The Pope kicked off the year by reminding the world that the future doesn't depend only on luck.
POPE FRANCIS
“We do not know what 2021 has in store for us. But what each one of us, and all of us together, can do is take care of each other and of creation.”
In January the Pope made one of the most important decisions of the year: he officially allowed women to perform lay ministries, like the acolyte ministry.
Acolytes are altar servers, who help the priest at the altar. In extraordinary cases, they can distribute communion.
John Paul II had already authorized it, but the Code of Canon Law had not been modified to include the change.
In January the Pope's health made the headlines. First it was when the Pfizer vaccine arrived in the Vatican.
Pope Francis, Benedict XVI and all Vatican employees received the vaccine. But it was also distributed to poor people in Rome.
The other development was that the Pope had to cancel several meetings and ceremonies because of a painful sciatica.
The Pope was unable to celebrate the “Te Deum” on Dec. 31 and New Year's Mass on Jan. 1. Three weeks later, he failed to celebrate Mass on Word of God Sunday, so Abp. Rino Fisichella stepped in for him.
Nor was Pope Francis able to conclude the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. And he had to postpone his annual New Year's meeting with ambassadors.
Medical tests ruled out serious spinal problems, but doctors recommended he lose 15 to 18 pounds to minimize the damage.
As for international politics, the Pope condemned protesters' assault on the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
POPE FRANCIS
“I reiterate that violence is always self-destructive. Nothing is earned with violence, and so much is lost.”
The Vatican courts were very active. They condemned the Vatican Bank's former managers for misappropriation of funds. The judge says they sold property belonging to the bank to themselves at a much lower price.
Toward the end of January, Pope Francis' pontificate surpassed that of Benedict XVI, which lasted seven years, 10 months and nine days.
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