(ANS - Kinshasa) - The 40th apostolic journey of Pope Francis began yesterday, 31 January 2023, with destinations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. Thousands of people, from the sidewalks or from the roofs of houses, welcomed the Pope as he moved around the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. And the Holy Father did not fail to show them his affection: “Dear Congolese women and men, your country is truly a diamond of Creation; but you, all of you, are infinitely more precious than any goods that springs from this fertile ground!” he said during the meeting with the authorities, with civil society and with the diplomatic corps in the garden of the Palace of the Nation.
(ANS - Vatican City) - On the occasion of the feast day of St. Francis de Sales, Patron Saint of Journalists, the Holy See Press Office published the Holy Father's Message for the 57th World Communications Day (WCDS), which this year will be celebrated, in many countries, on May 21, 2023. The theme chosen this year by Pope Francis is "Speaking with the Heart. 'The truth in love'."
(ANS - Vatican City) - On the parvis of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican this morning, January 5, 2023, the funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was celebrated, presided over by Pope Francis. In the presence of some 60,000 faithful and more than 3,700 concelebrating priests, 400 bishops and 130 cardinals, the final farewell to Joseph Ratzinger took place as scheduled. At 8:45 a.m. (UTC+1) the coffin with the remains of Benedict XVI was transported from the basilica to the parvis in St. Peter's Square. This was followed by the recitation of the Rosary and Mass at 9:30 a.m.
(ANS - Vatican City) - "Guide of souls, capable of reading the signs of his time." This is how Pope Francis refers to St. Francis de Sales in his Apostolic Letter "Totum amoris est," Everything Pertains to Love, published yesterday, Dec. 28, exactly four hundred years after the death of the saintly bishop from Geneva, Doctor of the Church, patron of journalists and communicators.
Vatican City - December 2022 - On Christmas Day, Pope Francis prayed together with the more than 70,000 faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square for the traditional Urbi et Orbi Christmas blessing. Looking out at 12 noon sharp, the Holy Father addressed Rome and the world, urging the faithful to let the Light brought by Jesus' birth "envelop us, like the shepherds of Bethlehem." He then turned his thoughts to Ukraine, but also to the violence in the Holy Land, crises in Lebanon and Yemen, bloodshed in Iran and Myanmar, tensions in Haiti, and the hunger emergency in the Horn of Africa and Afghanistan. Standing facing the Blessing Loggia, but ideally on his knees pleading for peace, the Pope thus entrusted the dramas and tragedies of our times to Christ who is born.
(ANS - Vatican City) - Next January 1, on the occasion of World Peace Day, the 30th edition of the Vatican Christmas Concert, the event sponsored by the Pontifical Gravissimum Educationis Foundation of the Dicastery for Culture and Education together with other entities, will be aired on the Italian network "Canale 5." The Christmas Concert, which this year will be under the banner of peace and solidarity, supports the Turin Mission Office, "Missioni Don Bosco," and will feature the Salesian missions in Ukraine and all the Houses that find themselves in conflict/war-related contexts.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Democratic Republic of Congo – Fr Owoudou on the situation in the eastern parts of the country: “No matter how dark the night may seem, dawn will inevitably come”
(ANS - Goma) - During his latest phase of the Extraordinary Visit to the "Mary Most Holy Assumption" Province of Central Africa (AFC), Fr. Alphonse Owoudou, Councillor for the Africa Madagascar Region, conducted an interview with the magazine "JAMBO VIJANA," representing the youth engaged in the Salesian works of the Province's Eastern Delegation. Addressing the ongoing violence and conflicts in the region, Fr. Owoudou expressed hope, saying: "No matter the length of the night, dawn will inevitably come."
EDITORIAL
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“Speaking with the Heart”: A great Antidote for the Ills of today’s world
‘Revolutionize the world with your kindness, by speaking with your heart’, is the dream that Pope Francis envisions for humanity through his 57th World Communication Day message, that falls on this Ascension Sunday, 21st May 2023. ‘Speak with your heart in truth and charity’, and this is the best antidote that can cure the ills of today’s society.
EVENTS
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Italy – "Labs To Future": the final event of the "Labs To Learn" project in Valdocco
(ANS – Turin) – The final event of the "Labs to Learn" project was held on Tuesday, 5 March 2024, entitled "Labs To Future: The path – The results – The challenges" . The project was selected by the "Con i Bambini" social enterprise within the framework of the Foundation for the Fight against Child Educational Poverty and came into being with the intention of combating early school leaving and preventing educational poverty, increasing the number of young people with difficulties who fulfil their school obligation, access higher education and/or job placement, and opening the way for personal growth according to their inclinations and aspirations.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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Peru – Centenary of the High Altar of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima
(ANS – Lima) – The centenary of the consecration of the high altar in the Crypt of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima was celebrated on 19 March, on the feast of St Joseph and in homage to Fr José Calasanz Marqués, then Provincial of the Salesians in Peru and Bolivia – now recognised as Blessed by the Church – on account of his name.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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DREAMS THAT KEEP COMING TRUE!
THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB
When reflecting on all this, I feel I have a little authority to say: “Dear Don Bosco, your Dream is still VERY ALIVE.”