Pope Francis began the month of May by launching a “prayer marathon” to bring an end to the pandemic. The Rosary was prayed from a different Marian shrine each day throughout the month.
POPE FRANCIS
“Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes towards us in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic and give comfort to those who are lost and to those who mourn for their deceased loved ones, who may be buried in a way that wounds the soul.”
In May, the Pope launched a task force in the Vatican to formally excommunicate members of mafia groups.
He also issued the Motu Proprio “Antiquum ministerium,” or ancient ministry, to formally establish the lay ministry for catechists, citing that catechists evoke the way in which the first Christians used to evangelize.
On May 16, Pope Francis celebrated Mass to pray for peace in Myanmar, which had been under dictatorial rule for fourth months. The readings were in Burmese, the most widely spoken language in Myanmar.
The Pope received several foreign officials at the Vatican in May, including U.S. Special Climate Envoy John Kerry, and the President of the Pope Francis' native Argentina, Alberto Fernández.
-'How was the trip?'
-'A lot of work and other things then...'
The Vatican hosted a three-day conference to discuss the future of health and vaccines. It featured speakers such as U.S. Chief Medical Advisor, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and the CEO of Pfizer, Dr. Albert Bourla.
In May, renewed attacks between Israel and Palestine prompted the Pope to call for peace in the Holy Land. He spoke with the President of Turkey, over the phone to discuss crisis in the Middle East.
POPE FRANCIS
'Do we really intend to build peace by destroying others? In the name of God, who created all human beings equal in rights, duties and dignity, and called them to live together as brothers, I am calling for calm and for those responsible to end the use of arms and to embark on the path of peace.'
Pilgrims filled St. Peter's Basilica for the Pope's Pentecost Mass. In his homily Pope Francis shared why the world needs the Holy Spirit.
POPE FRANCIS
“If you feel the darkness of solitude, if you feel that an obstacle within you is blocking the way to hope, if your heart has a festering wound, if you cannot see a way out, then open your heart to the Holy Spirit.”
The Pope ended the month by praying the Rosary before an original replica of “Mary, Untier of Knots” in the Vatican Gardens to close the month-long “prayer marathon.”
JM
