Salesian Father Tom Uzhunnalil Vatican diplomat embroiled in child pornography case
A member of the Vatican diplomatic corps serving in Washington has been recalled to the Vatican as he is involved in a criminal investigation regarding child pornography, the Vatican said. The Vatican was informed by the US State Department “of a possible violation of laws relating to child pornography images by a member of the diplomatic corps of the Holy See accredited to Washington”.
“The Holy See, following the practice of sovereign states, recalled the priest in question, who is currently in Vatican City,” the Vatican press office said.
A request to lift the official’s diplomatic immunity was denied by the Vatican
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Pope commends artists for ‘clean fun’
Pope Francis thanked an association of street performers, carnival workers, musicians and magicians for their dedication in bringing joy to men, women and children.
The “joyful vocation” of entertaining people of all ages is also a mission to provide “healthy and clean fun without the need to go low to look for material to entertain people,” the Pope told the National Association of Traveling Performers.
Commemorating the association’s 70th anniversary, Pope Francis acknowledged that the life of a traveling performer “is not an easy life,” often requiring them to go to places “that don’t always appreciate the social value of this type of show”.
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Rescued Salesian priest meets Pope
One day after his release from captivity, Salesian Father Tom Uzhunnalil met with Pope Francis.
Fr Uzhunnalil was kidnapped March 4, 2016, from a home for the aged and disabled, run by the Missionaries of Charity in Aden, Yemen. Four Missionaries of Charity and 12 others were murdered in the attack.
Before blessing Father Uzhunnalil, the Pope embraced him and said he would continue to pray for him as he had done during his imprisonment.
Recalling his time in captivity, the Salesian told the Pope that although he was unable to celebrate Mass, “every day, I would repeat to myself, in my heart, all the words of the celebration”.
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Mary’s courage remembered in Vatican
Mary was a courageous woman who stood by Jesus even when the crowds turned against him and even though she knew he would face a tragic death, Pope Francis said at a Mass in Domus Sanctae Marthae.
“At the very end, she is there, standing, looking at her son” on the cross. “Maybe she heard comments: ‘Look, there is the mother of one of the three delinquents’. But she remains. Silent. She is the mother, she does not deny her son.”
Commemorating the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, the Pope reflected on the day’s Gospel reading from St John which recounted Jesus’ final moments on the cross.