VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXII - # 220
DATE 11-12-2014

Summary:
- Consistory for the creation of new cardinals in February 2015
- 20th Conference on Climate Change: solidarity, encounter and dialogue to
protect the planet
- To the participants in the 4th European Congress on youth pastoral ministry:
"Your task is to sow, but only God can make the seeds grow"
- Audiences

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 Consistory for the creation of new cardinals in February 2015
 Vatican City, 11 December 2014 (VIS) - A press conference was held today
during which the director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi,
S.J., announced the Holy Father's wish to convene a Consistory for the
creation of new cardinals on 14 and 15 February 2015. He also announced two
other important appointments: a meeting of the Council of Cardinals for the
reform of the Roman Curia (9 to 11 February) and a meeting of the College of
Cardinals (12 to 13 February) to discuss matters relating to the
reorganisation of the Holy See.

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 20th Conference on Climate Change: solidarity, encounter and dialogue to
protect the planet
 Vatican City, 11 December 2014 (VIS) - The Holy Father has sent a message to
Manuel Pugal Vidal, minister for the environment of the Republic of Peru and
president of the 20th Conference of States Party to the United Nations
Framework Agreement on Climate Change, held in Lima, Peru from 1 to 12
December. The Pope assured the organisers and participants of his closeness
and encouragement "so that your work may be carried out during these days with
an open and generous spirit", and he remarked that the current debate affects
all of humanity, in particular the poorest and future generations. "It is a
grave ethical and moral responsibility".
 "The consequences of environmental change, which are already dramatically
felt in many states, especially the islands of the Pacific, remind us of the
grave consequences of mismanagement and inaction. The time for seeking global
solutions is running out. We can find suitable solutions only if we act
together and in agreement. There exists, however, a clear, definitive and
unpostponable ethical imperative to act". Pope Francis thus emphasised that an
"effective battle against global warming will be possible only through a
responsible collective response that sets aside particular interests and
behaviours and develops free from political and economic pressures. A
collective response that is also capable of overcoming distrust and promoting
a culture of solidarity, encounter and dialogue; capable of demonstrating our
responsibility for protecting the planet and the human family".
 Finally, before imparting his blessing to all the participants and the
citizens of the countries represented, the Pontiff expressed his wish that
this Conference and subsequent meetings on climate change put into effect "a
dialogue imbued with ... the values of justice, respect and equality", and
give rise to fruitful decisions and initiatives, in the service of all
humanity.

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 To the participants in the 4th European Congress on youth pastoral ministry:
"Your task is to sow, but only God can make the seeds grow"
 Vatican City, 11 December 2014 (VIS) - "Those of you who work in the field of
youth pastoral ministry, carry out valuable work for the Church. The young
need this service: both adults and other young people of mature faith who
accompany them on their path, helping them to find the road that leads to
Christ", writes the Pope in his message to Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, president
of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, and to the participants in the 4th
European Congress on Youth Pastoral Ministry, promoted by the same dicastery
and in collaboration with the Council of Episcopal Conferences of Europe, held
in Rome from 11 to 13 December on the theme: "A young Church, witness to the
joy of the Gospel".
 "This pastoral ministry consists of walking with them, accompanying them
personally in the complex and at times difficult contexts in which they are
immersed", he continues. "Youth pastoral ministry must engage with the
questions posed by the youth of today, and from this starting point, initiate
a real and honest dialogue to bring Christ into their lives. And a true
dialogue in this sense can be achieved by those who experience a personal
relationship with the Lord Jesus, which then overflows into their
relationships with their brethren".
 The Pope acknowledges in his message that much remains to be done, and
encourages the participants never to tire of announcing the Gospel, with their
life and their word, since "Europe needs to rediscover it!". He also
encourages them to consider the current situation of young Europeans through
the eyes of Christ. "He teaches us to see not only the challenges and
problems, but also to recognise the many seeds of love and hope dispersed
across the continent, that has given to the Church as great number of saints,
many of whom were young. Let us not forget that we are given the task of
sowing, but it is God Who makes these seeds grow".
 "While you sow the Word of the Lord in this vast field that is European
youth, you have the opportunity of bearing witness to the reasons for the hope
that is within you, with gentleness and respect. You are able to help the
young to realise that faith is not opposed to reason, and thus to accompany
them as they become joyful agents for the evangelisation of their peers". Pope
Francis concludes his message by remarking that "youth pastoral ministry is
required to offer to the young a path of vocational discernment, to prepare
them to follow Jesus on the way of conjugal and family life, or that of
special consecration in the service of God's Kingdom".

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 Audiences
 Vatican City, 11 December 2014 (VIS) - Today, the Holy Father received in
audience Alicia Castro, Argentine ambassador to the United Kingdom.

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