Pope Francis’ second meeting with Council of Cardinals

Vatican City, 04 Dec 2013: Pope Francis met his council of Cardinals for the second time on Tuesday in the Vatican to discuss the proposed reforms of the Roman Curia. His first meeting with the 8-member Council took place from 1-3 October. The current meeting is scheduled from 3 to 5 December.

In a press briefing, the head of the Holy See Press Office Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, stated that the tasks have been divided among the Cardinals based on personal experience, but the responsibility of making decisions is considered to be common and shared. Since the October session, the eight cardinals have collected extensive documentation and gathered other points of view, participating in meetings of their bishops' conferences.

On the day's agenda was “a thorough examination of the Roman Curia, which began with a reflection on the dicasteries”, starting with the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. Fr Lombardi pointed out that “it will be a matter of readjusting: we want to go in depth. This is not a marginal improvement, but a substantial revision” of Pastor bonus in order to reach a new Apostolic Constitution on the Roman Curia. After having concelebrated at morning Mass with the Pope in the Chapel of Santa Marta, the small group, along with their secretary Bishop Marcello Semeraro, met in a room near the chapel.

Father Lombardi also stated that 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.
Source: VR Sedoc