Saint Joseph Catholic Church

“The only difference—thanks be to God and to those who secured it—is the end of the blanket bombing,” he continued. “Aid is entering more regularly than before, and more reliably, but still far from sufficient given the needs for medicine, hospitals, tents, blankets.”

Cardinal Pizzaballa also discussed the deteriorating situation in the West Bank, the pervasiveness of “hatred, revenge, resentment,” and the need for interreligious dialogue.

“We are very distressed by this situation and condemn these murderous and brutal killings of our youth and others,” said Bishop Wolfgang Pisa of Lindi, the president of the episcopal conference. “Truly, this is a great evil and an abomination before our God.”

The East African nation of 67.5 million (map) is 56% Christian (22% Catholic), 33% Muslim, and 10% ethnic religionist.

“The simplest path was one, I think, that Pope Francis perhaps laid out when he said it is walking together,” he said. “So that’s learning to listen, being willing to engage in dialogue, and learning to cooperate with one another. That sounds almost too simple, but I think that’s the heart of what synodality means.”

Archbishop Coakley also discussed immigration. “Our goal,” he said, “is to accompany our migrant brothers and sisters, but also to work to enact just laws governing immigration and to ensure that those who need to be in the country are able to remain with their families.”

As he addressed the bishops during their recent meeting, Archbishop Verny also asked them to “recognize and value what works, while evaluating and correcting what can be improved.”

“This point is crucial: transparently pointing out gaps in safeguarding systems and offering professional responses strengthens the credibility of the Church, so that our ecclesial home is a safe place for everyone, for families, young people and children,” he said.

“You did not hesitate before the voice of the Master, who invites us to follow Him, leaving all else behind in order to take the redeeming word of the Gospel to the ends of the earth,” Pope Leo said to the members of the diplomatic staff, who were in Rome for a jubilee pilgrimage. “This call resounds in a truly special way for you.”

“Your particular service is arduous and therefore requires a heart that burns for God and is open to men; it demands study and expertise, self-denial and courage; it grows in confidence in Jesus and in docility to the Church, expressed in obedience to Superiors,” the Pope continued, as he expressed hope that the pilgrimage “may reinvigorate your spiritual life and help you to pursue fervently the mission that the Church has entrusted to you.”

On November 21, the memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Church commemorates Pro Orantibus Day (World Day of Cloistered Life), a day of prayer for cloistered religious. (“Pro orantibus” literally means “for the ones who pray.) Pope Venerable Pius XII established the commemoration in 1953; the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life recalled the day in a news release last year.

Libreria Editrice Vaticana, the Vatican’s publishing house, has published La Forza del Evangelio: La fede Cristiana in 10 parole [The Power of the Gospel: The Christian Faith in 10 Words].