MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF CARDINALS: “FREE, FRANK AND FRIENDLY”

Vatican City, 4 July 2014 (VIS) – The Council of Cardinals, gathered at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, will conclude its meetings this evening. The next sessions have been scheduled for 15-17 September, 9-11 December and 9-11 February 2015.

With regard to the themes considered, as well as those indicated in recent days (the Governorate, the Secretariat of State and the Institute for the Works of Religion), the Council resumed its reflections on the dicasteries of the Curia. The Laity and Family were studied in particular depth, especially in terms of the contributions and roles that should be assumed by laypeople, married couples and women.

Decisions were not made, but more detailed proposals were offered that will subsequently be inserted into the overall framework of the new configuration of the Curia.

This afternoon the Council will continue its meeting, turning its attention to the dicasteries that have so far been studied less thoroughly.

Other themes on which there has been an exchange of opinions during the meetings include the nunciatures and their work, and the procedures for the appointment of bishops.

Aside from the contribution of the Commission of Cardinals for the Supervision of the IOR, heard on Tuesday and Wednesday, there was no further participation from entities external to the Council.

With regard to the working atmosphere and approach, the participants have expressed great satisfaction. The overall tone has been described as “free, frank and friendly” (the “3Fs”). The Pope participates naturally in the dialogue, promoting a climate of free expression.

There are still no texts that may be considered as drafts of the new Constitution, since the work proceeds in the form of partial contributions, generally presented by individual Cardinals charged with the task of studying specific matters.

THE BLESSING OF LONG LIFE: THE POPE'S FIRST INTERNATIONAL MEETING WITH THE ELDERLY

Vatican City, 4 July 2014 (VIS) – On 28 September Pope Francis will meet elderly people and grandparents in St. Peter's Square during the first international day dedicated to old age, organised by the Pontifical Council for the Family. The encounter, which will take the theme “The blessing of long life”, coincides with the Day of Prayer for the Synod on the family and is inspired by the Pontiff's many references to the situation experienced by the elderly and his frequent comments on the tragedy of the throwaway culture typical of a “population that does not care for its elderly” with attitudes “behind which there is a hidden euthanasia”.

The event is scheduled to begin around 9 a.m. in St. Peter's Square and will culminate with a Holy Mass celebrated by the Pope at 10.30 a.m. It will be necessary to register in order to attend, and all information on the event will be available from 14 July on the website of the Pontifical Council for the Family (www.familia.va), who may be contacted via email at events@family.va or by sending a fax to the number 00390669887272.

Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the dicastery, presented the encounter as an opportunity to reaffirm that the elderly “are not merely the object of attention and care but rather the subjects of a new perspective of life”. He added, “Thanks to God, our lives have become longer … but on the other hand, adequate reflection on this theme has not been developed. It exists neither in politics nor in the economy, nor even in culture. Therefore, old age must be rethought, and the commitment of the elderly in the world and in the Church must be reconsidered, as should the Church's approach to them”.

AUDIENCES

Vatican City, 4 July 2014 (VIS) – Yesterday afternoon, the Pope received in audience Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, archbishop of Genoa and president of the Italian Episcopal Conference.

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

Vatican City, 4 July 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father has:

- appointed Bishop Eduardo Eliseo Martin of Villa de la Concepcion del Rio Cuarto, Argentina, as bishop of Rosario (area 13,500, population 1,907,000, Catholics 1,694,000, priests 250, permanent deacons 5, religious 349), Argentina.

- appointed Bishop Antonio Manuel Moiteiro Ramos, auxiliary of Braga, Portugal, as bishop of Aveiro (area 1,537, population 315,000, Catholics 274,500, priests 11, permanent deacons 34, religious 192), Portugal.