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VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXIII - N° 42
DATE 26-02-2013
Summary:
- BENEDICT XVI WILL BE POPE EMERITUS
- SOLIDARITY WITH AND PEACE FOR CHRISTIANS OF THE HOLY LAND
- OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
___________________________________________________________
BENEDICT XVI WILL BE POPE EMERITUS
Vatican City, 26 February 2013 (VIS) – Benedict XVI will be
“Pontiff emeritus” or “Pope emeritus”, as Fr. Federico
Lombardi, S.J., director of the Holy See Press Office, reported in a press
conference on th final days of
the current pontificate. He will keep the name of “His Holiness,
Benedict XVI” and will dress in a simple white cassock without the
mozzetta (elbow-length cape).
More than 50,000 tickets have already been requested for the Pope's final
general audience tomorrow morning, 27 February, but greater attendance is
expected. Except for the trip around St. Peter's Square in the popemobile and
the exclusion of the
“bacciamani” (brief personal greetings that take place after the
ceremony), the audience will take place as usual. On its conclusion, the Pope
will go to the Clementine Hall of the Vatican Palace to meet with some of the
civil authorities
who are present in Rome or who have travelled here to wish him farewell. Among
these dignitaries will be the presidents of Slovakia and of the German region
of Bavaria.
On the morning of 28 February, the last day of his pontificate, the Pope will
meet with, again in the Clementine Hall, the cardinals what are present in
Rome. At 4:55pm, in the San Damaso Courtyard of the Vatican Apostolic Palace
and before a detachment
of the Swiss Guards, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., secretary of State of
His Holiness, and and other members of that dicastery will bid him farewell.
The Pope's helicopter will land at Castel Gandolfo at 5:15pm, where he will be
received by
Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello and Bishop Giuseppe Sciacca, respectively president
and secretary general of the Governorate of Vatican City State along with
Bishop Marcello Semeraro of the Diocese of Albano, and civil authorities of
the locality.
Benedict XVI will appear at the balcony of the Castel Gandolfo Apostolic
Palace to greet those who have gathered in the square to wish him well. The
Sede Vacante will begin at 8:00pm and the Swiss Guards assigned to him at
Castel Gandolfo will take
their leave, as their corps is dedicated to the safe-guarding of the Roman
Pontiff. Instead, the Vatican Gendarmerie will take over the Pope emeritus'
safety detail.
Fr. Lombardi also explained that Bendict XVI will no longer use the
“Fisherman's Ring”, which will be destroyed along with the lead
seal of the pontificate. This task falls to the cardinal camerlengo and his
assistants. Likewise, the Press
Office director announced that the Pope will no longer wear the red papal
shoes.
Regarding the beginning of the Congregations of Cardinals, the dean of the
College of Cardinals will send a letter to all the cardinals on 1 March,
calling them to Rome. “It is likely, therefore,” Fr. Lombardi
added, “that the
congregations will begin starting next week.”
The congregations will be held in the new Synod Hall. The prelates will not be
housed in the Casa Santa Marta residence until the eve of the beginning of the
Conclave for various reasons, including the fact that rooms are to be assigned
by lot during
the congregations.
___________________________________________________________
SOLIDARITY WITH AND PEACE FOR CHRISTIANS OF THE HOLY LAND
Vatican City, 26 February 2013 (VIS) – Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect
of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, has sent a letter to the
bishops of the world concerning the traditional Good Friday collection for the
Holy Land. The letter,
which also bears the signature of Archbishop Cyril Vasil S.J., secretary of
the congregation, has the purpose of sensitising the Catholic Church around
the world with regard to the Holy Land, and of promoting initiatives of prayer
and fraternal charity
towards Christians of Jerusalem, Israel, Palestine, and neighbouring countries.
“The Gospel message of compassion,” the text reads,
ldquo;illumines the need for the Good Friday Collection in support of our
brothers and sisters in the places of Redemption. Together with their pastors,
they live the mystery of Christ,
Crucified and Risen for the salvation of mankind. On account of its ecclesial
dimension, this ancient duty is an ever gratifying opportunity. As Easter
approaches, it is all the more appropriate as an expression of the faith that
the Church, under the
guidance of Pope Benedict XVI, is intensely living, on the 50th anniversary of
the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council. That event opened her to the world, at
the same time rooting her still more firmly in the tradition that departs from
the Christian
origins. Of these the Holy Land is the silent witness and living custodian,
thanks to the Latin communities of the Patriarchal Diocese of Jerusalem and
the Franciscan Custody, as also to the Melkite, Maronite, Syrian, Armenian,
Copt, and
Chaldean faithful active there. Lately, this region is also witness to the
fact that entire peoples, hungering for dignity and justice, have given wings
to the dream of a springtime, the fruits of which are desired at once, as if
the great, longed-for
transformation could be possible without a renewal of hearts and an acceptance
of a common responsibility for the poor.”
“Among the first fruits of the new awareness brought by the Council was
the Encyclical 'Pacem in terris' of Blessed John XXIII, which raises in this
Year of Faith a pressing call for peace, especially in Syria, whose tragic
path represents a
threat to the entire Near East.”
“The situation in the Middle East would seem to demand what the Servant
of God Paul VI proposes in the Encyclical 'Populorum progressio'. Following
his denouncement of 'the material poverty of those who lack the bare
necessities of life, and the
moral poverty of those who are crushed under the weight of their own
self-love' (n. 21), the Pope suggests not only 'a growing awareness of other
people's dignity, a taste for the spirit of poverty, an active interest in the
common good, and a desire
for peace', but also affirms that 'then man can acknowledge the highest values
and God Himself, their author and end' (ibid). Towards that goal, the Pope
does not hesitate to hold up 'above all ... faith—God's gift to men of
good will—and
our loving unity in Christ'. With a vision born of faith, he chose the Land of
Jesus to make, in 1964, the first of his great apostolic voyages. Following in
his footsteps in the year 2000, Blessed John Paul II described his pilgrimage
as 'a
moment of brotherhood and peace, [to be remembered] as one of the most
beautiful gifts of the whole Jubilee event' and expressed his 'deeply felt
desire for a prompt and just solution to the still unresolved problems of the
Holy Places, cherished by
Jews, Christians and Muslims together' (Novo millenio ineunte, n. 13).”
“Pope Benedict also offers us an admirable example of this same
compassionate outlook. Encouraging evidence is found in his Pastoral Visit of
this past September to Lebanon for the publication of the Apostolic
Exhortation 'Ecclesia in Medio
Oriente'; the constant mention of the region's woes in the Angelus, in his
audiences, and in his Messages to various people and institutions; as well as
his prayer intention for January 2013, shared with the entire Church: 'that
the Christian
communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from
the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance'. Finally, for this
coming Good Friday, he has invited two young Lebanese Maronites to write the
text for the Via
Crucis procession.”
“In the widest sense, the Land of Jesus is composed of Israel and
Palestine, Cyprus, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Egypt. The Christians living in
all these countries must find in us the same attitude of solidarity in the
faith.“
“With grateful wonder we recognize how much the generous concern of
Catholics around the world has already accomplished. This assistance maintains
the Holy Sites, as well as the communities that dwell there. Together with
institutes of men and
women religious, the funds collected provide immediate relief to the
catastrophic consequences of war and other emergencies. Through a qualified
network of pastoral, educational, and health care specialists, these resources
come to the aid of families,
often saving lives that have been rejected: the old, the sick, and the
disabled. In addition, aid is provided to those without work and to youth in
search of a brighter future. In every case, the collection seeks to build up
human rights, especially the
right to religious liberty. To this one must add the praiseworthy ecumenical
and inter-religious effort, which requires stemming the incessant exodus of
Christian faithful from their motherland and the accompaniment of the displaced
and
the refugee. Taken as a whole, this constitutes the 'Christian c
aracteristic', which makes the region, beyond all of its suffering, a Place
where God is glorified, because humanity is blessed.”
“With deep conviction the Congregation for Eastern Churches appeals to
all to reconfirm their ecclesial charity in favour of the Holy Land. Together
with the Pope, the Congregation thanks the pastors and faithful who, standing
by the Cross of the
Lord, offer their prayerful and fraternal embrace to those dwelling in the
Holy Land. These have earned the gratitude of the Supreme Pastor of the Church
and ours, too, for by their faithful witness in the midst of suffering, they
remind the world of
the consoling promise of the Risen One: 'These things I have spoken to you, so
that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full' (Jn. 15:11).”
Also made public today was a report prepared by the Custody of the Holy Land
(a province of the Order of Friars Minor with responsibility for the Holy
Places), listing the works carried out with the proceeds of the Good Friday
collection of 2012.
Restoration and maintenance has been carried out on numerous shrines,
churches, and convents in the Holy Land including such places as Bethlehem,
Jerusalem, Nazareth, Magdala, Capernaum, Mount Tabor, and Mt. Nebo. Other
initiatives sought to improve
welcome services for pilgrims.
A significant part of the proceeds was used to fund student scholarships, to
help small business, and to build houses, schools and sports centres for
children. Other recipients of aid included families, parish communities, the
poor, and cultural
institutions.
___________________________________________________________
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 26 February 2013 (VIS) – Today the Holy Father:
- appointed Bishop Claudio Giuliodori as ecclesiastical assistant general of
the Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuorem Italy. Bishop Giuliodori was
previously bishop of Macerata-Tolentino-Recanati-Cingoli-Treia, Italy.
- appointed Msgr. Claudio Iovine as relator of the Congregation for the Causes
of Saints. Msgr. Iovine was previously a research assistant of the same
dicastery.
___________________________________________________________
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VISnews130226
VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE YEAR XXIII - N° 42 DATE 26-02-2013
Summary: - BENEDICT XVI WILL BE POPE
EMERITUS - SOLIDARITY WITH
AND PEACE FOR CHRISTIANS OF THE HOLY LAND - OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 26 February 2013 (VIS) – Benedict XVI will be
“Pontiff emeritus” or “Pope emeritus”, as Fr. Federico
Lombardi, S.J., director of the Holy See Press Office, reported in a press
conference on th final days of
the current pontificate. He will keep the name of “His Holiness,
Benedict XVI” and will dress in a simple white cassock without the
mozzetta (elbow-length cape).
More than 50,000 tickets have already been requested for the Pope's final
general audience tomorrow morning, 27 February, but greater attendance is
expected. Except for the trip around St. Peter's Square in the popemobile and
the exclusion of the
“bacciamani” (brief personal greetings that take place after the
ceremony), the audience will take place as usual. On its conclusion, the Pope
will go to the Clementine Hall of the Vatican Palace to meet with some of the
civil authorities
who are present in Rome or who have travelled here to wish him farewell. Among
these dignitaries will be the presidents of Slovakia and of the German region
of Bavaria.
On the morning of 28 February, the last day of his pontificate, the Pope
will meet with, again in the Clementine Hall, the cardinals what are present
in Rome. At 4:55pm, in the San Damaso Courtyard of the Vatican Apostolic
Palace and before a
detachment of the Swiss Guards, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., secretary
of State of His Holiness, and and other members of that dicastery will bid him
farewell. The Pope's helicopter will land at Castel Gandolfo at 5:15pm, where
he will be received
by Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello and Bishop Giuseppe Sciacca, respectively
president and secretary general of the Governorate of Vatican City State along
with Bishop Marcello Semeraro of the Diocese of Albano, and civil authorities
of the locality.
Benedict XVI will appear at the balcony of the Castel Gandolfo Apostolic
Palace to greet those who have gathered in the square to wish him well. The
Sede Vacante will begin at 8:00pm and the Swiss Guards assigned to him at
Castel Gandolfo will take
their leave, as their corps is dedicated to the safe-guarding of the Roman
Pontiff. Instead, the Vatican Gendarmerie will take over the Pope emeritus'
safety detail.
Fr. Lombardi also explained that Bendict XVI will no longer use the
“Fisherman's Ring”, which will be destroyed along with the lead
seal of the pontificate. This task falls to the cardinal camerlengo and his
assistants. Likewise, the
Press Office director announced that the Pope will no longer wear the red
papal shoes.
Regarding the beginning of the Congregations of Cardinals, the dean of the
College of Cardinals will send a letter to all the cardinals on 1 March,
calling them to Rome. “It is likely, therefore,” Fr. Lombardi
added, “that the
congregations will begin starting next week.”
The congregations will be held in the new Synod Hall. The prelates will not
be housed in the Casa Santa Marta residence until the eve of the beginning of
the Conclave for various reasons, including the fact that rooms are to be
assigned by lot during
the congregations.
SOLIDARITY WITH AND PEACE FOR CHRISTIANS OF THE HOLY LAND
Vatican City, 26 February 2013 (VIS) – Cardinal Leonardo Sandri,
prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, has sent a letter to
the bishops of the world concerning the traditional Good Friday collection for
the Holy Land. The
letter, which also bears the signature of Archbishop Cyril Vasil S.J.,
secretary of the congregation, has the purpose of sensitising the Catholic
Church around the world with regard to the Holy Land, and of promoting
initiatives of prayer and fraternal
charity towards Christians of Jerusalem, Israel, Palestine, and neighbouring
countries.
“The Gospel message of compassion,” the text reads,
“illumines the need for the Good Friday Collection in support of our
brothers and sisters in the places of Redemption. Together with their pastors,
they live the mystery of Christ,
Crucified and Risen for the salvation of mankind. On account of its ecclesial
dimension, this ancient duty is an ever gratifying opportunity. As Easter
approaches, it is all the more appropriate as an expression of the faith that
the Church, under the
guidance of Pope Benedict XVI, is intensely living, on the 50th anniversary of
the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council. That event opened her to the world, at
the same time rooting her still more firmly in the tradition that departs from
the Christian
origins. Of these the Holy Land is the silent witness and living custodian,
thanks to the Latin communities of the Patriarchal Diocese of Jerusalem and
the Franciscan Custody, as also to the Melkite, Maronite, Syrian, Armenian,
Copt,
and Chaldean faithful active there. Lately, this region is also witness to the
fact that entire peoples, hungering for dignity and justice, have given wings
to the dream of a springtime, the fruits of which are desired at once, as if
the great,
longed-for transformation could be possible without a renewal of hearts and an
acceptance of a common responsibility for the poor.”
“Among the first fruits of the new awareness brought by the Council
was the Encyclical 'Pacem in terris' of Blessed John XXIII, which raises in
this Year of Faith a pressing call for peace, especially in Syria, whose
tragic path represents a
threat to the entire Near East.”
“The situation in the Middle East would seem to demand what the
Servant of God Paul VI proposes in the Encyclical 'Populorum progressio'.
Following his denouncement of 'the material poverty of those who lack the bare
necessities of life, and
the moral poverty of those who are crushed under the weight of their own
self-love' (n. 21), the Pope suggests not only 'a growing awareness of other
people's dignity, a taste for the spirit of poverty, an active interest in the
common good, and a
desire for peace', but also affirms that 'then man can acknowledge the highest
values and God Himself, their author and end' (ibid). Towards that goal, the
Pope does not hesitate to hold up 'above all ... faith—God's gift to men
of good
will—and our loving unity in Christ'. With a vision born of faith, he
chose the Land of Jesus to make, in 1964, the first of his great apostolic
voyages. Following in his footsteps
in the year 2000, Blessed John Paul II described his pilgrimage as 'a moment
of brotherhood and peace, [to be remembered] as one of the most beautiful
gifts of the whole Jubilee event' and expressed his 'deeply felt desire for a
prompt and just solution
to the still unresolved problems of the Holy Places, cherished by Jews,
Christians and Muslims together' (Novo millenio ineunte, n. 13).”
“Pope Benedict also offers us an admirable example of this same
compassionate outlook. Encouraging evidence is found in his Pastoral Visit of
this past September to Lebanon for the publication of the Apostolic
Exhortation 'Ecclesia in Medio
Oriente'; the constant mention of the region's woes in the Angelus, in his
audiences, and in his Messages to various people and institutions; as well as
his prayer intention for January 2013, shared with the entire Church: 'that
the Christian
communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from
the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance'. Finally, for this
coming Good Friday, he has invited two young Lebanese Maronites to write the
text for the Via
Crucis procession.”
“In the widest sense, the Land of Jesus is composed of Israel and
Palestine, Cyprus, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Egypt. The Christians living in
all these countries must find in us the same attitude of solidarity in the
faith.“
“With grateful wonder we recognize how much the generous concern of
Catholics around the world has already accomplished. This assistance maintains
the Holy Sites, as well as the communities that dwell there. Together with
institutes of men and
women religious, the funds collected provide immediate relief to the
catastrophic consequences of war and other emergencies. Through a qualified
network of pastoral, educational, and health care specialists, these resources
come to the aid of families,
often saving lives that have been rejected: the old, the sick, and the
disabled. In addition, aid is provided to those without work and to youth in
search of a brighter future. In every case, the collection seeks to build up
human rights, especially the
right to religious liberty. To this one must add the praiseworthy ecumenical
and inter-religious effort, which requires stemming the incessant exodus of
Christian faithful from their motherland and the accompaniment of the
displaced and the refugee. Taken as a whole, this constitutes the 'Christian
characteristic', which makes the region, beyond all of its suffering, a Place
where God is glorified, because humanity is blessed.”
“With deep conviction the Congregation for Eastern Churches appeals
to all to reconfirm their ecclesial charity in favour of the Holy Land.
Together with the Pope, the Congregation thanks the pastors and faithful who,
standing by the Cross of
the Lord, offer their prayerful and fraternal embrace to those dwelling in the
Holy Land. These have earned the gratitude of the Supreme Pastor of the Church
and ours, too, for by their faithful witness in the midst of suffering, they
remind the world
of the consoling promise of the Risen One: 'These things I have spoken to you,
so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full' (Jn.
15:11).”
Also made public today was a report prepared by the Custody of the Holy
Land (a province of the Order of Friars Minor with responsibility for the Holy
Places), listing the works carried out with the proceeds of the Good Friday
collection of 2012.
Restoration and maintenance has been carried out on numerous shrines,
churches, and convents in the Holy Land including such places as Bethlehem,
Jerusalem, Nazareth, Magdala, Capernaum, Mount Tabor, and Mt. Nebo. Other
initiatives sought to improve
welcome services for pilgrims.
A significant part of the proceeds was used to fund student scholarships,
to help small business, and to build houses, schools and sports centres for
children. Other recipients of aid included families, parish communities, the
poor, and cultural
institutions.
