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Fifty-third year, number 12 (2.639) Friday, 20 March 2020

Pope visits two pilgrimage sites in : Saint Mary Major and Prayers for an end to the pandemic

Francis joins in praying the Rosary

On Thursday evening, 19 March, Solemnity of , the Holy Father joined via streaming from Santa Marta, in praying the Rosary promoted by the Italian Episcopal Conference. In his introduction to the prayer, he invited families, the faithful and all religious communities to ask the Lord to protect each family, especially the sick and those caring for them. The following is the translation of Francis’ words which he shared in Italian.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, I join in this moment of prayer that the Episcopal Conference [of ] is promoting, as a sign of unity for the whole country. In this unprecedented situation, in which everything seems to be uncertain, let us help each other to remain steadfast to what really matters. This is the advice I have received in so many letters from your Pastors who, in sharing such a dramatic moment, seek to sus- tain your hope and your faith with their word. The Rosary is the prayer of the humble and of the saints. In its mysteries, they contemplate, along with Mary, the life of Jesus, the merciful face of the Father. O, how much we all need to be truly comforted, to feel the embraced by his loving presence! The truth of this experience is measured in our rela- tionship with others, who at this moment, are our closest relatives. Let us be close to one another, being charitable, understanding, patient and forgiving. Though you may be confined to your own homes, allow your hearts to expand so that it may be available and welcoming to all. This evening we are praying together, entrusting ourselves to the intercession of St Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family, Guardian of all our families. The car- penter of Nazareth too, experienced precariousness and bitterness. Though he worried about the future, he knew how to walk the darkness of certain moments, al- ways letting himself be guided by God’s will without re s e r v a t i o n .

On Sunday afternoon, 15 March, the Pope went on P ro t e c t , O Holy Guardian, this our nation. an unexpected pilgrimage to two places of symbol- Enlighten those responsible for the common good, so ic importance for Rome: the Basilica of Saint Mary that they might know — like you do — how to care for Major and the Church of San Marcello al Corso, those entrusted to their responsibility. to pray for an end to the Covid-19 pandemic. In G ra n t intelligence of knowledge to those seeking ad- both places the Holy Father invoked the end of the equate means for the health and physical well-being of pandemic that is striking Italy and the world and their brothers and sisters. prayed for the healing of the numerous sick and Sustain those who are spending themselves for those in for the victims, asking for comfort for their families. need, even at the cost of their own safety: volunteers, left the Vatican at around 4:00 pm nurses, doctors who are on the front lines in curing the and went to Saint Mary Major where he was wel- sick. comed by the Archpriest Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko Bless, St Joseph, the Church: beginning with her min- and the Dominicans who preside liturgical celebra- isters, make her the sign and instrument of your light tions at the Church. He then headed to the Ba- and your goodness. silica’s chapel where the icon of the Virgin, Salus Ac c o m p a n y, O St Joseph, our families: with your prayer- Populi Romani is kept. There the Holy Father ful silence, create harmony between parents and their offered flowers to the Virgin, before praying in si- children, in a special way with the youngest. lence before the Marian image. Preserve the elderly from loneliness: grant that no one The Holy Father then proceeded on foot to the might be left in desperation from abandonment and Church of San Marcello in Rome’s city centre. discouragement. After offering flowers, Pope Francis prayed at the foot of the miraculous wooden Crucifix that had Comfort those who are the most frail, e n c o u ra g e those been carried in procession through Rome’s streets who falter, i n t e rc e d e for the poor. in 1522, to invoke an end to the great plague. This With the Virgin Mother, beg the Lord to liberate the crucifix remained intact even after a fire broke out world from every form of pandemic. in the Church. At about 5:30 pm, the Holy Father Amen. headed back to the Vatican by car. page 2 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 20 March 2020, number 12

Bahia. Until now he has served as Metropolitan Archbishop of Brasília, Brazil (11 Mar.). VAT I C A N The Holy Father accepted the resig- nation of Archbishop Basile Mvé Cardinal , Prefect Engone, SDB, from his office as BULLETIN of the Congregation for the Clergy Archbishop of Libreville, Gabon (12 M a r. ) . Mr Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the The Holy Father appointed Bishop ic Nuncio of El Salvador; for Communication AUDIENCES Jean-Patrick Iba-Ba, as Archbishop extra-regional Observer at the Cent- Cardinal , Archbish- of Lebreville. Until now he has Thursday, 12 March ral American Integration System op of Florence, Italy served as Bishop of Franceville, Ga- Archbishop Giacomo Morandi, titu- Sister Yvonne Reungoat, FMA, Su- bon (12 Mar.). lar Archbishop of Cerveteri, Secret- perior General of the Daughters of CHANGES IN EP I S C O PAT E The Holy Father appointed Fr ary of the Congregation for the Mary Help of Christians Joseph Mwongela as Bishop of Doctrine of the Faith Dr. Sir Ambrogio M. Piazzoni, Vice The Holy Father accepted the resig- Kitui, Kenya. Until now he has Cardinal Francescco Coccopalmerio, Prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Lib- nation of Archbishop Murilo Se- served as vicar general of the said President emeritus of the Pontifical SCI rary, with his wife, on a farewell visit bastião Ramos Krieger, ,from his Diocese (17 Mar.). Council for Legislative Texts office as Archbishop of São Sal- Bishop-elect Mwongela, 51, was Monday, 16 March vador da Bahia, Brazil (11 Mar.). Fr Roberto D. Dotta, OSB, Abbot of born in Kakumi, Kenya. He holds a Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Pre- The Holy Father appointed Cardin- doctorate in Dogmatic Theology. He Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko, Archpriest fect of the Dicastery for the Laity, al Sérgio da Rocha as Metropolitan was ordained a priest on 7 Septem- of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Family and Life Archbishop of São Salvador da ber 1996. Major Cardinal , Dean of the H.E. Mr Yoshio Mattew Nakamura, Independent and professional Magistrates Ambassador of Japan, on a farewell visit GIUSEPPE PI G N AT O N E then indicated with the provision that judges of the Saturday, 14 March first and second instance, and in part also the Supreme The meaning and aim of this new law on the judicial Court, may be appointed university professors (em- Cardinal , PSS, Prefect system are explained in the premises preceding the leg- ployed or retired) that is, jurists with a notable fame. of the al text, by the Supreme Pontiff himself, whom my col- Moreover, precisely in order to meet the diverse needs of the Vatican judicial system, albeit in a small state, Cardinal , Prefect leagues and I thank for his attention to justice related issues despite these dramatic times. on the one hand, experiences in civil, criminal and ad- of the Congregation for the Oriental On the one hand, Pope Francis reiterates what he ministrative matters are considered, and on the other, C h u rc h e s has said other times, including most recently on the there is the requirement that at least one of the magis- Archbishop Santo Gangemi, titular occasion of the opening of the judicial year: that the trates of the offices of the first instance be an expert in Archbishop of Umbriatico, Apostol- judicial power must be inspired in its activities by the canon and ecclesiastic law. cardinal virtue of justice, and that in order to achieve For the first time, specific norms are formulated for this result, both the “personal, generous and responsible the Office of the Promoter of Justice, thus making a commitment” of magistrates, and the presence of ad- distinction between the presiding magistrate and the equate institutions capable of ensuring efficiency and public prosecutor, at the same time assuring the latter expediency are indispensable. autonomy and independence in the exercise of his du- Celebrations for On the other hand, the Pontiff emphasizes that the ties. Also with the aim of guaranteeing conditions of new rules for the judicial system have become neces- independence and efficiency, the organization of the Holy Week sary due to numerous, important changes made from administrative staff is clearly defined, provision is made 2000 on, and especially in 2013, with the Vatican City for spending autonomy of the judicial offices and, for Mr Matteo Bruni, Director of State’s legislation regarding economic, financial and cases of the first instance, there be the presence of at the Holy See’s Press Office, criminal matters, also resulting from the adherence to least one full-time judge. has announced that celebra- many international conventions. The Vatican Judiciary The age limit is increased from 74 to 75, when the tions for Holy Week have all is thus called today to apply extremely modern legisla- resignation letter must be handed in, which will be- been confirmed and that tion, and that is largely the result of globalization, but come effective upon their acceptance by the Pontiff. plans to implement them into based on codes dating back many decades. However, Another important change is the possibility that the action which respect the se- above all, the interpretation and implementation of President of the Supreme Court may add to the judi- curity measures designed to these laws must respect the specificity of Vatican Law cial bench — which is normally composed of three Car- avoid the spread of Covid-19, which, as reiterated by Law n. LV V I of 1 October 2008 dinals — two other judges appointed on the basis of are currently being examined. regarding the sources of law,“recognises the canonical the requirements mentioned above, “whenever this is re- These methods will be com- system as the first source of legislation and the first cri- quired due to the complexity of the case or to other reasons municated as soon as they terion of interpretation”. of expediency that may arise”. are determined. In any case, This reconciliation between old and modern consti- It is clear that this regulation is the result of an celebrations for Holy Week tutes the peculiar aspect of the current historical con- awareness of the growing technical complexity of pro- and Easter will be transmit- text, and is also another reason for our commitment as ceedings handled by the State and the willingness to ted live on radio and televi- magistrates. As we examine the key aspects of the new ensure in this way, the necessary technical and profes- sion throughout the world laws, it should be highlighted that one of the criteria sional capacity, also to the court of last instance. The and on streaming on Vatican inspiring the new law is the conviction that the inde- last point which I would like to highlight is attention News and the images will be pendence of magistrates and their professional capacity to the right of defence that article 26 defines as “inviol- distributed by . are indispensable conditions for obtaining those results able in every state and level of the proceedings”, in line As announced last week, the of justice indicated by Pope Francis in his premises. It with the principles of due process and the presumption Pop e’s General Audiences is explicitly stated that magistrates, although depend- of innocence, already introduced in 2013 to the Code and Angelus will continue to ent hierarchically on the Pontiff who appoints them, of Criminal Procedures (Art. 350 bis). be available on live streaming are subject only to the law in the exercise of their func- In this context, a detailed regulation of the require- until further notice. tion and that they exercise their authority impartially. ments for registered lawyers and for possible disciplin- Specific and rigorous professional requirements are ary measure is foreseen.

ANDREA MONDA TIPO GRAFIA VAT I C A N A EDITRICE Subscription rates: Italy - Vatican: € 58.00; Europe: € 100.00 - US$ 148.00 £ 80.00; Latin America, Africa, L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO L’OS S E R VAT O R E ROMANO Asia: € 110.00 - US$ 160.00 - £ 88.00; Oceania, North America: € 162.00 - £ 130.00. Editor-in-Chief Management Office: phone +390669899480; fax +390669885164; e-mail [email protected]. WEEKLY EDITION IN ENGLISH For India: The weekly English Edition of L'Osservatore Romano is published and distributed in Unicuique suum Non praevalebunt Photo Service Giuseppe Fiorentino [email protected] w w w. p h o t o .v a India by Carmel International Publishing House, Cotton Hill, Trivandrum- 695 014, Kerala-India; Assistant Editor phone: +91471327253, fax: +91471328191, 329934; e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]. For North America: L’Osservatore Romano (USPS 016-419) is published fifty times per year (weekly, except third week in Advertising Agency August and last week in December) by Our Sunday Visitor, L’Osservatore Romano, English Edition, 200 Noll Plaza, Vatican City Il Sole 24 Ore S.p.A. Editorial office Huntington, IN 46750. Periodicals Postage Pending at Huntington, IN, and additional mailing offices, USA – phone: redazione.inglese.or@sp c.va System Comunicazione Pubblicitaria via del Pellegrino, 00120 Vatican City Via Monte Rosa 91, 20149 Milano 800-348-2440 x2171; fax: 866-891-7390 – e-mail: [email protected]. w w w. o s s e r v a t o re ro m a n o .v a telephone +390669899300, fax +390669883675 s e g re t e r i a d i re z i o n e s y s t e m @ i l s o l e 2 4 o re . c o m POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Our Sunday Visitor, 200 Noll Plaza, Huntington, IN 46750 number 12, Friday, 20 March 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 3

GENERAL AU D I E N C E

“I remember that this theme was chosen for the first Angelus I recited as Pope: mercy”. With his thoughts turned to the dawn of his Pontificate, on the eve of the seventh anniversary of the beginning of his Petrine ministry, Pope Francis dedicated the General Audience on Wednesday, 18 March, to the Fifth Beatitude. The following is a translation of the Holy Father’s catechesis which he delivered on live streaming from the Library of the Vatican’s .

Francis continues his catechesis on the Beatitudes and recalls the key word of his Pontificate Ministry of mercy

Dear Brothers and Sisters, we are essentially debtors and we Apostolic Letter Misericordia et forgive because we need to be Good morning, need to find mercy! m i s e ra (20 November 2016)]. If all forgiven. Thank you! We are all debtors. All of us. our Christianity does not lead us Today we will consider the fifth to mercy, then we have taken the Beatitude which says: “Blessed To God who is so generous and to our brothers and sisters. Every- wrong path because mercy is the SPECIAL GREETINGS are the merciful for they shall ob- only true destination of all spir- one knows that he/she is not the I greet the English-speaking tain mercy” (Mt 5:7). There is a itual journeys. It is one of the peculiar aspect to this beatitude. father or mother that he or she faithful joining us through the should be, the bride or groom, most beautiful fruits of mercy (cf. It is the only one in which the media, as we continue on our the brother or sister. We are all CCC 1829). cause and the fruit of happiness Lenten journey towards Easter. “in deficit” in life. And we need I remember that this theme was coincide: mercy. Those who show Upon you and your families, I in- mercy. We know that we too have chosen for the first Angelus that I voke the strength and peace that mercy will find mercy, they will done wrong. There is always had to recite as Pope: mercy. And be “shown mercy”. come from our Lord Jesus Christ. something lacking in the good this has remained very much im- May God bless you! This theme of reciprocity of that we should have done. pressed on me, as a message that I offer a special greeting to forgiveness is not found only in However, our very poverty be- I would always have to offer as young people,the e l d e rl y, the sick this Beatitude, but is recurrent comes our strength to forgive! We Pope, a message for everyday: and newlyweds. Tomorrow we will throughout the Gospel. How are debtors and if, as we heard at mercy. I remember that on that celebrate the Solemnity of Saint could it be otherwise? Mercy is the start, we shall be measured day I even had an attitude that the very heart of God! Jesus says: with the same measure with was somewhat “brazen”, as if I Joseph. In life, at work and with- “Judge not, and you will not be which we measure others (cf. Lk were advertising a book about in the family, through joys and judged; condemn not, and you 6:38), then it would suit us to mercy that had just been pub- sorrows, he always sought and will not be condemned; forgive widen our measure and to forgive lished by Cardinal Kasper. And loved the Lord, deserving the and you will be forgiven” (Lk debts; to forgive. Each person on that day I felt very strongly S c r i p t u re s ’ eulogy that described 6:37). It is always the same re- should remember that they need that this is the message that I him as a just and wise man. Al- ciprocity. And the Letter of James to forgive, they are in need of for- must offer as Bishop of Rome: ways invoke him, especially in states that “mercy triumphs over giveness and they need patience. mercy, mercy, please, forgiveness. difficult times and entrust your judgment” (Jam 2:13). This is the secret to mercy: by for- Go d’s mercy is our liberation life to this great Saint. But it is above all in the giving one is forgiven. Thus God and our happiness. We live of “Lord's Prayer” that we pray: precedes us and he forgives us mercy and we cannot afford to be APPEAL “forgive us our debts as we also first (cf. Rom 5:8). In receiving without mercy. It is the air that have forgiven our debtors” (Mt his forgiveness, we too are cap- we breathe. We are too poor to Next Friday and Saturday, 20- 6:12); and this question is taken able of forgiving. One’s own set any conditions. We need to 21 March, the “24 Hours for the up again at the end: “For if you misery and lack of L o rd ” initiative will take place. It forgive men their trespasses, your justice therefore, be- is an important Lenten appoint- heavenly Father also will forgive come opportunities to ment of prayer and drawing near- you; but if you do not forgive open oneself up to the er to the Sacrament of Reconcili- men their trespasses, neither will Kingdom of Heaven, ation. your Father forgive your tres- to a greater measure, the measure of God Unfortunately, in Rome, in passes (Mt 6:14-15; cf. Catechism who is mercy. Italy and in other countries, this of the , 2838). initiative cannot take place in its Where does our There are two things that can- customary manner due to the mercy come from? Je- coronavirus emergency. However, not be separated: forgiveness sus told us: “Be merci- in all the other parts of the world, granted and forgiveness received. ful, even as your Father However, many people struggle; is merciful” (Lk 6:36). this beautiful tradition will con- they cannot forgive. Often the The more one wel- tinue. I encourage the faithful to harm received is so great that be- comes the Father’s draw near to God’s mercy in con- ing able to forgive feels like love, the more we can fession in a sincere manner and climbing a very high mountain: love (cf. CCC 2842). to pray especially for those who an enormous effort; and one Mercy is not a dimen- are being tested by the pandemic. thinks: it cannot be done, this sion among others but I am certain that in those cannot be done. This fact of the rather the centre of places where the “24 Hours for reciprocity of mercy shows that Christian life. There is the Lord” cannot be celebrated, we have to overturn the perspect- no Christianity without people will be able to live this ive. We cannot do this alone. We mercy [Cf. Saint John penitential moment through per- need God’s grace, we must ask Pa u l II, sonal prayers. for it. Indeed if the fifth Dives in Misericordia Beatitude promises mercy, and in (30 November 1980); the “Lord's Prayer” we ask for the Misericordae Vultus Bull forgiveness of debts, it means that (11 April 2015); “Rest on the flight to Egypt” by Carlo Francesco Nuvolone number 12, Friday, 20 March 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 4/5

Scenes taken from the film ‘Bab ette’s Feast’: one of Pope Francis favourite films “Babette’s Feast” by Gabriel Axel

ANDREA MONDA In 1987, Babette’s Feast, a film scripted and direc- ted by Gabriel Axel, and based on Karen Blix- en’s short story of the same name, won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film. Upon seeing the film, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was fascinated by it, to the point that he defined it as “one of my fa- vourite films” during an interview with and Francesca Ambrogetti in 2010. There is no need to be surprised at this because this production can be defined as a “hymn to m e rc y ”.

The plot

The plot is apparently quite simple: two pious Stéphane Audran in a scene from the film sisters, Marthine and Philippa (their names were in honour of Martin Luther and Philip Melanch- thon), daughters of a Protestant pastor, live a quiet life in a small village on the coast of Jut- Love and Fear to us…. It is our joy, it is our freedom. We are land in . Their days are spent in service free. Why? Because we live under grace. We are to the few people who were attached to their late It is no wonder that the story of Babette’s no longer slaves of the Law: we are free, because father — a handful of old people — who almost magnificent meal is, therefore, so loved by a Jesus Christ has liberated us, he gave us free- form a religious community. In their youth, both priest who chose miserando atque eligendo as his dom, the full freedom of God’s children, which Marthine and Philippa had been courted, but episcopal motto. And, once elected Pope, we live under grace. This is a treasure.… The they had refused these advances because of the placed mercy at the focal point of his preaching. grace of Jesus Christ saves us from sin: it saves possibility of having to leave their father and his Jorge Bergoglio himself, during a trip to Ger- us! If we — all of us — accept the grace of Jesus mission. In particular, Marthine who had been a many in the 1980s, discovered the image of the Christ he changes our heart and from sinners beauty, but so unapproachable, that a gallant so-called Knotenloeserin Madonna — the “Mary makes us saints. To become holy we do not need cavalry officer who had fallen in love with her, Untier of Knots” — which he brought back to to turn our eyes up and look somewhere else, or immediately realized, without her saying a word, Argentina in various reproductions and is now have as it were the face on a holy card!”. that he could never win her hand; just as Phil- the object of intense popular veneration in In short, it is not necessary to be pious and to ippa, endowed with a beautiful voice, would not Softening the hardened heart Buenos Aires. For a full life there is a need to be good people — akin to Marthine and Phil- yield to her singing master’s courtship. open fossilized hearts, to untie them and thus ippa at the beginning of the film, because, as the The two sisters/nuns live as consecrated vir- receive the torrent of love that God pours onto Pope continues: “To become saints only one gins, as religious, and life becomes an almost every person every day. thing is necessary: to accept the grace which the museum-like preservation of memory and tradi- Naturally, the two sisters did not think that General then recounts the story of the Café welcome it with gratitude. God does not set con- In an interview in 2010, the then cardinal Father gives us in Jesus Christ. There, this grace tion, but the more time passes, the more they be- they or their community had any need of Ba- An g l a i s in , where a female chef used to ditions, He does not prefer one of us to another stressed that “the characters [of Babette’s feast] changes our heart. We continue to be sinners for come retrospective, and nostalgic, and regret sets b ette’s services. After all, Babette was French cook, and who later disappeared without trace: a and what we have chosen is given to us and, at are people who live a form of exaggerated purit- we are weak, but with this grace which makes us in. The consequence is that the attempt to recov- and presumably a Catholic — (a “papist”, as the person who managed to turn a banquet “into a the same time, what we have refused is granted an Calvinism, to the point where they experience feel that the Lord is good, that the Lord is mer- er or preserve the original purity seems to be un- sisters’ father had called Papin), and to whom love affair” with her sublime cuisine. The diners, to us. For mercy and truth have met, righteous- the redemption of Christ as a negation of the ciful, that the Lord waits for us, that the Lord dermined by the subtle divisions that emerge she was to all intents and purposes a pagan. who were unaccustomed to a life with such ness and happiness have kissed each other”. things of this world. When the novelty of free- pardons us, this immense grace that changes our What good could come from her? The pious sis- pleasures, are completely seduced and inebriated Bab ette’s great feast, dom arrives in the form heart”. And Grace is just like Babette’s gesture, ters lived to serve, but they disregarded anything by the meal; for it was she who had been the therefore, represents an of an abundant meal, which was free, and of pure oblation. On this, at the Café Anglais that had to do with being served. Nevertheless, chef , but her diners had no explosion of Grace, an they are all trans- Pope Francis is sweetly severe: “Listen to this For a full life the French woman settles in and earns everyone’s way of knowing this. Babette had wanted to or- While avoiding any comment ... eruption of the Vivify- formed. In truth, this carefully: grace is neither bought nor sold; it is a appreciation. Then, 14 years later Babette re- ganize the meal in order to express her artistic there is a need to open fossilized hearts, ing Spirit in a human they find the strength to overcome the community didn’t know gift of God in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ gives us ceives 10,000 francs from Paris: from the win- talent once again. nucleus that was by what happiness was. grace. He is the only one who gives us grace. It to untie them and thus receive the torrent of love nings of a lottery ticket. The two sisters thought While avoiding any comment about the food disagreements that divide them, and now completely at- They lived their lives is a present: he is offering it to us, to us. Let us that God pours onto every person every day that Babette would use the money to return to and evading the General’s enthusiastic com- ro p h i e d . end up dancing all together holding crushed by pain. They ; instead, she asks if she may use the ments, they find the strength to overcome the accept it. This is beautiful. Jesus’ love is like But for she who had hands under the starry sky were devoted to the this: he gives us grace freely, he freely gives it to money to prepare a meal in honour of the disagreements that divide them, and end up dan- arranged it, Babette, it gray side of life. They us. And we must give it freely to our brothers memory of their father, the pastor, on the cen- cing all together holding hands under the starry had the intense savour feared love”. and sisters. It is a little sad when one meets tenary of his birth. Though flattered by this ges- sky before heading home. of a sacrifice and of The real enemy of within the community. In fact, after the pastor’s some who sell grace: in the history of the ture, Marthine and Philippa interpret the offer At the moment of the final toast, the General total oblation. Because to buy the ingredients, love is without doubt Fear. This theme is dear to death, having neither liturgy nor sacraments, for Church this has sometimes happened, and it did of the banquet as a threat to their quiet way of takes the floor and quotes Psalm 85[84]:11-12: the drinks, the crystal glasses and table settings Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Three years later, on 17 everything had been focused on his preaching, such harm, such harm. However, grace cannot without him, the religious belief of this small life, and they ask the villagers to promise not to “Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; right- without telling anyone she had spent all her win- June 2013, while inaugurating the ecclesial con- breathe a word about food. Once again the two eousness and peace will kiss each other. Faithful- be sold: you receive it freely and give it freely. community becomes abstract and remote, a nings. Once again Babette is poor, remains in ference of his diocese as Bishop of Rome, the pious sisters are afraid of excessive joy. ness will spring up from the ground, and right- And this is the grace of Jesus Christ.... We have series of fragile rules, rather than a lived faith. Denmark; after all, as she pointed out to the two Pope was even more decisive and started from Twelve guests arrive, and General Lorens eousness will look down from the sky”, which af- sisters when all the guests had left unaware of Pa u l ’s Letter to the Romans to emphasize this received this freely, this grace, freely; we must In this context, Babette — a refugee from the Lowenhielm, the gallant cavalry officer who had firms that “in our human weakness and short- her true identity, “an artist is never poor”. As the verse: “Since you are not under law but under give it freely. And this is what, in the end, I want Commune of Paris insurrection in 1871 — unex- courted Marthine in her youth, is amongst them. sightedness, we believe that we must choose our critic Beppe Musicco remarked, “we could say grace” (which could have been the subtitle of to tell you. Do not be afraid, do not be afraid. pectedly arrives bringing a letter of introduction The delicious food, the atmosphere, and the love way, in life. And we tremble at the risk we run. that Babette’s meal is a quiet celebration of a Gabriel Axel’s film). During the inauguration Do not be afraid of love, of the love of God our from Monsieur Papin Babette, Philippa’s singing with which the dishes have been prepared by Ba- We are afraid. But no, our choice is not import- Grace that comes at every moment and redeems the Pope said that the life of Christians means; Father. Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid to re- teacher. In the letter he appeals to the sisters’ bette, help everyone to feel jovial and happy. ant. The day comes when we open our eyes and mistakes, sacrifices and defeats. And whatever “walking under grace, because the Lord has ceive the grace of Jesus Christ, do not be afraid good hearts, and asks that Babette may be given While memories of the past resurface, the see and understand that God’s grace is infinite, has been abandoned or lost is returned in over- loved us, has saved us, has forgiven us … this of our freedom which is given by the grace of Je- a room, in return for her services. splendid quails en sarcophage are served. The we just have to wait for it with confidence and abundance”. opens us toward a wide horizon and this is a joy sus Christ”. page 6 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 20 March 2020, number 12

Tuesday, 4 February humble path, he is not a disciple of Jesus” after 40 years of service at Casa Santa Marta but “a climber in a cassock”. and who was present at the Mass. Indeed, Experiencing God’s love families are not only made up of father, moth- for us er, brothers, sisters and grandparents, but Thursday, 13 February rather also of the larger family of those who During his homily for Mass at Santa Marta accompany us for some time such as in the on Tuesday, 4 February, Pope Francis drew a Beware of sliding into worldliness workplace or in our studies. Pope Francis parallel between David’s sorrow at the death compared Casa Santa Marta where he lives to of his son Absalom and God’s love for us. During his homily celebrated at Santa Marta a large family. Families, he said, are people The Reading from the Second Book of on Thursday, 13 February, Pope Francis spoke who accompany us on our life journey and Samuel narrates the account of Absalom who of King Solomon’s apostasy in his elderly age whose smiles ad greetings are like seeds that had waged war against David in order to re- and warned the faithful against letting their are sown in our hearts. The Lord, he pointed place him and of David’s anguish at his son’s hearts wander in a similar way. Reflecting on out, wants us to be in company, not alone. death: “My son Absalom! If only I had died the day’s Reading (Kings 11:4-13) which re- Referring to Casa Santa Marta as an ex- instead of you!”. Those who were with him counts that when Solomon was old and “his ample, Pope Francis said that every name, is a were amazed at his reaction. “But why are wives turned away his heart after other gods” presence, a history, a short stay and leaves a you weeping? This person was against you, he (v. 4). Kind Solomon began as a “good boy” mark like Luisa, Cristina and the grandmoth- had denied you”, they said. David’s weeping who asked the Lord for wisdom and received er of the house and Sister Maria who joined is a historic fact, but it is also a prophecy,” it. But Solomon’s heart became weak because when she was very young and decided to con- the Holy Father explained. “It makes us see he allowed his wives who served other gods, secrate herself there. He also mentioned Mari- Go d’sheart, what God does when we turn to convince him to adore their idols. an who left with her child and Elvira, an ex- away from him”. And he continued, “The “His was not an apostasy from one day to ample of struggle in life, adding that it was Lord is a Father, and he never denies this pa- the next”, Pope Francis pointed out about difficult to forget others who had retired or ternity”. Solomon. He slid into sin. The Lord rebuked moved elsewhere. It would do us good, the Pope Francis pointed out that it is during Solomon for being led astray: “You turned Holy Father suggested, for us to spend some confession that we encounter God’s weeping. away your heart”. This also occurs in our time today gratefully remembering those who accompanied us on our life path and in gratit- ude to God for not leaving us alone. Pope Francis did not fail to mention the problems that always arise when people are Morning Mass at the Domus involved, including families. However, sin, pa- tience and apologies for failings are all part of families. Offering Patrizia’s farewell as an op- Sanctae Marthae portunity to remember, thank and apologize, he urged everyone to do the same for those who accompany us. The Pope’s homily con- cluded with a big thank you to those who work at Casa Santa Marta and best wishes of Indeed, Confession is like “going to the Fath- another 40 years to Patrizia. er who weeps for me, precisely because he is a Fa t h e r ”. Through David’s sorrow which made him wish he had died instead of his son Tuesday, 18 February Absalom, we can gain insight into what God did for us. “In Jesus, God dies in our place”. Open our hearts to compassion “It would be good in the difficult moments in our lives ... in moments of sin, in moments Reflecting on the day’s Gospel passage from when we feel far away from God, to hear his Mark in which Jesus rebukes the disciples for voice in our hearts”, reminding us that Jesus their hardened hearts as they worry over the died for us. Just as Jesus wept over Jerusalem, shortage of bread, during his homily for Holy he continues to weep for us when “we do not Mass at Santa Marta on Tuesday, 18 February, let him love us”, the Pope said. The Holy Pope Francis spoke about hearts that have be- Father concluded his homily by inviting the come hardened. “Have you eyes and cannot faithful to listen to God’s voice in times of see, have you ears and cannot hear?”, Jesus temptation and sin. asks the disciples as he reminds them of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves. The Lord wants us to have a compassionate Friday, 7 February heart like his. He wants mercy, not sacrifice. Indeed, the Holy Father stressed, a heart There is no humility without lives. Most of us do not commit great sins but without compassion is an idolatrous and self- sufficient heart that is sustained by its own humiliation the danger lies in “letting ourselves slide slowly, because it is an anaesthetized fall”. selfishness and becomes strong only with Without realizing it, things become relativized ideologies. He gave the example of the Phar- The Holy Father invited the faithful gathered and we lose our faithfulness to God. How isees, the Sadducees, the Essenes and the at Santa Marta for Holy Mass not to “be “often we forget the Lord and begin to deal Zealots whose hearts had become hardened in afraid of humiliation” as this is the path indic- with other gods” such as money, vanity and fulfilling a project which was not of God as it ated to us by Jesus and John the Baptist. As pride! lacked compassion. he reflected on the day’s Gospel Reading “For us”, the Pope explained, “this slippery Memory is like a medicine against a from Mark which narrates the beheading of slide in life is directed towards worldliness” hardened heart, Pope Francis continued. It is John the Baptist, the Pope explained that believing it is alright because “everyone is do- a grace that “keeps hearts open and faithful”. John’s task had been “to show the way of Je- ing it”. As we justify ourselves in this way, we When hearts become hardened, he explained, sus”, bearing witness to the path chosen by lose our faithfulness to God and embrace one forgets about the grace of salvation and God for our salvation, hence the path of hu- modern idols. “Let us consider this sin of gratuitousness and we are led to quarrel, war miliation. Jesus himself had humiliated him- worldliness, of losing the authenticity of the and selfishness. Indeed, he stressed God’s self unto death on the Cross. Both Jesus and Gospel, the authenticity of the Word of greatest message of salvation is God’s com- John had been tempted by the temptation of Go d”. passion for us, as the Gospel often repeats. vanity and pride and while suffering from a At the end of his homily, Pope Francis “Jesus is the compassion of the Father” and kind of “human and spiritual depression”, asked the Lord “for the grace to understand he is the “slap to every hardness of heart”. they both ended “in the most humiliating when our heart begins to weaken and to slide, We shall be judged on our compassion for way”. so that we can stop”. others at the Last Judgment, not on our ideo- “The path of humiliation chosen by Jesus logies. Humility, the memory of our roots and and John the Baptist is the path that Christi- our salvation will help us to be compassion- ans should follow”, Pope Francis said. One Friday, 14 February ate. Because we all have something that is cannot be “humble without humiliation”, he hardened within our hearts, we should ask the stressed. When we try to draw attention to Cherish those who accompany Lord to give us a righteous and sincere heart. ourselves in the Church and in the com- us in life The Pope concluded by reminding the faith- munity in order to gain a position, we are be- ful that the Lord cannot enter hardened and having in a worldly way. This “temptation to During his homily for Mass at Santa Marta, ideological hearts but only hearts that are climb” can also happen to priests and this in- on Friday, 14 February, Pope Francis spoke open and compassionate like his. tolerance, he continued, and this cannot be about the importance of families as he wel- tolerated. “If a shepherd does not follow the comed Patrizia, an employee who was retiring CONTINUED ON PA G E 7 number 12, Friday, 20 March 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 7

Scaffolding erected for the restoration of the drum Saint Peter’s majestic dome

meters of exposed brick masonry”. The overall which develops over a total surface area of seven NICOLA GORI height of the drum “is 36.63 meters, the circum- thousand square meters of travertine”. In particu- For some time now, an imposing scaffolding has ference at the base of the columns of the but- lar, it was necessary to assemble an imposing met- been mounted around Saint Peter’s majestic tresses is 168 meters; which at the base of the win- al scaffolding to carry out the restoration work. dome. The first phase of a significant restoration, dows is 153 meters”. These imposing dimensions This scaffolding, “from the floor level of the ter- part of a major conservation project of the drum, for these interventions are therefore significant race, which is about 43 meters above the ground is underway. This intervention has been made ne- and a continuation of the previous restoration of floor of the Basilica, will make it possible to reach cessary by the deteriorating state of conservation the side elevations of the Basilica itself and the the highest level of the building to be restored of the stone surface. Luca Virgilio, the Fabric of Gregorian and Clementine domes, which began which is about 80 meters up, and corresponds to Saint Peter’s architect, and who was also respons- in April 2007. The smaller domes, the architect the so-called “giro dei monti” [tour of the moun- ible for the restoration of the external façade of points out, are “almost identical in shape and sur- tains] above the attic of the dome’s drum”. the Basilica and the so-called minor domes, has face, [and] have a surface of 1,345 square meters From a technical point of view, Virgilio contin- here provided details of what is happening on each”. ues, the project includes diagnostic investigations site. The restoration of Saint Peter’s great dome, This project “was founded and developed with and the realization of a survey carried out with a in particular the drum, began on 2 September the intention of satisfying both aesthetic and laser-scanner. This survey “serves to better under- 2019 with the assembly of the scaffolding. The functional needs”. In fact, if one of the objectives stand the complex architectural structure de- drum is characterized “by the presence of sixteen was “to restore the ancient splendor to the com- signed by Michelangelo and Giacomo Della buttresses that punctuate the entire architectural plex architectural structure of the Basilica, on the Porta”. This elaboration “summarizes all the in- surface”. other hand there is a need to restore the mechan- formation regarding the state of conservation of The intervention, “is divided into two large ical characteristics of efficiency and safety of the the materials and the different types of chemical, lots, each of which includes eight sectors of the stone which makes up the architectural elements”. physical and mechanical deterioration and altera- d ru m ” explains the architect. The restoration In order to better understand the size of the tion, that are present on the stone”. In addition, commenced with the front part of the building — building site and the complexity of the entire on the relief are made “graphs are illustrated, the one that looks onto the square —, so it could mechanism that was set in motion for a successful through a record of all the restoration work car- be the first to be dismantled and permit pilgrims outcome, it should be considered that “the overall ried out over time”. The project also includes the and visitors to “appreciate the main façade of the surface area of the drum is more than two thou- study of stone fragments, stucco-work and partic- dome in its newfound integrity and in its original sand square meters larger than the entire façade, ulate deposits, the revision of the lightning pro- whiteness”. tection system and, finally, the cleaning, and the The project will require four years of work if consolidation and protection of the stone facings. there no unforeseen circumstances. The first two To sum up, the cleaning, consolidation and years will be dedicated to the first lot, which in- protection are the three main aspects of the inter- cludes eight panels and eight buttresses. The ventions aimed at safeguarding this part of the second lot, to fix the eight buttresses and eight building and delaying the degradation process. In panels, will also require two years. The two lots terms of modern restoration, any solution adop- combined, Virgilio notes, and the restoration of ted in relation to an intervention, as the architect all the external elevations of the Basilica will then underlines, “must respect the principle of distinct- have been completed. In fact, the façade was re- iveness and reversibility of the intervention itself”. stored to coincide with the Jubilee in 2000. In The restoration of the drum must guarantee “a 2007, the restoration of the external elevations reading of what has happened over its four cen- began, and successively the two smaller domes — turies of history, from the effects that the passage the Gregorian and the Clementine —, “for a total of time has produced on the material to what area of over 35,000 square meters”. This present happened on the day the ashlars were laid”. For intervention represents, therefore, the final stage Saint Peter’s, the “cleaning of the stone façade and concerns the restoration of the drum of Saint represents the principal aim of the restoration Pe t e r ’s dome. work”; the calibrated choice of the “degree it is To get an idea of the total size of the surface cleaned”, without “completely whitening the stone concerned, the drum “develops over a total area surface, so as to preserve the precious ‘historical of 8,900 square meters of travertine, including the patina’ on the building, [and which] constitutes architectural overhangs and the surface of the six- the highpoint of the whole intervention, because teen buttresses, while the protruding part of the from it the ‘new look’ will appear to our eyes drum develops over a surface of 440 square once the restoration is completed”.

Mass at the Domus Sanctae Marthae

CONTINUED FROM PA G E 6 “Witnessing to Jesus is bearing Tuesday, 25 February Gospel and when someone wants to witness to his death, his Resurrec- live in the Gospel while making Thursday, 20 February tion”, the Holy Father pointed out. Service is the measure of compromises, they ultimately find It does not mean simply proclaim- greatness in the Church themselves with the worldly spirit”. Accepting Jesus ing: “You are God” and stopping Many wars and quarrels are pre- even to the Cross there. It “means accepting the path During his homily for Holy Mass at cisely the result of worldly desires, that the Father chose for him: humi- Santa Marta on Tuesday, 25 Febru- the Pope explained, comparing Reflecting on the day’s Gospel on liation”. If we do not accept this ary, the Holy Father commented on those infected with worldliness to Thursday, 20 February, Pope Francis path, he added, then we are not be- the day’s Gospel in which Jesus tells careerists who strive for greater re- urged the faithful to get to know Je- ing Christian and “we deserve what his disciples that “If anyone wishes cognition. Their envy comes from sus. He identified three steps to help Jesus said to Peter: ‘Get behind me, to be first, he shall be the last of all the devil and it is through this envy us learn who Jesus truly is: to know, Satan!’. and the servant of all”. When we of the devil that “evil enters into the to witness and to accept the path Satan, Pope Francis pointed out, make compromises in trying to live world. Envy is a worm that pushes God has chosen for him. Knowing knows very well that Jesus is the son according to the Gospel, we absorb you to destroy, to badmouth others, the spirit of the world which leads Jesus, he explained, means reading of God, but Jesus “refuses to accept to annihilate others”, he added. us to dominate, he explained. the Gospel, taking children to cat- his ‘witness’ in the same way that he The greatest in the Church are However, Jesus wants us to follow echesis and attending Mass. To wit- distances Peter when he rejects the the path of service. not the Pope, bishops or cardinals, ness Jesus, the Holy Father contin- path chosen by Jesus. The Church The attitude of personal ambition the Pope stressed, but rather “those ued, means to publicly acknowledge too makes a mistake when she does of the disciples and their desire to who make themselves servants of all, him. In order to do so we need the not follow his path and becomes advance is the spirit of the world. As those who serve everyone, not those power of God and of the Holy Spir- worldly. The Holy Father concluded Saint James writes in the day’s First with titles”. It is “whoever welcomes it as we cannot do this on our own. his homily by inviting the faithful to Reading, the Holy Father contin- the humblest one, the one who To accept Jesus means to ask ask for the grace of being consistent ued: “to be a lover of the world serves the most”. Humility, he said, ourselves what is the purpose of Je- as Christians and to follow Jesus on means enmity with God”. Indeed, “is the only path against the spirit of sus’ life; Why did he come? his way to the Cross. “there are no compromises in the the world”. page 8 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 20 March 2020, number 12

ANGELUS

At the Angelus on Sunday, 15 March, Pope Francis thanked priests, who at this time of pandemic, are not behaving like the character Don Abbondio from Th e B e t ro t h e d , but rather are trying to be close to the people in thousands of ways, through their creativity. His words, which were live streamed from the Library of the Apostolic Palace, were a reflection on the Gospel passage of John on the Samaritan woman. The following is a translation of the Pope’s remarks which he delivered in Italian.

Thank you to priests who are close to the people Marian prayer from the Library of the Vatican Apostolic Palace

Dear Brothers and Sisters, and who is saying to you, ‘Give according to the prophets, flows drought, but in he who has loved Good Morning! me a drink’, you would have the Holy Spirit, the living water us and will always love us: Jesus, asked him and he would have which purifies and gives life. our Saviour, in the living water, At this moment the Mass for the given you living water” (v. 10). Whoever thirsts for salvation can that he offers us. sick, doctors, nurses and volun- draw freely from Jesus, and the teers, that is being celebrated by Wa t e r is the focus of this dia- May Mary, Most Holy, help us Spirit will become a wellspring of the Archbishop [Mario Delpini] logue. On the one hand, water is nourish a desire for Christ, font an essential element that slakes full and eternal life in him/her. of living water, the only one who in Milan’s Policlinico (hospital) is The promise of living water that the body’s thirst and sustains life. can satisfy the thirst for life and coming to an end. The Archbish- Jesus made to the Samaritan wo- On the other, water is a symbol love that we bear in our hearts. op is close to his people and also man becomes a reality in his Pas- close to God in prayer. Last of divine grace that gives eternal life. In the biblical tradition God sion: from his pierced side flowed week’s photograph of him alone is the source of living water: as it “blood and water” (Jn 19:34). After the Angelus, the Holy Father on the roof of the Duomo, pray- says in Psalms and in the Proph- Christ, the Lamb, immolated and continued: ing to Our Lady comes to mind. ets: distancing oneself from God, risen, is the wellspring from I would also like to thank all the Dear brothers and sisters, Saint the source of living water, and which flows the Holy Spirit who priests, the creativity of priests. A Pe t e r ’s Square is closed during from his Law, leads to the worst remits sins and regenerates new these days. Therefore, my greet- lot of news of this creativity has drought. This is the experience of life. been reaching me from the Re- ings go directly to you who are the People of Israel in the desert. This gift is also the source of gion of . It is true that connected through the means of During their long journey to free- witness. Like the Samaritan wo- Lombardy has been highly af- communications. In this time of dom, as they were dying of thirst, man, whoever personally encoun- fected. There are priests who pandemic in which we find they cried out against Moses and ters the living Jesus feels the need ourselves living more or less isol- think of thousands of ways to be against God because there was no to talk about him to others, so close to the people, so that the ated, we are invited to rediscover water. Thus, God willed Moses to that everyone might reach the and deepen the value of commu- people do not feel abandoned; make water flow from a rock, as a point of proclaiming that Jesus priests with apostolic zeal, who nion that unites all members of sign of the Providence of God, “is truly the saviour of the world” the Church. United to Christ we have fully understood that during accompanying his people and (Jn 4:42), as the woman’s fellow are never alone, but rather, we this time of pandemic, one must giving them life (cf. Ex 17:1-7). townspeople later said. Generated not be like “Don Abbondio” form one sole Body, with he is The Apostle Paul, too, inter- to new life through Baptism, we the head. It is a union that is (character from Th e B e t ro t h e d ). prets that rock as a symbol of too are called to witness the life Many thanks to you priests. nourished by prayer and by spir- Christ. He says: “And that rock and hope that are within us. If itual communion in the Euchar- The Gospel passage from was Christ” (cf. 1 Cor 10:4). It is our quest and our thirst are thor- ist, a practice that is highly re- today, the Third Sunday of Lent, the mysterious figure of his pres- oughly quenched in Christ, we commended when it is not pos- tells us of Jesus’ meeting with a ence in the midst of the People of will manifest that salvation is not sible to receive the Sacrament. I Samaritan woman (cf. Jn 4:5-42). God on their journey. Christ, in found in the “things” of this say this to everyone, especially to He is on a journey with his dis- fact, is the Temple from which, world, which ultimately produce those who live alone. ciples and takes a break near a well in Samaria. I renew my closeness to all the The Samaritans were sick and those caring for them. considered heretics by This extends to all the caregivers the Jews, and were very and volunteers who help those much despised as who cannot leave their homes, second-class citizens. Je- and those who are meeting the sus is tired, thirsty. A wo- needs of the poorest and the man arrives to draw wa- homeless. ter and he says to her: Thank you so much for all the “Give me a drink” (v. 7). effort that each of you is making Breaking every barrier, to help during this difficult time. he begins a dialogue in May the Lord bless you. May which he reveals to the Our Lady keep you; and please woman the mystery of liv- do not forget to pray for me. ing water, that is, of the Have a nice Sunday. Enjoy your Holy Spirit, God’s gift. lunch! Thank you. Indeed, in response to the woman’s surprised re- action, Jesus says: “If you knew the gift of God