VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXII - # 078
DATE 27-04-2015

Summary:
- Queen Silvia of Sweden and her family visit the Pope
- The Pope praises the dynamism of the Church in Benin
- Ordination of nineteen new priests: imitate the Father, who never tires of
forgiving
- Regina Coeli: contemplation and thanksgiving are not enough - we must follow
the Good Shepherd
- Telegram for the earthquake in Nepal
- To the John Paul II Foundation: nurture solidarity with Christian fraternity
- Audiences
- Other Pontifical Acts

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Queen Silvia of Sweden and her family visit the Pope

Vatican City, 27 April 2015 (VIS) - At 10 a.m. today, in the private Library of
the Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father received in private audience Her Majesty
Queen Silvia of Sweden, accompanied by various family members and her
entourage.

This afternoon, Her Majesty will participate in a workshop at the Pontifical
Academy of Sciences organised by the Embassy of Sweden to the Holy See and the
Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences on the theme of the fight against human
trafficking, with particular attention to children. She will subsequently visit
the Vatican Apostolic Library for the inauguration of the "distribution desk"
realised with the contribution of the King Gustaf VI Adolf Foundation.

During the conversation, which took place mostly in Spanish, a language the
Queen knows well, she informed the Pope of the activities she promotes in
Sweden, especially for the benefit of children, and the Pope took the
opportunity the express his gratitude for the welcome extended by Sweden to
refugees and displaced persons. Among the gifts from Queen Silvia, the Pope
received three small Swedish prayer books, also adapted for children. The
religious education of her children has been particularly close to the
sovereign's heart, and the Pope expressed his lively appreciation.

Princess Madeleine, with her husband and one year-old daughter Leonore, were
also present in the Queen's entourage, and the Pope therefore received the
young
family with particular affection.

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The Pope praises the dynamism of the Church in Benin

Vatican City, 27 April 2015 (VIS) - The vitality of the Church, the pastoral
ministry of the family, attention to priests and persons religious, and
relations with the civil authorities are the central themes of the written
discourse that the Pope handed to the bishops of the Episcopal Conference of
Benin this morning, at the end of their "ad Limina" visit.

The Holy Father begins by praising the dynamism of parish life, the extensive
participation of the faithful in ceremonies and the increase of vocations to
the
priesthood, but he also echoed the prelates' reports that it is at times
superficial and lacking in solidity and strength. "Therefore, it is important
that the desire for a profound knowledge of the Christian mystery not be the
prerogative of an elite, but instead must inspire all faithful, as everyone is
called to holiness. It is imperative that the Church in Benin resists and
defeats the winds to the contrary that are rising throughout the world and do
not fail to blow upon you too. I know that you are vigilant in the face of
numerous ideological and media attacks. The spirit of secularisation is at work
in your country too, although it is not yet very visible. Only a faith
profoundly rooted in the heart of the faithful, and lived in a concrete way,
will enable you to face this".

One of the challenges to the Church in Benin is family pastoral ministry, to
which the upcoming Synod will seek to respond. The Pope thanks the prelates of
Benin for their prayers for this assembly, and for their mobilisation of the
dioceses to participate in such important event. "I can only encourage you to
continue with determination in the efforts you have undertaken to support
families, both in their faith and in their daily life. I know that the pastoral
ministry of marriage remains difficult, considering the real social and
cultural
situation of the people. However, do not be discouraged, but persevere
tirelessly as the family in defence of the Catholic Church is a reality willed
by God; it is a gift of God that brings joy, stability and happiness to people
and to societies. It is an important challenge since the family, as the basic
unit of both society and of the Church, is the place where authentic human and
Gospel values are transmitted".

The bishop of Rome then turns to the theme of the education of the younger
generations, who must bring solidarity, justice and mutual respect to the
society of the future. "It is necessary to promote in your country - without of
course renouncing any of the Truth as revealed by the Lord - the encounter
between cultures and dialogue between religions, especially with Islam. It is
well known that Benin offers an example of harmony between the religions
present
in her territory. It is however wise to be vigilant, considering the current
world climate, in order to conserve this fragile heritage. I am particularly
pleased that an international colloquium on interreligious dialogue has been
held, under the presidency of Cardinal Tauran, which was widely appreciated".

"Your local Churches have a key role in promoting harmony and justice in the
progress of the country", Pope Francis observes. "But it is a role they also
play in healthcare and human development. How much work is carried out in the
name of the Gospel in your dioceses! While the global crisis is affecting many
countries, it is necessary to go against the grain with courage, fighting
against the throwaway culture that reaches everywhere and spreading the Gospel
values of hospitality and encounter. The service of charity is a constitutive
dimension of the mission of the Church, and it is an expression of her essence.
However, it should be borne in mind that the spirit of the works accomplished
by
the Church has a specific nature that must be clearly identified: she never
acts
as a form of simple social aid, but rather as the manifestation of the
tenderness and mercy of Jesus Himself, who tends to the wounds and weaknesses
of
His brothers. The joy of the Gospel is thus announced to humanity in the most
effective way".

The Pope thanks the priests of Benin for their generous service into the Gospel
and mentions again the great number of vocations, a blessing from the Lord, and
encourages the Church in Benin to share her resources with the Churches of
other
regions which are lacking. However, he writes, "when you send your priests to
study or on missions elsewhere, do so with judgement, without forgetting the
needs of your own Churches".

The final paragraphs of the text are dedicated to the good relationship between
the Church and the civil authorities in the country. "The voice of the Church
is
listened to and her action is appreciated. I invite you to continue to take
your
place fully in the public life of the country, especially in these times. I
know
you are engaged in constant work to encourage relations between the different
components of society. I invite you to continue along this path, taking care
not
to enter directly into the political arena or party disputes. The conduct of
public affairs remains the duty of the laity, whom you have the important duty
of ceaselessly educating and encouraging".

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Ordination of nineteen new priests: imitate the Father, who never tires of
forgiving

Vatican City, 26 April 2015 (VIS) - On the 52nd World Day of Prayer for
Vocations, Pope Francis conferred priestly ordination to nineteen deacons:
thirteen from the Roman diocesan seminaries (Pontifical Roman Major Seminary,
"Redemptoris Mater" Diocesan College, Seminary of Our Lady of Divine Love) and
six from other colleges. The Mass was concelebrated by the Holy Father and
Cardinal Agostino Vallini, vicar general for the diocese of Rome, Archbishop
Filippo Iannone, vicegerent, the auxiliary bishops, the superiors of the
seminaries involved, and the deacons' parish priests.

During the liturgy of ordination, the Pope pronounced the homily for this rite,
improvising some paragraphs. "These sons of ours are called to the order of the
presbytery. It is good for us to reflect a little on the ministry to which they
will be elevated within the Church. As you well know, the Lord Jesus is the
sole
Supreme Priest of the New Testament, but in Him also all the holy people of God
is constituted as a priestly people. All of us! Nonetheless, among all His
disciples, Jesus wishes to choose some in particular to publicly exercise
priestly office on behalf of all mankind, thus continuing His personal mission
as teacher, priest and pastor. ... They have reflected on this, their vocation,
and now they are to receive the ordination to the priesthood. And the bishop
risks - risks! - and chooses them, just as the Father risked for each one of
us".

"And to you, who are about to be raised to the order of the presbytery,
consider
that by exercising the ministry of the Holy Doctrine you will participate in
the
mission of Christ, the sole master. Dispense to all that Word of God, that you
yourselves have received with joy. Read and meditate diligently on the Word of
the Lord so as to believe in what you have read, to teach what you have learnt
in faith, to live what you have taught. And may this be the nourishment of the

--- MPost/386 v1.21
 * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS=Huntsville AL=bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)