(Vatican Radio) The month of August promises to be a busy one for Pope Francis who is scheduled to be involved in a series of public events.
Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, Prefect of the Pontifical Household, told Vatican Radio that the Pope will meet publically with the faithful in numerous occasions during the summer month and that preparations are underway to organize an extra General Audience each month (possibly on a Saturday) during the upcoming Jubilee Year of Mercy.
Monsignor Gaenswein said that next Tuesday afternoon, August 4, Pope Francis will meet with some 12,000 German speaking participants of the International Pilgrimage of Altar Servers.
On Wednesday, August 5, the Pope will resume his weekly General Audiences which see the participation of thousands of pilgrims from across the world. Archbishop Gaenswein pointed out that the General Audience on August 26 will mark the 100th such occasion for Pope Francis. Due to the heat, the August General Audiences will take place inside the Paul VIth Hall.
On Friday, August 7, the Pope will receive in audience members of the Eucharistic Youth Movement.
Archbishop Gaenswein also revealed that since the beginning of Pope Francis’ Pontificate in March 2013, fifteen million people have been present for his General Audiences, Angelus’ and special audiences in the Vatican.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The first funerals of Mexico’s truck tragedy which killed 27 pilgrims, have been taking place.
Pope Francis has sent his condolences after the tragedy on Wednesday in the town of Mazapil.
In a telegram to the Bishop of Zacatecas, Sigifredo Noriega Barceló, Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said Pope Francis was “greatly saddened” when he learned the news of the tragic accident, and “offers prayers for the eternal repose of those who died.”
43 people remain hospitalized. Ten of these are in serious condition while one is critical.
Listen to the report by James Blears :
The accident happened on Wednesday in the town of Mazapil in the Northern State of Zacatecas, and already some of its victims have been buried, following harrowing funerals.
Authorities say that the brakes of a truck carrying building materials failed and it ploughed into a procession of pilgrims.
They were celebrating the day of their patrón saint Jesús of Nazarath.
The out of control truck crushed scores of devout people, and hit the Wall of a building ripping and scoring its plaster and brickwork, ending up on its side.
The driver fled the scene of horror and carnage and is still being sought. Only when he’s found, arrested and questioned can the full extent of what’s happened… and why become plain.
The injured are being treated in hospitals in the cities of Saltillo and Concepción de Oro.
State and Federal Authories are combining to help as well as try to confort the families of the dead and the injured.
An investigation is underway into what led up to this unprecidented tragedy which will forever overshadow Mazapil’s most cherished and devout day of the year.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis will be visiting Cuba and the United States from September 19th to the 28th. The final stop of his trip will be the World Meeting of Families, which will take place in Philadelphia.
Cardinal William Levada is the Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and served as the Archbishop of San Francisco, California, from 1995 to 2005.
He spoke to Vatican Radio about the upcoming papal visit.
Listen:
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent his condolences after the tragedy on Wednesday in the town of Mazapil, Mexico, where a truck with defective brakes hit a religious procession, killing 27 people, and injuring hundreds of others.
In a telegram to the Bishop of Zacatecas, Sigifredo Noriega Barceló, the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said Pope Francis was “greatly saddened” when he learned the news of the tragic accident, and “offers prayers for the eternal repose of those who died.”
“In addition,” the telegram continues, “The Holy Father offers his own condolences to the families of the deceased, along with words of comfort, closeness, and wishes for a speedy recovery to those injured, and, at the same time, he cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a sign of hope in the Risen Lord.”
(from Vatican Radio)…