Pope Francis exchanges gifts with
Slovak President Zuzana Caputová
during a courtesy visit at the presidential palace in Bratislava, Slovakia, September 13. Pope to lay associations: Be aware of the apostolic power you have
Pope Francis opened his discourse to moderators of associations of the Faithful, ecclesial movements and new communities, gathered for a meeting organised by the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life, by thanking all those present for being there.
“And thank you for your presence as lay men and women, young and old, committed to living and witnessing to the Gospel in the ordinary realities of life, in your work, in so many different contexts – educational, social, and so on – this is the vast field of your apostolate, it is your evangelisation”, added the Pope.
The Pope noted that in the recent months of the pandemic, “you have seen with your own eyes and touched with your own hands the suffering and anguish of so many men and women…especially in the poorest countries, where many of you are present”.
The Pope further expressed his gratitude to them, because, he said, “you did not stop”.
Resignation of German Catholic archbishop declined
Pope Francis has declined the resignation of a German archbishop, the apostolic nunciature in Berlin announced.
The nunciature said on September 15 that the Pope had asked Archbishop Stefan Heße to remain as archbishop of Hamburg, northern Germany, following a Vatican investigation into his handling of abuse cases, reported CNA Deutsch.
The nunciature explained that the probe had found organisational deficiencies and procedural errors by Archbishop Heße, but “the investigation did not show that these were committed with the intention of covering up cases of sexual abuse”.
It said that “the basic problem” was a “lack of attention and sensitivity toward those affected by abuse” within Cologne archdiocese’s administrative apparatus.
Archbishop Heße announced in March that he was offering his resignation to Pope Francis and requesting “immediate release” from all duties.
The archbishop made a brief declaration live on YouTube, saying: “I am of the firm conviction that taking responsibility is part of our duty to actively deal with this dark chapter in the best possible way and to move towards a better future for everyone, first and foremost for the victims themselves.”
“I have never participated in any cover-up. Nevertheless, I am willing to bear my share of responsibility for the failure of the system,” Archbishop Heße said.
Pope Francis thanks Mary for visit to Budapest and Slovakia
The Pope’s traditional visits to the Basilica of St Mary Major act like bookends to his Apostolic Journeys.
He pops in for a moment one or two evenings before he leaves to ask Our Lady’s protection, and then zigzags across Rome for another stop on his way to the Vatican from the airport to thank her.
The same occurred last Wednesday afternoon as Pope Francis returned from Bratislava.
According to the Holy See Press Office, the Pope prayed for a while before the ancient icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani.
He also laid a bouquet of flowers on the altar at her feet in gratitude.
“After landing at Ciampino airport, Pope Francis stopped to pray at the Basilica of St Mary Major, before the icon of the Mary Salus Populi Romani,” said a press statement. “Afterwards he returned to the Vatican.”
The image of the “Salvation of the Roman people” is housed in the Basilica’s Borghese chapel.