Pope Francis makes surprise visit to 3 Roman Curia offices

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis on Thursday paid a surprise visit to the offices of three dicasteries of the Roman Curia: the Congregation for Oriental Churches and the Pontifical Councils: Cor Unam and for the New Evangelisation. During his visit, the Pope agreed to answer a number of questions put to him by the staff of the three organisations.

In an interview afterwards, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of the Council for promoting the New Evangelisation said they were deeply grateful for this visit by Pope Francis. Archbishop Fisichella said the Pope had given them valuable advice on how best to promote the new evangelization, especially when it comes to the question of pastoral conversion and the catechesis. He also spoke about the important role model of the two saints, Pio of Pietrelcina, better known as Padre Pio, and Leopold Mandic, both of whose relics will be taken in a procession to St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday.