Perhaps anticipating this month of rest, the Holy Father had a very tight week of work (the last of June): his week began with an audience to Saint Peter’s Circle, a Foundation that helps the Pontiff in his charity to Rome’s poor. Speaking of the Jubilee Year 2025, topic to which the Pope dedicates increasingly more space, he gave the Circle an instruction: “The pilgrims and tourists who come to Rome must ‘breathe’ the air of Christian charity, which isn’t only assistance, it’s care of dignity, it’s closeness, it’s sharing what is lived, without publicity, without spotlights.”

Opus Dei, Monsignor Gänswein and the Pope’s Embrace to the Traditional World

Also at the beginning of the week was the 30-minute audience granted to the Prelate of the Opus Dei, a relevant audience given the reforms that the Pope requested “la Obra” (as those that form part of it call it affectionately) and which provided the opportunity for Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz to inform the Holy Father on the state of things, especially the updating of its Statutes.

On Monday, June 24, we also learnt the new destiny of Benedict XVI’s private secretary, Monsignor Georg Gänswein: Nuncio in Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. The appointment happened exactly one year after his exile from the Vatican. His new mission as Nuncio was not a surprise, as there had been talk of it since December 2023. What was a surprise, however, was his destiny, as some of the misinformed media ventured to say that he would be sent to the diminutive Principality of Liechtenstein, which did not happen.

The Pope also gave an embrace to the world of pre-Conciliar liturgical sensibility, with the audience he granted to Monsignor Gilles Wach, Prior General of the Christ the King Supreme Priest Institute. Weeks before there was talk in traditionalist Websites and blogs that the Pope was going to publish new restrictions to the Mass of the 1962 Missal. Hence this audience was regarded initially with expectation, but it turned out to be a meeting on the occasion of Monsignor Wach’s 45^th anniversary. What’s more, the Pope invited the whole Institute, including the nuns, to a special audience in the Vatican. Notorious in that audience was the austerity with which Monsignor Gilles and his two companions dressed: as opposed to the usual way of dressing in the Christ the King Supreme Priest Institute, they wore a simple black soutane. 

Audiences in Santa Marta: Abused Priests and Climate Guru

We said at the beginning that the Pope usually attends private audiences far from the official spotlights. This distinction happens not only in the place where official audiences are held (the Apostolic Palace) but also in the schedule (usually in the mornings). Afternoons in Casa Santa Marta are usually dedicated to informal audiences. Two of these were made public. The first was to three priests who were victims of sexual abuse, and the second was to American Democrat politician Al Gore. The former Vice-President of the United States assured a contribution to the Pope (not known if it’s financial or of another type) both for the World Day of Children of 2026 as well as the Jubilee of 2025.

Muslims, Divine Word Missionaries and Orthodox: The Holy Father Wants To Go To Nicaea

Another important audience on the Pope’s agenda was that granted to a group of Muslims from Bologna, Italy. The Holy Father said to them clearly that “marriage between persons of different religions must not be an occasion to convert a spouse to one’s own religion.” Some means have  contextualized these words differently as if the Pope addressed them to Catholics in favour of Muslims. It’s completely inaccurate, as it was said to Muslims he had in front of him in the Room adjacent to the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall.

The Pope also received in audience the Divine Word Missionaries, a masculine Catholic Congregation. His address was rich, but there was an aspect that called attention because, increasingly, individualism is marked in the ecclesial realm: “Creative missionary activities are born of love for the Word of God; creativity is born of contemplation and discernment. And although personal creative action is good, the communitarian is better for the unity and strength of the Church,” pointed out the Pope.

The Pontiff also made things clear to the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, a body of discreet importance within the Roman Curia: the members are not called to substitute any actor of Latin American ecclesiastical life, Pope Francis said to them. It’s a very timely specification especially in an ecclesial context in which on occasions some of the members of that small reality seem to reflect a certain form of activism.

The Orthodox were also given space on the Pope’s agenda: on the eve of the day of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, the Pope received a Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. It’s a tradition that on the occasion of patronal feasts of Rome (June 29, Saint Peter and Saint Paul) and Constantinople (November 30, Saint Andrew) Delegations are interchanged. On this occasion, the Pope invited the Orthodox to take part in the Jubilee of 2025 but he also made a confession: “I’m happy that the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Dicastery for the Promotion of Christian Unity have begun to reflect on the way to commemorate this anniversary together, and I thank His Holiness Bartholomew for having invited me to celebrate it close to the place where the Council met. It’s a trip I have a heartfelt desire to undertake.”

Finally, after having reformed the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, on June 29 Pope Francis made known the new reform of the Vatican Basilica. Among the most important changes is the division in four sectors of the Basilica, namely: liturgical, pastoral, charitable and cultural, and theological.

Money for the Pope, Rupnik and the Communications Dicastery

In the context of the Solemnity of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Patrons of Rome, and a day also known as the “Pope’s Day,” the Annual Report of the money the Pope receives was made known. In 2023 the Holy Father received a total of 52 million euros in donations. Although there was an increase compared to the previous year, there are many more outflows of money than inflows (370.4 million). One of the areas that receives most money is also the one that was at the center of a controversy: the Dicastery for Communications.

It happened on June 21 in Atlanta, Georgia, specifically during a lunch organized by EWTN in the context of the meeting of the Association of Catholic Media of the United States. After an initial intervention by the Prefect of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Communications, time was set aside for questions. It was then that two individuals (Paulina Guzik of Our Sunday Visitor, and Colleen Dulle of America Magazine) questioned Mr Paolo Ruffini about why Vatican News continues using indiscriminately the art works of former Jesuit Marko Ivan Rupnik and what message that sends to the victims of abuses.

The variety of answers given by Prefect Ruffini oscillated between saying that 1) it’s Christian not to judge (“who am I to judge?” he said, emulating the Pope, 2) that only images were used that were already in the archive and not new ones. Ruffini 3) put in doubt that to cease using them might benefit the victims in some way. “To remove, erase, destroy works of art is never a good option,” he said. “That’s not a Christian answer,” he added.

Ruffini, a modest, academic and reflective Catholic layman at the Head of a Roman Dicastery, achieved what in ten years had not been achieved: the press on both sides of the ideological spectrum united in a unanimous cause, which was to condemn his words. The Register dedicated no less than an Editorial, but the Reporter, Crux, The Pillar and The Catholic Herald also dedicated large spaces to him.

Days later the storm did not subside: TentMakers, an association dedicated to foster hope, healing and justice for survivors of sexual abuse by the clergy, called for the resignation of the Prefect of the Dicastery for Communications. And on Friday, June 28, five women victims of former Jesuit Marko Ivan Rupnik sent a letter to the Pope asking that the works of their alleged abuser cease being exhibited. That same day a letter was published of the President of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM), Cardinal Sean O’Malley, sent to all the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia. The letter requested a very specific thing: “We must avoid sending a message  that the Holy See is oblivious to the psychological suffering that so many persons are experiencing,” he wrote in relation to the use of the former Jesuit’s works.

A press release of the PCPM alluded specifically to the Dicastery for Communications with these words: “the victims and survivors of abuse of power, spiritual abuse and sexual abuse have contacted the PCPM to express their growing frustration and concern over the continuing use of works of art of Father Marko Rupnik by several offices of the Vatican, including the Dicastery for Communications.”

In honour to the truth something must be clarified: Ruffini is not immediately responsible for the publication of the images in question. The competence for the use of image falls on the Editorial Director of Vatican News, namely, Andrea Tornielli.

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What is Peter’s Pence?

Peter’s Pence are donations or payments made directly to the Holy See of the Catholic Church. They are used for the needs of the Church worldwide, beginning by the Roman Curia and Papal Representations, as well as initiatives of support for the neediest.

Total revenues for 2023 were 52 million euros against expenditures of 109.4 million euros; a shortfall of 57.4 million euros.

Breakdown of Revenue

Of the total of 52 million euros, 48.4 million were donations made in three ways:

1^st The annual collection on the occasion of the Solemnity of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. This collection comes through Nunciatures worldwide, and in Italy’s case, through the Dioceses.

2^nd Donations made directly to Peter’s Pence Website

3^rd Inheritances through wills in which the deceased expressed his/her wish to bequeath all or part of his/her legacy to the Pope.

Of the 48.4 millions euros mentioned above, the donors were:

1. The dioceses with 31.2 million  (64.4%)
2. Private donors, with 2.1 million (4.4%)
3. Foundations, with 13.9 million (28.8%)
4. Religious Orders, with 1.2 million (2.4%)

Top Ten Countries

Taking into account dioceses and private donors, the top ten countries that donated to the Pope were:

1^st The United States with 13.6 million (28.1%)

2^nd Italy, with 3.1 million (6.4%)

3^rd Brazil, with 1.9 million (3.9%)

4^th Germany, with 1.3 million (2.7%)

6^th France, with 1 million (2%)

7^th Mexico, with 900 thousand euros (1.8%)

8^th Ireland, with 900 thousand euros (1.8%)

9^th The Czech Republic, with 800 thousand euros (1.7%)

10^th  Spain, with 800 thousand euros (1.7%)

How Is the Money Spent?

During 2023, Peter’s Pence Fund received 103 million euros, 900 million of which were allocated to support the Holy See’s activities at the service of the Holy Father’s apostolic mission, and 13 million  euros to support projects of direct assistance to the neediest.

These contributions came from offerings received amounting to 48.4 million euros and financial income from remuneration of assets amounting to 3.6 million euros. The remaining 51 million euros were from assets of the Peter’s Pence Fund (patrimony).

Understood by “support of the Pope’s apostolic mission” is the Roman Curia and the Nunciatures (Embassies) in the countries with which the Holy See has diplomatic relations.

Understood by “direct assistance” is material assistance to individuals and families in difficulties, emigrants and refugees, populations hit by war and famine, and populations suffering from the consequences of natural disasters. The Pope’s aid is carried out through Dioceses and Religious Congregations.

What Projects Does the Pope Support?

In 2023 Peter’s Pence supported 236 projects in 76 countries amounting to 13 million euros. The allocation by Continent was as follows:

– Africa, 68 projects, 5.4 million (41.6%)

– Europe, 100 projects, 2.4 million (18.5%)

– America, 34 projects , 2.3 million (17.7%)

– Asia, 33 projects, 2.8 million (21.4%)

– Oceania, one project, 0.1 million (0.8%)

The Report specifies that among the projects supported in Europe were studies grants for priests, seminarians and men religious from Africa, Latin America and Asia (500 thousand euros), as well as funds allocated to finance pastoral and social initiatives in Ukraine.

An interesting section is the one referring to the cost that the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia entail, among which that of communication is the most expensive. The 68 Dicasteries, entities and bodies of the Holy See entailed an expense of 370.4 million euros in 2023. 90 million euros (24% of the total) of Peter’s Pence was allocated to subsidize part of this expense.

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Today Jorge Mario Bergoglio is Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome and 266^th Successor of the Apostle Peter and, as such, he must take a decision in face of an announcement advanced by the Superior of the French district of the Lefebvrists — Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X — Father Benoît de Jorna, in a letter to the benefactors.

“(. . . ) on June 30, 1988, Monsignor Lefebvre carried out a “survival operation” of the Catholic Tradition when consecrating four Auxiliary Bishops. These Bishops, who were quite young at the time, evidently are less so thirty-six years later. As the ecclesiastical situation has not improved since 1988, it has become necessary to think of giving them assistants, who one day will become their substitutes.

When a Superior General announces a decision of this sort, we can expect a media frenzy against the “fundamentalists,” the “rebels,” the “schismatics,” the “disobedient,” to name just a few. At that moment we will have to face disputes, insults, contempt, rejection, perhaps even ruptures with individuals close to us.”

Unless it is an Ordination approved in some way by the Pope (a quite improbable event if one thinks of the recent Vatican negative on liturgical matter to a New Zealand Archbishop), an Ordination without papal mandate implies the penalty of excommunication latae sententiae established in the Code of Canon Law (n. 1382). Incurred in the penalty is not only the one who ordains but also the one ordained and those that act as co-consecrators.

However this, which in practice implies a schism, is not the only one the Pope faces, which made news this past week.

Former Nuncio Carlo Maria Vigano made it known on his X account (former Twitter) that the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith summoned him to the Vatican for a canonical trial for schism. “I consider the accusations against me as an honour. I think the formulation itself of the charges confirms the thesis I have defended repeatedly in my different addresses. It’s no accident that the accusation against me refers to the questioning of the legitimacy of Jorge Mario Bergoglio  and to the rejection of Vatican II: the Council represents the ideological, theological, moral and liturgical cancer of which the Bergolian “synodal Church” is the necessary metastasis,” wrote the Archbishop contemptuously on his social networks, who has increasingly been left alone for his radical positions in this area and who in the recent past was the object questionings for the use of money collected through donations.

𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗺 (art. 2 SST; can. 1364 CIC)

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has informed me, with a simple email, of the initiation of… pic.twitter.com/sVQmV2U4Af

— Arcivescovo Carlo Maria Viganò (@CarloMVigano) June 20, 2024

In a press release, Vigano confirmed that he will not appear at the trial and refuted the badly informed America Magazine of the Jesuits in the United States, which stated that he had appeared on Thursday, June 20.

Neither did those appear at trial who are, unfortunately at present, the most famous nuns in Spain — the Poor Clare nuns of the Belorado Convent near Burgos, who have incurred in a schism for the same reasons as the Lefebvrists and Archbishop Vigano: rejection of Vatican Council II and non-recognition of Francis as Pope.

Last Friday, June 21, the nuns published the following on their Instagram account:

The Poor Clare nuns of Belorado express, and have so communicated in this moment, that it is their will not to appear to the appointment scheduled today by the Ecclesiastical Court of Burgos, having separated themselves from the Conciliar Church in virtue of the formal decision adopted by them dated May 8, the Canonical Law, therefore, not being competent to know any question related to this aspect, and communicate that they have referred their representation to a Negotiating Commission in which this firm is located and GTRS, in order that they mediate and negotiate with the homologous Commission of the Archbishopric’s Commission of Burgos, to find a peaceful and extrajudicial solution to the conflict, which will enable the recognition of their personal and patrimonial rights that are being plundered by the Archbishopric.

On May 13 that group of nuns announced its separation from the Catholic Church, ignoring the Pope as an authority. Behind this statement were two men who perceive themselves one as Bishop and the other as priest, although they haven’t succeeded in demonstrating who conferred on them validly the respective Sacrament.

The Archbishop of Burgos, the Vatican’s Commissioner for this event, did everything possible to maintain communion, but in the end, they alone have isolated themselves . . . although as they intend to keep the Convent, which is the Church’s property, they will go to trial.

A fourth schism is that of 500,000 Catholics of India of the Syro-Malabar Rite. The underlying problem is the Liturgy, specifically, the way of celebrating Mass. A uniform way for all was agreed in 2021, but the most numerous Archdiocese did not agree. Fights followed, fights came. The Pope called them to order; he sent them a Commissioner and he also changed their Major Archbishop. And it was the latter who gave them an ultimatum that ends on July 3: either they obey or they will be excommunicated. An agreement was announced last week; however, as the last week of June begins, we know that everything has collapsed and that it seems that 10% of the members of the Catholic Church of Syro-Malabar Rite will stay outside communion and, in that sense, but hopefully not, it is the most numerous schism that will materialize since that of Lefevbre 36 years ago.

This was not the best week for the Pope. Businessman Raffaele Mincione, who lost a trial in the Vatican, has taken his cause to the United Nations Organization, accusing the Holy See of violations in the judicial process. As ZENIT noted, the matter can have repercussions on the Holy See’s reputation in the rea of the administration of justice.

Moreover, the subject of the words used by the Pope – a few weeks ago — to refer to homosexuals has been an uncomfortable subject, which the Pope experienced first hand. On Thursday, June 20, the Holy Father was connected to the virtual event “Building Bridges Across Asia and the Pacific.” At a certain moment, a young Filipino took the floor and said to him directly:

“I am Lorez Acevedo, from Tondo, Manila, a fellowship student of the Faculty of Psychology of the Athenaeum of Manila University. I myself was marginalized and harassed for being bisexual, because of my homosexuality, my identity, and because I am the son of a single mother. My mother was unable to divorce my father. Please, authorize divorce in the Philippines and stop using offensive language against the LGBTQIA+ community. This cause great pain.”

Finally, the most human and close sorrow has touched the life of the Pope, as his Confessor died. The Hoy Father’s gratitude and affection for him is so great that on Sunday, June 23, he went to the place of the wake in Rome to recollect himself in prayer for him.

These are the most recent events in the difficult life of the one who carries the barque of Saint Peter. We can add — to conclude now and out of a desire to offer a more complete vision –, that last week (the penultimate of June 2024) the Pontiff also dedicated time to meetings with his Council of Cardinals and a few women. During those meetings the subject of the role of women in the Church was addressed again, but also that of Canon Law and of the economy in a broader context. The three were the subject of the 2023 Synod on Synodality.

Among the topics addressed in the Pope’s speeches this past week were the big-bang and black holes (where he claimed the role of Belgian priest and theoretical physicist Georges Lemaître; ecumenism with Lutherans and Artificial Intelligence (topic on which he has been developing his own teaching).

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104 comedians and a Jesuit priest (whom the Vatican called officially “humour artists”)  went to a private audience with the Pontiff on Friday morning, June 14. The Pope gave them a very good speech on the art of laughter: he acknowledged their capacity to spread serenity and a smile, and said an axiom to them that many repeated to the press after leaving the audience: “when you are able to trigger intelligent smiles even if it’s only of one spectator — what I’ll say now isn’t a heresy! — you also make God smile. Leaving aside his prepared address, the Pope reminded them of a prayer to ask for a sense of humour (written by Saint Thomas More), which he himself has prayed for over 40 years. At the end, they all “prayed” it together.

Seen that Friday 14^th in the Vatican were 104 known faces  of international comedy. But seen also was a face that it’s still not understood why he was invited, at least in the quality of comedian (unless what he does is considered precisely that, a comedy). We are referring to Jesuit James Martin, known LGBT+ activist, who a few days earlier, in the context of the anniversary of his priestly ordination, was able to have a private audience with the Pope. He had himself photographed in the audience, receiving the Pope’s blessing (allusion to Fiducia Supplicans? someone asked on Twitter) and, subsequently, he published the photo on the networks, saying that the Pope said he “has known many good seminarians and priests, holy and celibate, with homosexual tendencies. Once again, he confirmed my ministry with LGBTQ people and showed his openness and love for the LGBTQ community.”

Martin’s media intervention had a context that was not only of his activism: on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 11, Pope Francis held a meeting with priests of the diocese of Rome, specifically with those who have between 11  and 39 years of priestly ordination. It must be said that it was one of the Pope’s most difficult meetings, who has been having meetings of this sort with priests of Rome, by age groups. 500 priests were summoned to that June 11 meeting. Only a maximum of between 140-150 took part in it and, given that the format of such meetings is one of “question-answer,” it was one of the most uncomfortable for the Holy Father because of the type of questions.

In connection with the topic of homosexuality (it wasn’t the only one but is the one we have been treating), one of the questions had to do with that topic, in the broader context of vocations and the Seminary. The Pontiff answered:

“What I have said on this topic: if a boy wants to enter the Seminary and has a homosexual tendency, impede him. The Dicastery for the Clergy has said it and I support it. Because today the homosexual culture has progressed a lot and there are good boys who love the Lord, but it’s better not to do so, better not to do so. Once a Monsignor who works in the Vatican said to me: ‘Holiness, I want to say something to you, I am concerned about the gay culture that is here.’ I said yes to him, that there is an air of campness here. It’s true, it exists in the Vatican. But listen, Monsignor: today, for our culture, it’s an honour. Let’s be careful not to despise people with homosexual tendencies but accompany them; there are many good people. Accompany them, help them, send them to psychologists, but be careful about receiving them in the Seminary.”

In the preceding weeks this topic was recurrent and also controversial. In a meeting with the Italian Episcopate, the Pope used the word “faggotry” (in Italian “frociaggine”), which has a pejorative cultural nature. Afterwards, the Press Office published a press release with an apology request for the word used. Made public also shortly after was a private letter of the Pope, which was erroneously presented as a letter to a homosexual seminarian (in fact, the boy never entered a Seminary). The Pope’s letter contained words that were susceptible to being interpreted as if the Holy Father justified the boy’s entering the Seminary. It was in that context that the Roman priest asked the question during the meeting with Pope Francis on June 11.

Understandably, the use of the term, which is derogatory in Italian, sparked reactions. One of the most visible was the Gay Pride March in Rome on Saturday, June 15. Seen on the social networks were all sorts of that word used by the Pope (including some who were dressed up as the Pope), subject that in fact was a tendency on X (formerly Twitter, that same June 15). The extent of that “reaction against” was so great that, in that sense, it can be said that the Pope “was” (without being) in the June Gay March in Rome.

It was also “the first time” that the Pope was in the G7 summit, the summit of the seven most industrialized countries. It took place on Friday, June 14 in Apulia, in the south of Italy. The Pope went to speak about Artificial Intelligence at the invitation of the current President of the G7, Giorgia Meloni.

That Friday afternoon opened with the Pope’s address. A nice thing happened: after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s introduction, the Pope took the floor and also two bundles of papers in his hands, one thick and the other thin: “Thank you very much for your attention. I have two versions here, the long and the brief. I’ll only read the brief one,” Pope Francis began by saying. The best summary of all that the Pontiff said (the full version of the address can be read here) was given by the Holy Father himself: “It corresponds to each one to make good use of it [of Artificial Intelligence, Editor’s note], and it corresponds to politics to create the conditions so that that good use is possible and fruitful.”

The Pope’s participation in the G7 Summit had more notable aspects. The first was the ample list of rulers that wished to have a private appointment with him. It seemed that the Pontiff went to the G7 to “attend in spiritual direction” the leaders of the planet’s most vigorous economies and some others. At midday he attended Zelensky (Ukraine), Macron (France) Trudeau (Canada) and Georgieva (International Monetary Fund); in the afternoon Ruto (President of Kenya), Modi (Prime Minster of India), Biden (USA), Lula de Silva (Brazil), Erdogan (Turkey) and Tebboune (President of Algeria).

Among the featured gestures during the day (for good or bad) were:

1)The affectionate and visible embrace that Pope Francis was given as he entered the room by Argentine President Javier Milei (a few days earlier the Pope had received in the Vatican Argentine trade unionists of the Government’s Airlines and the Governor of the Province of Buenos Aires, in the context of the disturbances over a law promoted by Milei);

2) The uncomfortable moment when Biden put his head on the Pope’s head;

3) The invitation of India’s Prime Minister Modi (recently re-elected) for the Pope to visit his country;

4) The fact that in the Summit’s final declaration abortion was not included as a topic (some adjudicate the fact to the leadership of Giorgia Meloni, a practicing Catholic who invited the Pope).

At the beginning we said it was about “three first times.” The third was the meeting with top level bankers and businessmen, received in private audience on Saturday morning, June 15. The  Pope presented them three challenges: the environment, the poorest and young people. In regard to this third category, Pope Francis interceded for them with this concrete and realistic request:

“No wok is learnt without “business hospitality,” which means to receive young people generously, although they lack the necessary experience and competencies, because all work is learnt by working.”

Presented also during the second week of June was a very relevant ecumenical document entitled “The Bishop of Rome.” As the document itself states, it is a study-document prepared by the Dicastery for Christian Unity, which summarizes the whole ecumenical debate about the service of the primacy of the Church since Vatican Council II. In synthesis, the document addresses the role of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) in a unified Church with Orthodox and Protestants.

We end this chronicle with two last things, recommending the reading of the three synodal virtues that the Pope suggested to Representatives of Ecclesial Movements, during a special audience on Thursday, June 13: to think according to God, to overcome closure and to cultivate humility, an address that it is worthwhile reading.

The Holy Father began the week with a visit to the Capitol of Rome, headquarters of the Mayor. The address was also wonderful, and I want to reflect on two pieces of advice that the Pontiff gave: closeness as service of authority:

“(. . . ) give witness that authority is fully such when it is put at the service of all, when it uses its legitimate power to respond to the needs of the citizens and, in particular, of the weakest and the least. And this isn’t only for you, politicians, it is also for priests, for Bishops. Closeness, closeness to the People of God to serve them, to accompany them.”

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Among the guests are names of the stature of Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jim Gaffigan, Whoopi Goldberg, James Martin, Tig Notaro, Chris Rock, Conan O’Brien and, from the Spanish-speaking realm, Florinda Meza (Mrs Florinda in the series of Chavo of 8) and Chumel Torres.

What didn’t spark that much laughter was the Pope’s appeal to rich countries to condone poor countries’ debt, in the context of the Jubilee, which the Catholic Church will celebrate in 2025. Quoting Saint John Paul II, Pope Francis made the appeal in the context of the “Debt Crisis in the Global South” Meeting, sponsored by the Pontifical Academies of Sciences. In fact, the Pope already made this appeal in the Bull convoking the Jubilee.

Those we did see smile in the Vatican were the football players of the Croatian team, as the Holy Father received them in audience. We saw a very smiling Luka Modrić and, as far as is known, very edified as he is a practicing Catholic. Practitioners also (needless to say!) was the group of Spanish priests who, on the occasion of the 25^th anniversary of their Ordination, were received by the Pope himself in Casa Santa Maria, his residence. ZENIT noted something that only a few other media reported later: Pope Francis gave as advice to priests not only to hear confessions but also to go to Confession themselves, advice that is worth not only for those priests in particular.

In fact, the Pontiff spoke about priestly life to the members of the Dicastery for the Clergy, in the context of their Plenary Assembly. Taking up again the topics he was treating, the Pope addressed the subject of the permanent formation of the clergy, the care of vocations, and the permanent diaconate. Something that did not go unnoticed on this occasion, was the Pope’s rare public recognition of the many good priests that exist:

“(. . .) I would like first of all to express my gratitude, my affection and my closeness to priests and deacons worldwide. Many times I have warned against the dangers of clericalism and of spiritual worldliness, but I’m very conscious that the vast majority of priests work with so much generosity and spirit of faith for the good of the holy People of God, bearing the weight of so much fatigue and facing pastoral and spiritual challenges that sometimes are not easy.”

In mid-week, specifically on Wednesday, June 5, the Pope made official what was already known in an officious way, that he will publish a document on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. However, he gave more details: the first is that the document will come out in September 2024 and, the second, the subject it will address: “I’m pleased to prepare a document that brings together the valuable reflections of previous magisterial texts and of a long history that goes back to the Sacred Scriptures, to propose again today to the whole Church this worship full of spiritual beauty.” Pope Francis believes that “it will do us very good to meditate on these different aspects of the Lord’s love, which can illumine the path of ecclesial renewal, and which can also say something significant to a world that seems to have lost heart. I ask you to accompany me in prayer during this time of preparation; the intention is to make this document public next September.”

A day after this announcement, the Pope went to the outskirts of the city, of which he is Bishop, to hold a meeting in a neighbouring condominium. It’s the third time the Holy Father does this, and more are planned in the context of an initiative of preparation for the Jubilee, called “Schools of Prayer.” Allow me a confession: many of us journalists, who cover the Vatican, were warned in advance that the Pope would go to a place in the city (we were given the time, day, address, etc.). Some went to the place, but the Pope didn’t arrive on the anticipated day and time . . . He didn’t arrive at that place, but yes at the one we reported. Those who wanted to get an exclusive, didn’t get it. So it happens . . .

We end with three activities of the Holy Father (but what an agenda the Pope had this past week!): one with diplomats, another with choirs and a third for peace.

On Saturday, June 8, the Pontiff met in the Vatican with the new Ambassadors of Ethiopia, Zambia, Tanzania, Burundi, Qatar and Mauritania. It is a diplomatic protocol rule that one who is appointed Ambassador of one country to another (in this case to Holy See) is obliged to introduce him/herself to the Head of State (in this case the Pope), to present his/her “Letters of Credence” with which the Government of the country of origin accredits him/her as official Ambassador to that other country. Sometimes the Pope receives those Ambassadors alone (the previous week, for instance, he received the Letters of Credence of the Ambassador of Argentina), at other times, in a group, as happened on this occasion. The Pope took advantage to give the Ambassadors three pieces of advice, advice that perhaps will also occupy Monsignor Georg Gänswein, former private Secretary of Benedict XVI, every time the echoes of the Vatican walls make his name resonate to take care of the Vatican’s Embassy in the Principality of Liechtenstein . . .

And, as regards the choirs, if with comedians the Vatican will be the capital of laughter, with the choirs of numerous countries of the world  the Vatican was first capital of music, as there was an international meeting for choirs in the context of the 40^th anniversary of the Choir of the Diocese of Rome. The Pope received them in audience and spoke to them of harmony, communion and joy. It’s impressive how the Pope also knows what happens in ecclesial groups such as choirs; hence the fact he said to them specifically:

“Don’t let the world’s mentality contaminate your own interest — ambitions, jealousies, divisions, all these things that, as you well know, can enter the life of a choir, of a community, becoming environments that aren’t joyful but sad and boring, until they break up.”

And now we will end and we do so in the Pope’s gardens. A picnic for peace was held there on Saturday afternoon, June 8. Yes, we say picnic, because the Pope fed those listening to him with words of peace.

In the context of the 10^th anniversary — of those that at the time were Presidents of Israel and Palestine –, an olive tree was planted in those very gardens, the Pope having brought together the Ambassadors of several countries and some twenty Cardinals. Among them were four Ambassadors of countries with which the Holy See has diplomatic relations, but which are at war with one another: Russia and Ukraine and Palestine and Israel.

It was impressive to see those five men together and, undoubtedly, with a yearning for their people: peace, a peace that “is not obtained only with paper agreements or tables of human and political commitment, but that is born of transformed hearts, that arises when each one of us is reached and touched by God’s love, which dissolves our egoisms, breaks our prejudices and gives us the pleasure and joy of reciprocal friendship, fraternity and solidarity” (Pope Francis’ words).

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When the Pope speaks publicly there is no mistake: he said what he said and, hence, he takes responsibility for it. However, on other occasions some say things that the Pope supposedly said and sometimes that creates problems. It happened this week when it was learnt that in a part of the closed door conversation with the Italian Episcopate, he made a reference to homosexuals in seminaries with a word that is strong in Italian and has a derogatory meaning: “faggots.” The matter was so highlighted that the Holy See Press Office had to issue, in the Pope’s name, a press release with apologies.

The controversy was not yet extinguished when another arose: someone said that in the Pope’s meeting with the young clergy of the diocese of Rome, the Holy Father exhorted them not to be gossipers because “gossip is something women do.” It drew attention that in this second case there was no apologetic press release, however, the important point is another.

Is it legitimate to make public what is said in private? When people have meetings of this sort, the vocabulary is more colloquial and the confidence is felt of not having to speak with so much care when expressing oneself. However, this incident has revealed how problematic frankness can be in an atmosphere of intimacy among acquaintances, at least for the Pope.

Beyond these two specific news items, there were others that marked the week’s newsy agenda. Made public on Monday, May 27, was the renunciation of the one who was only eight months Bishop of La Plata, the second most important diocese of Argentina. Monsignor Gabriel Maestre was made to resign his office by the one who appointed him: the Pope. According to the Argentine media, behind this resignation was the fact that Monsignor Maestre had wanted to appoint a priest he trusted as his Successor when moved from Mar del Plata to La Plata. This caused the subsequent renunciation of two Bishops appointed by Pope Francis for Mar del Plata. When Monsignor Maestre’s renunciation was made public, he gave his version of the facts.

As he does every month, the Holy Father entrusted to Catholics worldwide the prayer intention for the month of June. On this occasion, the Pontiff requested prayers for the situation of migrants, fleeing from war and hunger, that they might find acceptance and new opportunities in life.”

After concluding the series of catecheses dedicated to vices and virtues,  — a series of 19 catecheses –, the Pope began a new thematic series on Wednesday, May 29. Henceforth the Holy Father will reflect further on the theme “The Spirit and the Bride — The Church Is the Bride. The Holy Spirit leads the People of God to the encounter with Jesus, our hope.” Given that it might be that not all know it, on Wednesdays throughout the year, except for July, the Pope holds a General Audience in Saint Peter’s Square or, if it’s too hot, cold or rainy, in Paul VI Hall, so that thousands of people can see and listen him. To take advantage of the opportunity, the Pontiff always imparts a catechesis every Wednesday. A series of catecheses means several Wednesdays dedicated to reflect further on a topic.

According to an indiscretion of the President of the Spanish Bishops, one of the topics the Pope will also reflect on further is the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In fact, Monsignor Luis Arguello said to the press on Friday, May 31, that the Pope  said to him that he is about to publish an Apostolic Exhortation on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, making him the fourth Pope to address this Christian devotion.

Moreover, the Vatican closed May with good news. A European body (Moneyval) published a follow-up Report  on the Vatican’s system against money laundering and the results were amply positive. And while a new Ambassador was arriving in Rome (that of Argentina to the Holy See), another announced his resignation, with only two years as Ambassador of the United States to the Holy See: former Democrat congressman Joe Donnelly, who is returning to the United States. It’s quite probable that there will be no US Ambassador to the holy See until after the election of the new President, namely, after November 2024.

The week in Rome ended with a beautiful gold brooch: the multitudinous Corpus Christi procession in the city, from the Cathedral of Saint John Lateran to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. The Holy Father didn’t take part in the procession, but went directly to the Basilica and gave a Blessing there with the Most Blessed Sacrament. In a homily moments earlier, he explained the meaning of the procession  and  . . . also, why it was suspended for some years:

“This is also the meaning of the gesture we will soon carry out with the Eucharistic Procession: starting from the Altar, we will take the Lord among our city’s homes. We don’t do so to presume or boast about our faith, but to invite everyone to participate, in the Bread of the Eucharist, of the new life Jesus has given us. Let’s engage in this procession with this spirit.”

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With that “Shakespearian” embrace, the Pope’s intense week ended, which opened with one of the most important meetings for the unity of the Catholic Church, held on Monday, May 12, with a delegation of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in Rome. The delegation of the second largest Eastern-Catholic community in communion with the Pope came to the meeting, headed by its  Major Archbishop but also with an old problem: the division over the liturgy. In fact, the Pope addressed this issue and said to them:

To preserve unity, therefore, is not a pious exhortation but a duty, and it is so especially when it is a question of priests who have promised obedience and of whom the believing people expect an example of charity and meekness.

However, while the Pope called some to unity, 1,758 kilometers from the Clementine Hall of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, a schism was taking place: some Poor Clare nuns of Belorado in Spain were declaring themselves “sedevacantists,” namely, that they do not recognize any Pope after Pius XII. The fact that it was national news, obliged the Spanish Bishops to pronounce themselves.

And if on one hand division lurks, on the other the yearning for unity is encouraging: during a visit to Portugal, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople (symbolic leader of the Orthodox world) announced that Pope Francis will visit Turkey to commemorate the anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. Apparently the Pope has all the enthusiasm to travel, as the Archbishop of Luxembourg also announced that the Holy Father will visit the small dutchy. There will be another trip in June, but of fewer kilometers: the Pope will visit Rome’s Capitolio, headquarters of the city’s Mayor. The Capitolio is evocative as it recalls that it was in fact a Pope (Paul III) who had it made. The architect in charge was no less than Michelangelo.

This past week three other events made news: on one hand, after the exact dates of the opening and closing of the Jubilee 2025 were made known, the Apostolic Penitentiary announced how Indulgencnes can be gained during that period. There will be up to 14 ways to gain Indulgences, although that’s not the novelty; the novelty is that for the first time up to a maximum of two Indulgences can be gained daily.

Also awaited was the document initially announced as criteria to discern Marian apparitions. In the end, it was about something broader, although it also encompassed Marian apparitions. In a tight synthesis, the processes are simplified through prudential recognitions of six types and to be avoided henceforth is the use of the phrase “proof of supernaturality.” Needless to say, there were questions about Medjugorje in the Holy See Press Office, but there were more questions of Italian colleagues who had questions about the alleged apparitions of the Virgin of Trevignano, an apparition already disqualified by the local Bishop.

In the context of the Israeli invasion of Gaza, the Embassy of Israel to the Holy See raised its voice regarding a speech pronounced by Nobel Prize laureate Tawakkol Karman during an event on hunan fraternity, organized by the Fratelli Tutti Foundation. Karman described what is happening in Gaza as genocide. Israel’s Embassy tool exception to the term and published a note of protest.

Finally, precisely in Gaza, after three months of isolation as a result of the conflict in the Holy Land, Cardinal Pierbatista Pizzaballa was able to visit the Catholic community of Gaza. He also visited the Church of the Orthodox in Gaza to bring them some consolation. ZENIT has replicated the photos of that timely and necessary pastoral visit.

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Holy Door of Saint John Lateran

– Opening: December 29, 2024

– Closing: December 28, 2025

Holy Door of Saint Mary Major

– Opening: January 1, 2025

– Closing: December 28, 2025

Holy Door of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls

– Opening: January 5, 2025

– Closing: December 28, 2025

Although the announcement of the dates of the opening and closing of the Jubilee was the most important event of the week, it wasn’t the only one in Pope Francis’ tight agenda.

The week began with the Holy Father’s a special audience to his personal army, in the context of the swearing-in of 34 new recruits, whom he received with their families, and which coincided with the commemoration of the fall in battle of Swiss soldiers who gave their life for the Pope in 1506. Pope Francis congratulated them for the positive environment that exists in the barracks and exhorted them to go against the current . . . being independent in their use of cell phones. And it seems that, as their Field Marshal, he told them they could go out to get to know Rome . . .

During the week’s many meetings, a variety of topics were addressed. In his intervention in the General States of Birth, an Italian event that promotes policies in favour of the family and procreation, Pope Francis gave a wonderful address with three points to foster births: realism, foresight and courage. The full address is worth reading.

The subject of youth, discernment and choice was addressed by the Pope in a speech to a private University of Massachusetts; the subject of the Liturgy was touched upon in an audience to members of the Catalan Faculty of Theology and the Pontiff’s resounding no to a Liturgy slave to rubricism (which he described as an aberration). Pope Francis talked about three lines of Theology — creative fidelity to the Tradition, trans-disciplinarity and collegiality –, to a Delegation of the International Network of Societies for Catholic Theology. Finally, another important meeting, given the subject matter, was that with participants in an event of the Fratelli Tutti Foundation, among whom were a couple of dozen Nobel Prizes. The Pope spoke to them about the art of living together in a truly human way.

Moving to the most important general news of the Holy See, we now know that Friday, May 17, is the day that the new Document of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, on discernment of Marian apparitions, will be presented and published. Will Medjugorje be discussed? ZENIT will attend the press conference and inform you in due time.

Going back, the Holy See’s news week was marked by the arrest of a priest of Czech nationality who attempted to enter Saint Peter’s Square with a weapon. ZENIT did some further research on the matter. Obviously, to associate a weapon with a priest in a Vatican venue gives way to many fanciful theories. The reality was simpler. The weapon was an air pistol in a backpack, which did not belong to the priest but to a companion, who quickly gave to the priest before entering the Square, perhaps thinking that the priest wouldn’t be searched. Of Czech origin, the priest was in Rome with a group of pilgrims, including the man who gave him his backpack. In the end, nothing much came of it all, but undoubtedly security has been redoubled in the different accesses to Saint Peter’s Square.

We close this edition of the chronicles with three very positive ecclesial news items: on one hand, President Joe Biden conferred one of the highest distinction of the American Government on a Catholic priest who helps drug addicts break their addiction. We invite you to get to know the story of Father Boyle and Homeboy Industries. On the other, in Nigeria, a priest was able to save the life of numerous children, when a band of Muslim terrorists entered the pupils’ school. Father Ogwuche turned off the school’s lights, so that the terrorists were unable to see where the children were as the incident happened at night. You can read this story here. Finally, positive news has come from the Far East: the Catholic Church in South Korea constitutes 11.3% of the population, which implies almost six million faithful. South Korea is one of the countries where the Catholic Church has grown most, which is also reflected in the number of vocations. Not for nothing will it be the venue for the World Youth Day 2026.

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In fact, three years after not doing so, Pope Francis will preside over the Holy Mass on Sunday, June 2, in the Cathedral of Saint John Lateran. Subsequently, he will lead the Corpus Christi procession to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where the Adoration will end with the Eucharistic Blessing. Also in the ambit of prayer is the request that the Pope entrusted to Catholics worldwide for the month of May: to pray for the formation of men and women religious and for seminarians.

Another important announcement in the Holy Father’s short-term agenda is the historic participation of a Pope in a G7 summit.

The G7 is an economic and political association of seven of the world’s most industrialized economies: the United Kingdom, Japan, Italy, France, the United States, Canada and Germany, to which is added the European Union. Together they concentrate 58% of the planet’s global wealth. Their 50^th Summit will be held in the Italian city of Fasano, in Apulia, during which they will address topics, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). It was Italy’s Prime Minister (and current President of the G7) who announced that Pope Francis will take part in that Summit and give his input on the subject of Artificial Intelligence. In fact, the Pontiff has dedicated two magisterial documents to AI: the Message for the World Day of Peace 2024 and the Message for the World Day of Social Communications 2024. Several Holy See Dicasteries and organizations have been addressing specifically and reflecting furthe on this subject. Such is the case of the Academy for Life and the initiative of the RenAIssance Foundation.

The Pope’s agenda was saturated this past week. He was present at the meeting of some 200 parish priests from around the world. Those priests were in Rome to attend a congress that sought to gather their experience in face of the forthcoming Synod on Synodality, to be held in October 2024 (the second part). The fact is no secret that priests in general have been the least involved in that process. Hence the Dicastery for the Clergy  and the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops hopes to foster their interaction. On the last day of the parish priests’ gathering, the Pope received them in the Vatican. He talked with them in the Synod’s New Hall and signed a letter addressed to the parish priests, requesting them to be “missionaries of synodality,” and he also left them three instructions “to inspire the lifestyle and action of Pastors.” A few days later, the Pontiff met in Rome  with a numerous group of priests of his own diocese.

The theme oof the Synod was also addressed during the audience granted to leaders of the Anglican Church who, for the first time, held their World Meeting in Rome. First of all, Pope Francis was sincere with them and acknowledged that the subject of the Pope’s primacy is something unacceptable to them (let us not forget that the Anglicans separated from communion with the Pope when Pope Clement VII would not agree to recognize the marriage annulment between Henry VIII of England and Catherine of Aragon, daughter of the Catholic Kings. Henry VIII proclaimed himself head of the  Church of England  and, subsequently, had many other wives). In his address, Pope Francis opened the possibility of the Anglicans enriching the Synod on Synodality, in the context of a better understanding of the Pope’s primacy.

Days earlier, the loquacious Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith announced that the Dicastery he heads is working on a new document that will serve as a compass to discern on Marian apparitions. Ecclesial news at the international level was the decision of Brazil’s Supreme Court to permit nuns to appear with a veil in official documents; the fact that only a few months before the elections, Biden enjoys only 35% of approval among American Catholics; and that the Archdiocese of Mexico City requested its priests not to pronounce themselves on political topics that can imply inducing votes. The measure is understood as a few years ago, several priests, a Bishop and a Cardinal were pursued for speaking clearly about MORENA, the Party of Mexico’s current President.

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Perceived in both Saint Peter’s Square as well as the Basilica’s interior are the preparations for Holy Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and Easter Sunday. Many have heard that the Pope is unwell, and wonder if he’ll preside over the celebrations of the holy days.

In fact, Pope Francis has been ill for a month, a month in which we have not heard his voice due to a lingering “cold,” which has impeded his pronouncing his addresses and homilies himself over the past 30 days. With the exception of Sundays’ Angelus,” we have only heard him speak a few words but coupled with many gestures.

Perhaps with those gestures the Holy Father continued to reflect a vigorous personality, although the week of March 18-24 was one of little papal activity and, hence, a dearth of news about him. Perhaps the most important gesture was the decision he took about one of the four papal Basilicas of Rome, and the world’s most important Marian Basilica as it is, historically, the first to be dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The context is as follows: In December of 2021, the Pontiff designated Bishop Rolandas Makrickas Commissioner to organize the Council and the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. He communicated new measures on March 20, 2024: 1) he released Canons from financial and administrative obligations to be able to dedicate themselves fully to the spiritual accompaniment of pilgrims, 2) he promulgated new Statutes and Regulation of the Council, and 3) he appointed Bishop Makrickas as Coadjutor Archpriest with full government faculties. Was this last move, in practice, an act of distrust of the Basilica’s current Archpriest, Polish Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko? Rylko arrived in Rome by the hand of Saint John Paul II and Benedict XVI made him Cardinal. Pope Francis removed him from the Pontifical Council for the Laity in 2016 and placed him in Saint Mary Major’s.

Still speaking of Rome’s Marian Basilica, in an audience on March 19, 2024, the Holy Father decided that Canons and Coadjutors of Saint Mary Major’s Council should become Honorary Canons and Honorary Coadjutors on reaching the age of 80. They are to keep certain benefits while their health allows it, such as apartments and vestments. They can also continue their pastoral work in the Basilica, receive assignments and be buried in the Canons’ Cemetery, being exempt from obligations to the Council and from participating in Chapter Sessions.

Another news item related indirectly with the Pope was the awaited meeting between the leaders of the German Episcopate (promoters of the German heterodox Synodal Way) and five Papal Representatives in the Vatican.

In fact, five Cardinals of the Roman Curia (representing the Pope) and top representatives of the German Episcopal Conference met in the Vatican on March 22 to continue the dialogue initiated during the German Bishops ad Limina visit on November 2022. This meeting, which lasted the whole day, was held in a positive and constructive atmosphere, according to a press release  signed by both sides. Open theological questions were discussed posed in the documents of the German Church’s Synodal Way, identifying differences and convergences following the method of the Final Report of the Synthesis  of the Synod of the universal Church in October 2023. A regular exchange was agreed between both sides regarding the ultimate endeavour of the Synodal Way and the Synodal Committee, in order to identify concrete ways of exercising Synodality in the German Church, in keeping with the ecclesiology of Vatican Council II and the dispositions of Canon Law, to subsequently submit them to the approval of the Holy See. Finally, the next meeting will take place before the summer of 2024.

One last “relevant” news item was announced by the Gregorian, Rome’s oldest Ecclesiastical University. It’s a decision “taken” by the Pope, which implies the fusion of three higher level institutions under one.

On March 15, 2024, Father Mark Lewis, S.J., Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University received from Father Arturo Sosa, S.J., Superior General of the Society of Jesus and Vice Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Gregorian University, the decree of the coming into force of the University’s General Statutes, which include the Pontifical Biblical Institute and the Pontifical Oriental Institute.

The Statutes will come into force on May 19, 2024, Pentecost day. The three institutions, founded by the Society of Jesus and entrusted by the Pope, are the Gregorian, the Biblical Institute and the Oriental Institute. The new Statutes, result of Pope Francis’ Chirograph of December 17, 2019, unite the three entities closely keeping their names and specific missions. The Holy Father expressed the desire to improve the institutes’ mission in the present context. In addition, he delegated to the Jesuits’ Superior General  the preparation of the new Statutes, which were ratified by the Dicastery for Culture and Education on February 11, 2024. Beginning May 19 of this year, a single Rector will govern the new entity, assisted by a Council that includes the three Presidents of the fused institutions, the Administrative Director and a sixth member appointed by the Vice Grand Chancellor. The new leaders will assume their functions for a period of three years.

There are those who’ve said that, in the process of the reform of the Ecclesiastical Universities requested by the Pope, was a master move: the Gregorian “goes ahead” to oblige other Universities to take measures under the pretext that the Gregorian, which enjoys the favour of the Vatican, already took a step forward.

We end this chronicle announcing that we will not publish next week. We will resume publication on the second week of April.

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