DUBAI TRIP IS CANCELLED BUT POPE FRANCIS PRESIDES GENERAL AUDIENCE – THE BENEDICTINE APOTHECARY OF THE POPE’S COLLECTIONS – “REGULA BULLATA”: FRANCISCANS CELEBRATE 800 YEARS OF RULE OF ST. FRANCIS

DUBAI TRIP IS CANCELLED BUT POPE FRANCIS PRESIDES GENERAL AUDIENCE

Pope Francis presided at today’s general audience in the Paul VI Hall but, because he still has breathing issues and a weak voice, an aide, Msgr. Filippo Ciampanelli, read the Italian-language catechesis that continued Francis’ cycle  on The passion for evangelization: the apostolic zeal of the believer, focusing on the theme “Proclamation is for today.”

In fact, the Pope’s doctors, who have been treating him for an inflammation in the lungs since November 25, felt it would be unwise of him to travel to Dubai for the climate conference Cop28 that starts there tomorrow, and the Vatican announced last night that the Holy Father had cancelled the scheduled three-day trip.

Obviously, however, the doctors felt he could be present for today’s general audience. Before the audience the Pope met with Glasgow’s Celtic Football Club in a small room off the audience hall while, at the end of the audience, a very animated group of circus performers entertained the Pope and the faithful present. (vatican media)

Scroll down on Colm’s page for a few minutes of video of that entertainment: https://twitter.com/colmflynnire

Here’s a video link to the entire general audience.  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-general-audience-apostolic-zeal-evangelii-gaudium.html

THE BENEDICTINE APOTHECARY OF THE POPE’S COLLECTIONS

The entire set of the ancient pharmacy, now displayed in the Vatican Museums, comes from the monastery of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere. In 1936, Pope Pius XI ordered its transfer to the Apostolic Library. Since then, spices, jars, and precious items have been preserved in their entirety. They bear witness to the ancient knowledge of the Benedictine nuns, who served in the care of the sick and the needy.

You really want to watch this video: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-11/segreti-musei-vaticani-antica-spezieria-santa-cecilia.html

“REGULA BULLATA”: FRANCISCANS CELEBRATE 800 YEARS OF RULE OF ST. FRANCIS

As the Franciscan family celebrates the 800th anniversary of the Rule of St. Francis on 29 November, Fr. Luke Gregory of the Custody of the Holy Land reflects on the evangelical creativity and freshness that the ‘Regula Bullata’ represents for the entire Church.

By Fr. Luke Gregory, OFM*

In their essentiality, the Chapters of the Regula Bullata of Saint Francis of Assisi contain an abundant wealth of indications and stimuli for the Christian life, which for 800 years has raised, oriented, and supported hosts of simple men and women, determined to follow Jesus and the Gospel: the Friars Minor — “The Franciscans”.

We are able to “read” the best commentary on this Holy Rule in the lives of our Franciscan brothers and sisters, who throughout history have distinguished themselves for virtue and holiness.

Allow me to limit myself to underlining some traits that always fascinate me for the wisdom and concreteness wherewith they are imbued, and which have the strength to restore impetus and meaning to my own vocation. FOR MORE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-11/saint-francis-rule-regula-bullata-800th-anniversary.html

SAINT MARY’S COMPROMISING ITS IDENTITY AS A CATHOLIC WOMAN’S COLLEGE

POPE FRANCIS’ DECEMBER PRAYER INTENTION: FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

The last bulletin on Pope Francis’ bout with an inflammation of his lungs was posted yesterday morning at 10:3o on Vatican news and I brought that news to you on Joan’s Rome. Nothing new today. The Pope had no fever yesterday and we hope that continues to be the case.

This morning Francis received the bishops of Spain and tomorrow he is scheduled to preside at the weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall. The Spanish bishops are holding a press conference as I write but nothing has been reported on Vatican news.

Here is a fascinating piece on that meeting from The Starting Seven with Luke Coppen: https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/starting-seven-november-28-2023

Scroll down to 🧐 LOOK CLOSER

POPE FRANCIS’ DECEMBER PRAYER INTENTION: FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

People with disabilities are among the most fragile among us.
Some of them suffer rejection, rooted in either ignorance or prejudice, which then marginalizes them.

Civil institutions need to support their projects through access to education, employment, and places where they can express their creativity.

Programs and initiatives are needed that promote their inclusion. Above all else, big hearts are needed who want to accompany. It means changing our mentality a little and opening ourselves to the abilities and talents of these people who are differently abled, both in society as well as in the life of the Church.

And so, creating a completely accessible parish does not only mean eliminating physical barriers. It also assumes that we stop talking about “them” and start talking about “us.”

Let us pray that people with disabilities may be at the center of attention in society, and that institutions offer inclusion programs that enhance their active participation.

The video of Pope Francis speaking, with English subtitles, is not yet on vaticannews.va as I am about to post this column.  You can find it in Italian at ilvideodelpapa.org
______________

UPDATE ON POPE: INTRAVENOUS ANTIBIOTICS TO COMBAT LUNG INFLAMMATION

UPDATE ON POPE: INTRAVENOUS ANTIBIOTICS TO COMBAT LUNG INFLAMMATION

Update on Pope Francis from the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni:

I can confirm that the CAT scan excluded pneumonia, but it did show a pulmonary inflammation that caused several breathing difficulties. For the antibiotic therapy to work with greater efficacy, an intravenous tube was inserted.

The pope’s condition is good and stationary. He does not have a fever and his breathing situation is quite clearly improving.

To facilitate the pope’s recovery, several important appointments scheduled for these days have been postponed so that he can dedicate the necessary time and energy to that. Other appointments, of an institutional character or easier to undertake given his actual health conditions, have been maintained .

The press office went on to say that the pope’s scheduled audience today at the Santa Marta residence with the president of Paraguay Pena Palacios, his wife and entourage did take place. The encounter began at 8:55 am. Conversation ended at 9:20 and the president left at 9:30 after an exchange of gifts.

POPE FRANCIS OFFERS ANGELUS REFLECTIONS FROM SANTA MARTA CHAPEL

POPE FRANCIS OFFERS ANGELUS REFLECTIONS FROM SANTA MARTA CHAPEL

There are a number of interesting things about this video of today’s papal Angelus reflections that was filmed in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence where Francis lives. The Angelus is usually recited from the window of the papal study on the top floor of the apostolic palace. (The pope starts to speak at 4:06. There is English translation).

The first thing to note is the opening comment by the Holy Father: “Today, unfortunately I cannot come to the window because I have this problem of inflammation of the lungs.”

Only yesterday morning the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had light flu symptoms and the audiences on his morning agenda were cancelled. Then this statement:  “Early this afternoon, Pope Francis underwent a CT scan at Gemelli Hospital in Rome to exclude the risk of pulmonary complications. The test results were negative, and the Holy Father returned to the Santa Marta residence.”

The press office said “test results were negative,” yet Francis himself said today, “I have this problem of inflammation of the lungs.”

As you see in the video, Pope Francis has what seems to be a gauze square taped to the top of his right hand. Speculation is that he might have had a contrast fluid injected before he underwent the CT scan, but no statement has been issued relative to this bandage. Such an injection is usually in the arm or hand.

Though he spoke little in the video, the Pope’s voice seemed good. However, he announced that Fr. Paolo Braida from the Secretariat of State, who usually prepares the Angelus reflections, would read the day’s remarks. It may be only my impression but he seemed to cut short the greetings read by Fr. Braida at the end of the post-Angelus remarks.

This is not the first time this year that Pope Francis has had health issues. His trip to Dubai for a climate conference is set for December 1 to 3, but one can only hope that papal health is vastly more important than an international conference.

As always, the Holy Father asked the faithful to pray for him and we will indeed do that!

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-at-angelus-we-are-called-to-show-compassion-and-mercy.html

 

UPDATE – PAPAL HEALTH: HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE:

UPDATE – PAPAL HEALTH: HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE:

Nov. 25: “Early this afternoon, Pope Francis underwent a CAT scan at Gemelli Hospital in Rome to exclude the risk of pulmonary complications. The test results were negative, and the Holy Father returned to the Santa Marta residence.” This morning the press office had announced that Pope Francis had light flu symptoms and the audiences on his morning agenda were cancelled.

POPE VIEWS FILM “FREEDOM ON FIRE: UKRAINE’S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM” – POPE FRANCIS: PRAY FOR IMMENSE SUFFERING OF PEOPLE IN THE HOLY LAND

Greetings!  I have a few days off for the Thanksgiving period so this page will be “Joan’s Rome” lite during that time, although I may well post my own personal prayer about Thanksgiving, giving thanks and gratitude.  It is a special day for all Americans, wherever we live, and Rome is no exception. I’ll give you an insight into how we mark Thanksgiving here on my weekend radio show, “Vatican Insider.”

Obviously for important breaking news, I’ll be here. In addition, I might find some things to post or re-post on X/Twitter and Facebook.

In the meantime, I hope the Lord blesses all of you and your families in the most abundant manner during these days when “family” is indeed a focus of the holiday. And buon appetito!

POPE VIEWS FILM “FREEDOM ON FIRE: UKRAINE’S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM”

Posted on the Holy See Press Office’s Telegram account last evening:

This evening, Pope Francis arrived at the New Synod Hall at 6:30 during the screening of Evgeny Afineevsky’s documentary film, “Freedom on Fire: Ukraine’s fight for freedom.”  This took place in the presence of several members of the diplomatic corps, among whom the ambassador of Ukraine to the Holy See, and Italian, and international guests.

The pope stayed until the end of the screening and, after a minute of silence and prayer for the victims of the conflict and some brief words from the film director, he briefly greeted participants and and gave thanks for the witness to so much pain. “Wars are always a defeat,” he recalled, “and we who have seen this cruelty, this people defending their own identity, we must be close to so much suffering and pray for this people, pray that piece comes.”

Before leaving, the pope greeted individually each guest, and then returned to the Santa Marta residence. (Vatican photo)

POPE FRANCIS: PRAY FOR IMMENSE SUFFERING OF PEOPLE IN THE HOLY LAND

“This is not war; this is terrorism.” With those words, Pope Francis described the Israel-Hamas war that is ravaging the Holy Land.

Addressing the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his Wednesday general audience, the Pope turned his thoughts to those suffering in Palestine and Israel.

In his appeal, he prayed for everyone suffering due to various wars, especially in Ukraine, Israel, and Palestine.

The Holy Father recalled his meeting earlier this morning, with two delegations: one of Israelis who have relatives held hostage in Gaza, and another of families of Palestinians who are suffering in Gaza.

The Pope met first with the 12 members of the Israeli delegation at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta at 7:30 AM. He then met with the Palestinian delegation at around 8:00 AM in a room in the Paul VI Hall. The Palestinian delegation was composed of 10 people with relatives in Gaza, and included Christians and Muslims. They were accompanied by Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza, and a Greek Orthodox priest.

In both encounters, Pope Francis expressed his anguish and his closeness to their pain.

“They suffer so much. I heard how they both suffer,” said the Pope afterwards at the general audience, adding that, “wars do that.”

“But here we have gone beyond wars”, the Pope stressed. “This is not war; this is terrorism.”

Dialogue instead of passions
The Pope invited everyone to “pray for peace; pray always for peace.”

The Holy Father then prayed that the Lord may “help us to solve the problems and not be driven by the passions that end up killing everyone.”

“Let us pray for the Palestinian people; let us pray for the Israeli people, so that peace may come,” the Pope concluded.

The director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, had announced on Friday that Pope Francis would be meeting with the delegations, stressing that the meetings would be “of an exclusively humanitarian nature” aiming to demonstrate Pope Francis’ “spiritual closeness to the suffering of each individual.”

VIDEO OF PAPAL PEACE APPEAL:  Pope Francis released a video message to appeal for peace in the Holy Land and Ukraine, praying that wars might be resolved through dialogue rather than a mountain of casualties.

He stated that  the Palestinian people and the people of Israel “have the right to peace. …These two fraternal peoples have the right to live in peace.”  Francis invited everyone to pray for peace in the Holy Land and for dialogue to prevail. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-francis-video-message-war-holy-land-ukraine.html

POPE FRANCIS’ LETTER EXPRESSING CONCERN ABOUT GERMAN SYNODAL WAY

A trip by Pope Francis to his native Argentina has been talked about for years. He has not been back to his homeland since his election to the papacy on March 2013 but recent remarks, interviews to the press, seemed to suggest a trip was now more than just a possibility.

Will this story about the new Argentine president sink that chance: https://international.la-croix.com/news/editorials/argentinas-new-president-a-far-right-populist-who-slams-the-pope/18730?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Mailjet_21Nov23N1&cmid=e183c09b-ff09-4879-b407-d3a83224b5a9

BREAKING TODAY: The big papal news today concerns a letter, dated November 10, that Pope Francis sent to 4 German Catholic Women, responding to a letter from them days earlier. In it, he speaks of his deep concerns about the so-called synodal way taking place in Germany, a path that has actually been underway for quite some time. CNA and other news outlets have been covering this story in depth as it raises many questions about the “catholicity” of the Church – and its leaders – in Germany.

Interestingly enough, at the just-concluded Synod on Synodality in Rome, German – which is one of the official languages of the Vatican for news stories, papal documents, etc – was not an official language of the synod.

CNA photo: October 29, 2023, closing Mass of synod

CNA published the letter today in an English translation: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256070/full-text-pope-francis-letter-expressing-concern-about-german-synodal-way?fbclid=IwAR1Im_vVHDqd-XbQA9PxAl2dgn_Kr1O5VYrLKQ17NcBCYcVPWealJgAeaEs.

POPE FRANCIS’ LETTER EXPRESSING CONCERN ABOUT GERMAN SYNODAL WAY

I extend my gratitude for your kind letter dated November 6. Your concerns regarding the current developments within the Church in Germany have reached me, and I share your concerns. There are indeed numerous steps being taken by significant segments of this local Church that threaten to steer it increasingly away from the universal Church’s common path. This doubtlessly includes the establishment of the synodal committee you referenced. This committee aims to set up a consultative and decision-making body. However, as outlined in the corresponding resolution, its proposed structure is not in alignment with the sacramental structure of the Catholic Church. Consequently, its formation was forbidden by the Holy See in a letter dated January 16, 2023, which received my specific endorsement.

In my “Letter to the Pilgrim People of God in Germany,” I sought not to find “salvation” in constantly evolving committees, nor to persist in self-absorbed dialogues rehashing the same themes. Rather, I aimed to reemphasize the importance of prayer, penance, and adoration. I urged an openness and a call to action to engage with our brothers and sisters, especially those found at the thresholds of our church doors, in the streets, within prisons, hospitals, public squares, and cities (as mentioned in section 8). I firmly believe that in these places, the Lord will guide us.

I commend your contributions to theology and philosophy and thank you for your witness to the Faith. May the Lord bless you, and may the Blessed Virgin Mary keep you. I kindly ask that you continue to pray for me and for our shared commitment to unity.

United in the Lord,

Francis

From the Vatican, November 10, 2023

(CNA: The letter was addressed to the theologians Katharina Westerhorstmann and Marianne Schlosser, journalist Dorothea Schmidt, and the religious philosopher Hanna-Barbara Gerl-Falkovitz. The four German laywomen had previously been delegates to the Synodal Way but resigned in February in protest. They wrote to the pope on Nov. 6 expressing their concerns about the direction of the Catholic Church in Germany.)

SOME THOUGHTS FROM AUSTRALIA ON THE SYNOD ON SYNODALITY

A very quiet day in the Vatican as Pope Francis and the heads of all Roman Curia dicasteries held a daylong meeting. In absence of curia or papal news, I’ll use this space to post something a bit unbelievable. I actually meant to do this just before the start of the synod as it involves a birthday card I got from the U.S. on September 3oth (my birthday is June 30th!) but then I got busy with the synod…and tempus fugit!

Here are photos of the envelope (explaining the delay!):

Really? You gotta love it!

Are you laughing yet?

SOME THOUGHTS FROM AUSTRALIA ON THE SYNOD ON SYNODALITY

Archbishop of Sydney, Australia, Anthony Fisher has written a comprehensive, thoughtful, spot-on statement on the October 2023 Synod on Synodality in Rome in which he was a participant.

He beautifully and with great clarity describes what he saw, heard and experienced for a month, including his joy at the many new friendships he made.

He also speaks to what will have to change or be modified when all the participants meet again next October for the synod’s closing phase.

He quoted a Jesuit, Fr. Lusvardi, who said the synod’s current method “doesn’t deliver theological clarity.[9] “It’s not well-suited for careful or complex theological or practical reasoning.”

So many people – I include myself in this – wondered about the expression we read a thousand times, the so-called key to the synod – “discerning in the Holy Spirit.” How would a synod participant really know – ‘discern’ – if it was indeed the Holy Spirit, another spirit or what one wanted in their own mind?!

Abp. Fisher wrote: St Ignatius of Loyola was “very clear that not everything is the proper object of discernment. If something is a sin, you do not discern whether to do it or not. If you have made a commitment, you do not discern whether to be faithful to it or not. You only discern between things that are good. If whatever occurs to you in prayer contradicts what has been revealed by Jesus Christ, then it is not the work of the Holy Spirit.”

The archbishop also wrote: “One eminent theologian said to me: of the many synods he had attended, this one was the humanly best but theologically thinnest.”

Obviously a worry!

And this: “Another challenging aspect of ‘Conversations in the Spirit’ is deciding what weight to give the various opinions aired by those at the table. Some opinions may have some passionate supporters but not be the common view in the group; others might have overwhelming support: there was really no way of knowing from the two page reports from the 35 table groups. Some views may be half-baked, in need of nuance, or plain contrary to the apostolic tradition and the Church’s magisterium. Others might be genuinely prophetic, creative adaptations of the tradition, or helpful re-formulations and actions. But the method used in this first assembly didn’t really help to clarify which are which. A different method will surely be required next time around.”

You can read the full document here. Do not read it in a hurry – it is lengthy but absolutely worth it. As preparations go on for the October 2024 synod, this will be a fruitful document to have on hand!

https://www.sydneycatholic.org/addresses-and-statements/2023/walking-together-in-communion-participation-and-mission-reflections-on-the-synod-on-synodality/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

VATICAN INSIDER: (PART II) DISCOVERY AT BIBLICAL INSTITUTE SHOWS HOW CATHOLIC CONVENTS HID JEWS IN ROME IN WWII

VATICAN INSIDER: (PART II) DISCOVERY AT BIBLICAL INSTITUTE SHOWS HOW CATHOLIC CONVENTS HID JEWS IN ROME IN WWII

ALERT: As I post this, there are considerable technical issues at EWTN in Irondale that people are working on and everyone hopes they will be resolved in time to air all radio programs as usual.  I will check things out in a few hours. Here’s hoping “Vatican Insider” airs as usual!

My guest this week is the interview segment of “Vatican Insider” is Jesuit Fr. Dominik Markl of the Pontifical Biblical Institute at Rome’s Gregorian University, He’s also Professor of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament studies at Innsbruck University, Austria. This is Part II of our conversation.

We met to talk about some astonishing documentation rediscovered in the archives of the Biblical Institute, documentation that basically consists of lists of refugees given shelter from the Nazi persecution by Catholic Institutions in Rome. Our focus was the collaboration over the years between Catholic and Jewish institutions in this research.  So stay tuned for that conversation after the News and a Q&A!

My other guest was to have been Iael Nidam-Orvieto, Director of the International Institute for Holocaust Research at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem but she was unable to come to Rome for the conference on these new documents after the October 7th Hamas attacks on Israel.

IN THE UNITED STATES, you can listen to Vatican Insider (VI) on a Catholic radio station near you (stations listed at www.ewtn.com) or on channel 130 Sirius-XM satellite radio, or on http://www.ewtn.com. OUTSIDE THE U.S., you can listen to EWTN radio on our website home page by clicking on the right side where you see “LISTEN TO EWTN.” VI airs at 5am and 9pm ET on Saturdays and 6am ET on Sundays. On the GB-IE feed (which is on SKY in the UK and Ireland), VI airs at 5:30am, 12 noon and 10pm CET on Sundays. Both of these feeds are also available on the EWTN app and on www.ewtnradio.net ALWAYS CHECK YOUR OWN TIME ZONE! For VI archives: https://www.ewtn.com/radio/audio-archive –  write the name of the guest for whom you are searching in the SEARCH box.