Pope Francis administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to a teenage cancer patient last week.
Francis confirmed 16-year-old Giuseppe Chiolo, who had come to the Vatican by ambulance from Florence, in a brief outdoor ceremony.
Mr Chiolo, who is being treated in the oncology ward of a Florence hospital, had written to the Pope asking to meet him.
The teenager was given his wish, and the sacrament, on Saturday before Francis joined about 30,000 people for a special Year of Mercy general audience in St Peter’s Square.
The young man’s parents, Carmelo and Maria Giuseppina, and his sister, Dafne, were also present, as was the chaplain of Meyer Children’s Hospital.
In his audience talk, the Pope said that in God’s mercy he sent Jesus into the world “so that we could receive a new life marked by pardon, love and joy”.
“Certainly, it is true that life puts us to the test and sometimes we suffer because of it,” the Pope said.
“Nevertheless, at those moments we are called to fix our gaze on the crucified Jesus who suffers for us and with us as proof that God will never abandon us.
“The love of God is boundless,” he said. “Our whole life, although marked by the fragility of sin, is placed under the gaze of God who loves us.”
Pope Francis spoke again about the reality of sin and the greatness of God’s love when he led the Angelus prayer with visitors in St Peter’s Square on Sunday.
“Jesus shows us the true face of God: a Father with open arms who treats sinners with tenderness and compassion,” the Pope said. “No one is past redemption. No one!”
Late bishop’s £1m estate to be given to abuse survivors
The multi-million dollar estate of Ronald Mulkearns, the former bishop of Ballarat in Australia, will be used to help abuse survivors, the Diocese of Ballarat has said.
Bishop Mulkearns left his entire estate – valued at $2 million (£1.1 million) – to Bishop Paul Bird to be used “at his absolute discretion”, according to local press reports.
Bishop Mulkearns, who died of cancer in April, was accused of covering up incidents of child abuse in Victoria and allowing priests accused of paedophilia to move freely between dioceses in the Australian state. There have been more than 100 claims of child abuse within the diocese since 1980.
In February, the retired bishop told a royal commission investigating child abuse that he “regretted” that he didn’t “deal differently with paedophilia.”
“We had no idea, or I had no idea, of the effects of the incidents that took place,” he said.
Bishop Paul Bird of Ballarat said the inheritance would be used to help abuse survivors.
He said: “Whatever the Diocese of Ballarat receives from Bishop Mulkearns’s estate, I intend to set aside for assistance to victims of abuse.”
Pope’s guards enter Holy Door
The Swiss Guards joined Vatican police and firefighters in passing through the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica last week.
Swiss Guard Colonel Christoph Graf and police chief Domenico Giani took turns carrying the Year of Mercy cross as they approached the basilica. “In our daily lives, at home with our families and especially when on duty,” Graf said, “we have the opportunity to translate mercy into action.”
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.