In “Disuguaglianza, la legge del più ricco” [Inequality, the law of the most rich], Stefano Leszczynski cited a new report by Oxfam, the British charitable confederation.

Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, commented on the “untenable” situation in the state.

Pope Leo offered prayers for the eternal rest of the deceased and extended his consolation to their families and to the injured, Cardinal Parolin said in his telegram, sent on January 19.

Pope Leo XIV has accepted an invitation to visit the Czech Republic, the nation’s president said after a papal audience yesterday.

The prelate, Bishop Paskalis Bruno Syukur, OFM, of Bogor, is only 63.

“Behind every administrative decision, I believe there is the hand of God weaving His plan,” Bishop Syukur said upon his resignation, which was accepted on January 19. “I accept this with inner joy, because obedience to the Holy See is a promise that He holds firmly.”

“You have kindled the fire of the Gospel where it seemed to be extinguished, and you have accompanied many Christian individuals and communities, awakening them to the joy of faith, helping them to rediscover the beauty of knowing Jesus and fostering their spiritual growth and their commitment to witness,” the Pope said during yesterday’s audience.

At the same time, the Pope warned the leaders that “no ministry must become a reason to feel better than one’s brothers and sisters and to exclude those who think differently ... The good you do is great, but its purpose is to allow people to know Christ, always respecting the path of life and the conscience of each one.”

“The proclamation of the Gospel, catechesis and the various forms of pastoral action must always be free from forms of constraint, rigidity and moralism,” and should avoid evoking “feelings of guilt and fear instead of interior liberation,” the Pope added.

Kiko Argüello, who was present at the audience, founded the Neocatechumenal Way in 1964. The Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life describes it as “an itinerary of Catholic instruction at the service of the bishop as one of the diocesan ways of implementing Christian initiation and ongoing education in the faith.”

“At a time when people are often tempted by a sense of hopelessness, we have the essential mission, as Christian messengers of hope, to bring the Lord’s light into the darkest corners of our world,” Pope Leo said during the January 19 audience.

“Thus, encouraged and strengthened by the grace of Jesus Christ, who is the very incarnation of hope for all, we are called and sent out to bear witness to this saving truth with edifying words and charitable deeds,” the Pope added.

Finland, a Nordic nation of 5.6 million (map), is 75% Christian (73% Protestant) and 5% Muslim.

The inspectorate, a division of the Italian police, is responsible for security in St. Peter’s Square.

Quoting Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Leo said, “May your presence be an ever more valid guarantee of that good order and tranquility which are fundamental for building a peaceful and composed social life, and which, in addition to being taught to us by the Gospel message, are a sign of authentic civilization.”