the Catholic Church in alleviating the situations of hardship that characterise   
   some sectors of society. Mention was also made, within the framework of the   
   current international situation, of the worrying spread of violence that   
   continues to affect the eastern Mediterranean and North African areas.   
    The Parties confirmed their willingness to pursue their active collaboration   
   on   
   a bilateral level in the context of the international community, especially   
   with   
   regard to the promotion and protection of religious freedom and the dignity of   
   human beings.   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    To the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences: raise awareness of new forms of   
   slavery   
    Vatican City, 18 April 2015 (VIS) - The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences,   
   chaired by Margaret Archer, dedicated its plenary session to human trafficking.   
   This morning the Pope received in audience the members of this institution and   
   thanked them for their work in deepening knowledge of new forms of slavery and   
   in endeavouring to eradicate human trafficking, noting that this scourge   
   afflicts those who suffer as a result of forced labour, prostitution, and   
   trafficking in organs and drugs.   
    "St. Peter Claver, in an historical moment at which slavery was widespread and   
   socially acceptable, unfortunately - and scandalously - also in the Christian   
   world, as it was a large-scale business, felt himself to be called by the words   
   of the Lord, and consecrated himself as 'a slave of slaves'. And many other   
   saints, such as St. John of Matha, went on to fight slavery, following the   
   mandate of Paul: slaves no more, but brothers and sisters in Christ".   
    "We know that the historical abolition of slavery as a social structure is a   
   direct consequence of the message of freedom brought to the world by Christ   
   with   
   its fullness of grace, truth and love, with His programme of the Beatitudes.   
   The   
   progressive awareness of this message throughout history is the work of the   
   Spirit of Christ and of His gifts, in which there participate the saints and   
   many men and women of good will, who do not identify with a religious faith but   
   who are committed to improving the human condition".   
    "Unfortunately, in a global economic system dominated by profit, new forms of   
   slavery have developed, in a certain way worse and more inhuman than those of   
   the past. Therefore, following the Lord's message of redemption, we are called   
   upon even more today to denounce and combat them. Firstly, we must raise   
   awareness of this new evil that, in the globalised world, seeks to conceal   
   itself as it is scandalous and 'politically incorrect'. No-one likes to   
   acknowledge that in their own city, region or nation, there are new forms of   
   slavery, yet we know that this wound afflicts almost all countries. We must   
   then   
   denounce this terrible scourge in all its gravity. Pope Benedict XVI has   
   already   
   categorically denounced every violation of the principle of equal dignity among   
   human beings. I too have declared several times that these new forms of slavery   
   - human trafficking, forced labour, prostitution, the trade in organs - are   
   serious crimes and 'an open wound on the body of contemporary society'".   
    Francis launched a final appeal to all of society to become more aware,   
   "especially with regard to national and international legislation, in order to   
   be able to bring traffickers to justice and to redirect their unjust earnings   
   for the rehabilitation of victims. The most suitable methods must be sought to   
   penalise those who are complicit in this inhuman market. We are required to   
   improve the methods of rescuing victims, and their social inclusion, also   
   bringing up to date the legislation on the right of asylum. The civil   
   authorities must be more cognizant of the seriousness of this tragedy, which   
   constitutes a regression for humanity".   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    The Pope receives the A.C.I.S.J.F.: let young women know they are called to   
   happiness   
    Vatican City, 20 April 2015 (VIS) - "I wish to express my gratitude to you for   
   your generous efforts in the service of young women who live in situations of   
   precariousness and suffering", said the Pope this morning as he received, in   
   the   
   Sala Clementina, seventy members of the International Catholic Association for   
   the Service of Young Women (A.C.I.S.J.F.), founded in Fribourg, Switzerland, by   
   Louise de Reynold in response to the needs of young women who, due to social   
   changes, lived far from their family environment.   
    The number of these women, as the Pope observed in his address, is increasing,   
   and the many forms of poverty that affect them "call out to us and should   
   inspire a new creativity, to offer them the material and spiritual aid they   
   need. ... Through your ongoing activities to welcome them, and through   
   reflection   
   to face the new challenges generated by today's world, such as the phenomenon   
   of   
   migration, your work seeks to be at the service of the life and dignity of the   
   person, demonstrating that 'true faith in the incarnate Son of God is   
   inseparable from self-giving ... from service".   
    The young are most in need of "attention and to be listened to", and the   
   A.C.I.S.J.F. must help them "to grow in confidence, to find points of reference   
   and to progress in human and spiritual maturity, nourished by Gospel values",   
   he   
   added. "Be credible witnesses for them, so that they experience the joy of   
   knowing they are loved by God, their Father, and called to happiness. And, at   
   the same time, let yourselves be instructed by these young people whom you   
   accompany and assist. Even amid their difficulties. They often bear witness to   
   those essential virtues of fraternity and solidarity. They also remind us that   
   we are frail and depend on God and on others. May the Lord's merciful gaze   
   touch   
   us and help us to welcome our poverty in order to go ahead trustfully, and to   
   make efforts together in that 'revolution of tenderness' to which Jesus opened   
   the way through his Incarnation".   
    He concluded, "I hope that the sense of belonging to the Church, who is a   
   great   
   family, may grow in you. I invite you to continue to announce to all the joy of   
   the Gospel, bear in mind the diversity of cultures, of religious traditions,   
   and   
   of the origins of the young women you wish to serve, as well as their richness   
   that demands to be received with respect".   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    Telegram for the death of Cardinal Francis Eugene George   
    Vatican City, 18 April 2015 (VIS) - The Holy Father has sent a telegram of   
   condolences to the Archbishop of Chicago, U.S.A., Blase J. Cupich, for the   
   death   
   yesterday, Friday 17 April, of Cardinal Francis Eugene George, O.M.I., emeritus   
   of the same archdiocese, at the age of 78.   
    In the text the Pope recalls with gratitude Cardinal George's witness of   
   consecrated life as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate, his service to the Church's   
   educational apostolate, and his years of episcopal ministry in the Churches of   
   Yakima, Portland and Chicago, and commends the soul of "this wise and gentle   
   pastor" to the merciful love of the Father.   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    The Pope to receive Catholic Charismatic Renewal in audience on 3 July   
    Vatican City, 18 April 2015 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office has stated that   
   the Holy Father will receive in audience the Movement of Catholic Charismatic   
   Renewal at 10 a.m. on 3 July, in St. Peter's Square.   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    Symposium on Friar Junipero Serra, to be canonised 23 September   
    Vatican City, 18 April 2015 (VIS) - This morning in the Holy See Press office,   
   the Day of Reflection dedicated to "Friar Junipero Serra, apostle of   
   California,   
   witness of holiness", to be held on Saturday 2 May at the Pontifical North   
   American College of Rome, Italy. At the beginning of the press conference, Fr.   
   Federico Lombardi, S.J., announced that the Pope will canonise Blessed Junipero   
   Serra on 23 September during his apostolic trip to the United States, outside   
   the National Shrine in Washington, D.C.   
    The event on 2 May, convoked by the Pontifical North American College and the   
   Pontifical Commission for Latin America, and funded by the archdiocese of Los   
   Angeles, will aim to inform on the life, mission and witness of holiness of   
   Friar Junipero Serra, O.F.M. (1713-1784).   
    Speakers at the conference were Cardinal Marc Ouellet, P.S.S., president of   
   the   
   Pontifical Council for Latin America; Guzman Carriquiry Lecour, secretary of   
   the   
   vice-presidency of the same dicastery; Fr. Vincenzo Criscuolo, O.F.M. Cap.,   
   general rapporteur of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints; and Msgr.   
   James   
   Francis Checcio, rector of the Pontifical North American College.   
    The activities to take place on the Day of Reflection include the Pope's visit   
   to the Pontifical North American College, during which he will officiate at   
   Holy   
   Mass.   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    Audiences   
    Vatican City, 20 April 2015 (VIS) - Today, the Holy Father received in   
   audience:   
    - Cardinal Fernando Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation   
   of Peoples;   
    - Signor Tomaz Kunstelj, new ambassador of Slovenia to the Holy See,   
   presenting   
   his letters of credence;   
    - Archbishop Santo Gangemi, apostolic nuncio in Guinea and Mali;   
    - Bishop Gonzalo de Villa y Vazquez of Solola-Chimaltenango, Guatemala;   
    - Six prelates of the Episcopal Conference of Gabon, on their "ad Limina"   
   visit:   
    - Archbishop Basile Mve Engone of Libreville;   
    - Bishop Timothee Mobido-Nzockena of Franceville;   
    - Bishop Mathieu Madega Lebouakehan of Mouila, apostolic administrator "sede   
   vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of Port-Gentil with Bishop emeritus   
   Dominique   
   Bonnet, C.S.Sp.;   
    - Bishop Jean-Vincent Ondo Eyene of Oyem;   
    - Bishop Joseph Koerber, C.S.Sp., apostolic vicar of Makokou.   
    On Saturday, 18 April, the Holy Father received in audience:   
    - Cardinal Marc Ouellet, P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    Other Pontifical Acts   
    Vatican City, 20 April 2015 (VIS) - On Saturday, 18 April, the Holy Father   
   appointed Bishop Misael Vacca Ramirez of Yopal, Colombia, as bishop of   
   Duitama-Sogamoso (area 4,928, population 437,000, Catholics 423,000, priests   
   115, permanent deacons 13, religious 155), Colombia.   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
   For more information and to search for documents refer to the site:   
   www.visnews.org and www.vatican.va   
      
   Copyright (VIS):  the news contained in the services of the Vatican   
   Information Service may be reproduced wholly or partially by quoting   
   the source:  V. I. S. - Vatican Information Service.   
   http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/vis/vis_en.html   
      
   --- MPost/386 v1.21   
    * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS=Huntsville AL=bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)