(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Tuesday met for the second time with the 8-member
Council of Cardinals to discuss the proposed reforms of the Roman Curia. The meeting
will last until Thursday. The first meeting took place in October.
In a press
briefing, the head of the Holy See Press Office Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, stated
the Cardinals have been gathering the insights of the bishops from their various regions
of the world. The December meeting will focus on the various Dicasteries of the Curia,
with the morning session devoted to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline
of the Sacraments.
Father Lombardi reminded the journalists the Cardinals are
not seeking “mere tweaks” to the current Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus, but
will create a “substantial” revision, that will probably end with a new Apostolic
Constitution on the Roman Curia.
Father Lombardi also stated the Cardinals
could be expected to meet the new Secretary of State, Archbishop Pietro Parolin.
He stated he did not foresee Archbishop Parolin participating in the meetings of the
Council of Cardinals, although the Cardinals are “always free, of course, to invite
others to attend meetings.”
In response to the questions of journalists, Father
Lombardi said the Cardinals have widely consulted the various Dicasteries of the Curia,
and invited their contributions before the discussions. He also confirmed the Council
of Cardinals will come together again next February 17-18.