FRANCIS COMMENDS HIS PILGRIMAGE TO MARY

Vatican City, 23 May 2014 (VIS) – Early this morning the Holy Father made a private visit to the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major, to pray to the Virgin and to commend to her his upcoming apostolic trip to the Holy Land. After praying for around fifteen minutes, the bishop of Rome offered a bouquet of roses in homage to Mary “Salus populi romani”.

FIRST POSITIVE CONCLUSIONS REGARDING THE HOLY SEE REPORT FOR THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE

Vatican City, 23 May 2014 (VIS) – The Committee for the Convention Against Torture (CAT) has released an advance unedited version of its Concluding Observations on the Initial Report of the Holy See. These Observations recognise that the Holy See has made many serious and substantial reforms on its procedures that further advance the principles and objectives of the CAT. The Concluding Observations acknowledge extensively the good faith efforts of the Holy See to comply with and advance the CAT, to institute reforms to prevent sexual abuse, and to compensate and facilitate the care and healing of the victims of sexual abuse.

The report states that the Committee did not find the Holy See in violation of the CAT, and acknowledges that the Holy See and Catholic dioceses and religious orders have instituted important efforts to prevent sexual abuse. The Committee appreciates the open and constructive dialogue with the high-level delegation of the Holy See and notes that many Catholic dioceses and religious orders have provided financial settlements to victims of sexual abuse. Finally, the Conclusions do not assert that the Church's efforts to protect the unborn are a form of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment under the CAT, thus safeguarding the fundamental human right of freedom of religion and opinion and the protection and promotion of human life.

NOTICE

Vatican City, 23 May 2014 (VIS) – The Vatican Information Service will issue special bulletins tomorrow, Saturday 24 May, and Sunday 25 May, covering the Pope's apostolic pilgrimage to the Holy Land.