Franco Pisano

Francis, Patriarch Bartholomew and UNESCO’s director-general signed the UNESCO Convention for the new cycle of studies on Ecology and Environment at Lateran University. Faced with the "complexity of the ecological crisis", "it is not enough to repeat statements of principle"; instead, "responsibility, concreteness and competence" are needed. Lateran University is tasked to make its own contribution in this field.

"Pain" and "shame" over report on sexual abuse committed in France since 1950 by priests. "I wish to express my sadness to the victims ". A "hard but salutary trial" that must be faced.

The meeting “Religions and Education: towards a Global Compact on Education” is open. “We are concerned,” the Pope said, “to ensure an integral formation that can be summed up in knowledge of ourselves, our brothers and sisters, creation and the Transcendent. We cannot fail to speak to young people about the truths that give meaning to life.” Patriarch Bartholomew also spoke about the contribution religious education can make to living together.

Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Confucian, Taoist, Zoroastrian and Jain religious leaders issued an appeal, calling for behaviour and action based on "interdependence", "co-responsibility" and, above all, mutual "respect".

Born 50 years ago in Lourdes, Foi et Lumière’s mission is to be a "sign of hope" for families with children with disabilities, and "people who felt excluded and rejected, sometimes even in the Church".

The event is set for 22-26 June 2022 in Rome. Bishops are invited to organise activities in their diocese, for the same period. On every continent, at home, with a computer or smartphone, families will be able to participate remotely. The inaugural meeting with the Pope, that is, the Festival of Families on 22 June; the Mass on Saturday afternoon, 25 June, with all the families of Rome in St. Peter's Square; and the Angelus the next day, will be broadcast worldwide.

At the general audience, Francis said: "What is hidden behind the word 'justification', which is so decisive for faith? It is not easy to arrive at an exhaustive definition, but in the whole of St Paul's thought it can be said simply that justification is the consequence of 'the mercy of God who offers forgiveness' (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1990). This is our God, who is good and continually forgives".

Millions of deaths from poor hygiene and health could be avoided each year. We should not “project our priorities onto populations who live on other continents, where other needs are more urgent; where, for example, drinking water and daily bread are in short supply”.

Francis' message for the 36th World Youth Day. Some find "in the virtual environment and social networks the new battlefield, unscrupulously employing the weapon of fake news to spread venom and to wipe out their adversaries ". "Stand up and defend social justice, truth and righteousness, human rights, the persecuted, the poor and vulnerable, those who have no voice in society, immigrants."

"Don't close the doors to hope". "The Holy Spirit does not want closures; he wants openness, welcoming communities where there is room for everyone". "Every closure, in fact, keeps at a distance those who do not think like us. This - we know - is the root of so many great evils in history: of the absolutism that has often generated dictatorships and so much violence towards those who are different".

Francis celebrated Mass with participants at the plenary assembly of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences. The 'dictatorship of consumerism, whimsical but suffocating, attempts to quench' the thirst for Christ. "Leaving behind the conveniences of the immediate in order to return to the farsighted vision of the founding fathers, a prophetic and comprehensive vision, because they did not seek the consensus of the moment, rather they dreamt a future for all".

At the general audience, Francis retraces the stages of the trip to Budapest and Slovakia, "a pilgrimage of prayer, a pilgrimage to the roots, a pilgrimage of hope." Roots "not as museum exhibits, not ideologized and instrumentalized for interests of prestige and power, to consolidate a closed identity. No." "Violence against women is an open sore. It’s everywhere."