Cardinal George Pell arrives in Rome. US Secretary of State and Vatican official s ex change views on China
The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Holy See’s top diplomats had a “respectful” exchange of views on China, the Vatican said October 1.
Responding to questions from journalists, Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See press office, said that Mr Pompeo discussed China with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.
He said: “During this morning’s talks…the parties presented their respective positions regarding relations with the People’s Republic of China in a respectful, relaxed, and cordial atmosphere.”
The meeting, also attended by Callista Gingrich, US Ambassador to the Holy See, took place the day after Secretary Pompeo spoke at a symposium on religious freedom in Rome.
“Nowhere is religious freedom under assault more than it is inside of China today,” the secretary said September 30, appealing for the Church to speak out on behalf of those whose religious freedom is being curtailed.
Mr Pompeo’s intervention came as the Vatican prepared to renew its provisional agreement with China over the appointment of bishops. The deal, signed in 2018, will expire October 22.
Cardinal Pell arrives in Rome as financial scandal casts shadow over the Vatican
Cardinal George Pell arrived in Rome on September 30 as financial scandals continue to cast a shadow over the Vatican. The former prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy was pictured in the Italian capital on his first visit to the city since he left in 2017 for Australia to prove his innocence of abuse charges.
On the day of Cardinal Pell’s arrival, the Italian newspaper La Repubblica claimed in a front-page report that Vatican investigators had discovered that £20 million (€22 million) had been withdrawn from an account reserved for use by Pope Francis.
In 2014, the Pope asked Cardinal Pell to take charge of the newly-created Secretariat for the Economy and to lead efforts at reforming Vatican financial affairs.
After charges of sexual abuse were brought by Victoria police, Cardinal Pell took temporary leave of his role in 2017 to return to Australia and defend his name.
Pope brings seven people closer to sainthood
Pope Francis has advanced the sainthood causes of four Spanish martyrs, an Italian laywoman and two Spanish nuns who founded religious orders.
The Vatican published the decrees on September 30 saying the Pope authorised their promulgation on September 29. Normally the Pope signs the decrees during a meeting with the prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes. However, its prefect, Cardinal Angelo Becciu, was forced to resign during a meeting with the Pope due to allegedly embezzling Vatican funds – an accusation the cardinal denies.
The Pope recognised the martyrdom of Father Francisco Castor Sojo Lopez and three other members of the Diocesan Worker Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus who were killed “in hatred of the Faith” between 1936 and 1938, during Spain’s civil war.
The decree clears the way for their beatification. Among the other decrees, the Pope recognised the miracle needed for the beatification of Gaetana Tolomeo, who was born in Catanzaro, Italy, in 1936 and died in 1997.