By VISarchive 02 Vatican City, 27 February 2016 (VIS) – This morning in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis received in audience Mauricio Macri, president of the Argentine Republic, who subsequently met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, secretary for Relations with States.During the cordial discussions, which demonstrated the good bilateral relations between the Holy See and the Argentine Republic, themes of common interest were considered, such as assistance for integral development, respect for human rights, the fight against poverty and drug trafficking, justice, peace and social reconciliation. In this context, the...

By VISarchive 02 Vatican City, 28 February 2016 (VIS) – Greeting the faithful after the Marian prayer, the Holy Father again noted the tragedy of those fleeing wars, emphasising that countries like Greece “on the front lines are giving generous aid, which requires the cooperation of all nations. A unified response can be effective and distribute the weight evenly. This is why we need to focus firmly and unreservedly on negotiations”.“At the same time.” he added, “I have hopefully welcomed the news about the cessation of hostilities in Syria and I invite all to pray so that this window...

By VISarchive 02 Vatican City, 27 February 2016 (VIS) – Yesterday afternoon the Pope paid a surprise visit to the San Carlo rehabilitation centre, near Castel Gandolfo, which belongs to the Italian Solidarity Centre, founded by Fr. Mario Picchi to prevent and combat exclusion, especially of those affected by drug abuse. The visit forms part of the Holy Father’s “Friday of mercy” programme, in which he performs one of the corporal or spiritual works of mercy every Friday throughout the Jubilee Year of Mercy.The San Carlo Community houses 55 people, mostly young, following a rehabilitation programme to free themselves...

By VISarchive 02 Vatican City, 27 February 2016 (VIS) – This morning in the Paul VI Hall Pope Francis received in audience seven thousand Italian members of Confindustria (the General Confederation of Italian Industry). It was the first encounter in the Vatican in the history of the association, and took place within the context of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. The Holy Father observed that with this meeting, the men and women of Italian business confirm their commitment to contributing to a more just society, to reflecting together on the ethics of business, and to strengthening their attention to...

By VISarchive 02 Vatican City, 29 February 2016 (VIS) – Today marks the IX World Day of Rare Diseases. On the occasion, Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski, president of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers (for Health Pastoral Care) wrote a message entitled “The Patient’s Voice at the Centre. Join Us in Making the Voice of Rare Diseases Heard”. It emphasises how, for years, this dicastery has closely followed the various initiatives for those affected by such diseases, as well as focusing on their families, who are sometimes the only ones who give voice to a problem that should not...

By VISarchive 02 Vatican City, 26 February 2016 (VIS) “The message of the Encyclical Deus Caritas Est remains timely, indicating the ever relevant prospect for the Church’s journey. The more we live in this spirit, the more authentic we all are as Christians”, said Pope Francis this morning as he received in audience in the Clementine Hall the participants in the two-day international congress “Love will never end: Prospects ten years on from the Encyclical Deus Caritas Est”, organised by the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum”, which analysed the theological and pastoral repercussions and prospects opened by Pope Benedict XVI’s...