Vatican

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  Pope postpones official audiences but continues meetings at Santa Marta

  Feb 29, 2020

  The schedule of Pope Francis has been modified for the second day, Friday, the Vatican Press Office said.

  
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  Pope Francis forms Child Protection Task Force

  Feb 29, 2020

  Following up on a plan announced at last year’s Meeting for the Protection of Minors in the Church, Pope Francis has launched a task force to help Bishops’ Conferences prepare and update child protection guidelines.

  
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  Pope to Priests: Turn bitterness into fresh water for the people

  Feb 28, 2020

  To mark the beginning of Lent, a traditional penitential liturgy was held for clergy of the Diocese of Rome on Thursday. The ceremony took place in the Archbasilica of St John Lateran, the cathedral of the Diocese.

  
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  Pope cancels visit with Rome Priests for ‘slight’ illness

  Feb 28, 2020

  Pope Francis is sick and skipped a planned Mass with Rome clergy across town on Thursday, officials said.

  
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  Pope at Ash Wednesday Mass: We are dust loved by God

  Feb 27, 2020

  Pope Francis celebrates Mass on Ash Wednesday in the Basilica of Santa Sabina, and reminds us that we are dust that can become much more if we allow ourselves to be shaped by God.

  
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  Pope Francis prays for war-torn Iraq

  Feb 27, 2020

  Pope Francis recalls the suffering of the people of Iraq assuring them of his prayers.

  
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  Pope expresses closeness to those affected by coronavirus

  Feb 27, 2020

  Pope Francis expresses closeness to those affected by the coronavirus and to those working to care for the sick and to contain the spread of the virus.

  
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  Pope praises Brazil’s Lenten solidarity campaign

  Feb 27, 2020

  Pope Francis sends a message to the people of Brazil at the start of the local Church’s Lenten “Solidarity Campaign”, and encourages Catholics to combine conversion with service to those most in need.

  
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  Pope at Audience: ‘Disconnect from TV, smart phones and connect to the Gospel in Lent’

  Feb 27, 2020

  Pope Francis holds the General Audience in St. Peter’s Square on Ash Wednesday, reflecting on how the coming forty days are a good time to make room for the Word of God in our lives.

  
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  Pope: Ashes, living for the things of this world means rejecting what God has done in our lives

  Feb 27, 2020

  “If I live only to earn money, to have a good time, to gain a bit of prestige or a promotion in my work, I am living for dust,” said Pope Francis. “Even in the Church, the house of God, we have let so much dust collect, the dust of worldliness. Let us look inside, into our hearts: how many times do we extinguish the fire of God with the ashes of hypocrisy!”