Pope Francis Daily

The Council of Cardinals convened for their XVIII series of meetings, held on 13-15 February. All members were
present with the Holy Father, who was absent for part of Monday morning for an “ad Limina” visit, and on Wednesday morning for the General Audience. The
Cardinals celebrated Mass with Pope Francis on Monday and Tuesday.

After the first meetings on 13 February,
the Council issued a statement expressing their “full backing for the activity of the Pope, assuring at the same time adherence and full support” to him
personally and to his Magisterium.

Work sessions were held twice a day and
were dedicated to further considerations of various Dicasteries of the Curia.
In particular discussion continued regarding the Congregations for the
Evangelization of Peoples (Propaganda Fide) and for the Eastern Churches, and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

The Cardinals began to examine the
“Diakonia of Justice”, for which considerable time was dedicated to the various Tribunals. The also considered the procedure for the selection of candidates to the Episcopate.

Cardinal George Pell reported on the work of the Secretariat for the Economy, which has been entrusted to him for the
full implementation of the economic reform requested by the Holy Father, with particular attention to the activities of the formation of personnel and to
human resources.

Msgr Dario Edoardo Viganò, Prefect of the Secretariat for Communications, reported on the status of the relevant reform within his Dicastery, including the consolidation of Vatican Radio and the Vatican Television Center. Meetings have begun with the Secretariat of Sate,
the Secretariat for the Economy and others to accompany this phase of the
reform. A plan was also presented for the restructuring of radio frequencies
and the new policies regarding social networks.

Consideration was also given to the plan
for the implementation of the reform of the Libreria Editrice Vaticana. The
next meetings of the Council of Cardinals is scheduled for 24-26 April.