POPE NOTES 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF JOHN XXIII'S “PACEM IN TERRIS”

Vatican City, 11 April 2013 (VIS) – This afternoon in the Clementine Hall of the Vatican, Pope Francis received members of the “Papal Foundation” during their annual visit to Rome. The “Papal Foundation” is an organization based in the United States, with headquarters near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that was established by Cardinal John Krol (1910–1996) to provide the Holy See with a stable source of income to finance the needs of the Church in the world.

“In the twenty-five years that have passed since the Foundation was established,” the Holy Father affirmed, “you and your associates have helped the Successor of Saint Peter by supporting a number of apostolates and charities especially close to his heart. In these years, you have contributed significantly to the growth of local Churches in developing countries by supporting, among other things, the continuing formation of their clergy and religious, the provision of shelter, medical assistance and care to the poor and needy, and the creation of much-needed educational and employment opportunities.”

The Holy Father noted that today is the 50th anniversary of John XXIII's encyclical “Pacem in Terris“ and he asked that this opportunity “serve as an incentive for your commitment to promoting reconciliation and peace at every level.”

HOLY FATHER RECEI VES PRIME MINISTER OF MOZAMBIQUE

Vatican City, 11 April 2013 (VIS) – This morning in the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, the Holy Father Francis received Mr. Alberto Clementino Vaquina, prime minister of Mozambique, in audience. Prime Minister Vaquina then met with the Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.

“During the course of the cordial conversations,” reads a communique from the Holy See Press Office, “the Prime Minister repeated to the Holy Father the congratulations of the people of Mozambique on his election as Pope.”

“As the talks continued, satisfaction was expressed with the good relations existing between the Holy See and Mozambique, which have been further strengthened by the bilateral agreement between the two, which were signed on 7 December 2011 and were ratified last year. In particular, the Catholic Church's positive contribution to the peace and development of the country, especially through her initiatives in education and charitable assistance, was highlighted.”

CENTESIMUS ANNUS FOUNDATION'S FIRST “ECONOMY AND SOCIETY” PRIZE

Vatican City, 11 April 2013 (VIS) – This morning in a press conference held in the Holy See Press Office, Cardinal Domenico Calcagno, president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, presented the first winners of an international competition on “Economy and Society”. The prize for this first edition was awarded jointly to two books: “Ciudadania, migraciones y religion. Un dialogo etico desde la fe cristiana.” (Citizenship, Migration, and Religion: Ethical Dialogue from the Christian Faith) by Professor Julio Luis Martinez Martinez, S.J., and "L'economia del bene comune", (The Economy of the Common Good) by Professor Stefano Zamagni. The “Economy and Society” award was created by the Centesimus Annus—Pro Pontifice Foundation to promote awareness of the Catholic Church's social doctrine.

Fr. Martinez teaches Moral Theology and Social and Political Philosophy at the Pontifical University of Comillas in Madrid, Spain and has been rector of the same institution for the past year. His publications focus on bioethics and the relationship between religion, politics, and emigration.

Professor Zamagni, an Italian, teaches Political Economy at the University of Bologna and the Bologna campus of the American institute, Johns Hopkins University. He is the author of many books and manuals on economics and the history of economics. He has spoken frequently on the cultural debate over issues such as the family, multiculturalism, and the laity.

HOLY FATHER'S CONDOLENCES ON DEATH OF CARDINAL LORENZO ANTONETTI

Vatican City, 11 April 2013 (VIS) – Following is the text of the telegram that the Holy Father Francis has sent to Bishop Franco Giulio Brambilla of Novara, Italy for the death yesterday at dawn of Cardinal Lorenzo Antonetti, president emeritus of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See and former delegate to the Patriarchal Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Cardinal Antonetti was 90 years old.

“On hearing the sad news of the death of the venerable Cardinal Lorenzo Antonetti, I wish to express my sentiments of deep sympathy to this diocesan community, which counted him among its most illustrious sons, as well as to his nephew Mario, to his other family members and their respective families, and to all those who knew and esteemed him. I recall the lamented cardinal who was a zealous collaborator of the Holy See for many years, in particular as a pontifical representative in various countries, then as president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, and finally as delegate to the Patriarchal Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi: everywhere he was an appreciated witness of priestly zeal and fidelity to the Gospel. I pray fervently to the Lord Jesus that He, through the Virgin Mary, may give the late cardinal the eternal reward promised to his faithful disciples. I send you and all those who share the sorrow of his passing, the comfort of a special apostolic blessing."

AUDIENCES

Vatican City, 11 April 2013 (VIS) – This morning, the Holy Father received ten prelates from the Tuscany region of the Italian Episcopal Conference on their "ad limina" visit:

- Cardinal Giuseppe Betori, archbishop of Florence, with Auxiliary Bishop Claudio Maniago,

- Archbishop Riccardo Fontana of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro,

- Archbishop Benvenuto Italo Castellani of Lucca,

- Bishop Mario Meini of Fiesole,

- Bishop Mansueto Bianchi of Pistoia,

- Bishop Franco Agostinelli of Prato,

- Bishop Fausto Tardelli of San Miniato,

- Bishop Giovanni Santucci of Massa Carrara-Pontremoli, and

- Abbot Diego Gualtiero Rosa, O.S.B. Oliv., Abbot of Monte Oliveto Maggiore.

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

Vatican City, 11 April 2013 (VIS) – Today, the Holy Father appointed Fr. Burchell Alexander McPherson as bishop of Montego Bay (area 3,878, population 640,000, Catholics 10,000, priests 14, permanent deacons 13, religious 14), Jamaica. The bishop-elect was born in Mavis Bank-St.Andrew, Jamaica in 1951 and was ordained a priest in 1991. A convert to Catholicism in 1976, since ordination he has served in several pastoral and administrative roles, most recently as pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish and the St. Marin de Porres Mission in Kingston.