Dubai Hosts COP-28 From December 1 to 3, 2023 Photo: CNN

Pope Francis gives new statutes (and mission) to the Pontifical Academy of Theology

With an Apostolic Letter promulgated on November 1st, Pope Francis updates the statutes of the Pontifical Academy of Theology, providing it with new competences for a fruitful interdisciplinary dialogue. The new Statutes also introduce a new form of collaboration, which involves Referring Interlocutors, scholars from other Christian confessions or religions, who are called to identify and create areas and spaces for dialogue that promote inter- and transdisciplinary discourse.

Rich countries renew abortion prosecution in Africa

The Protocol mandates legalization of abortion on broad grounds, including in cases where the pregnancy is causing mental distress to the mother, and to recognize abortion as a human right. Patrick Djemo, DRC country director at MSI Reproductive Choices, said “There’s literally no circumstance under which a woman can find herself that cannot fit in any of these grounds.”

Francis opens his heart and asks for prayer to fulfill his mission

In The Pope Video of November, Francis reveals that “being Pope is also a process” and he asks to pray for the Pope “whoever he might be, today it is my turn, may receive the help of the Holy Spirit.” The Pope Video turns into a moving confession in which Francis emphasizes that “the fact that someone is Pope doesn’t mean they lose their humanity,” and acknowledges that the faithful people’s prayer “give me strength.”