In a joint statement Feb. 23, Caritas Europa and the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the EU (COMECE) said that “commitment to solidarity must be the decisive criterion in this historic moment.”

With the positions of archpriest and vicar general, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti was also appointed president of the Fabric of St. Peter, the office responsible for maintenance of the basilica.

According to a press release, the virtual assembly focused on the Holy See’s annual budget for the current year, presented by Spanish layman Maximino Caballero Ledo, who was appointed to the number two position in the Secretariat for the Economy in August.

These changes may affect the Vatican’s impending trial of the 39-year-old Italian woman Cecilia Marogna, who has been accused of embezzlement, which she denies.

In a video message for the “Day of Contemporary Martyrs” Feb. 15, the pope said, “I hold in my heart that baptism of blood, those twenty-one men baptized as Christians with water and the Spirit.”

Known as the patron saint of couples for his defense of Christian marriage, St. Valentine was martyred by decapitation on Feb. 14. He is also the inspiration behind the modern-day celebration of Valentine’s Day.

“These are unfounded accusations,” Fr. Gabriele Martinelli said during two hours of questioning in a Vatican courtroom on Feb. 10.

Pope Francis held a moment of silent prayer for Myanmar (Burma) during his Angelus address on Sunday, expressing his “spiritual closeness," along with "prayers" and "solidarity” with the people of the country.

Vatican City, Feb 2, 2021 / 09:00 am MT (CNA).- The Vatican’s doctrinal chief has emphasized the Catholic Church’s duty to promote and protect her teachings as passed down by the Apostles.

The memorial of St. Martha was already included on Jan. 29 in the General Roman Calendar before the Second Vatican Council, but St. Lazarus and St. Mary had been originally left off due to uncertainty about the identity of Mary Magdalene. The decree explained that these uncertainties “have been resolved in recent studies and times,” and pointed out that Mary and Lazarus are already commemorated on July 29 in the Roman Martyrology, the Church’s official catalog of martyrs and saints.

People in the town of Canicattì, Sicily, have resisted the movement of the relics of Livatino, an Italian magistrate who was murdered by the mafia in 1990 at the age of 37.

An open letter written to the Belgian prime minister after the Nov. 29 decree has received some 10,000 signatures as of Dec. 7.