VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXIV - # 80
DATE 02-05-2014

Summary:
- POPE FRANCIS RECEIVES THE PRESIDENT OF ANGOLA: FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY AND
SOCIAL INEQUALITY
- TO THE COUNCIL FOR THE ECONOMY: TRANSPARENCY IN THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL
- POPE FRANCIS RECEIVES THE "PAPAL FOUNDATION"
- FOOTBALLERS: SET AN EXAMPLE BOTH ON AND OFF PITCH
- HOLY SEE, VATICAN CITY AND THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE
- AUDIENCES
- OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

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 POPE FRANCIS RECEIVES THE PRESIDENT OF ANGOLA: FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY AND
SOCIAL INEQUALITY
 Vatican City, 2 May 2014 (VIS) - Today in the Vatican Apostolic Palace the
Holy Father Francis received in audience the president of the Republic of
Angola, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who subsequently met with Cardinal Secretary
of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti,
secretary for Relations with States.
 During the cordial discussions, the good relations between the Holy See and
the Republic of Angola were evoked. In particular, mention was made of the
planned bilateral Agreement regarding the legal state of the Catholic Church
in the country. In this context, reference was also made to the important
contribution offered by the Catholic Church to the country through its
educational and healthcare institutions.
 Finally, attention focused on various challenges relating to the Country and
the Region, such as the fight against poverty and social inequality, the full
development of the person, reconciliation, justice and peace, with particular
attention to the different situations of conflict that affect the African
Continent.

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 TO THE COUNCIL FOR THE ECONOMY: TRANSPARENCY IN THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL
 Vatican City, 2 May 2014 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received in
audience the members of the Council for the Economy on the occasion of their
first meeting. After greeting Cardinal Reinhard Marx, archbishop of Munchen
und Freising, Germany and coordinator of the Council for the Economy, the Pope
underlined the Church's "awareness of her responsibility to protect and manage
prudently her assets in the light of her mission of evangelisation, with
particular care for the needy", and added that "We must not stray from this
path. Everything, transparency, efficiency, everything is for this purpose. It
is all for this".
 Pope Francis emphasised that the Holy See is called upon to carry out this
mission, paying special attention to its responsibility to the universal
Church, and without forgetting that this challenge reflects the wish to
implement the necessary reform of the Roman Curia to serve better the Church
and Peter's mission. "A significant challenge that takes loyalty and prudence.
The path will not be easy and will require courage and determination".
 Before concluding, the Pope reiterated that the Council is made up of eight
cardinals and seven laypersons, and that the latter are fully-fledged members
of the new council. "They are not second class members", he remarked. "The
work of the Council is of great weight and importance, and will offer a
fundamental contribution to the service performed by Roman Curia and the
various administrations of the Holy See".

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 POPE FRANCIS RECEIVES THE "PAPAL FOUNDATION"
 Vatican City, 2 May 2014 (VIS) - Today at midday, in the Vatican's Sala
Clementina, the Pope received two hundred members of the "Papal Foundation"
during its annual visit to Rome. The "Papal Foundation" is an American
Catholic association founded in Philadelphia, U.S.A. in 1990 by the late
Cardinal John Krol, which provides funds to meet the needs of the Church
throughout the world.
 The Bishop of Rome thanked the Foundation for the help it offers the Church
in developing countries by supporting educational, charitable and apostolic
projects, and also for the scholarships it makes available to laity, priests
and religious for study in Rome. "In this way, you help to ensure the training
of a new generation of leaders whose minds and hearts are shaped by the truth
of the Gospel, the wisdom of Catholic social teaching and a profound sense of
communion with the universal Church in her service to the entire human family".
 He concluded by mentioning the momentousness of these days marked by the
canonisation of John XXIII and John Paul II, and assured the members of the
Papal Foundation of his prayers that they may "be confirmed in the grace of
your Baptism and in your commitment to be missionary disciples filled with the
joy born of a personal encounter with the Risen Jesus".

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 FOOTBALLERS: SET AN EXAMPLE BOTH ON AND OFF PITCH
 Vatican City, 2 May 2014 (VIS) - "Football is a social entity, and requires
social responsibility on the part of players, both on and off the pitch, and
by national and local managers", said Pope Francis this morning at the
beginning of his address to the Fiorentina and Napoli football clubs, and a
delegation from the Football Federation and the Serie A League. The Pope
shared some "joyful moments" from his youth, when he used to visit the stadium
with his family on Sundays, and commented that he would like football and
every other popular sport to rediscover a celebratory dimension.
 "Today, even football is caught up in the world of business, advertising,
television and so on", he continued. "But the economic aspect must not prevail
in sport, as it risks contaminating it all, at international, national and
also local levels. It is therefore necessary to react positively from above,
restoring sporting dignity to events".
 The Pontiff reminded the footballers of the great responsibility inherent in
being the focus of attention and role models to many young people: "bear this
in mind, and consider that your behaviour is resonant, both positively and
negatively. Always be true sportsmen!". In conclusion, the Pope emphasised
that sport has great educative value, for the growth of the person: personal
growth, in the harmony of body and spirit, and social growth, in terms of
solidarity, loyalty and respect. May football always enable the development of
this potential!".

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 HOLY SEE, VATICAN CITY AND THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE
 Vatican City, 2 May 2014 (VIS) - The following is the full text of the
informative note from Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., for Vatican Radio:
 The "Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading
treatment or punishments" is one of the important international Conventions
implemented within the ambit of the activities of the United Nations, and
which has been signed voluntarily by numerous member States of the
international community, the so-called "State Parties" to the Conventions.

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 * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS=Huntsville AL=bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)