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.)
Joan's Rome 