Pope Francis met this afternoon with the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences who are in Rome for their plenary session to discuss ways to combat human trafficking.
Listen to Junno Arocho’s report:
Following a greeting by the Academy’s President, Margaret Archer, the Pope welcomed the members and expressed his gratitude for their work in finding new ways to eradicate all new forms of slavery in the world.
Drawing from the Beatitudes, the Holy Father noted that those who suffer from forms of modern slavery, such as forced labor, prostitution and organ trafficking are the “least among us” and that all men and women of good will are called to renew their commitment in improving the human condition.
However, he also said that the current economic system, one domineered by profit, has allowed for these new forms of slavery to develop in a way that is “worse and more inhumane” than those of the past.
“We must be more aware of this new evil that, in a global world, wants to hide it because it is scandalous and “politically incorrect,” he said.
Echoing the sentiments of Benedict XVI’s condemnation of human trafficking, the 78 year old Pontiff said that it is “plague on the body of contemporary humanity” and that society is called to form new legislation that penalizes traffickers and help rehabilitate victims.
The Jesuit Pope, however, noted that societies and civil authorities must step up to combat human trafficking, which “constitutes a regression of humanity”.
“Many times, many times these new forms of slavery are protected by the very institutions who should defend the population from these crimes,” he said.
Concluding his address, Pope Francis encouraged the members of the Pontifical Academy to continue their work in the light of the Beatitudes, saying that the path towards Heaven is in “the company of the small and least among us”.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The orderly development of “a civil, pluralistic society requires” that the “authentic spirit of religion” not be “confined” to “personal conscience but that its significant role in the construction of society is recognized,” said Pope Francis in his remarks to the Italian president.
Listen to the report by Laura Ieraci :
Pope Francis met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Vatican Saturday morning. It was their first meeting since the president’s election on 3 February.
“The Church offers everyone the beauty of the Gospel and its message of salvation and, to carry out its spiritual mission, it needs conditions of peace and calm, which only public authorities can promote,” the pope said, reflecting on the collaborative relationship between the Holy See and the Italian state, as defined by the Lateran Pacts and the Italian Constitution.
“On the other hand, public authorities—who are primarily expected to create the conditions for a just and sustainable development, so that civil society can develop all its potentialities—can find a valuable and useful support for their action in the commitment and loyal collaboration of the Church,” he said.
Though independent, church and state share “the common responsibility” of meeting people’s “spiritual and physical needs…with humility and dedication,” he said.
The Pope spoke of the impact of Christianity on Italian culture, including art, architecture, customs and family life. He emphasized the need to care for the environment and to develop employment opportunities for Italian youth.
He also expressed gratitude for Italy’s commitment to welcoming numerous migrants who land on the country’s shores and urged Italian authorities to petition the European and international communities for greater commitment to assistance in the area of migration.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Cardinal Francis George, archbishop emeritus of Chicago, died Friday at his residence, after a long battle with cancer. The cardinal was 78 years old.
In a statement, the Archbishop of Chicago, Blaise Cupich, described Cardinal George as a man of “peace, tenacity, and courage” who in his ministry always chose the “Church over his own comfort and his people over his own needs.”
Visitation will take place in Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral, Tuesday and Wednesday. The funeral will be celebrated on Thursday.
With Cardinal George’s death, the College of Cardinals has 223 members, 121 of whom are under the age of 80 and eligible to vote in a conclave.
Listen:
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The Requiem Mass took place on Friday in St Peter’s Basilica for Cardinal Roberto Tucci, the former Director General of Vatican Radio who died this week at the age of 93. At the end of the Mass Pope Francis presided over the rites of Final Commendation and Valediction.
Born in Naples, Cardinal Tucci joined the Society of Jesus at an early age and was perhaps best known as the organizer of Pope Saint John Paul II’s overseas visits.
The funeral Mass for him was presided over by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals. In his homily, Cardinal Sodano took as his inspiration the verse in the Book of Revelation where the Apostle John heard a voice from heaven saying to him “Blessed are those who die in the Lord.” He said these words are the consequence of having lived a life in the Lord who became for us the way, the truth and the life. And these same words, Cardinal Sodano continued, are what lit up the path of our late confrere during his time on earth and whose beautiful soul we are now entrusting into the hands of our Father in Heaven.
Quoting from Pope Francis’ message of condolence, Cardinal Sodano said the late Cardinal Tucci “leaves the memory of a busy and dynamic life, always spent in consistent and generous adherence to his religious and priestly vocation and constantly attentive to the needs of others and faithful to the gospel.” This is the legacy which he has left for us.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday met with the Minister-President of the German federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, Reiner Haseloff , who also met with the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin.
After the meeting, Mr. Haseloff said they spoke about the 25th anniversary of the re-unification of Germany, as well as the upcoming anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. The Minister-President expressed his hopes the Pope could visit to mark the anniversaries.
In addition, Mr. Haseloff also spoke with the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller about the manner in which an ecumenical character could be put on the Reformation anniversary.
(from Vatican Radio)…