Georgia Bulletin

Vatican City

• Holy Spirit pushes people to repent, change, love, pope says

  

  By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
  Published June 5, 2022

  Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, was the main celebrant at the Pentecost Mass June 5. Pope Francis delivered his homily from a wheelchair, reminding all that the Holy Spirit guides us on what paths to take.

• Pope announces new cardinals, including U.S. Bishop McElroy

  

  By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
  Published May 29, 2022

  Pope Francis announced he will create 21 new cardinals Aug. 27, including 68-year-old Bishop Robert W. McElroy of San Diego, California.

• Christ’s resurrection brings hope amid ‘Easter of war,’ pope says

  

  By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
  Published April 17, 2022

  The Vatican said an estimated 55,000 pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square in the first outdoor Easter Mass since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.

• Papal preacher: Jesus calls everyone to repent, turn swords into plowshares

  

  By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
  Published April 15, 2022

  Presided over by Pope Francis, the service on Good Friday at St. Peter’s Basilica commemorated Christ’s passion and death on the cross. Following tradition, the homily was delivered by Cardinal Cantalamessa, preacher of the papal household.

• Before washing prisoners’ feet, pope tells them God always forgives

  

  By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
  Published April 14, 2022

  Pope Francis celebrated the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper at a prison near Rome and washed the feet of 12 inmates–men and women of different ages and nationalities.

• Pope asks bishops worldwide to join consecration of Ukraine, Russia

  

  By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
  Published March 21, 2022

  Pope Francis has asked bishops around the world to join him March 25 in consecrating Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Archdiocese of Atlanta will have a consecration on Friday at 12:10 p.m. at the Cathedral of Christ the King.

• Pope to make long-promised trip to South Sudan in July; also going to Congo

  

  By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
  Published March 4, 2022

  Pope Francis will travel to the war-scarred countries of Congo and South Sudan in early July, the Vatican press office said March 3.

• Love, protect the church despite its faults, pope says

  

  By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
  Published February 16, 2022

  The same love that gave St. Joseph the strength to protect Jesus and Mary must inspire Christians to love the church, especially when calling out its sins and flaws, Pope Francis said at his general audience.

• Retired pope asks forgiveness in response to Munich abuse report

  

  By CAROL GLATZ and JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
  Published February 8, 2022

  At the age of 94, retired Pope Benedict XVI said he knows he will soon stand before God’s judgment and he prayed that he would be forgiven for his shortcomings, including in handling allegations of clerical sexual abuse.

• Pride is an obstacle to Christian unity, pope says

  

  By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
  Published January 25, 2022

  Divided Christians will never find unity unless they are willing to humble themselves, bowing down to worship Jesus and him alone, Pope Francis said. He closed the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jan. 25 during an ecumenical evening service at Rome’s Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

• Retired Pope Benedict corrects statement for Munich abuse report

  By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
  Published January 24, 2022

  Amending a written statement made to a panel investigating clerical sexual abuse in his former Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, retired Pope Benedict XVI said he was present at a 1980 meeting to discuss the transfer of a priest accused of misconduct.

• St. Joseph teaches fatherly love in ‘orphaned’ world, pope says

  

  By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
  Published January 5, 2022

  As the foster father of Jesus, St. Joseph is an example of the need for loving fathers and mothers in “an age of notorious orphanhood,” Pope Francis said at his Jan. 5 general audience.

• Pope at Christmas: ‘God comes into the world in littleness’

  

  By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
  Published December 24, 2021

  The celebration of Christmas is a reminder that God did not reveal his greatness in a grand spectacle, but rather in the “littleness” of a poor, vulnerable child born in a stable in Bethlehem, Pope Francis said.

• Second chances: Vatican Christmas stamps feature work of homeless artist

  

  By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
  Published December 10, 2021

  The Vatican Philatelic and Numismatic Office announced that its 2021 set of commemorative Christmas stamps would feature images of the Magi and the Holy Family painted by Adam Piekarski, a homeless man from Poland.

• Synodal process looks to hear from those on the margins of the church

  

  By DENNIS SADOWSKI, Catholic News Service
  Published September 30, 2021

  Pope Francis invites Catholics both in the mainstream of church life and on the margins to voice ideas and concerns for the Synod of Bishops in 2023. The process launches Oct. 17 worldwide. Archbishop Hartmayer will celebrate an opening Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the King.

• Church needs to hear God speaking through those who are hurting, pope says

  

  By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
  Published September 21, 2021

  To listen to the Holy Spirit, members of the church must listen to each other and especially to those who are marginalized, Pope Francis said, explaining how dioceses are to help the church prepare for the Synod of Bishops.

• Vaccination is an act of love, pope says in ad campaign

  

  By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
  Published August 25, 2021

  When each individual makes a small act of charity, like getting the COVID-19 vaccine, every gesture added together can transform the world, Pope Francis said in a global ad campaign.

• Cardinal urges religious to join local preparation for Synod of Bishops

  

  By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
  Published August 18, 2021

  Pope Francis is scheduled to formally open the Synod of Bishops process at the Vatican Oct. 9-10. And the bishop of every diocese should open the process in his diocese Oct. 17. Local Catholics will have the opportunity for input during the diocesan phase. Communion, participation and mission will be the synod themes.

• Pope prays for peace in Afghanistan as Taliban takes control

  

  By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
  Published August 16, 2021

  Hours before the Taliban took control of Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, Pope Francis expressed his hope for the peace and safety of the country’s citizens.

• Only Jesus reveals true Gospel, pope says at first audience after surgery

  

  By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
  Published August 5, 2021

  The true Gospel has been revealed by Jesus Christ, not by individuals or founders of movements, Pope Francis said during his Aug. 4 weekly general audience–his first since undergoing surgery in July.