Here is a link to the lengthy but very interesting press conference held aboard the papal plane last night as it brought Pope Francis, his entourage and members of the media back to Rome from Africa at the end of the Pope’s three-nation, six-day visit. Many a media summary has been offered of the Pope’s answers to questions on the plane, and a careful reading of this Vatican news report can be helpful in separating the wheat from the chaff. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-09/pope-francis-inflight-press-conference-full-text.html
POPE FRANCIS RELIVES AFRICAN TRIP AT GENERAL AUDIENCE
Barely resting up after his return to Rome last night from a six-day trip to Africa – his fourth to that continent – Pope Francis presided at the weekly general audience in a sun-splashed St. Peter’s Square this morning. As is traditional upon returning from an apostolic voyage, the Pope dedicated the general audience catechesis to a summary of that trip. (photo Vaticannews)
“Dear Brothers and Sisters,” he began, “Last night I returned to Rome from my apostolic journey to Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius. I went as a pilgrim of peace and hope to share the message of Christ as the true foundation of fraternity, freedom and justice in our world.”
He noted that, “in Mozambique, I encouraged the authorities to work together for the common good, the young to play their part in building up their country, and bishops, priests and religious to give a generous ‘yes’ to God. In Madagascar, I shared my hope that people there, with their traditional spirit of solidarity, will be able to contribute to a future of development, combined with respect for the environment and social justice. I also encouraged many contemplative nuns, bishops, priests, religious and young people to respond generously to God’s call.”
Then, speaking of his penultimate day in Africa, Francis said, “in Mauritius, a land of diverse cultures, I expressed to all my appreciation for their efforts to foster harmony between different groups. The Gospel at our final Mass reminded us how the Beatitudes – the identity card of Christ’s disciples – are the source of peace and hope. Let us pray that, from the seeds sown during this visit, God will bring forth abundant fruit for the people of Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius.”
Interestingly enough, according to a study by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, since 1980 the Catholic population in Africa has risen by 238%, the largest growth anywhere in the world.
ISRAEL, VATICAN ISSUE STAMP MARKING 25 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC TIES
A communiqué this morning from the Israeli Embassy to the Holy See announced that “Israel’s ambassador to the Holy See Oren David was at this morning’s weekly general audience at which he met with Pope Francis and presented a stamp jointly issued by the Israeli philatelic service and the Vatican Post Office to mark the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The stamp depicts the church of Saint Peter and the synagogue of Capernaum in Galilee, an image that well represents the close ties between Judaism and Christianity and between the state of Israel and the Holy See. On this occasion Ambassador David invited Pope Francis to visit Capernaum and the holy places of Galilee.”
(JFL: On June 15, 1994, the Holy See established full diplomatic relations with Israel, setting up an apostolic nunciature in Tel Aviv, and naming Archbishop Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo as the first apostolic nuncio or ambassador.)
Joan's Rome 