(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday met with Queen Silvia of Sweden, who personally led her delegation to a one-day seminar on human trafficking and the exploitation of women which was being held at the Vatican.
Although a Swedish interpreter was present, the two spoke mostly in Spanish, which the Queen speaks fluently. In fact, Queen Silvia at one time worked at the Argentine Consulate in Munich.
The Queen spoke with the Holy Father about various activities she has promoted in Sweden, especially in favour of children. Pope Francis took the opportunity to express his gratitude for the welcome Sweden has extended to refugees and displaced persons.
Queen Silvia, the wife of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, was accompanied by her youngest daughter, Princess Madeleine of Sweden, her husband, Christopher O’Neill, and their young daughter, 14-month-old Princess Leonore.
The Queen gave the Pope a set of prayer books used by the Royal Family, along with a photographic portrait and a vase with the Royal Coat of Arms.
Pope Francis gave the Queen a Pontifical Medal, along with a copy of “Evangelii gaudium” in the Queen’s native German.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The Holy Father has named Bishop John C. Wester as the new Archbishop of Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. Bishop Wester has been serving as Bishop of Salt Lake City, Utah.
At the same time, the Holy Father has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Michael Sheehan from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, in conformity with canon 401, paragraph 1 of the Code of Canon Law.
Biography of Archbishop-elect John Charles Wester
Bishop John Charles Wester was born 5 November 1950 in San Francisco, California. After attending Our Lady of Mercy elementary school in Daly City and Saint Joseph High School Seminary (1964-1968), and Saint Joseph College Seminary (1968-1972) in Mountain View, he undertook his theological studies at Saint Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park (1972-1976). Later, he obtained a Master’s degree in Spiritual Theology at the University of San Francisco (1984) and a Master’s in Pastoral Counseling at Holy Names College in Oakland (1993).
He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of San Francisco on 15 March 1976.
Following his priestly ordination, Bishop Wester had the following assignments: Parochial Vicar of Saint Raphael Parish in San Rafael (1976-1979); teacher (1979-1984), Chaplain (1982-1984) and President (1984-1986) at Marin Catholic High School in Kentfield; Assistant Superintendent of Catholic High Schools (1986-1988); personal secretary and master of ceremonies for Archbishop John Quinn (1988-1993); Pastor of Saint Stephen Parish in San Francisco (1993-1997); and Vicar for Clergy (1997-1998).
He was named titular Bishop of Lamiggia and Auxiliary Bishop for San Francisco on 30 June 1998, and received episcopal consecration the following 18 September. As Auxiliary Bishop he served as Vicar General and, from August 2005 to February 2006, as Apostolic Administrator while the see was vacant ( sede vacante ).
Bishop Wester was named Bishop of Salt Lake City on 8 January 2007.
In the Episcopal Conference Bishop Wester serves as the chair of the Committee on Communications and is a member of the Administrative Committee and the Committee on Migration.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) On Sunday, Pope Francis presided over the ordinations of priests for the diocese of Rome in Saint Peter’s Basilica, reminding them they are ministers of unity in the Church.
Most of the 19 men ordained 26 April were part of Roman seminaries, including the Pontifical Roman Seminary, the Redemptoris Mater diocesan college, and the Madonna del Divino Amore seminary.
In off-the-cuff remarks during his homily for morning Mass, Pope Francis had advice for those about to be ordained.
He told them that the homilies they deliver should come from the heart, in order that they might reach the hearts of the people.
Speaking to them about the responsibility of distributing the sacraments, he told them to never refuse anyone who asks for Baptism
Pope Francis also reminded the soon to be ordained priests that in the confessional they are to forgive, never to condemn.
“You are ministers of unity in the Church, in the family,” Pope Francis said.
In his Regina Coeli address after Mass, the Pope said the newly ordained priests are called to the a pastoral life that is like that of the Good Shepherd.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) On Sunday, Pope Francis remembered the victims of the recent earthquake in Nepal which has claimed the lives of nearly 2,000 people.
After the recitation of the Regina Coeli prayer with the crowds gathered in Saint Peter’s Square, the Holy Father expressed his “closeness to the populations struck by a powerful earthquake in Nepal and neighbouring countries.”
The Pope said: “I pray for the victims, for the wounded, and for all those who suffer because of this calamity.”
More than 1,900 people were killed and 5,000 wounded when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Himalayan nation of Nepal on Saturday, destroying the country’s infrastructure, homes, and historical buildings.
The earthquake was the worst to hit the South Asian nation in over 80 years.
Pope Francis said of those affected by the disaster: “May they be supported by fraternal solidarity.
The Holy Father then prayed that the Blessed Mother would be close those affected by the earthquake, and led the crowds in reciting the Hail Mary.
Earlier, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin sent a telegram on behalf of Pope Francis to Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Nepal, Paul Simick, expressing his condolences for those affected by the earthquake.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has expressed his deep sadness following the devastating earthquake in Nepal which has claimed hundreds of lives. In a telegramme signed by Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, the Holy Father also expressed his solidarity with all those affected.
Below please find attached the Pope’s telegramme of condolance
The Right Reverend Paul Simick
Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Nepal
His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the earthquake and the resultant loss of many hundreds of lives in Nepal, as well as in neighbouring Countries. He expresses his solidarity with all affected by this disaster and assures those who grieve for deceased family members of his closeness in prayer. His Holiness commends the souls of the victims to the loving mercy of the Almighty and he offers encouragement to the civil authorities and emergency personnel as they continue their rescue efforts and assistance to those touched by this tragedy. Upon them all he invokes the blessings of the Almighty as a pledge of healing and consolation.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State
(from Vatican Radio)…