(Vatican Radio) Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin on Wednesday gave a Lectio Magistralis at the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome, during the “ Dies Academicus ,” the annual study day dedicated to a theme that the different departments of the university analyse from the perspectives of various fields of study (theology, philosophy, history, culture, canon law, social sciences, missiology, psychology, spirituality, etc). This year’s theme was “Peace: gift of God, human responsibility, Christian commitment.” The title of the Secretary of State’s Lectio Magistralis was “The diplomatic activity of the Holy See in the service of peace.”
“The diplomatic activity of the Holy See is not content to observe events or evaluate their importance; nor can it remain merely a critical voice,” affirmed Cardinal Parolin. “It acts to facilitate the coexistence and cohabitation of various nations, to promote fraternity between peoples, where the term fraternity is a synonym for effective collaboration, true cooperation, harmonious and orderly, of a solidarity structured in favour of the common good and that of individuals. And the common good, as we know, has more than a link with peace. The Holy See works substantially on the international scene not to guarantee a generic security – made more difficult in this period of lasting instability – but to sustain an idea of peace as the fruit of just relations, of respect for international law, of the protection of fundamental human rights beginning with those of the least among us, the most vulnerable.”
“The diplomacy of the Holy See has a clear ecclesial function,” he added. “If it is the tool of communion that unites the Roman Pontiff with the Bishops at the head of the local Churches, or that guarantees the life of the local Churches in relation to the civil authorities, I dare say that it is also the vehicle of the Successor of Peter for reaching the peripheries, both ecclesiastically and in terms of the human family… In the field of civil society, which forms of ethical guidance would be lacking were the Holy See not present in different intergovernmental contexts, in the areas of cooperation, disarmament, the struggle against poverty, the eradication of hunger, care for the sick, and promoting literacy?”
Cardinal Parolin went on to explain that “papal diplomacy is entrusted with the task of working in favour of peace following the methods and rules that are applicable to subjects of international law, therefore formulating practical answers in legal terms to prevent, resolve, or regulate conflicts and to avoid their possible degeneration into the irrationality of armed force.” But, he concluded, “it is above all an activity that demonstrates how the aim pursued is primarily religious, and as such is about being true ‘workers for peace,’ and not ‘workers for war or at least agents of misunderstanding’, as Pope Francis reminds us.”
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin on Wednesday gave a Lectio Magistralis at the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome, during the “Dies Academicus,” the annual study day dedicated to a theme that the different departments of the university analyse from the perspectives of various fields of study (theology, philosophy, history, culture, canon law,…
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(Vatican Radio) On Holy Thursday 2 April, Pope Francis will visit Rome’s Casa Circondariale New Prison Complex Rebibbia to meet detainees and staff. He will celebrate the “in Cena Domini” or Lord’s Supper Mass in the church, “Padre Nostro” at 5:30 pm Rome time. During the rite, he will wash the feet of a group of detainees and female inmates from the nearby women’s penitentiary. Vatican Radio’s Sergio Centofanti spoke to Rebibbia chaplain, Don Sandro Spriano:
A. – We are super happy, because the Pope has accepted the invitation I gave him when we met at a Mass in the Santa Marta guesthouse in September. He told us that if possible, he would come on Holy Thursday. The fact that he kept this promise makes us very, very happy: it is a beautiful thing. We will repeat the experience of three years ago, with Pope Ratzinger, but in a different context and with a different person.
Q. – For the inmates, what does this visit mean?
A. – Clearly it shows how much importance the Church of Rome in particular places on their condition. We always say that they are the most unfortunate. In this case, showing that they are children of God, loved by the Church and in particular by the Pope, is for them very, very important. Among other things, it will be the first time when we will celebrate with men and women prisoners, bringing inmates of the women’s prison to join us: it will be a very nice thing.
Q. – What do you remember most of Benedict XVI’s visit?
A. –I recall it vividly, because then it was a dialogue of questions and answers with the Pope, and he opened up and shared some personal stories so it was something truly fraternal. In this case, the celebration certainly has a different solemnity but the gesture of the “Washing of the Feet” of male and female detainees, will be not only a liturgically significant moment but also emotionally, a very nice moment.
Q. – What is the situation today at Rebibbia?
A. – It’s a situation with a little less overcrowding, but the people there continue to have the same problems as before because unfortunately the prison issue – a part from some measures that have brought down the numbers – nothing new has happened.
Q. – What are your expectations for the Pope’s visit?
A. – This is a strictly pastoral visit. We need someone to embrace us, who makes us feel part of society, who makes us feel part of the wider Christian Church and not segregated. The Pope will do this and it is what we hope for.
Q. – What are you calling politicians to do?
A. – What we are really asking is that prison is not simply punishment and society’s revenge on those who commit crimes, in trouble with the law. We want to see that prison – as described in the Constitution – is a place of recovery, a place of re-socialization, a place where you can also build some basis on which to return to live – better! When you leave.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) On Holy Thursday 2 April, Pope Francis will visit Rome’s Casa Circondariale New Prison Complex Rebibbia to meet detainees and staff. He will celebrate the “in Cena Domini” or Lord’s Supper Mass in the church, “Padre Nostro” at 5:30 pm Rome time. During the rite, he will wash the feet of a group…
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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis will visit inmates and staff of a Rome prison on Holy Thursday, April 2. The Prefecture of the Papal Household reports that the Pope will visit the new complex of the Casa Circondariale Rebibbia in the Rome suburbs, and celebrate the liturgy of the Lord’s Supper at the “Padre Nostro” church at 5:30 pm Rome time. The Pope will wash the feet of a group of male prisoners and female inmates from the nearby women’s penitentiary.
(from Vatican Radio)…