Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/at-ukraine-documentary-viewing-pope-prays-for-peace.html

At Ukraine documentary viewing Pope prays for peace
25 February 2023, 08:50

On the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine, Pope Francis attends a screening at the Vatican of the documentary "Freedom on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom," sponsored by filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky. The Pope meets with those featured in the production, including the mother of a soldier from Azovstal and the owner of the city's steel mill. Praying in conclusion, he said may God "heal our hearts, our minds, our eyes."
By Salvatore Cernuzio

"Why can't we live in peace? It's so simple..." With those heartbreaking words and much emotion, a Ukrainian child posed that question to the world in the documentary "Freedom on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom." The production by film director Evgeny Afineevsky was viewed on Saturday afternoon at the Vatican's New Synod Hall on the day marking the one-year anniversary of what Pope Francis has called an "absurd" war.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253747/this-was-pope-francis-spontaneous-prayer-for-ukraine-on-anniversary-of-war
This was Pope Francis’ spontaneous prayer for Ukraine on anniversary of war
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Feb 25, 2023 / 08:30 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/february.index.html
Speeches 2023 February
Impromptu words of the Holy Father at the end of the screening of the documentary “Freedom on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom” (24 February 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/pope-opens-vatican-judicial-year-no-peace-without-justice.html

Pope opens Vatican judicial year: There is no peace without justice
25 February 2023, 13:12

Addressing judges and magistrates for the opening of the 94th Judicial Year of the Tribunal of the Vatican City State Pope Francis recalls that every commitment to peace requires a commitment to justice, and that justice and mercy always walk together.
By Lisa Zengarini

“Peace without justice is not true peace, it has no solid foundations or possibilities for a future.” Pope Francis stressed this point as he addressed on Saturday judges and magistrates for the opening of  the 94th Judicial Year of the Tribunal of the Vatican City State.

Attending the inauguration were also Italian Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio and the Undersecretary to the Prime Minister Alfredo Mantovano, along with  several representatives of the highest judicial bodies of the Italian state.

In the first part of his address, Pope Francis reflected on the close link between justice and peace.

He referred specifically to the “tragic evolution” of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine which, he noted, after the pandemic, has “plunged the whole world back into a deep crisis, aggravated by the multiple outbreaks of war that continue to flare up in other nations”, exposing humanity to the risk of self-destruction.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253746/pope-francis-conduct-by-some-church-members-has-made-vatican-trials-painfully-necessary
Pope Francis: Conduct by some Church members has made Vatican trials ‘painfully necessary’
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Feb 25, 2023 / 06:21 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/february.index.html
Speeches 2023 February
Inauguration of the Judicial Year of Vatican City State Tribunal (25 February 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/pope-francis-discourse-pontifical-roman-institutions-university.html

Pope to Pontifical Universities: Work together harmoniously
25 February 2023, 12:20

Pope Francis addresses members of Pontifical Roman institutions and universities and urges them to work together, forming a choir of harmonies, as they follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
By Francesca Merlo

Addressing members of Pontifical Roman Institutions and Universities in the Paul VI Hall on Saturday, Pope Francis stressed to each member that they each belong "to a vast and pluriform system of ecclesiastical studies, which has flourished over the centuries thanks to the wisdom of the People of God, scattered throughout the world and closely linked to the evangelizing mission of the whole Church".
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/february.index.html
Speeches 2023 February
To Rectors, professors, students and staff of the Roman Pontifical Universities and Institutions (25 February 2023)

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Synod on Synodality: Asia Continental Assembly update

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-02/asian-continental-assembly-nathalie-becquart-day-two.html
Sr Nathalie Becquart: ‘Synodality – the process that ecclesializes'
25 February 2023, 11:30

Day two of the Asian Continental Assembly on Synodality began with an orientation provided by Sr Nathalie Becquart, who praised the delegates for their ability to talk about tensions without tension.
By Sr Bernadette M Reis, fsp – Bangkok

Moderating Saturday’s proceedings for the Asian Continental Assembly on Syndality were Archbishop Anil Joseph Thomas Couto of Delhi, India; Dr Christina Kheng, a member of the Commission on Methodology; and Momoko Nishimura, a member of the Discernment and Drafting Group.

The orientation for the day’s work was provided by Sr Nathalie Becquart, Under-secretary for the General Secretariat for the Synod. She began by reiterating that synodality is a “call of God.”

“At this stage of the reception of the Second Vatican Council,” she continued, “synodality has been discerned as the will of God for the Church of the third millennium.” Synodality has already been defined in the Synod on Youth, she noted. “One of the fruits” gathered from “listening to the young people and discerning,” that took place during that Synod, is the understanding that “the only way to transmit the faith today… is to be a synodal Church.”
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/pope-seek-unity-with-god-welcome-his-word-in-face-temptation.html
Pope: Seek unity with God, welcome His Word in face of temptation
26 February 2023, 12:20

On this first Sunday of Lent, Pope Francis speaks about the spiritual struggle of Lent and explains how in the desert Jesus defeats the temptations of the Devil, who is the "divider." He illustrates how we too must respond to temptation to sin by recalling the Word of God and putting our trust always in the Lord who is ever ready to help us in our journey of faith.
By Vatican News staff writer

Offering his customary reflections on the Sunday Gospel before leading the recitation of the Angelus, Pope Francis spoke about how Jesus in the desert was tempted by the devil - which means "divider," as the devil always wants to create divisions. The Gospel reading on this first Sunday of Lent highlights the spiritual struggle Jesus and we all face in our daily lives of opposing temptation through our trust in God and with assistance from our knowledge of the Word of God.

The Pope pointed out how the devil tries to "divide" or separate Jesus from His union with the Father. Jesus received His baptism from John and was called by the Father "My beloved Son," with the Holy Spirit descending upon Him in the form of a dove, the Pope recalled, showing the three divine Persons joined in love. Jesus came into the world to help us partake in this union of love, while the devil instead tries to divide Jesus from this unity and His mission of unity for us, the Pope went on to say.

Challenging the three "poisons"
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/pope-francis-angelus-appeal-holy-land-burkina-faso-migrant-ship.html
Pope prays for an end to violence in the Holy Land and Burkina Faso
26 February 2023, 12:20

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/pope-francis-prayer-appeal-mediterranean-sea-migrants-boat-lives.html
Pope prays for migrants lost at sea in most recent Mediterranean tragedy
26 February 2023, 15:04

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2023.index.html
Angelus - Regina Cæli 2023
Angelus, 26 February 2023

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New book, "El Pastor": It has several interviews with the Pope on the most important and urgent issues of the Church

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/pope-francis-book-politics-common-good-argentina.html
Pope: we must all engage in politics for the common good
26 February 2023, 14:00

"El Pastor", a book by journalists Francesca Ambrogetti and Sergio Rubin that was recently published in Argentina, is the result of several interviews with the Pope on the most important and urgent issues of the Church, from politics to economics, from reforms in the Roman Curia to threats to the 'common home'.
By Benedetta Capelli

From 'El jesuita' (the Jesuit), written in 2010, to 'El Pastor' (the pastor), a book which has just been published in Argentina: Francesca Ambrogetti, former head of Ansa in Argentina; and Sergio Rubin, of the daily paper El Clarin, return to the figure of Jorge Mario Bergoglio. In their first book they gathered together the reflections of the Cardinal Archbishop of Buenos Aires, whereas in this second, the approach concerns the magisterium of Pope Francis, as well as the challenges faced in the ten years of his pontificate and future prospects such as "revitalizing the proclamation of the Gospel, reducing Vatican centralism, outlawing paedophilia... and fighting economic corruption". A programme of governance, he emphasises, that aims "to execute what was declared by the cardinals in the general congregations on the eve of the conclave".

The book consists of nineteen chapters and a prologue signed by Pope Francis, in which he writes, "I must acknowledge one virtue in Francesca and Sergio: their perseverance". The journalists offer an analysis of the magisterium through periodic interviews conducted over 10 years. Many topics are covered: from migration to the defence of life, the impact of the reforms of the Roman Curia, and the abuse of minors. On this last point, Pope Francis emphasises that his pontificate "will largely be evaluated by how he has dealt with this scourge".

Then, he speaks about marriage and the family, the threatened "common home", the "female genius", and "careerism" in the Church. Concerning homosexuality, Pope Francis emphasises that to "those who have suffered rejection by the Church, I would like to make it known that they are people in the Church".
 

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https://cruxnow.com/news-analysis/2023/02/as-synodality-summit-looms-navigating-a-papacys-imperial-phase

As synodality summit looms, navigating a papacy’s imperial phase
By John L. Allen Jr.
Feb 26, 2023

ROME – When Pope John Paul II marked his 25th year in office in 2003, American Catholic theologian Richard McBrien spoke for many liberal critics in opining that the pontiff’s legacy was decidedly mixed, with the biggest negative being “his re-centralization of authority in the papacy at the expense of the [Second Vatican Council’s] teaching on collegiality.”

Of course, John Paul II was seen as a conservative. The presumption in many quarters was that with the transition to the more progressive Pope Francis, the Vatican II vision of collegiality, meaning shifting control over many matters away from Rome and toward local bishops, finally would be realized.

Early on Francis seemed to fuel those expectations, saying in 2015 that the Catholic Church could use a “healthy decentralization.” With his much-vaunted “Synod of Bishops on Synodality,” Francis and his aides have said they want consultation and shared decision-making to become a core characteristic of ecclesiastical life.

Yet several stories of late seem to tell a somewhat different tale.

In a move that has once again stirred the hornet’s nest of traditionalist Catholic sentiment, Pope Francis this week issued a rescript, meaning a legal decree, requiring local bishops to obtain Vatican permission before granting permission to celebrate the pre-Vatican II Latin Mass in parish churches or allowing priests ordained after July 16, 2021, to use the older rite.

Conservative news outlets have already noted the contrast between the pope’s decentralizing rhetoric and the clearly centralizing thrust of the rescript. In all honesty, it’s not the only example.

Two days later, Francis issued another legal instrument, this one a motu proprio, regarding the financial patrimony of the Holy See. In essence, the decree stipulates that all assets of institutions created by departments of the Roman Curia, or by other entities linked to the Holy See, belong to the Vatican and are subject to the pope’s control.
 

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Synod on Synodality: Asia Continental Assembly update (final day)

Video, in English, at the link...
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-02/lay-women-asian-continental-assembly-synod-interview.html
Lay women speaking out on behalf of others in Asian synodal assembly
25 February 2023, 11:35

Women speak on the sidelines of the Asian Continental Assembly on Synodality, assuring their peers that, ‘In the synodal process, we are with you and our voices should be heard.’
By Sr Bernadette Reis, fsp – Bangkok

Video, in English, at the link...
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-02/laymen-interview-asian-continental-assembly-synod.html
Laymen contribute their Asian voices in the synodal process
26 February 2023, 16:03

Video of closing mass, in English, at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-02/cardinal-hollerich-synod-continental-assemblea-asia.html
Cardinal Hollerich: 'Church of Asia has a lot to give the world'
26 February 2023, 13:55

The third and final day of the Asian Continental Assembly on Synodality opened with an orientation by Cardinal Hollerich, who focused his remarks on synod as symphony and the need for conversion.
By Sr Bernadette M. Reis, fsp - Bangkok

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Pope's itinerary to Hungary at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/pope-francis-to-visit-hungary-in-april-apostolic-journey.html
Pope Francis to make Apostolic Journey to Hungary in April
27 February 2023, 12:00

Pope Francis will make an Apostolic Journey to the European nation of Hungary from 28 to 30 April, marking his 41st Journey abroad, where he will follow a busy itinerary in the country's capital of Budapest.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

In a statement from Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni announced on Monday: "Accepting the invitation of the civil and ecclesial Authorities, His Holiness Pope Francis will make an Apostolic Journey to Hungary from 28 to 30 April 2023, visiting the city of Budapest."

The papal visit will mark Pope Francis' 41st Apostolic Journey abroad.

During his three-day journey, the Pope will visit with refugees and poor people, as well as with children of the Blessed László Batthyány-Strattmann Institute.

As is customary, the Holy Father will address authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps; young people; bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons, seminarians and pastoral workers; and representatives of the academic and cultural world.

More than half of Hungarians are Christian, and at least 37 percent of the population identify as Catholic.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, nearly 1 million Ukrainian nationals have travelled through Hungary as refugees, according to local sources.
 

Cardinal Erdo's interview with Vatican News at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/pope-francis-to-visit-hungary-in-april-apostolic-journey1.html
Cardinal Erdo shares 'great joy' to welcome Pope Francis to Hungary
27 February 2023, 16:00

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/lenten-spiritual-exercises-underway-private-pope-roman-curia.html

Lenten Spiritual Exercises underway for Pope, Roman Curia in Vatican
28 February 2023, 10:47

This first week of Lent, Pope Francis' engagements are suspended as he and top Roman Curia officials dedicate these days to private, prayerful Spiritual Exercises.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis and the Roman Curia are dedicating this first week of Lent to Spiritual Exercises, focused on private, personal prayer.

Last month, the Holy See Press Office announced the Pope had invited all Cardinals residing in Rome, heads of Dicasteries, and Superiors of the Roman Curia to take the week for prayer.

Pope Francis’ engagements are suspended this week, including the Wednesday General Audience of tomorrow, 1 March.

His next public event will be his Sunday Angelus.
 

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New interview with Pope Francis

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/pope-we-need-courage-to-dream-a-different-economy-serving-all.html
Pope: We need courage to dream a different economy serving all
28 February 2023, 15:10

We feature excerpts of an interview with Pope Francis published today by the Catholic Belgian weekly “Tertio” together with the Belgian French publication "Dimanche." The Pope answers questions on numerous themes, including: the Second Vatican Council, the current synodal process, the war in Ukraine and the world’s forgotten conflicts. The Pope calls especially for a new model of economic development that leaves no one behind.
Emmanuel Van Lierde

“Tertio” first had the privilege of conducting an extensive interview with Pope Francis on 17 November 2016. The reasons for that interview had to do with the centenary of the First World War and the terrorist attacks on Paris in November 2015 and Bruxelles on 22 March 2016. Six years later it seemed opportune to request another interview, this time on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of his pontificate on 13 March 2023. The new interview took place on Monday, 19 December 2022, two days after Pope Francis’ 86th birthday and the day after Argentina’s football victory in the World Cup. We greeted the Pope offering him our best wishes for both celebrations.
 

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Update: Ex-cardinal McCarrick

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253756/ex-cardinal-mccarrick-asks-for-dismissal-of-sex-abuse-case-against-him-citing-dementia
Ex-cardinal McCarrick asks for dismissal of sex abuse case against him, citing dementia
By Joe Bukuras
Boston, Mass., Feb 27, 2023 / 16:57 pm

Former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, 92, filed a motion in a Massachusetts court claiming he is “legally incompetent” to stand trial for sex abuse charges, citing “significant, worsening, and irreversible dementia.”

McCarrick is charged with three counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over the age of 14 relating to allegations that he sexually abused the teenager who was a family friend at a wedding ceremony in the 1970s at Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

McCarrick, laicized by Pope Francis in 2019, held one of the highest offices in the Catholic Church and has been accused of serially abusing his priestly authority by sexually abusing minors and seminarians.

The state of Massachusetts told CNA that it wants an opportunity to examine McCarrick’s competency to stand trial.
 

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Additional answers by Pope Francis during the interviews in the new book, "El Pastor."

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253762/argentina-new-book-gives-pope-francis-responses-to-issues-he-s-most-often-asked-about
Argentina: New book gives Pope Francis’ responses to issues he’s most often asked about
By CNA Staff
CNA Newsroom, Feb 28, 2023 / 15:30 pm

A new Spanish-language book whose English title is “The Shepherd: Francis’ Challenges, Reasons, and Reflections on His Pontificate,” written by Argentine journalist Sergio Rubín and his Italian colleague Francesca Ambrogetti contains Pope Francis’ answers to questions he is frequently asked.

The book reviews the almost 10 years of Francis’ pontificate based on conversations that Rubín, a journalist from the Grupo Clarín media group and Ambrogetti, a member of the ANSA agency, had with the pontiff.

The two co-authored “The Jesuit,” the first biographical book on Jorge Bergoglio, the future Pope Francis, published prior to his election to the papacy.

The new book includes answers the Holy Father has given on the situation in Argentina as well as comments that tie him to Peronism (support for the party or policies of Juan Perón, a former president of Argentina) and criticize him for alleged closeness to politicians, trade unionists, and the so-called piqueteros (picketers).

These questions, Rubín said, put the pontiff “at the center of the controversies and as a target of criticism.”

In the book, Pope Francis also addresses corruption at the Vatican, abuses committed by members of the Church, the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, accusations of promoting “poorism,” his position on capitalism, and a possible visit to his homeland.
 

Previous article--
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/pope-francis-book-politics-common-good-argentina.html
Pope: we must all engage in politics for the common good
26 February 2023, 14:00

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-francis-apostolic-journey-to-hungary-logo-and-motto.html

Vatican releases logo and motto of Pope Francis' visit to Hungary
01 March 2023, 11:03

"Christ is our future" is the motto that will accompany Pope Francis' 41st Apostolic Journey abroad, which will take him to Budapest, Hungary, from 28 to 30 April.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

The Holy See Press Office released the official logo and motto on Wednesday for Pope Francis' Apostolic Journey to Hungary, on 28-30 April.

"Christ is our future" is the motto which will accompany the Pope's visit to the Hungarian capital of Budapest for his 41st visit abroad.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/rescript-on-the-use-of-properties-referring-to-the-holy-see.html

Rescript on the use of properties referring to the Holy See
01 March 2023, 11:24

Given the current economic situation, the Pope has ordered the abrogation of the rules allowing the free or favourable use of real estate owned by Curial Institutions and Bodies referring to the Holy See
By Vatican News

Following an audience with the Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, Maximino Caballero Ledo, on the 13th February, Pope Francis has ordered the abrogation of all provisions that allow the use of real estate owned by Curial Institutions and Entities that refer to the Holy See, including the Domus, freely or under special favourable conditions

It is a decision - the Rescript reads - taken "to meet the growing commitments that the fulfilment of the service to the Universal Church and to the needy requires in an economic context such as the current one, of particular gravity", with the consequent need "for everyone to make an extraordinary sacrifice to allocate more resources to the mission of the Holy See, also by increasing revenue from the management of the real estate patrimony".
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253766/pope-francis-cuts-free-and-discounted-rent-for-cardinals-vatican-managers
Pope Francis cuts free and discounted rent for cardinals, Vatican managers
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Mar 1, 2023 / 10:20 am

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-francis-condolences-greece-train-accident.html

Pope sends condolences for deadly train collision in Greece
01 March 2023, 13:28

Pope Francis expresses his sorrow and condolences for a head-on train crash in Greece, which killed at least 36 people and injured over 85 others.
By Devin Watkins

The Pope sent a message on Wednesday to express his condolences for Tuesday night’s train crash near the Greek city of Larissa, assuring those affected of his prayers.

“Entrusting the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, [Pope Francis] offers heartfelt condolences to the families who mourn their loved ones.”

He also conveyed his blessing upon those injured in the head-on collision and the emergency workers who are providing assistance “as a pledge of strength and solidarity in the Lord.”

Pope Francis’ telegram was signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, and addressed to Bishop Petros Stefanou of Syros, president of the Greek Bishops’ Conference.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253780/what-do-pope-francis-latest-financial-measures-mean

What do Pope Francis’ latest financial measures mean?
By Andrea Gagliarducci
Rome Newsroom, Mar 2, 2023 / 14:25 pm

A new rescript from Pope Francis will mean an increase in the cost of housing for senior Vatican officials, a belt-tightening measure that is part of a broader effort to centralize the assets of the Holy See.

Dated Feb. 13, the rescript was not published in the bulletin of the Press Office of the Holy See but was instead pinned up inside the Vatican, where it was photographed and published for the first time in the blog Messa in Latino, and soon after publicized by Vatican News.

The document explains that Pope Francis has decided to abolish “any arrangement for the use of free or advantageous lodgings for cardinals, heads of dicasteries, presidents, secretaries, sub-secretaries, managers, and equivalents.” The prices of flats intended for other employees would not be affected.

Relatedly, on Feb. 20, Pope Francis reiterated in a motu proprio titled “The Native Law” that the assets of the Holy See belong to the Holy See. Prior to this, various Vatican entities have had complete autonomy over how they allocate and manage buildings. Now the pope has established, by law, that the management belongs solely to the institution of the Holy See, further centralizing the control of finances.
 

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Update: Bishop David O'Connell

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-mourns-and-prays-for-late-la-bishop-david-oconnell.html
Pope mourns and prays for late LA Bishop David O'Connell
02 March 2023, 11:10

Pope Francis sends condolences for the death of Late Bishop David O'Connell of Los Angeles, sending prayers and praising his witness as a priest close to the people.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis has expressed his sorrow for the death of Los Angeles Bishop David O'Connell.

In a telegram sent on the Pope's behalf by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to the Archbishop of Los Angeles, José H. Gómez, the Holy Father mourned the much-loved bishop known for being close to the people, and praised his witness as a priest.

“Deeply saddened to learn of the untimely and tragic death of Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell, His Holiness Pope Francis sends heartfelt condolences and the assurance of his spiritual closeness to you, the clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the Archdiocese.”
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253778/pope-francis-biden-commend-peacemaker-bishop-o-connell-as-memorial-services-begin
Pope Francis, Biden commend ‘peacemaker’ Bishop O’Connell as memorial services begin
By Joe Bukuras, Courtney Mares
Boston, Mass., Mar 2, 2023 / 13:27 pm

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Update: German Synodal Way

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-03/german-bishops-plenary-on-synodal-path-and-synod.html
German Bishops’ Plenary underway on "Synodal Path" and World Synodal Process
01 March 2023, 15:38

German bishops gather in Dresden to discuss the next stage of the national “Synodal Path”, the war in Ukraine, the upcoming World Youth Day in Lisbon, and abuse in the Church.
By Lisa Zengarini

The German Bishops’ Conference (DBK) is holding its springtime meeting this week, 27 February-2 March in Dresden.

67 Bishops are taking take part in the assembly whose main topic is the Universal Church’s synodal process launched by Pope Francis in 2021, and the parallel German Church’s “Synodal Path” (Synodale Weg) which is reaching its final stage.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253770/despite-no-from-vatican-german-bishops-to-progress-plans-for-synodal-council
Despite ‘no’ from Vatican, German bishops moves forward with plans for synodal council
By AC Wimmer
CNA Staff, Mar 1, 2023 / 14:45 pm

https://cruxnow.com/church-in-europe/2023/03/german-bishops-apparently-ignore-vatican-veto
German bishops apparently ignore Vatican veto
By Elise Ann Allen
Mar 1, 2023

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-03/cantalamessa-following-the-spirit-means-being-open-to-novelty.html

Cantalamessa: Following the Spirit means being open to novelty
03 March 2023, 13:42

Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, the Preacher to the Papal Household, delivers his first sermon for Lent 2023, focusing on “renewing the newness” that comes from the Holy Spirit.
By Christopher Wells

In his first sermon for Lent 2023, the Preacher of the Papal Household, Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M. Cap., focused on “the newness of the Spirit” and the need for constant renewal and conversion, both individually and in the Church as a whole.

The problem, he said, is not novelty per se, but how we deal with it. “Every novelty and every change is a crossroads; it can take two opposite paths: either that of the world or that of God; either the path of death or the path of life.”

Cardinal Cantalamessa went on to say that in the Church, “we have an infallible means to take the path of life and light every time: the Holy Spirit.” He explained that this year's series of sermons for Lent are aimed at “encouraging us to put the Holy Spirit at the heart of the whole life of the Church,” and especially in the work of the ongoing Synod.