of nuclear weapons is inconceivable.
By Linda Bordoni

In a meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister on Wednesday morning before the General Audience, Pope Francis reiterated his position of total opposition to the use and possession of nuclear armaments.

According to Holy See Press Office Director, Matteo Bruni, during their conversation that lasted about 25 minutes, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the Pope talked about nuclear weapons and about how their use and possession is inconceivable.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251140/japan-s-pm-tells-vatican-of-his-concern-about-human-rights-in-hong-kong-and-xinjiang
Japan’s PM tells Vatican of concern about human rights in Hong Kong and Xinjiang
By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, May 4, 2022 / 10:57 am

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Full video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-05/pope-francis-general-audience-catechesis-eleazar-elderly.html
Pope at Audience: Elderly Christians must uphold honour of faith for youth
04 May 2022, 09:35

Pope Francis continues his catechesis on the elderly at the Wednesday General Audience, and reminds those advanced in years that their witness of faith can fill the young with determination and courage.
By Devin Watkins

At the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis focused his attention on the Biblical figure of Eleazar, as recounted in 2 Maccabees 6:18-31.

The 90-year-old man—extremely old at a time (c.170 BC) when life expectancy averaged around 40—was ordered by King Antiochus IV Epiphanes to eat pork, which was forbidden by Jewish Law.

The king’s subjects offered to let Eleazar eat another meat and pretend it was pork, thus saving his life through what they called an unimportant gesture.

Eleazar, however, refused to even consider breaking God’s law and give scandal to the young people looking on. He was therefore killed for disobeying the king.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251136/pope-francis-apologizes-for-not-leaving-his-chair-at-wednesday-general-audience
Pope Francis apologizes for not leaving his chair at Wednesday audience
By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, May 4, 2022 / 05:00 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2022.index.html
Audiences 2022
General Audience of 4 May 2022

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-05/pope-francis-sends-message-tochurch-cultural-heritage-conference.html

Pope Francis: Cultural heritage an important contribution to faith
04 May 2022, 13:50

Pope Francis sends a message to an international conference organized in Rome from 4-5 May by two Vatican Dicasteries, which explores the cataloging, management and innovation of the cultural heritage of religious communities.
By Vatican News staff reporter

The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life and the Pontifical Council for Culture have come together to organize an international conference on the future of the cultural heritage of religious communities.

The event runs from 4-6 May on the theme “Charism and Creativity”.

The aim of the two-day conference is to strengthen networks and share best practices so as to improve the capacity of religious communities to protect and develop their heritage in a creative way.

In a message to the participants, Pope Francis noted that for some years now the Congregation for Consecrated Persons “has been concerned to guide the various institutes in the management of their respective ecclesiastical goods in the service of the humanum [human person] and the mission of the Church.”

This, he underlined, “has led to a series of conferences and documents of doctrinal depth and operational practicality in order to promote a more mature awareness of the management of these goods, which have an eminently ecclesial nature and must fulfil the purposes assigned to them by the Church.”

The Pope also noted that from the beginning of his Pontificate, he himself has drawn attention to the management of “ecclesiastical temporal goods” that have been entrusted to him.

This conference, said Pope Francis, which is the result of collaboration between two Dicasteries of the Roman Curia, “focuses attention on the ecclesial, historical, artistic and cultural value that many of these goods possess.”
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251139/russian-orthodox-church-pope-francis-comments-about-talks-with-patriarch-kirill-regrettable

Russian Orthodox Church: Pope Francis’ comments about talks with Patriarch Kirill ‘regrettable’
By CNA Staff
Moscow, Russia, May 4, 2022 / 09:51 am

The Russian Orthodox Church on Wednesday described Pope Francis’ recent comments about his discussion of the Ukraine war with Patriarch Kirill as “regrettable.”

The Moscow Patriarchate’s external relations department said in a May 4 statement that the pope’s words were “unlikely to contribute to the establishment of a constructive dialogue” between the Catholic Church and Russian Orthodox Church.

The pope and the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia discussed the war during a video conference call on March 16. In an interview with an Italian newspaper published on May 3, Pope Francis said that “a patriarch can’t lower himself to become Putin’s altar boy.”

The statement issued by the communications service of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations (DECR) said: “It is regrettable that a month and a half after the conversation with Patriarch Kirill, Pope Francis chose the wrong tone to convey the content of this conversation.”

“Such statements are unlikely to contribute to the establishment of a constructive dialogue between the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches, which is especially necessary at the present time.”
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251135/report-eu-commission-proposes-sanctions-against-patriarch-kirill

Report: EU commission proposes sanctions against Patriarch Kirill
By CNA Staff
Brussels, Belgium, May 4, 2022 / 03:22 am

The European Commission has reportedly proposed sanctions against the head of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia is among 58 figures earmarked for sanctions related to the Russia-Ukraine war, Agence France-Presse reported on May 4.

The news agency said it had seen a document describing the patriarch as “a long-time ally of President Vladimir Putin, who has become one of the main supporters of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine.”

The European Commission is the executive branch of the European Union, a political and economic union of 27 member states.

The EU has imposed sanctions against more than 1,000 individuals in connection with the Ukraine war, consisting of asset freezes and travel restrictions. Sanctions against the 58 new figures would require EU member states’ approval.

A spokesman for the Russian Orthodox Church dismissed reports last month that Patriarch Kirill could face sanctions.

Vladimir Legoyda, head of the Synodal Department for Church, Society and Media Relations, said: “The imposition of sanctions on religious leaders is nonsense, the rejection of common sense.”

In an interview published on May 3, Pope Francis said he had expressed concern about Patriarch Kirill’s stance on the war in a video conference call on March 16.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-05/pope-francis-message-for-world-day-of-prayer-for-vocations.html

Pope Francis: Vocation ‘is about making God’s dream come true’
05 May 2022, 12:00

Pope Francis releases a message for the 59th World Day of Prayer for Vocations on the theme “Called to Build the Human Family,” and encourages every person in the Church to give the very best of themselves “in this great divine plan!”
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis says that when we speak about vocations, we are speaking about making God’s dream come true.

The Holy Father made the observation in a Message released Thursday for the 59th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, which falls this year on 8 May, and has as its theme “Called to Build the Human Family.”

The Church observes the World Day of Prayer for Vocations on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday.

In his message, the Pope reminded religious and clergy that they are called: to be protagonists of the Church’s mission; to be guardians of one another and of creation; to welcome God’s gaze; to respond to God’s gaze; and to build a fraternal world.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251147/pope-francis-says-church-must-become-increasingly-synodal-in-world-day-of-prayer-for-vocations-message
Pope Francis says ‘Church must become increasingly synodal’ in World Day of Prayer for Vocations message
By CNA Staff
Vatican City, May 5, 2022 / 04:00 am

Message in English--
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2022/05/05/0326/00686.html#en
Called to Build the Human Family

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-05/pope-to-uisg-recognise-your-own-vulnerability-and-that-of-other.html

Pope to UISG: Recognise your own vulnerability and that of others
05 May 2022, 13:45

In an address to the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), Pope Francis invites women religious to reflect on St Peter and Mary Magdalene in order to put themselves at the service of others, and encourages them to make their own synodal journey.
By Vatican News staff reporter

This week hundreds of Superiors General have been exploring the theme "Embracing Vulnerability on the Synodal Journey," during the Plenary Assembly of the UISG.

Pope Francis focused on this theme in a speech addressed to Assembly participants on Thursday in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall.

In his prepared remarks, which were handed out to those present, the Pope dwelt on some points for their discernment centred around two scenes from the Gospel.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251148/pope-francis-uses-wheelchair-in-public-for-first-time-since-colon-surgery
Pope Francis uses wheelchair in public for first time since colon surgery
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, May 5, 2022 / 04:50 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/may.index.html
Speeches 2022 May
To Participants at the Plenary Assembly of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) (5 May 2022)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-05/interview-new-united-states-us-ambassador-to-holy-see-donnelly.html

Meet the New US Ambassador to the Holy See
05 May 2022, 07:45

In an interview with Vatican News, Ambassador Joseph Donnelly reflects on the mission before him and his recent meeting with Pope Francis.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Ambassador Joseph Donnelly is the new US Ambassador to the Holy See and is ready to work together to promote human rights. In an interview with Vatican News at his residence, the Ambassador shared about his recent encounter with Pope Francis, his appointment, and his mission ahead.

Ambassador Donnelly presented his credential letters to Pope Francis on 11 April in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace.

The Ambassador’s main task will be to liaise between the Holy See and the US Government. Diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the United States of America were established between Pope St. John Paul II and US President Ronald Reagan on 10 January 1984.

Ambassador Donnelly, married with two children – and a new grandchild, was appointed to serve as the 12th US Ambassador to the Holy See on 24 January and was confirmed by the US Senate in February 2022.

“My family and I are proud to be members of the Catholic faith, and through my years of public service, the Church has been a core part of my life and my values.”
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251149/us-ambassador-to-the-holy-see-meets-ukrainian-refugee-born-in-bomb-shelter
US ambassador to the Holy See meets Ukrainian refugee born in bomb shelter
By Courtney Mares
Rome, Italy, May 5, 2022 / 05:35 am

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251150/pope-francis-merges-4-foundations-into-new-vatican-hospitality-body

Pope Francis merges 4 foundations into new Vatican hospitality body
By CNA Staff
Vatican City, May 5, 2022 / 07:45 am

Pope Francis issued a decree on Thursday merging four foundations into a new Vatican institution dedicated to hospitality.

The document, known as a chirograph, united the foundations under a new body known as the Domus Vaticanae. The pope said that he was taking the step “considering the new situation that has matured over time.”

The May 5 decree merged the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Domus Romana Sacerdotalis, Domus Internationalis Paulus VI, and Casa San Benedetto foundations into the new institution, which the pope established as a public canonical juridic person based in the Vatican City State.

The text said that the new body would pursue the hospitality goals of the merged foundations in line with the provisions of the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici gregis, “which reserves the building of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, during the conclave for the election of the Supreme Pontiff, for the exclusive use of the cardinal electors.”
 

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Update:  Vatican finance trial

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251153/vatican-finance-trial-becciu-questioned-on-investments-as-his-former-deputy-seeks-damages
Cardinal Becciu questioned on investments as his former deputy seeks damages
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, May 5, 2022 / 11:30 am

Cardinal Angelo Becciu was questioned about investments during a hearing in the Vatican’s ongoing finance trial on Thursday, while his former deputy, Msgr. Alberto Perlasca, is seeking damages as a civil plaintiff.

From 2011 to 2018, Becciu was the second-ranking official in the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, a powerful curial department that is one of four civil plaintiffs in a trial to prosecute Vatican officials and collaborators in connection with the controversial deal to purchase a London investment property.

The Secretariat of State is currently one of the injured parties, along with the Vatican’s two financial bodies, APSA and the IOR, and internal financial watchdog authority ASIF.

A lawyer for Msgr. Alberto Perlasca, a suspect turned key witness for the prosecution, said at the start of the May 5 hearing that the former head of administration at the Secretariat should also be awarded damages as a civil plaintiff.

In a 50-page declaration on May 5, Becciu argued his innocence against charges of embezzlement, abuse of office, and witness tampering.