Pope Benedict XVI greets the pilgrims during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Oct. 26, 2006. / giulio napolitano / Shutterstock
Vatican City, Dec 29, 2022 / 06:35 am (CNA).
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s condition is serious but stable, the Vatican said on Thursday.
“The Pope Emeritus was able to rest well last night, he is absolutely lucid and alert and today, although his condition remains serious, the situation at the moment is stable,” Vatican Press Office Director Matteo Bruni told journalists Dec. 29.
“Pope Francis renews his invitation to pray for him and accompany him in these difficult hours,” the spokesman added.
Pope Francis, at the end of his general audience on Dec. 28, asked for prayers for a “very ill” Benedict XVI, who, “in silence, is sustaining the Church.”
The Vatican confirmed later the same day that Benedict was under medical care following a decline in his health.
The Diocese of Rome announced it will offer a special Mass for Pope emeritus Benedict XVI at the Basilica of St. John Lateran on Dec. 30.
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Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas is apostoolic nuncio to Ukraine. / Credit: Courtesy of the nuncio
Vatican City, Feb 24, 2025 / 16:05 pm (CNA).
Monday, Feb. 24, marked three years of Ukrainian resistance against the Russian invasion. According to … […]
Vatican City, Jul 18, 2017 / 12:19 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis on Tuesday appointed Father Giacomo Morandi secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The Italian priest had been a subsecretary in the dicastery since 2015.
Fr. Morandi was also appointed titular Archbishop of Caere July 18; the date of his episcopal consecration has yet to be determined.
He was born in Modena in 1965, and was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Modena-Nonantola in 1990, at the age of 24.
Fr. Morandi obtained a licentiate in biblical sciences from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in 1992, and a licentiate and doctorate in the theology of evangelization from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 2008. He has taught scripture at several institutions.
In the Modena-Nonantola archdiocese he has served as a pastor, episcopal vicar for catechesis, evangelization, and culture, archpriest of the cathedral chapter, and vicar general.
Since October 2015 Fr. Morandi has served as subsecretary at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Fr. Morandi’s promotion from within the congregation fills the vacancy left by the July 1 appointment of Archbishop Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferrer, S.J., as the office’s prefect.
Archbishop Ladaria had in turn taken the place of Cardinal Gerhard Müller, whose five-year term in the post had expired, and which was not renewed.
The Divine Mercy image is displayed at St. Peter’s Square before Pope Francis Regina Caeli prayer on April 7, 2024. / Credit: ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images
Vatican City, Apr 7, 2024 / 09:10 am (CNA).
Pope Francis during the Regina Caeli on Divine Mercy Sunday noted that the “fullness of life” comes not from the pursuit of transitory pleasure but is “realized in Jesus.”
“To have life,” the pope said, “it is enough to fix one’s eyes on the crucified and risen Jesus, encountering him in the sacraments and in prayer, recognizing that he is present, believing in him, letting oneself be touched by his grace and guided by his example, experiencing the joy of loving like him. Every living encounter with Jesus enables us to have more life.”
Divine Mercy Sunday, instituted by St. John Paul II during the Jubilee Year of 2000, is celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter.
Pope Francis delivers his Regina Caeli reflection on April 7, 2024. Credit: Vatican Media
The pope drew upon the disciples, despondent and secluded in the upper room, who “are going through the most tragic moment in life” to showcase how Christ’s coming to them was a deeply transformative moment, one that not only reveals his mercy but also promises a new life.
“The Risen One comes to them and shows them his wounds,” the pope said. “They were the signs of suffering and pain, they could stir feelings of guilt, yet with Jesus they become channels of mercy and forgiveness.”
“The disciples see and touch with their hands the fact that with Jesus, life wins; death and sin are defeated. And they receive the gift of his Spirit, which gives them a new life, as beloved sons, imbued with joy, love, and hope.”
Pope Francis presented this message in contrast with today’s prevalent narratives of what constitutes a good life and the pursuit of happiness, observing that it is “a frenetic race to enjoy and possess many things.”
Cautioning against this materialistic and myopic view, he stressed that “by following the path of pleasure and power one does not find happiness.”
“Indeed, many aspects of existence remain unanswered, such as love, the inevitable experiences of pain, of limitations, and of death. And then the dream we all have in common remains unfulfilled,” the pope continued.
To counter this tendency the pope encouraged the faithful to ask the following questions: “Do I believe in the power of the resurrection of Jesus, in his victory over sin, fear, and death? Do I let myself be drawn into a relationship with him? And do I let myself be prompted by him to love my brothers and sisters, and to hope every day?”
At the end of the Regina Caeli, the pope reiterated his long-standing call for a “lasting peace” in “the tormented Ukraine” as well as in Palestine and Israel by imploring leaders to find a way to de-escalate tensions and to negotiate.
The pope’s plea comes six months after the start of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, 2023, which to date has left over 33,000 civilians dead in the Gaza Strip.
Prayers and thanksgiving for his selfless, dedicated service. May the Lord be very close at this time of transition!
Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Psalm 72:14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.
Psalm 37:32-33 The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death. The Lord will not abandon him to his power or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.
Prayers and thanksgiving for his selfless, dedicated service. May the Lord be very close at this time of transition!
Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Psalm 72:14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.
Psalm 37:32-33 The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death. The Lord will not abandon him to his power or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.