October 2013

Sidebar: Archbishop Parolin’s Devotion to Our Lady of Coromoto

By Alberto Carosa   In late August, Pope Francis announced his choice of Archbishop Pietro Parolin, apostolic nuncio to Venezuela, to replace the outgoing secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. In accepting the resignation of Bertone, 78, the Pope asked him to remain in his position until October 15 “with all the faculties proper to the [...]

An interview with Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo

After spending four years in Venezuela, Archbishop Pietro Parolin will re­turn to the Vatican as the new secretary of state. Pope Francis announced his decision during the hot Roman summer, in August (in theory, the summer holiday of the Curia). Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone will hand over his office to his successor on October 15. The Pope [...]

Archbishop Pietro Parolin Is the New Vatican Secretary of State

In this interview, the recently- appointed Vatican secretary of state, Pietro Parolin, outlines what he hopes to achieve in his new diplomatic role. From the Apostolic Nunciature in Caracas, where he was still working as the Holy See’s “ambassador” to Venezuela, Parolin talked about his view of the geopolitical situation in light of Pope Francis’ efforts [...]

Interview with Zion Evrony, Ambassador of Israel to the Holy See

“Pope Francis brings a universal message of modesty, caring for the poor, struggle for peace and care for the environment,” Zion Evrony said to Inside the Vatican. “We very much hope to see him visit Israel during the year 2014. He has been officially invited by President Peres, by Deputy Foreign Minister Elkin, and by me to [...]

“I am a Sinner Whom the Lord has Looked Upon”

It becomes clear in a close reading of the Pope’s new interview that Pope Francis is not changing anything at all about Catholic teaching. This teaching is centered on the reality of Christ’s redeeming, saving love for sinners — and we are all sinners, most especially so when we think we are no longer so. The [...]

Pope Francis Grants an Interview to La Civiltà Cattolica

In a lengthy and wide-ranging interview with one of his Jesuit confreres, Pope Francis spoke with characteristic frankness about the perils of overemphasizing Cath­olic teaching on sexual and medical ethics; the reasons for his deliberate and consultative governing style; and his highest priority for the Church today. The Pope’s remarks appeared in an interview with Jesuit [...]

Prayer Vigil for Peace: Pope Francis Calls Selfishness the Cause of War

Leading a crowd in prayer for peace in Syria on September 7 in Rome, Pope Francis said that war is ultimately caused by selfishness and can be overcome only though expressions of fraternity and never with violence. “Leave behind the self-interest that hardens your heart, overcome the indifference that makes your heart insensitive towards others, conquer [...]

A Restaurant from the Middle Ages and a Lodging in the Center

From the train station at the Pyramid we passed the Pope’s granary and then the fire station, finally arriving in the vibrant Testaccio area of Rome whereupon we came to La Fraschetta di Mastro Giorgio, a type of restaurant modeled on the old fraschette, which started out in the Middle Ages, named after the peasant dwellings in [...]

Feast of Our Lady of Victories (October 26)

Pope St. Pius V (the Pope who codified the Tridentine rite of the Mass) established the Feast of Our Lady of Victory in 1571 in thanksgiving after the defeat of Muslim forces during the naval battle off Lepanto, Italy. Two years later, Gregory XIII changed the name of the feast to Our Lady of the Rosary, and [...]

What Did Pope Francis Mean?

“Only someone who has encountered mercy, who has been caressed by the tenderness of mercy, is happy and comfortable with the Lord.” —Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, April 27, 2001, in his presentation in Buenos Aires of a book by Father Luigi Giussani “We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of [...]

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