(Vatican Radio) Travelling on the same aeroplane with Pope Francis on his Apostolic journey to Cuba and the United States is the head of Vatican Radio’s English Programme, Sean Patrick Lovett. Before his departure Veronica Scarisbrick asked him to put this visit which takes place from the 19th to the 23rd of September into context as well as give us a behind the scenes look at the organisation of a trip which Sean says is sure to be historic.
Listen to this interview with the head of the English Progamme Sean Patrick Lovett:
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday (18th September) addressed participants at a symposium organized by the Vatican Observatory, saying their scientific research on the universe can help promote interreligious dialogue which is more urgent than ever nowadays. He also encouraged an ever deeper dialogue between science and religion.
The pope began his address to the participants of the symposium by recalling the history of the Vatican Observatory in Castel Gandolfo which was formally inaugurated by Pope Pius XI back in 1935 with the words “Deum Creatorem venite adoremus” carved into the wall. The Observatory’s management was entrusted to the Society of Jesus.
Quoting from his encyclical Laudato Si, the Pope said: “Rather than a (scientific) problem to be solved, the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with joyness and praise.” “The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us.”
Pope Francis noted that the participants at the symposium were discussing themes related to the dialogue between science and religion and recalled the words of Saint John Paul who in a letter to a previous director of the Vatican Observatory stressed the need for an ever deepening dialogue between the two. He said such a dialogue, whilst protecting the integrity both of religion and science, should, at the same time, promote progress for both.
The pope said when it comes to interreligious dialogue, which nowadays is more and more urgent, scientific research on the universe can offer a unique perspective, shared by believers and non-believers, which helps us to reach a better religious understanding of creation. It’s for this reason, he said, that the Astrophysics (Summer) Schools that the Observatory has organized during the past 30 years are a precious opportunity for young astronomers from across the world to dialogue and collaborate in the search of truth.
The Pope noted that the symposium was also discussing the importance of communicating the message that the Church and its pastors are embracing, encouraging and promoting authentic science. He concluded his address by telling the participants that it was very important for them to share the gift of their scientific knowledge of the universe with other people, freely giving what they received for free. I encourage you, he said, to continue along this journey of exploring our universe.
(from Vatican Radio)…
Vatican City, 18 September 2015 (VIS) – According to a press release issued today by the Apostolic Almoner, the parish community of St. Anna in the Vatican has received a family of refugees, consisting of a father, mother and two children. They are Syrian, Christians of Catholic Greek-Melkite rite, and fled from their war-torn home city of Damascus, arriving in the Vatican on Sunday 6 September, when during the Angelus the Pope launched an appeal to each parish, religious community, monastery and shrine to offer shelter to a family. The four members of the family will stay in an apartment in the Vatican, near St. Peter’s. The procedures for requesting international protection were initiated immediately. According to the law, for the first six months after presenting the request for asylum, applicants may not accept paid work. In this period they will be assisted and accompanied by the St. Anna parish community. Until the decision is made in Italy as to whether or not their status of refugee will be granted, further information regarding this family cannot be given. Furthermore, to protect them during this phase it would be appropriate for the mass media to respect their wish not to be sought or interviewed. With regard to the accommodation of a second family in the Vatican parish of St. Peter, the Almoner is not currently able to provide further information. In this context of Christian charity towards those who flee war and famine, it is worth highlighting that for many years the Popes, through the Apostolic Almoner, have contributed to the payment of taxes for the issue of stay permits for refugees through the Centro Astalli, directed by the Jesuits (since 2014, 50,000 euros have been disbursed for this purpose). In addition, the Almoner, again on behalf of the Pope, helps many individuals and families of refugees on a daily basis, as well as meeting needs, including healthcare, for many reception centres located in Rome. Furthermore, for some days a modern mobile clinic, donated to the Pope a few years ago and so far reserved solely for events at which he presides, was made available several times a week to assist refugees in reception centres, including irregular ones, situated in the outskirts of Rome. The volunteers, who are doctors, nurses and Swiss Guards, are employees of Vatican City State institutions, the University of Rome at Tor Vergata, and members of the Association of the “Medicina Solidale Onlus” Institute….
The visit of His Holiness
Pope Francis to the United Nations comes at a moment of challenge and hope. As
the world struggles to cope with conflict, poverty and climate change, Pope
Francis has been a leading voice for urgent action to protect people and our
planet. I am deeply privileged to
have had the opportunity to meet several times with His Holiness, who impressed
me as a man of great humility and humanity. When we met last year at the
Vatican in May, the Pope urged senior United Nations officials to “work
together in promoting a true, worldwide ethical mobilization which, beyond all
differences of religious or political convictions, will spread and put into
practice a shared ideal of fraternity and solidarity, especially with regard to
the poorest and those most excluded.” International cooperation on
behalf of the world’s most vulnerable people is fundamental to the mission of
the United Nations as enshrined in our Charter, which entered into force 70
years ago next month. As the United Nations works
with partners to address the many emergencies in our world, we are also looking
to build long-term stability. That is why we are so honoured that His Holiness
will visit on the day that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will be
adopted. Pope Francis has called on
people everywhere to work towards realizing the new sustainable development
goals “with generosity and courage”. As I discussed with the Pope, this will
require challenging all forms of injustice. Following the adoption of
the sustainable development goals, attention will shift to the upcoming climate
change conference in December in Paris, where every government in the world
will gather seeking to adopt a new, universal and meaningful climate agreement.
I fully concur with Pope Francis in his recent encyclical that climate change
is a moral issue, in addition to its other dimensions, and one of the principal
challenges facing humanity.
His Holiness rightly cited the solid scientific consensus
showing significant warming of the climate system, with most global warming in
recent decades mainly a result of human activity. Pope Francis and I
wholeheartedly agree on the urgency for action, and the critical need to
support the poorest and most vulnerable members of our human family from a
crisis they did least to cause, but suffer from the most. Other faith groups
have echoed this view, including most recently a gathering of eminent Islamic
scholars and religious leaders. Pope Francis’ message
extends far beyond the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics. On the first page
of his recent encyclical, the Pope states that “faced as we are with global
environmental deterioration, I wish to address every person living on this
planet”. The Catholic Church and the
United Nations have a number of shared values and goals, not least ending
poverty, promoting social inclusion, and protecting the environment. As we reflect on the
Organization’s many achievements, we are all too aware of the persisting grave
threats in our world. The conflict in Syria and
the wider impact of violent extremists in the region constitute a colossal
humanitarian tragedy that demands international action. As the plight of
refugees and others searching for a better life has come to the fore,
especially with more arrivals in Europe, the Pope has been a leading advocate
of a humane response. I am deeply grateful for his repeated calls for
compassion. This month, I am convening a
special meeting on the refugee crisis to promote a systematic approach
encompassing not only countries of destination but also countries of transit
and, most important, countries of origin. We must tackle the root causes that
drive so many to flee, including vicious conflict, governance failures, harsh
repression and grave violations of human rights, including religious
persecution. It is also essential to confront the ruthlessness of people
smugglers and traffickers and stop their dangerous crimes. Pope Francis has
demonstrated the value of religious leaders engaging on these pressing global
issues. I count on him and other faith leaders to counteract the prevailing
forces of division and hate with dialogue and understanding. Together, we can
realize our vision of a peaceful world where all people live in safety and
dignity….
The visit of His Holiness
Pope Francis to the United Nations comes at a moment of challenge and hope. As
the world struggles to cope with conflict, poverty and climate change, Pope
Francis has been a leading voice for urgent action to protect people and our
planet. I am deeply privileged to
have had the opportunity to meet several times with His Holiness, who impressed
me as a man of great humility and humanity. When we met last year at the
Vatican in May, the Pope urged senior United Nations officials to “work
together in promoting a true, worldwide ethical mobilization which, beyond all
differences of religious or political convictions, will spread and put into
practice a shared ideal of fraternity and solidarity, especially with regard to
the poorest and those most excluded.” International cooperation on
behalf of the world’s most vulnerable people is fundamental to the mission of
the United Nations as enshrined in our Charter, which entered into force 70
years ago next month. As the United Nations works
with partners to address the many emergencies in our world, we are also looking
to build long-term stability. That is why we are so honoured that His Holiness
will visit on the day that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will be
adopted. Pope Francis has called on
people everywhere to work towards realizing the new sustainable development
goals “with generosity and courage”. As I discussed with the Pope, this will
require challenging all forms of injustice. Following the adoption of
the sustainable development goals, attention will shift to the upcoming climate
change conference in December in Paris, where every government in the world
will gather seeking to adopt a new, universal and meaningful climate agreement.
I fully concur with Pope Francis in his recent encyclical that climate change
is a moral issue, in addition to its other dimensions, and one of the principal
challenges facing humanity.
His Holiness rightly cited the solid scientific consensus
showing significant warming of the climate system, with most global warming in
recent decades mainly a result of human activity. Pope Francis and I
wholeheartedly agree on the urgency for action, and the critical need to
support the poorest and most vulnerable members of our human family from a
crisis they did least to cause, but suffer from the most. Other faith groups
have echoed this view, including most recently a gathering of eminent Islamic
scholars and religious leaders. Pope Francis’ message
extends far beyond the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics. On the first page
of his recent encyclical, the Pope states that “faced as we are with global
environmental deterioration, I wish to address every person living on this
planet”. The Catholic Church and the
United Nations have a number of shared values and goals, not least ending
poverty, promoting social inclusion, and protecting the environment. As we reflect on the
Organization’s many achievements, we are all too aware of the persisting grave
threats in our world. The conflict in Syria and
the wider impact of violent extremists in the region constitute a colossal
humanitarian tragedy that demands international action. As the plight of
refugees and others searching for a better life has come to the fore,
especially with more arrivals in Europe, the Pope has been a leading advocate
of a humane response. I am deeply grateful for his repeated calls for
compassion. This month, I am convening a
special meeting on the refugee crisis to promote a systematic approach
encompassing not only countries of destination but also countries of transit
and, most important, countries of origin. We must tackle the root causes that
drive so many to flee, including vicious conflict, governance failures, harsh
repression and grave violations of human rights, including religious
persecution. It is also essential to confront the ruthlessness of people
smugglers and traffickers and stop their dangerous crimes. Pope Francis has
demonstrated the value of religious leaders engaging on these pressing global
issues. I count on him and other faith leaders to counteract the prevailing
forces of division and hate with dialogue and understanding. Together, we can
realize our vision of a peaceful world where all people live in safety and
dignity….