In brief
Benedict XVI’s first social encyclical to be published in the Fall
The third encyclical of Benedict XVI which will probably be entitled Caritas in veritate, will not be published before the fall. According to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State of the Holy See, in an interview given to the Italian press agency Apcom, on May 27 2008, “The encyclical is being drawn up, and is being passed to and from the office of the pope who does not wish simply to reiterate platitudes of the Church’s social doctrine but wants to bring in original elements in response to the challenges of our times. We are considering the great problem of globalization and other difficulties which afflict the international community such as the world food crisis, and climate change. These are the themes which may receive from the Church a moral approach and orientation,” declared the Cardinal, while explaining the constant reports of the publication of this encyclical, announced for Easter and then for the summer.
“This encyclical needs a lot of work. I can not predict a publication date. Certainly for the fall, but I do not think that we will be in time to do all of the translation for the summer,” explained the Roman prelate. “The great messages of the pope are always topical, it is not a question of months or years, but it is important that the messages be received and translated by practical disposition,” he insisted. (Sources: Apcom/Imedia)
Turin Shroud to go on display in 2010
On June 2, receiving around 7,000 pilgrims from the archdiocese of Turin, Benedict XVI announced that the Shroud of Turin would be put on display in the spring of 2010. “I am happy to respond to your great expectations,” declared the pope. “It will be a favorable occasion to contemplate this mysterious face, which speaks silently to the hearts of men, inviting them to perceive the face of God.” The last time the Shroud was put on display was in the year 2000. At that time, John Paul II wanted it to be presented for the veneration of the faithful, particularly during the World Youth Day (WYD) of the jubilee year.
Special security measures for the Pope’s visit to Lourdes
The Prefecture of the Hautes-Pyrénées has announced the setting up of special security measures for the Pope’s pilgrimage to Lourdes, from September 13-15 this year “Plain clothes police officers, carrying their professional identification cards, “will visit during the month of June, all the persons living in the roads likely to be taken by the pope. All of the occupants of the buildings will be registered, and they will be requested to notify the police precinct, “at least three days” before their arrival, of the presence of all persons not registered. The prefecture has also anticipated circulation restrictions and asked all the inhabitants of Lourdes not to “leave any objects on windowsills or balconies.” (Source: Apic)
Valerii mausoleum restored
On May 27, after ten months of restoration work, the Fabbrica di San Pietro has inaugurated the largest mausoleum of the Vatican necropolis, that of the Valeri family erected during the reign of Marcus Aurelius. The work was presented by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, president of the Fabbrica di San Pietro, during a press conference.
Situated at the center of the visitors’ route of the archaeological excavations which lead to the tomb of St. Peter, underneath the main altar of the basilica, the mausloeum was discovered in 1943. It was in 2007 that the complete restoration was started. The tomb suffered damage due to humidity – it is situated 6 meters below the floor of St. Peter’s basilica. The meticulous work necessitated recourse to the most modern techniques at a total cost of 200,000 euros.
A window has been put in place to allow visitors to observe the mausoleum from the outside without damaging it. The level of humidity inside the tomb will be permanently controlled by sophisticated electronic sensors. (Sources: Apic /Imedia)
