More women

Francis suggested that the prestigious ITC could consider including more women in their group.

Not because it's the 'done thing' according to current fashion, he added.

Rather, Francis suggests, women bring a different intellectual perspective to theology, which can make it "more profound and more 'flavourful'."

Of the 10th Commission's 28 members, five are women. Francis appointed them for five-year terms in 2021.

Three theological questions

Working in an advisory capacity to the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the ITC has agreed to explore three theological questions Francis suggested.

These include themes of the Christological faith professed by the Council of Nicea; certain current anthropological questions; and the theology of creation from a Trinitarian perspective.

Francis expressed his pleasure that members would explore these questions, reminding members of their obligations.

They must carry out their work "in the path traced out by the Second Vatican Council, which … constitutes the sure compass for the journey of the Church" in our day," Francis said.

Francis then proposed three "directions" for the ITC to follow.

• Creative fidelity to Tradition

Tradition must either grow or die out, Francis warned. He highlighted the dangers of refusing to grow, but falling back on "the way it's always been done." He invited theologians to help correct this tendency in the Church.

• The theologian's role

A theologian has a vocation to go beyond existing doctrine, because "he is trying to make theology more explicit," Francis explained.

They must be open to the contributions of other disciplines.

This means "treasuring" a "strong form" of "transdisciplinarity" as the gathering and deepening of all human knowledge "within the space of Light and Life offered by the Wisdom that emanates from God's revelation".

"Theologians must go further [than catechists], try to go beyond.

"But I want to distinguish this from the catechist: When instructing children and adults in the faith, the catechist must give the correct doctrine, solid doctrine; not the possible new things, of which some are good…"

He encouraged them to teach theology in a way that provokes "wonder and awe" to those who hear them.

• Collegiality

Collegiality is especially important in the context of the ongoing synodal process, he said.

The Holy Spirit

Francis finished by saying he hopes the Commission's work might be tranquil and fruitful, undertaken in a spirit of mutual listening, dialogue, and communal discernment, and in openness to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Source

• Catholic News Agency
• Vatican News

The Pope had already celebrated Mass in his residence very early that morning and had gone to the tomb of his predecessor to pray for catechists.

When the celebrant of the Mass at St Pius X's tomb, Msgr Lucio Bonora, arrived at the altar, he looked at the Pope, who nodded, as if to encourage him to continue.

About 70 people were sitting or kneeling in pews in front of the tomb when the Pope joined them.

Msgr Bonora went down to the Pope during the sign of peace.

For Communion, the Pope stood in line with others from the small congregation, L'Osservatore Romano reported.

After Mass, outside the basilica, Pope Francis told the monsignor that he went to St Pius's tomb "to pray for all catechists, entrusting them to his protection as I did every year in Argentina".

"I came to say a private prayer," Francis said, "because I celebrated Mass early, but then I saw you coming to the altar to celebrate and I decided to stay . . . I told you I'm a devotee of St Pius X."

As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, on the feast of St Pius X, Jorge Mario Bergoglio would meet catechists from the diocese.

Early in his pontificate, Pope Francis ordered that the preparation of the basilica's nativity scene be moved away from the Chapel of St Pius X, as it blocked people from praying at the saint's tomb.

St Pius X wrote a catechism in 1908 and is also remembered for his promotion of Communion for children.

In the first few months of his pontificate he began a deep reform of the Roman Curia and he wanted priests to be shepherds of souls, paying particular attention to the poor.

He presented the Eucharist not as a prize for those who are already perfect, but as a daily support for people to get closer to God.

He was also uncomfortable with many of the trappings of papal office.

Sources

• Catholic Herald
• Vatican Insider
• Image: Lifesitenews