THE MEDITERRANEAN AND IMMIGRATION: POPE FRANCIS RECEIVES IN AUDIENCE THE PRESIDENT OF MALTA

Vatican City, 21 March 2014 (VIS) – Today in the Vatican Apostolic Palace the Holy Father Francis received in audience the president of the Republic of Malta, George Abela, who subsequently met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial discussions, mention was made of the deep imprints of Christianity in the history, culture and life of the Maltese population, as well as the good relations between the Holy See and Malta, recalling the pastoral visits made by Blessed John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Particular reference was made to the contribution of the Catholic Church in the fields of education and welfare, and the Agreements concluded between the Holy See and Malta with a view to fruitful collaboration in the service of the common good.

Finally, the Parties focused on Malta’s contribution within the European Union, as well as various situations in the Mediterranean region, and the phenomenon of migration towards Europe which involves the efforts of the Church and the government.

AUDIENCES

Vatican City, 21 March 2014 (VIS) – Today, the Holy Father received in audience:

- Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

- Archbishop Piero Pioppo, apostolic nuncio in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.

- Jean Vanier, founder of the “L'Arche” Community.

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

Vatican City, 21 March 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father has:

- accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the archdiocese of Hamburg, Germany, presented by Archbishop Werner Thissen, upon having reached the age limit.

- appointed Bishop Malcolm Patrick McMahon, O.P. of Nottingham, England as metropolitan archbishop of Liverpool (area 1,165, population 1,135,000, Catholics 513,000, priests 328, permanent deacons 106, religious 543), England.

- appointed Bishop Giovanni D' Alise of Ariano Irpino-Lacedonia, Italy as bishop of Caserta (area 185, population 213,200, Catholics 202,200, priests 118, permanent deacons 44, religious 169), Italy.

THE POPE RECEIVES THE PRESIDENT OF MONTENEGRO

Vatican City, 20 March 2014 (VIS) – This morning in the Apostolic Palace the Holy Father Francis received in audience Filip Vujanović, president of the Republic of Montenegro, who subsequently went on to meet with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial discussions, satisfaction was expressed with regard to the good bilateral relations, further reinforced by the Basic Agreement which promotes collaboration between the Church and the State for the common good of society. Mention was then made of various themes of common interest, focusing on the principal regional questions and Montenegro’s progress towards integration in European and Euro-Atlantic institutions.

POPE FRANCIS: WITHOUT WORK, HUMAN DIGNITY IS WOUNDED

Vatican City, 20 March 2014 (VIS) – Today Pope Francis again emphasised the primary importance of work and the need for creativity and solidarity to face the economic crisis, receiving in audience the employees and managers of the Italian “Acciaierie di Terni” steelworks, accompanied by the bishop of the diocese and a group of faithful, to commemorate the 130th anniversary of the company's foundation.

“It is necessary to reaffirm that employment is necessary for society, for families and for individuals”, said the Pope. “Its primary value is the good of the human person, as it allows the individual to be fully realised as such, with his or her attitudes and intellectual, creative and manual capacities. Therefore, it follows that work has not only the economic objective of profit, but above all a purpose that regards man and his dignity. And if there is no work, this dignity is wounded! Indeed, the unemployed and underemployed risk being relegated to the margins of society, becoming victims of social exclusion”.

“What can we say, when faced with the very serious problem of unemployment that affects various European countries?”, he asked. “It is the consequence of an economic system that is no longer able to create work, because it has placed at its centre the idol of money. Therefore, the various political, social and economic actors are called upon to promote a different approach, based on justice and solidarity, to ensure the possibility of dignified work for all. Work is an asset for all, and must be available to all. Phases of serious difficulties and unemployment must be faced with the tools of creativity and solidarity. The creativity of courageous businesspeople and craftspeople, who look to the future with trust and hope. And solidarity between all the elements of society, who all give something up, adopting a more sober lifestyle, to help those in need”.

“This great challenge requires the involvement of the Christian community as a whole”, concluded the Pope. “The first challenge is to revive the roots of faith and of our adhesion to Jesus Christ. This is the inspiring principle in the choices of a Christian: faith. Faith moves mountains! Christian faith is able to enrich society through the concrete element of brotherhood it embodies. … Never cease to hope for a better future. Do not let yourselves be trapped in the vortex of pessimism! If everyone does his part, if we all put the human person and his dignity at the centre, and if we consolidate an attitude of solidarity and fraternal sharing, inspired by the Gospel, we can emerge from the swamp of this difficult and burdensome period of economic turmoil”.