(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has granted the possibility of receiving a plenary indulgence for all the faithful taking part in the Jubilee marking the 800th anniversary of the Order of Preachers, better known as the Dominican Order. This includes those participating in celebrations both internationally and in each Dominican province.
The terms and conditions to receive the indulgence are described in the document sent by the Apostolic Penitentiary. Pope Francis has also encouraged all the priests of the Dominican Order to make themselves available to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance in all Jubilee places and frequently administer the Holy Communion to the infirm.
The Order began their year-long Jubilee celebration with a Mass in Rome’s Santa Sabina Church, located on the Aventine Hill. The church serves as the motherhouse of the Dominicans.
On Sunday, Pope Francis greeted the Dominicans who had gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Angelus address.
“I greet the representatives of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) who, yesterday, commenced the eight centenary of their foundation, that the Lord may bless them abundantly on this occasion. And many thanks for all you do in and for the Church.”
St. Dominic was born in 1170 in Caleruega, Spain. He and his companions adopted their rule of life in Toulouse in 1215. The Dominican family currently includes Friars, Contemplative Nuns, Religious Sisters, and associated laity.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday received the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, who subsequently met with the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Msgr. Antoine Camilleri, under-secretary for Relations with States.
A statement from the Holy See Press Office called the discussions “cordial”, adding the Church’s positive contribution to Polish society was emphasised, also in view of the Holy Father’s planned visit to Kraków next year for World Youth Day.
The also spoke on various themes of mutual interest, such as the promotion of the family, support for social groups most in need, and the welcome of migrants.
Finally, some themes regarding the international community were discussed, such as peace and security, the conflict in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.
(from Vatican Radio)…
Today the Holy Father Francis received in audience His Excellency Andrzej Duda, president of the Republic of Poland, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Msgr. Antoine Camilleri, under-secretary for Relations with States. During the cordial discussions, the Church’s positive contribution to Polish society was emphasised, also in view of the Holy Father’s planned visit to Kraków next year on the occasion of World Youth Day. Attention then turned to various themes of mutual interest, such as the promotion of the family, support for social groups most in need, and the welcome of migrants. Finally, some themes regarding the international community were discussed, such as peace and security, the conflict in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. [01929-EN.01] [Original text: Italian – working translation]…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis said on Sunday (8th November) that the recent stealing and leaking of the Holy See’s confidential documents was “a crime” and “deplorable act that does not help.” But at the same time he said this “sad event” definitely does not in any way deter him from pressing ahead with his planned reforms of the Roman Curia with the help of his advisers. The Pope’s remarks came at the end of his Sunday Angelus address.
Please find below a translation into English of the Pope’s remarks about the leaking of the Holy See’s documents:
“Dear brothers and Sisters,
I know that many of you have been upset by the news circulating in recent days concerning the Holy See’s confidential documents that were taken and published.
For this reason I want to tell you, first of all, that stealing those documents was a crime. It’s a deplorable act that does not help. I personally had asked for that study to be carried out and both I and my advisers were well acquainted with (the contents of) those documents and steps have been taken that have started to bear fruit, some of them even visible.
Therefore I wish to reassure you that this sad event certainly does not deter me from the reform project that we are carrying out, together with my advisers and with the support of all of you. Yes, with the support of the whole Church because the Church renews itself with prayer and the daily holiness of each baptized person.
I therefore thank you and ask you to continue to pray for the Pope and the Church, without getting upset or troubled but proceeding with faith and hope.”
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met privately with the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize winners on Saturday, calling them “architects of peace.”
The 2015 Prize went to Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, for what the Nobel Committee called “its decisive contribution to the building of a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution of 2011.”
Pope Francis met for 15 minutes with Mohamed Fadhel Mahfoudh, Abdessatar Ben Moussa, Wided Bouchamaoui, and Houcine Abbassi on Saturday morning.
The four represented the Tunisian General Labour Union; the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts; the Tunisian Human Rights League, and the Tunisian Order of Lawyers. The four organizations helped to establish a new constitution and presidential elections last year after a series of political assassinations in 2013.
During the meeting, Pope Francis said they accomplished their work “with their hands and their hearts,” and praised the methodology they used for dialogue and bringing stability to Tunisia.
The Nobel Laureates, for their part, thanked Pope Francis for receiving them, and called him a “true man of peace.” The gave the Pope a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi.
(from Vatican Radio)…