Before returning to the Vatican on Friday, February 23, 2018, Pope Francis thanked Fr. José Tolentino Mendon, who preached the meditations during the February 18-23 spiritual exercises for the Holy Father and curia. Fr.Tolentino is a Portuguese priest and Biblical theologian and vice-rector of the Portuguese Catholic University in Lisbon.
The “thank you” to conclude the week was recorded on video and released on February 23 by the Vatican. In his remarks, Pope Francis stressed that the Church must open without fear.
