SUMMARY:
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Consistory for the creation of new cardinals in February 2015
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20th Conference on Climate Change: solidarity, encounter and dialogue
to protect the planet
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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”
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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.
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.
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”.
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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