IN BRIEF

IN BRIEF

POPE FRANCIS MARKS 625TH ANNIVERSARY OF THEOLOGY FACULTY OF JOHN PAUL II PONTIFICAL UNIVERSITY – “On January 11, 1397, upon the request of Queen Saint Hedwig and her husband Ladislaus, Pope Boniface IX erected the Faculty of Theology of what was then the Krakow Academy with the Bull Eximiae devotionis affectus.” In his message addressed to Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski, Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow, Pope Francis recalls the establishment of the prestigious Faculty that was hen to become part of Poland’s Jagiellonian University. He notes that 625 years have passed since this epoch-making event, “marking the beginning of the history of your relatively young Athenaeum.” The Pope says he joins his Polish brother in gratitude to God for this tradition of more than six centuries, with all its scientific and educational achievements, as well as its spirituality, created by its holy founders, professors, and students.   For more: Pope to Krakow’s JPII University: Help young people realize their dreams – Vatican News

POPE THANKS SOUTH KOREAN FAITHFUL FOR COVID RELIEF FUNDRAISING – Pope Francis sent a message of gratitude to Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taek of Seoul, South Korea for the South Korean faithful’s generous contribution to its ‘Vaccine-Sharing Campaign’ that supports the Vatican’s outreach to poor countries for the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines. Writing just before Christmas, the Pope said he “very much appreciated this gesture of generosity made in the days in which we prepare to celebrate the Mystery of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Hope,” assuring them of his “spiritual closeness to the entire diocesan Community of Seoul.” The Pope said that, thanks to this help, “people in need around the world will receive assistance,” through outreach coordinated by the Office of Papal Charities. In a press release, the Archdiocese of Seoul revealed that it sent the Vatican around $1.4 million (USD), now the third time in a row following a fundraising campaign aimed to support Vatican outreach to ensure equitable, timely, and universal access for all countries to the Covid-19 vaccines. The Archdiocese has supported the Vatican’s efforts with more than $3.4 million sent since the end of last year. For more: Pope thanks South Korean faithful for Covid relief fundraising – Vatican News