The following is a previously unpublished essay from Pope emeritus Benedict XVI: On February 21 to 24, 2019, at the invitation of Pope Francis, the presidents of the world's bishops' conferences gathered at the Vatican to discuss the current crisis of the faith and of the Church; a crisis experienced throughout the world after shocking revelations of clerical abuse perpetrated against minors._<
Peter’s Square, Vatican City. Pope Francis canonized seven saints today, 14 October 2018, during the celebration of the Holy Mass for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time at the people-filled St. Peter’s Square. Two among these seven are close to the Claretians, St. Oscar Romero and St. Paul VI.
The Vatican has ordered the suspension of activities of the congregation of Apostles of Jesus, placing the society under a Pontifical Commission of inquiry.
Pope Francis visited Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Friday, Dec 23rd at his residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in Vatican City.
According to the Holy See Press Office, the Holy Father appeared knocking at the residence’s door, as he wished to personally give his Christmas greetings to the Pontiff Emeritus.
As has become their tradition, they prayed together briefly and then spent some time having pleasant conversation.
In various occasion, Pope Francis likened Benedict XVI’s presence in the Vatican to having a “wise grandfather living at home.”
The hope that comes to us at Christmas is a different kind of hope — it is reliable and visible because it is founded on God.
The Pope said this today as he took up a third general audience catechesis on the theme of hope.
“Today, a few days from Christmas, I would like to reflect more specifically on the moment in which, so to speak, hope entered the world, with the Incarnation of the Son of God,” he said.
Although the Jubilee of Mercy has ended, Pope Francis has decided that some of the novelties he applied to the Church during the Holy Year will continue.
He is allowing all priests to absolve the sin of abortion from here on out, while SSPX priests will be able to continue hearing confessions validly.
In addition, he has indefinitely extended the mandate of the Missionaries of Mercy and has decided to institute the World Day for the Poor, which will take place each year on the Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time.