the Catholic Church in alleviating the situations of hardship that characterise
some sectors of society. Mention was also made, within the framework of the
current international situation, of the worrying spread of violence that
continues to affect the eastern Mediterranean and North African areas.
 The Parties confirmed their willingness to pursue their active collaboration
on
a bilateral level in the context of the international community, especially
with
regard to the promotion and protection of religious freedom and the dignity of
human beings.

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 To the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences: raise awareness of new forms of
slavery
 Vatican City, 18 April 2015 (VIS) - The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences,
chaired by Margaret Archer, dedicated its plenary session to human trafficking.
This morning the Pope received in audience the members of this institution and
thanked them for their work in deepening knowledge of new forms of slavery and
in endeavouring to eradicate human trafficking, noting that this scourge
afflicts those who suffer as a result of forced labour, prostitution, and
trafficking in organs and drugs.
 "St. Peter Claver, in an historical moment at which slavery was widespread and
socially acceptable, unfortunately - and scandalously - also in the Christian
world, as it was a large-scale business, felt himself to be called by the words
of the Lord, and consecrated himself as 'a slave of slaves'. And many other
saints, such as St. John of Matha, went on to fight slavery, following the
mandate of Paul: slaves no more, but brothers and sisters in Christ".
 "We know that the historical abolition of slavery as a social structure is a
direct consequence of the message of freedom brought to the world by Christ
with
its fullness of grace, truth and love, with His programme of the Beatitudes.
The
progressive awareness of this message throughout history is the work of the
Spirit of Christ and of His gifts, in which there participate the saints and
many men and women of good will, who do not identify with a religious faith but
who are committed to improving the human condition".
 "Unfortunately, in a global economic system dominated by profit, new forms of
slavery have developed, in a certain way worse and more inhuman than those of
the past. Therefore, following the Lord's message of redemption, we are called
upon even more today to denounce and combat them. Firstly, we must raise
awareness of this new evil that, in the globalised world, seeks to conceal
itself as it is scandalous and 'politically incorrect'. No-one likes to
acknowledge that in their own city, region or nation, there are new forms of
slavery, yet we know that this wound afflicts almost all countries. We must
then
denounce this terrible scourge in all its gravity. Pope Benedict XVI has
already
categorically denounced every violation of the principle of equal dignity among
human beings. I too have declared several times that these new forms of slavery
- human trafficking, forced labour, prostitution, the trade in organs - are
serious crimes and 'an open wound on the body of contemporary society'".
 Francis launched a final appeal to all of society to become more aware,
"especially with regard to national and international legislation, in order to
be able to bring traffickers to justice and to redirect their unjust earnings
for the rehabilitation of victims. The most suitable methods must be sought to
penalise those who are complicit in this inhuman market. We are required to
improve the methods of rescuing victims, and their social inclusion, also
bringing up to date the legislation on the right of asylum. The civil
authorities must be more cognizant of the seriousness of this tragedy, which
constitutes a regression for humanity".

___________________________________________________________

 The Pope receives the A.C.I.S.J.F.: let young women know they are called to
happiness
 Vatican City, 20 April 2015 (VIS) - "I wish to express my gratitude to you for
your generous efforts in the service of young women who live in situations of
precariousness and suffering", said the Pope this morning as he received, in
the
Sala Clementina, seventy members of the International Catholic Association for
the Service of Young Women (A.C.I.S.J.F.), founded in Fribourg, Switzerland, by
Louise de Reynold in response to the needs of young women who, due to social
changes, lived far from their family environment.
 The number of these women, as the Pope observed in his address, is increasing,
and the many forms of poverty that affect them "call out to us and should
inspire a new creativity, to offer them the material and spiritual aid they
need. ... Through your ongoing activities to welcome them, and through
reflection
to face the new challenges generated by today's world, such as the phenomenon
of
migration, your work seeks to be at the service of the life and dignity of the
person, demonstrating that 'true faith in the incarnate Son of God is
inseparable from self-giving ... from service".
 The young are most in need of "attention and to be listened to", and the
A.C.I.S.J.F. must help them "to grow in confidence, to find points of reference
and to progress in human and spiritual maturity, nourished by Gospel values",
he
added. "Be credible witnesses for them, so that they experience the joy of
knowing they are loved by God, their Father, and called to happiness. And, at
the same time, let yourselves be instructed by these young people whom you
accompany and assist. Even amid their difficulties. They often bear witness to
those essential virtues of fraternity and solidarity. They also remind us that
we are frail and depend on God and on others. May the Lord's merciful gaze
touch
us and help us to welcome our poverty in order to go ahead trustfully, and to
make efforts together in that 'revolution of tenderness' to which Jesus opened
the way through his Incarnation".
 He concluded, "I hope that the sense of belonging to the Church, who is a
great
family, may grow in you. I invite you to continue to announce to all the joy of
the Gospel, bear in mind the diversity of cultures, of religious traditions,
and
of the origins of the young women you wish to serve, as well as their richness
that demands to be received with respect".

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 Telegram for the death of Cardinal Francis Eugene George
 Vatican City, 18 April 2015 (VIS) - The Holy Father has sent a telegram of
condolences to the Archbishop of Chicago, U.S.A., Blase J. Cupich, for the
death
yesterday, Friday 17 April, of Cardinal Francis Eugene George, O.M.I., emeritus
of the same archdiocese, at the age of 78.
 In the text the Pope recalls with gratitude Cardinal George's witness of
consecrated life as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate, his service to the Church's
educational apostolate, and his years of episcopal ministry in the Churches of
Yakima, Portland and Chicago, and commends the soul of "this wise and gentle
pastor" to the merciful love of the Father.

___________________________________________________________

 The Pope to receive Catholic Charismatic Renewal in audience on 3 July
 Vatican City, 18 April 2015 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office has stated that
the Holy Father will receive in audience the Movement of Catholic Charismatic
Renewal at 10 a.m. on 3 July, in St. Peter's Square.

___________________________________________________________

 Symposium on Friar Junipero Serra, to be canonised 23 September
 Vatican City, 18 April 2015 (VIS) - This morning in the Holy See Press office,
the Day of Reflection dedicated to "Friar Junipero Serra, apostle of
California,
witness of holiness", to be held on Saturday 2 May at the Pontifical North
American College of Rome, Italy. At the beginning of the press conference, Fr.
Federico Lombardi, S.J., announced that the Pope will canonise Blessed Junipero
Serra on 23 September during his apostolic trip to the United States, outside
the National Shrine in Washington, D.C.
 The event on 2 May, convoked by the Pontifical North American College and the
Pontifical Commission for Latin America, and funded by the archdiocese of Los
Angeles, will aim to inform on the life, mission and witness of holiness of
Friar Junipero Serra, O.F.M. (1713-1784).
 Speakers at the conference were Cardinal Marc Ouellet, P.S.S., president of
the
Pontifical Council for Latin America; Guzman Carriquiry Lecour, secretary of
the
vice-presidency of the same dicastery; Fr. Vincenzo Criscuolo, O.F.M. Cap.,
general rapporteur of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints; and Msgr.
James
Francis Checcio, rector of the Pontifical North American College.
 The activities to take place on the Day of Reflection include the Pope's visit
to the Pontifical North American College, during which he will officiate at
Holy
Mass.

___________________________________________________________

 Audiences
 Vatican City, 20 April 2015 (VIS) - Today, the Holy Father received in
audience:
 - Cardinal Fernando Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation
of Peoples;
 - Signor Tomaz Kunstelj, new ambassador of Slovenia to the Holy See,
presenting
his letters of credence;
 - Archbishop Santo Gangemi, apostolic nuncio in Guinea and Mali;
 - Bishop Gonzalo de Villa y Vazquez of Solola-Chimaltenango, Guatemala;
 - Six prelates of the Episcopal Conference of Gabon, on their "ad Limina"
visit:
 - Archbishop Basile Mve Engone of Libreville;
 - Bishop Timothee Mobido-Nzockena of Franceville;
 - Bishop Mathieu Madega Lebouakehan of Mouila, apostolic administrator "sede
vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of Port-Gentil with Bishop emeritus
Dominique
Bonnet, C.S.Sp.;
 - Bishop Jean-Vincent Ondo Eyene of Oyem;
 - Bishop Joseph Koerber, C.S.Sp., apostolic vicar of Makokou.
 On Saturday, 18 April, the Holy Father received in audience:
 - Cardinal Marc Ouellet, P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

___________________________________________________________

 Other Pontifical Acts
 Vatican City, 20 April 2015 (VIS) - On Saturday, 18 April, the Holy Father
appointed Bishop Misael Vacca Ramirez of Yopal, Colombia, as bishop of
Duitama-Sogamoso (area 4,928, population 437,000, Catholics 423,000, priests
115, permanent deacons 13, religious 155), Colombia.

___________________________________________________________

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