At the present moment, the main delegations that are expected to attend
are:
- 33 delegations representing Christian Churches and Ecclesial Communities
(14 Oriental; 10 Western; 3 Christian organizations; others). Among these will
be present: Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I; Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of all
Armenians Karekin II; Metropolitan Hilarion of the Patriarchate of Moscow;
many metropolitans; Anglican Archbishop Sentamu; Secretary of the World
Council of Churches Fykse Tveit; etc.
Subject: VISnews130318
From: Vatican Information Service - Eng - txt
- 16 members of important Jewish delegations including: the Jewish
community of Rome; international Jewish committees; the Chief Rabbinate of
Israel; the World Jewish Congress; the Anti-Defamation League, etc.
- As well as delegations of Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jainists, etc.
To date, delegations of various sizes and levels from 132 countries have
confirmed their attendance.
“The delegations,” Fr. Lombardi emphasized, “are coming
to Rome following information of the event made public by the Secretary of
State. There were no 'invitations' sent out. All who wish to come are warmly
welcomed. It must be
made clear that no one has privileged status or will be refused. The order
will depend on protocol and the level of the delegation.”
Naturally, the most important delegations will be those from Argentina, led
by President Cristina Kirchner and Italy, led by President Napolitano and
Prime Minister Monti with presidents of the Italian Senate, House, and
Constitutional Court.
Also expected are six reigning sovereigns (Belgium, Monaco…); 31
heads of state (Austria, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Canada, Poland, Portugal,
European Union…); three crown princes (Spain, Holland, Bahrain); 11
heads of government (Germany,
France, the Vice President of the United States, …); and delegations
led by: first ladies, vice presidents, vice prime ministers, parliament
presidents, ministers, ambassadors, and other dignitaries.
Papal Coat of Arms:
The last topic that Fr. Lombardi covered was the now pontiff's papal coat
of arms and motto. These are the same that he used as bishop. The shield has a
bright blue background, at the centre top of which is a yellow radiant sun
with the IHS
christogram on it representing Jesus (it is also the Jesuit logo). The IHS
monogram, as well as a cross that pierces the H, are in red with three black
nails directly under them. Under that, to the left, is a star representing
Mary, Mother of Christ and
the Church. To the right of the star is a nard flower representing Joseph,
Patron of the Universal Church. With these symbols the Pope demonstrates his
love for the Holy Family.
What distinguishes his coat of arms as pontiff is that, instead of the
wide-brimmed, red cardinal's hat atop the shield, it is now crowned by the
papal tiara and crossed keys.
His motto—“miserando atque eligendo” (because he saw him
through the eyes of mercy and chose him)—is taken from the Venerable
Bede's homily on the Gospel account of the call of Matthew. It holds special
meaning for the Pope
because—when he was only 17-years-old, after going to confession on the
Feast of St. Matthew in 1953—he perceived God's mercy in his life and
felt the call to the priesthood, following the example of St. Ignatius of
Loyola.
___________________________________________________________
AUDIENCES
Vatican City, 18 March 2013 (VIS) – This morning the Holy Father
Francis received in private audiences at the Domus Sancthae Marthae:
- Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., and
- Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, President of Argentina.
Yesterday afternoon at the Domus Sancthae Marthae, he received:
- Bishop Marcello Semeraro of Albano, Italy, and
- Fr. Adolfo Nicolas Pachon, Superior General of the Society of Jesus.
___________________________________________________________
FRANCIS' FIRST TWEET: THANK YOU AND PRAY FOR ME
Vatican City, 18 March 2013 (VIS) - “Dear Friends, I offer my
heartfelt thanks and ask you to continue to pray for me.” Pope Francis'
first tweet was sent after yesterday's Angelus. The twitter account @ponitfex,
in nine languages, has
been reactivated and already has 3,400,000 followers.
___________________________________________________________
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