Franco Pisano

The pontiff expressed his “concern” for what is happening in eastern Ukraine with “the increase in military activity”. He hopes to see actions that promote peace and “avoid rising tensions”. He is worried about the “serious humanitarian situation” facing the population.

Hope is needed most to cope with today’s suffering and angst. Transcending human optimism, it “has its basis in something religious: God loves us, and therefore cares for us through his providence”.

Organised by the Pontifical Council for Culture and the Cura and STOQ foundations, the meeting will look at medical innovation and the possibility of creating new approaches and interdisciplinary partnerships to cure diseases and improve health, well-being and understanding of human uniqueness. A message from Pope Francis is expected to conclude the event.

The Catholic Lay Apostolate Council of Seoul and the Catholic Peace Broadcasting Corporation have joined the campaign launched by the Bishops’ Conference. To this end, they will raise funds by phone and make a video to inform and inspire people throughout the country.

"We see it in certain groups that come to an agreement to bring about changes in the life of the Church, all the media that inform ... But prayer is not seen". General audience dedicated to "The Church teacher of prayer". Monasteries "vital cells, not only for the ecclesial fabric but for society itself".

The perspective of synodality "active participation of all the faithful in the mission of the Church". For women "an important role to play in the human formation of future priests". The issue of celibacy "must be addressed on the horizon of vocation". Clericalism "a danger for both priests and the faithful: it identifies the priesthood with power and not with service".

Message from Francis to the global symposium "Faith and Flourishing: Strategies for Preventing and Healing Child Sexual Abuse." May the initiative contribute "to a greater awareness of the gravity and extent of child sexual abuse".

In a letter sent to the participants in the 2021 Spring Meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, Francis calls for the search for the common good to guide finance. Wealthy nations should pay their "ecological debt", "We particularly need a vaccine solidarity that is rightly financed".

“When we pray, we never do it alone: ​​even if we don't think about it, we are immersed in a majestic river of invocations that precedes us and continues after us”. Francis recalled "in prayer the victims of the floods that hit Indonesia and East Timor in recent days". Vatican Athletics continue in their commitment to "spreading the culture of fraternity in the sports field".

Once again an empty St Peter's Square is the backdrop to the liturgy. Meditations and prayers are proposed by the Agesci Scouts “Foligno I” (Umbria) and by the Roman parish of Holy Martyrs of Uganda.

In the absence of Pope Francis, the Dean of Cardinals celebrated the Mass of “the Lord’s Supper” at St Peter's Basilica. The ceremony, held in the afternoon, did not include the washing of the feet, due to anti-epidemic regulations. For the same reason, no adoration of the Eucharist took place.

Celebrating the Chrism Mass, Francis recalls that "the announcement of the Good News is mysteriously linked to persecution and the Cross". "It is true that the cross is present in our preaching of the Gospel, but it is the cross of our salvation. Thanks to the reconciling blood of Jesus, it is a cross that contains the power of Christ’s victory, which conquers evil and delivers us from the evil one.”