A file photo of Pope Francis with Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto of the Order of Malta Pope Francis phones Amazon Archbishop in solidarity
Pope Francis has made a telephone call to Archbishop Leonardo Steiner of Manaus in the Brazilian Amazon region to express his concern and closeness to those affected by the coronavirus.
During their conversation last week, the Pope expressed solidarity, closeness and concern to inhabitants of the Amazonian city of Manaus and for indigenous, traditional and poor people of the region.
According to the daily Covid-19 monitoring carried out by Repam (the Ecclesiastical Pan-Amazonian Network), the Manaus region is the one hardest hit by the pandemic in the Amazon region.
The Archbishop thanked the Pope for his “words of comfort and consolation”, and told the Pope about what the archdiocese is doing to care for those living on the streets, distributing food to those in need, reaching out to people who are suffering, and caring for migrants.
At the end of the conversation, Pope Francis thanked the archdiocese, the religious and the priests for what they are doing to alleviate the suffering, assured his prayers for the deceased and their families, and sent a special blessing to the Amazon.
Peter’s Pence collection postponed until October
The Holy Father has postponed this year’s Peter’s Pence collection until October as the Vatican confronts the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.
The collection, which traditionally takes place in churches across the world on June 29, the feast of St Peter and St Paul, has been moved to October 4, the feast of St Francis. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said the date change was due to “the current health emergency situation”.
“The Holy Father has decided that, for this year 2020, the Peter’s Pence Collection, which traditionally takes place around the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, on 29 June, will be transferred throughout the world to the XXVII Sunday of Ordinary Time, October 4, the day dedicated to St Francis of Assisi,” Bruni’s statement read. Peter’s Pence is the Papal charitable fund supported by annual donation appeals in Catholic parishes around the world.
Projects funded by Peter’s Pence included US$500,000 (€460,000) to assist migrants from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador stranded in Mexico and €100,000 in aid after flooding in Iran.
Pope sends condolences for deceased Order of Malta leader
The Pope has given his heartfelt condolences following the death of the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto.
In a telegramme to the Lieutenant ad interim of the order, Grand Commander Fra’ Ruy Gonçalo do Valle Peixoto de Villas Boas, the Pope described Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre as a “zealous man” of culture and Faith, and recalled his integral fidelity to Christ and the Gospel.
The Holy Father also paid tribute to his commitment to serve the Church and his dedication to the most vulnerable.
Pope Francis concluded his message by offering prayers to the late Grand Master’s family and the Order of Malta.
Giacomo Dalla Torre, 75, was elected the 80th Grand Master of the Order in May 2018, but had been ill for some time prior to his passing last week.
The Order of Malta said that he would be remembered as someone who assisted the disadvantaged, and for his cordial and affectionate manner.
Grand Commander Fra’ Ruy Gonçalo do Valle Peixoto de Villas Boas will remain head of the Sovereign Order until the election of the new Grand Master.