Donald Trump's envoy and Taliban held talks in Qatar. The US has 14,000 soldiers on the ground, out of 16,000 NATO forces. Italian Defence Minister Trenta causes row, announcing the withdrawal of Italian contingent by the end of the year.
Pope Francis introduces the meeting (21-24 February) on the protection of minors from abuses perpetrated by members of the Church. Courage and concrete measures arrived at in a "synodal way". The testimony of an abused boy: "Why did God not listen to me?".
It is the first time that a Chinese university comes in first place in the rankings, ousting Singapore. South Korea and China beat Australia and Japan.
Pope Francis continued the catechesis on the Lord’s Prayer at the general audience. In human relations, "sometimes declarations of love turn into feelings of anger and hostility". Yet, “Even if all our earthly loves crumble, and nothing but dust remains in our hands, there is always, for all of us, God’s burning, unique and faithful love.”
At Santa Marta Mass, the Pope says God, "is not abstract, He has feelings. He suffers, and this is the mystery of the Lord. We must ask for the grace of having a heart like the heart of God, which resembles the heart of God, the heart of a sibling, of a father with his children, of a child with his father".
In an official declaration, published by the Holy See Press Office, religious orders express "shame", but also "hope" for the upcoming meeting. Building a new "culture of protection" for children and vulnerable adults, based on health care, formation and spirituality. Ensure that candidates for the religious vocation and the priesthood find "safe places where their vocation is nourished".
Specific issues will be addressed on each day of the event, including episcopal responsibility, accountability, and transparency.
"Is there room for these people in our hearts? Or do we speak of the people, settle our conscience a little by giving alms ". But please do not give too much “because with these social things from the Church", it ends up looking like "a communist party and this hurts us".
At the Angelus, Pope Francis urges us not to fall prey to the "master of illusion" who "promise quick success, great profits, magical solutions to every problem". It is easy to slip into idolatry: "replacing God with an idol". A prayer for the meeting at the Vatican with the presidents of Episcopal Conferences from across the globe on the protection of minors.
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith co him guilty of "solicitation in the Sacrament of Confession, and sins against the Sixth Commandment with minors and with adults, with the aggravating factor of the abuse of power".
Francis celebrated the opening Mass of the ‘Liberi dalla paura’ meeting, which is promoted by Catholic associations dedicated to welcoming and integrating migrants. For the pontiff, “fear is legitimate" vis-à-vis people different from us.” But far too often, we “refuse to encounter the other and raise barriers to defend ourselves.” Instead, we are called to overcome fears to open ourselves to encountering others because “Forsaking encountering [others] is not human.”
Francis spoke today at the opening ceremony of the 42nd session of the Board of Governors of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The eradication of poverty, the fight against hunger and the promotion of food sovereignty will not be possible "without achieving rural development, a development that has been talked about for a long time but that has not come to fruition".
"There is an impressive absence in the text of the 'Our Father'. A word is lacking that in our times - but perhaps always - all hold in high esteem: the word 'I' is missing. " And "the whole second part of the 'Our Father' is declined to the first plural person: us".
During the Angelus, Pope Francis called on governments to tackle the causes of trafficking. Likewise, he called on everyone to "work together by speaking out against cases of exploitation and slavery". Jesus helped Peter and his fellow fishermen by "helping them not to fall victim to disappointment and discouragement in the face of defeat. He opened them up to becoming proclaimers and witnesses to his word and to the kingdom of God.”
The "logic of mercy" should counter that of a "throwaway" culture. Ecological awareness should be raised and the value of life defended at a time of new possibilities offered by the development of biomedical sciences.
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