(Vatican Radio) Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, called for prayers on Saturday for the people of Venezuela, who “find themselves in extreme social, political, and economic difficulties”.
He said these problems are “causing great suffering for that dear people”.
To that end, the Cardinal Secretary of State said, “let us pray that the protagonists of public life and all parts of society be wise and courageous in order to find peaceful solutions to the present crisis and that a sense of the common good, justice, solidarity, and love may abound in all!”
Cardinal Parolin was the Apostolic Nunzio to Venezuela from August 2009 until his nomination as Secretary of State in October 2013.
His prayers for the Venezuelan people came during his homily to close the 36th Tendopolis for Youth event held at the Sanctuary of St. Gabriele in the Italian province of Teramo.
(from Vatican Radio)…
Bulletin for 8/14/2016
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has given his support for the “Más por Menos” [More for Less] campaign taking place in Argentina on 10-11 September.
During those days, a collection will be made to help the less fortunate in the country.
In a message sent through the Secretary of State, the Holy Father encouraged the participants to “make great personal and communal efforts to reach out to the multitude of needy brothers and sisters who feel excluded from society, and to bring to the them the closeness and love of God.”
Pope Francis invited those involved to “be sensitive to the cry of anguish” from so many people who have been “marginalized and discarded,” and to help them.
“May Christ, the true merciful face of the Father, give them the experience of the joy of sharing their time, their treasure, and their lives with those whom God loves with a preferential love, the poor and homeless,” concluded the message.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis visited a refugee centre in Rome housing women rescued from prostitution as part of his ‘Friday of Mercy’ gestures during this Jubilee Year of Mercy. The home is run by the Pope John the 23rd community. During his visit, Pope Francis met 20 women rescued from the sex trade who were trafficked from their countries of origin that included Romania, Albania, Nigeria, Tunisia, Ukraine, and Italy. All of the women were the victims of severe physical abuse during their ordeal and are living under protection. A statement from the Holy See Press office said the Pope’s visit to this refugee centre is another reminder of the need to fight against human trafficking, which the Pope has described as “a crime against humanity” and “an open wound on the body of contemporary society, a scourge upon the body of Christ”. Listen to Devin Watkins’ report:
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis had lunch with a group of 21 Syrian refugees on Thursday at the Casa Santa Marta.
During the luncheon, both adults and children had the possibility to speak with Pope Francis about the beginnings of their life in Italy.
The children gave the Holy Father a collection of their drawings, and the Pope showered them with toys and other gifts.
The refugees, who live in Rome and are hosted by the St. Egidio Community, were brought to Rome from Lesbos by Pope Francis at the conclusion of his visit to the Greek island on 16 April 2016.
The first group arrived in Rome with the Holy Father aboard the papal plane, while the second group came to Rome in mid-June at his request.
Present at the meal with Pope Francis and his Syrian guests were the Substitute Secretary of State Archbishop Angelo Becciu; Professor Andrea Riccardi, founder of the St. Egidio Community, and other members of the community; the Commander of the Vatican Gendarmerie, Doctor Domenico Giani; and two Gendarmerie who helped transfer the refugees to Italy from Lesbos.
(from Vatican Radio)…