Pope Francis

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News/articles from March 11...

(1)  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-03/holy-see-pavilion-at-60th-international-art-exhibition-venice.html
Holy See Pavilion at Venice Art Biennale seeks to 'turn our eyes back to reality'
11 March 2024, 13:05

The Vatican presents the Holy See Pavilion at the 60th Venice Art Biennale, which will welcome Pope Francis, highlighting how inmates have been engaged to help transform their lives and embrace universal values through art.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

(2)  https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257050/vaticans-venice-biennale-pavilion-will-lead-visitors-in-catholic-tradition-of-visiting-prisoners
Vatican’s Venice Biennale pavilion leads visitors in Catholic tradition of visiting prisoners
By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Mar 11, 2024 / 11:18 am

(3)  https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2024/03/pope-faces-civil-ecclesial-backlash-for-ukraine-white-flag-remarks
Pope faces civil, ecclesial backlash for Ukraine ‘white flag’ remarks
By Elise Ann Allen
Mar 11, 2024

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News/articles from March 12...

(1)  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-03/pope-francis-latin-america-congress-abuse-prevention-panama.html
Pope: Church must eradicate situations that protect abusers
12 March 2024, 15:53

Pope Francis sends a message to participants in a safeguarding conference in Panama, and calls on Church institutions to eradicate situations that protect abusers who hide behind their positions of authority.
By Devin Watkins

(2)  https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257061/ukrainian-officials-criticize-pope-francis-white-flag-remarks-on-russia-ukraine-war
Ukrainian officials criticize Pope Francis’ ‘white flag’ remarks on Russia-Ukraine war
By Matthew Santucci
Rome Newsroom, Mar 12, 2024 / 15:00 pm

(3)  https://cruxnow.com/church-in-europe/2024/03/after-popes-white-flag-statement-u-s-says-ukraine-has-right-to-defend-itself
After Pope’s ‘white flag’ statement, U.S. says Ukraine has right to defend itself
By John Lavenburg
Mar 12, 2024

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News/articles from March 13...

Video, with English commentary, at the link..

(1)  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-03/pope-at-angelus-we-can-acquire-virtue-through-god-grace.html
Pope at Audience: We can acquire virtue through God's grace
12 March 2024, 09:24

During his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis continues his catechetical series on virtues and vices, this week turning to virtue in general and encouraging the faithful to acquire it through the Lord's grace.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

(2)  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-03/pope-francis-appeal-war-general-audience-24-march-2024.html
Pope: Too many young people die in madness of war
13 March 2024, 11:07

(3)  https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2024.index.html
Audiences 2024
General Audience of 13 March 2024 - Cycle of Catechesis. Vices and Virtues. 11. Virtuous action

(4) https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-03/pope-francis-eleven-years-sorrow-over-wars.html
Pope Francis' eleventh year marred by sorrow over wars
13 March 2024, 12:30

Pope Francis' last twelve months have been marked by over 150 appeals for "martyred" Ukraine and more than 60 for a ceasefire in the Middle East, accompanied by invitations to the leaders of nations for "creative efforts" towards a just and lasting peace, all driven by the anguish of witnessing humanity’s “dark hour.”
By Salvatore Cernuzio

(5)  https://www.state.gov/on-the-anniversary-of-the-election-of-his-holiness-pope-francis-3/
On the Anniversary of the Election of His Holiness Pope Francis
PRESS STATEMENT
ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE
MARCH 13, 2024

(6)  https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253852/a-timeline-of-pope-francis-11-years-as-pope
PHOTOS: A timeline of Pope Francis’ 11 years as pope
By Tyler Arnold, Tina Dennelly
CNA Staff, Mar 13, 2024 / 12:00 pm

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News/articles from March 14...

(1)  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-03/pope-francis-saints-decrees-metzger-nuns-soviet-union.html
Pope recognizes martyrdom of priest, 15 nuns killed during World War II
14 March 2024, 12:22

Pope Francis authorizes the promulgation of several decrees recognizing the martyrdom of a priest guillotined in Nazi Germany and 15 German-born nuns killed in the Soviet Union, as well as miracles attributed to three Venerables.
By Vatican News

(2)  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-03/pope-upholds-indigenous-knowledge-to-address-climate-crisis.html
Pope upholds Indigenous knowledge to address climate crisis
14 March 2024, 12:36

Addressing participants in a Vatican workshop on Indigenous and scientific knowledge, Pope Francis stresses the need to preserve and value indigenous expertise to address the climate and environmental crises.
By Lisa Zengarini
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/march.index.html
Speeches 2024 March
To the participants in the meeting on indigenous peoples, promoted by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and Social Sciences (14 March 2024)

(3)  https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257086/blinken-putin-congratulate-pope-francis-on-11th-anniversary-of-election
Blinken, Putin congratulate Pope Francis on 11th anniversary of election
By Matthew Santucci
Rome Newsroom, Mar 14, 2024 / 09:20 am

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Update: Synod on Synodality (October 2024)

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-03/pope-francis-indicates-to-cardinal-grech-ten-themes-for-synod.html
Pope Francis indicates ten themes for Synod Study Groups
14 March 2024, 13:00

Pope Francis sends a letter to Cardinal Mario Grech, the Secretary General of the General Secretariat of the Synod, and outlines ten discussion points that Study Groups will examine ahead of the second Synod session in October 2024.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

In light of the Synthesis Report, approved at the conclusion of the First Session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod, on October 28, 2023, Pope Francis has indicated ten themes that Synod Study Groups will consider ahead of synodal discussions in October.

The Holy Father listed the discussion topics in a letter addressed to Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the General Secretariat of the Synod, which was published on Thursday.

At the same time, the Holy See Press Office held a press conference to illustrate two new documents from the General Secretariat. The first document is entitled "How to be a synodal Church in mission? Five perspectives to deepen theologically in view of the Second Session," whereas the second is "Study groups on questions arising in the First Session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to deepen in collaboration with the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia."

In the letter to Cardinal Grech, the Pope said the Synthesis Report "enumerates many important theological issues, all of which are to varying degrees related to the synodal renewal of the Church and not without juridical and pastoral repercussions."

"These issues, by their very nature," he observed, "require in-depth study."
 

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-03/synod-briefing-grech-hollerich-documents-second-session.html
Synod 'not ecclesiastical politics', results 'already visible'
14 March 2024, 18:14

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257097/pope-francis-study-groups-to-examine-10-synod-on-synodality-themes-through-june-2025
Pope Francis: Study groups to examine 10 Synod on Synodality themes through June 2025
By Matthew Santucci
Rome Newsroom, Mar 14, 2024 / 17:40 pm

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Pope Francis' forthcoming autobiography -- “Life: My Story Through History”

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-03/pope-francis-autobiography-excerpts-marchese-ragona.html
Pope: ‘I’m not considering resigning but would be ‘bishop emeritus of Rome’
14 March 2024, 14:21

In an autobiography hitting bookshelves on March 19, Pope Francis shares his childhood memories during Argentina’s dictatorship, thoughts on his ministry as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, and his belief that serving the most vulnerable is “what every man or woman of God should do.”
By Vatican News

The Italian newspaper “Corriere della Sera” releases several passages from Pope Francis’ autobiographical book entitled "Life. My Story in History," written with Vatican journalist Fabio Marchese Ragona, set to be released on March 19 by HarperCollins.

In the passages released on Thursday, the Pope clarified that were he to resign, he would not choose to be called “Pope Emeritus” but simply “Bishop Emeritus of Rome."

In that case, he would live in the Basilica of St. Mary Major “to return to being a confessor and bring communion to the sick.”

The Pope clarified this possible scenario in case of his resignation, which, however, he emphasized, "is a distant hypothesis" because there are no "so serious reasons" to consider this possibility, which he said he never considers, "despite moments of difficulty."

There are no "conditions for a resignation," according to Pope Francis, unless "a serious physical impediment" arose, in which case a "letter of resignation" deposited in the Secretariat of State signed by Bergoglio at the beginning of his pontificate would apply.

He added that the possibility remains remote, since the Pope "is in good health and, God willing, there are many projects still to be realized."
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257094/pope-francis-takes-on-critics-in-autobiography-says-he-won-t-be-resigning
Pope Francis takes on critics in forthcoming memoir, says he won’t be resigning
By Jonathan Liedl
CNA Newsroom, Mar 14, 2024 / 16:30 pm

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-03/pope-names-new-officials-for-commission-for-protection-of-minors.html

Pope names new officials for Pontifical Commission for Protection of Minors
15 March 2024, 12:06

Pope Francis appoints Bishop Luis Manuel Ali Herrerra as Secretary, and Ms Teresa Morris-Kettelkamp as Adjunct Secretary, for the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Luis Manuel Ali Herrera, Auxiliary Bishop of Bogota, as the new Secretary for the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. At the same time, the Holy Father also appointed Ms Teresa Morris Kettelkamp as Adjunct Secretary of the Commission. Both have been serving as Members of the Commission.

The new appointments were announced on Friday by the Holy See Press Office.

In a statement following the announcement, Cardinal Seán O’Malley, the President of the Commission, said the new appointments mark “a further important step in making our Church an ever-safer place for children and vulnerable persons.”
 

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-03/kettelkamp-pope-has-strengthened-safeguarding-commission.html
Kettelkamp: Pope has strengthened safeguarding Commission
15 March 2024, 17:09

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-03/pope-may-the-jubilee-help-the-people-of-god-live-hope.html

Pope: 'May the Jubilee help the people of God live in hope'
15 March 2024, 12:35

Addressing members of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Pope Francis reflects on the 2025 Jubilee of Hope and calls for a new approach to evangelization and the promotion a “spirituality of mercy” to overcome secularism.
By Lisa Zengarini

“When evangelization is carried out with the anointment and the style of mercy, it receives a better hearing, and the heart opens more willingly to conversion.”

Pope Francis offered this reminder on Friday as he addressed the members of the Section for Fundamental Questions regarding Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization meeting for its plenary assembly.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/march.index.html
Speeches 2024 March
To Participants in the Plenary of the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for Fundamental Questions regarding Evangelization in the World) (15 March 2024)

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Re: Synod on Synodality (October 2024)

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2024/03/vatican-says-women-deacons-not-celibacy-on-docket-for-synod
Vatican says women deacons, not celibacy, on docket for synod
By Elise Ann Allen
Mar 15, 2024

ROME – Organizers of Pope Francis’s ongoing Synod of Bishops on Synodality announced Thursday that ten different working groups had been formed in the Roman Curia to address specific topics that came out of last year’s session.

These topics, they said, are restricted to issues mentioned inside of the synod hall and include hot-button questions such as women’s access to the diaconate and ways of welcoming the LGBTQ+ community.

Asked specifically whether the working groups would touch on issues of homosexuality and the women’s diaconate,

Monsignor Piero Coda, secretary general of the International Theological Commission, said “of course they are on the agenda,” and that various materials will be included in the reflection on these topics.

“If you look well at the issue of access to the diaconate, it’s said specifically that it was a topic that emerged from the synodal assembly and is a question of agreeing on this need to have a study,” he said, saying the results of the two past commissions established by Pope Francis to examine the issue, which were inconclusive, will be considered in the current study.

However, asked whether a working group dedicated to the relationship between the Latin and Eastern Catholic Churches would address the disputed question of mandatory priestly celibacy, Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary general of the Vatican office for the Synod of Bishops, said no.

“The topic of celibacy was never put on the table during the assembly,” Grech said.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-03/pope-to-camillo-faresin-foundation-be-with-the-least-always.html

Pope to Camillo Faresin Foundation: ‘Be with the least, always!’
16 March 2024, 11:10

Addressing members of the Fondazione Mons. Camillo Faresin as the organization celebrates its 20th anniversary, Pope Francis highlights the group’s work with the “least”.
By Christopher Wells

The members of the Camillo Faresin Foundation (Fondazione Mons. Camillo Faresin) “set out to pick up the baton” of charity from their namesake and his two brothers, making their own “their tenacity and fullness of vision in serving their neighbours,” Pope Francis said on Saturday.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/march.index.html
Speeches 2024 March
To the members of the "Mons. Camillo Faresin" Foundation, of Maragnole di Breganze (Vicenza) (16 March 2024)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-03/pope-to-bambino-gesu-childrens-hospital-your-work-is-a-mission.html

Pope to Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital: 'Your work is a mission'
16 March 2024, 11:46

Welcoming the community of the “Pope’s Hospital” in the Paul VI Hall Pope Francis encourages them to continue their “blessed work” of curing ill children from across the world.
By Lisa Zengarini

Around 3,000 people from the Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital met with Pope Francis on Saturday to mark the 100th anniversary of the internationally renowned hospital being donated to the Vatican by the Salviati family.

Among them some 200 children and their parents, including children from countries at war, such as Ukraine and Gaza who are receiving the medical treatment they were unable to get in their home countries.

Expressing his warm gratitude to the Bambin Gesù staff and benefactors, Pope Francis reflected on the “richness” of this institution, underscoring three features: gift, care and community.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/march.index.html
Speeches 2024 March
To the managers and staff of the "Bambino Gesù" Pediatric Hospital (16 March 2024)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-03/pope-francis-meets-with-president-of-seychelles.html

Pope Francis meets with President of Seychelles
16 March 2024, 12:07

Pope Francis recieves Wavel Ramkalawan, the President of Seychelles, at the Vatican on Saturday. Ramkalawan later met with Cardinal Pietro Paroin and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.

Communiqué of the Holy See Press Office

This morning, Saturday 16 March 2024, the Holy Father Francis received in audience, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the President of the Republic of the Seychelles, His Excellency Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, and His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-03/pope-deeply-saddened-by-death-of-patriarch-neofit-of-bulgaria.html

Pope deeply saddened by death of Patriarch Neofit of Bulgaria
16 March 2024, 14:44

The Pope sends his heartfelt condolences to Metropolitan Yoan, the Holy Synod and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church for the passing away of Patriarch Neofit.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis has expressed deep sorrow at learning of the passing of Patriarch Neofit of Bulgaria. The head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church died of a multi-organ failure on 13 March at the age of 78. 
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-03/pope-recalls-importance-holy-week-leaving-lasting-mark-on-lives.html

Pope recalls importance of Holy Week in leaving lasting mark on our lives
16 March 2024, 22:12

In a video message to the Confraternities of Mérida, Spain, Pope Francis recalls how Holy Week is "a time of grace" to be dedicated to prayer and to our brothers and sisters most in need.
By Adriana Masotti

Mérida is one of Spain's most renowned cities for its ancient Roman monuments, so much so that it is called the "Spanish Rome." Founded as a colony by soldiers of Augustus in 25 B.C., its historic center boasts the Arch of Trajan, the Roman Bridge, the Temple of Diana, and a Roman Amphitheater, among others sites. And it is around these places that religious processions, parades and the Stations of the Cross are held during Holy Week.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/pont-messages/2024.index.html
Messages Pontifical Messages 2024
Video Message of the Holy Father for the Mérida Holy Week (16 March 2024)

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-03/pope-at-angelus-gift-forgiveness-the-essence-of-god-s-glory.html
Gift, forgiveness are the essence of God’s glory, Pope says at Angelus
17 March 2024, 12:12

Pope Francis reflects on the Gospel of the Fifth Sunday of Lent during his weekly Angelus address.
By Christopher Wells

On the Cross, we see the glory of Jesus and of the Father, Pope Francis reminded the faithful at the Sunday Angelus.

Reflecting on the Gospel for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, the Holy Father explained that Jesus “wants to tell us that glory, for God, does not correspond to human success, fame, or popularity… For God, glory is about loving to the point of giving one’s life.”

This, the Pope continued, happened in a definitive way on the Cross, “where Jesus unfolded God’s love to the fullest, fully revealing the face of mercy, giving life, and forgiving those who crucified Him.”
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-03/pope-expresses-relief-over-kidnapped-released-in-haiti.html
Pope expresses relief over kidnapped released in Haiti, prays for those still held
17 March 2024, 12:26

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2024.index.html
Angelus - Regina Cæli 2024
Angelus, 17 March 2024

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257109/vatican-observatory-priests-develop-new-method-to-better-understand-big-bang-theory

Vatican Observatory publishes new method to better understand the Big Bang theory
By Diego López Marina
ACI Prensa Staff, Mar 18, 2024 / 08:00 am

Two priests and cosmologists from the Vatican Observatory have made further progress in developing a new mathematical method to understand the Big Bang theory, which describes the first moments of the universe.

In a 2022 article published in the prestigious journal Physical Review D, Fathers Gabriele Gionti, SJ, and Matteo Galaverni introduced the new and promising mathematical tool. They have recently published a new article in the European Physical Journal C, a publication that presents novel research results in theoretical physics and experimental physics.

“It really is fascinating to try to understand the physical laws in the early moments of the universe. The search for new physical laws and the effort to fully understand them is a process that fills our minds and hearts with great joy,” the priests said in a Vatican Observatory publication released March 14.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2024/03/vatican-opens-probe-on-trial-of-the-century-amid-widening-italian-privacy-scandal

Vatican opens probe on ‘trial of the century’ amid widening Italian privacy scandal
By Crux Staff
Mar 18, 2024

ROME – In the latest twist to a mounting privacy scandal in Italy, a Vatican prosecutor has announced opening an investigation to determine whether confidential information was used illicitly to influence the recent “trial of the century” on financial crime, which ended with the first-ever conviction of a cardinal by a Vatican civil court.

“As soon as I discovered, from articles in the press, the existence of electronic stalking regarding the Holy See, I opened a file, because I believe that someone followed our investigations from the outside,” said Alessandro Diddi, a veteran Italian lawyer who serves as the Vatican’s Promoter of Justice.

Diddi was the chief prosecutor in the recent trial of ten defendants, including Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu, for various forms of financial crime, mostly linked to a controversial $400 million real estate transaction in London. Last December, Becciu and the other defendants were found guilty by a three-judge panel and sentenced to various prison terms and fines.

Diddi’s comments were made to the Italian newspaper Il Tempo March 17.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-03/pope-joins-three-jesuit-run-pontifical-universities-into-single.html

Jesuits complete merger of three Pontifical Universities into single entity
18 March 2024, 14:40

Welcoming Pope Francis' indications to join three Jesuit-run Pontifical Universities into a single entity, the Pontifical Gregorian University explains the new configuration of the University with the new Statutes entering into force on 19 May 2024.
By Vatican News

At Pope Francis' request, the Society of Jesus has merged three Jesuit-run Pontifical Universities in Rome into a single juridical entity.

On March 15, 2024, Fr. Mark Lewis S.J., Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University, received a decree from Fr. Arturo Sosa S.J., Superior General of the Society of Jesus and Vice Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Gregorian University, which states that the new General Statutes of the University, which permanently incorporate the Pontifical Biblical Institute and the Pontifical Oriental Institute.

According to a press release from the Gregorian, this will come into effect on 19 May 2024, Pentecost Sunday.

The three institutions share a common bond, as they were all entrusted to the Society of Jesus by the Pope.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-03/holy-see-german-embassy-role-of-women-herder.html

German Embassy to Holy See presents book on role of women in the Church
18 March 2024, 16:10

The German Embassy to the Holy See holds a presentation to mark the publication of a booklet by the Herder-Verlag, entitled “God's Strong Daughters – Women and Offices in Catholicism Worldwide,” focusing on the ongoing Synod on synodality and the "question of women’s rights.”
By Stefanie Stahlhofen

In a special issue of Herder-Verlag, a German publication, published last autumn, 36 women and three men provided information on the situation of women in the Church in various countries of the world.

One of the authors is the Chilean theologian Catalina Cerda-Planas. She is a research associate at the Institute for World Church and Mission (IWM) in St. Georgen in Frankfurt, which has conducted a global study on the topic of women and ordained ministries.

The question of a possible ordination of female deacons is to be discussed by a new study group.

"I believe the diaconate could be a topic where the various local Churches would have the freedom to consider whether it fits their pastoral needs or not. If we had different measures or rules for different local churches in certain areas, then we could make progress on issues such as the female diaconate, I believe," Ms. Cerda-Planas said in an interview with Vatican News.

Bishop Gmür on Women in the Service of the Church
 
As a representative of the Swiss Bishops' Conference, Bishop Gmür will once again participate in the second session of the Synod General Assembly at the Vatican in October 2024.

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257129/stephen-colbert-co-narrates-pope-francis-s-audiobook-memoir

Stephen Colbert co-narrates Pope Francis’ new audiobook memoir
By Tyler Arnold
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Mar 18, 2024 / 17:00 pm

The Catholic late-night talk show host and comedian Stephen Colbert is one of the narrators for the English audiobook version of Pope Francis’ upcoming autobiography, which comes out on Tuesday, March 19.

Francis’ book, titled “Life: My Story Through History,” documents the most significant moments of the pontiff’s life from his childhood until the present day. The publisher, HarperCollins, lists “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” host, along with Franciscan Father John Quigley, as the narrators for the English-language audiobook version of the autobiography.

The book discusses Francis’ upbringing, his time in the seminary, and his service as a priest, bishop, and ultimately pope. It does not shy away from the controversial elements of his papacy but rather addresses his detractors and defends his efforts to make the Church more pastoral.