The Pope greets UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences

Vatican City, 28 April 2015 (VIS) - Shortly after 9 a.m. this morning in the Casina Pio IV, seat of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the Holy Father briefly met with the United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon, present at the Academy for the subsequent opening presentation of the international workshop “Protect the Earth, dignify humanity. The moral dimensions of climate change and sustainable development”.

During the private audience the secretary of the United Nations, as he explained in the following press conference, expressed to the Pope his gratitude for having agreed to address the Assembly of the United Nations this coming 25 September and remarked that he was looking forward to the Holy Father’s discourse on the occasion and to his forthcoming encyclical. He also illustrated various aspects of the United Nations’ current commitment not only to environmental issues, but also to migrants and the dramatic humanitarian situations in the areas of the world affected by conflicts.

“Cor Unum” to send 100,000 dollars to earthquake-stricken Nepal

Vatican City, 28 April 2015 (VIS) – Following the earthquake that struck the territory of Nepal with extraordinary vehemence last weekend, the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum” has undertaken to send a first contribution of 100 thousand dollars for aid to the population on behalf of the Holy Father.

This sum, which will be sent to the local Church, will be used to support aid operations for the displaced and other affected persons, and is intended as a first and immediate concrete expression of Pope Francis' “spiritual closeness and paternal encouragement” towards those afflicted, as he assured during the Regina Coeli of Sunday 26 April. Episcopal conferences and Catholic charitable entities are already extensively involved in humanitarian works.

According to the data currently available but not yet definitive, there have been more than 4,300 victims so far and approximately 7 million affected in 34 districts of Nepal, a million homeless, and around 2 million children in need of assistance. Numerous villages are isolated and aid has not yet reached them. The government has estimated that roughly 400 thousand buildings have been destroyed.

Audiences

Vatican City, 28 April 2015 (VIS) – Today, the Holy Father received in private audience Rafael Correa Delgado, president of the Republic of Ecuador, and entourage.

Other Pontifical Acts

Vatican City, 28 April 2015 (VIS) – The Holy Father has appointed:

- Rev. Fr. Edward Mapunda as bishop of Singida (area 49,341, population 1,500,000, Catholics 238,307, priests 67, religious 437), Tanzania. The bishop-elect was born in Mango, Tanzania in 1964, and was ordained a priest in 1997. He holds a Master's degree in education from the University of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania and has served as formator and subsequently vice-rector of the minor seminary of Singida. He is currently bursar and diocesan delegate for health.

- Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, as president of the Commission for Lawyers.