The autobiography, co-authored with Italian journalist Fabio Marchese Ragona, delves into key moments of his life and papacy, shedding light on his stance amidst controversies surrounding his leadership.

At 87, Francis addresses speculation regarding his health, emphasising his commitment to his papal duties. Despite battling bronchitis and other ailments, he maintains his resolve to continue serving, stating "the papacy is a job for life".

Referring to his critics, he says "some people may have hoped that sooner or later, perhaps after a stay in the hospital, I might make an announcement of that kind, but there is no risk of it".

Like all popes, he writes, he has made certain arrangements. But "I believe the pope's ministry is ad vitam, for life, and I therefore see no justification for giving it up".

And yet Francis ventures to imagine his life, should he be forced to hang up the white hat due to "serious physical impediment". He says he would want to be known as "bishop of Rome emeritus" avoiding the "pope emeritus" title that Benedict chose.

"I would move to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to serve as confessor and give Communion to the sick" he writes. Yet he reaffirms he has no plans to retire.

Unity and reform

In the memoir, Francis reflects on the transition of power from Pope Benedict XVI and his own vision for the future of the church, advocating for unity and reform.

Pope Francis confronts criticisms from both within and outside the Vatican, particularly regarding his progressive stance on issues such as same-sex blessings. He reaffirms his support for civil unions while remaining firm on the distinction between these unions and traditional marriage.

Addressing concerns over potential schisms within the Church, Francis asserts the importance of inclusivity, urging acceptance and understanding towards marginalised communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals.

Francis hits topical issues in his book, defending his call for rapid action on climate change and decrying the outbreak of conflicts that he calls a dispersed "third world war".

The autobiography also provides insights into Francis's personal journey, from his upbringing in Argentina to his tenure as the first Latin American pontiff. He highlights formative experiences including encounters with world events such as World War II and Argentina's military dictatorship.

Sources

AP News

The Washington Post

CathNews New Zealand

Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim told the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders in Houston that his idea would mean longer work hours, and would also involve delaying retirement until 70 or 75.

But he said it would mean people having more free time with their families or for personal enrichment.

He told a crowd of about 200 that in a time of recent economic crises, countries need to focus on strengthening the middle class as well as health care systems and education.

"What is important is that people earn more and that more middle classes are formed," said Slim.

He spoke for more than an hour on how to better the plight of Latino workers and Latino-owned businesses.

Continue reading

In an interview with Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia last week, the Pope was asked if he still had a room reserved in a retirement home in Buenos Aires.

Pope Francis said "yes", explaining that it is a "retirement house for elderly priests".

He said that he had been making retirement plans before the 2013 conclave.

"I was leaving the archdiocese . . . and had already submitted my resignation to Benedict XVI when I turned 75," the Pope said in the interview.

"I chose a room and said ‘I want to come to live here'. I will work as a priest, helping the parishes. This is what was going to be my future before being Pope."

In the interview, Francis, 77, said Pope Benedict XVI had created an "institution" of emeritus popes.

"Well, as we live longer, we arrive to an age where we cannot go on with things," Pope Francis continued.

"I will do the same as him, asking the Lord to enlighten me when the time comes and that he tell me what I have to do, and he will tell me for sure."

This was the second time in two weeks that Francis had discussed the possibility of retirement

In the wide-ranging Spanish interview, Pope Francis also spoke of his anguish at images of malnourished children, when the world generates enough food to feed them.

He hit out at an economic system that rejects the young and discards the elderly, while making a god out of money.

Pope Francis also said opening Vatican archives from the Nazi era would reveal a great deal.

He defended wartime Pope Pius XII's record in helping Jews.

"I don't want to say that Pius XII did not make any mistakes - I myself make many - but one needs to see his role in the context of the time."

Pope Francis expressed his annoyance at the focus on the role of Pius XII and the Church, when Allied powers did not bomb railway lines leading to death camps.

Sources

• Catholic News Agency (interview text in English)
• National Catholic Register
• Haaretz
• Catholic Herald
• Image: The Blaze

The Catholic news agency Zenit published a story on Aug. 19 reportedly based on the account of one of the former pope's few visitors; Benedict is living in a refurbished monastery on the Vatican grounds.

According to the report, Benedict said he had decided to resign after what he described as a "mystical experience," stressing that this shouldn't be confused with a vision.

That experience sparked an "absolute desire" to dedicate his life exclusively to prayer, in a solitary relationship with God, Benedict reportedly said.

Zenit's account received wide attention but was met with skepticism by people familiar with the former pope.

Speaking on Sunday (Aug. 25) to the Italian TV channel Canale 5, Benedict's personal secretary, Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, said the Zenit report was "made up from alpha to omega."

"There is nothing true in that story," he added. Continue reading

Bishop Peter was born in Dannevirke, 29 November 1936, was ordained a priest at Brignole Sale College, Genoa, on 23 December 1961, and ordained as the first Bishop of the newly established Diocese of Palmerston North at St. Patrick's Palmerston North, 23 April 1980. Last year, he completed fifty years of priesthood.

He has a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Angelicum, Rome, and has a Master of Theology from Otago University, New Zealand. During his time as Bishop he found time to write a number of books and numerous papers on contemporary issues.

Bishop Peter was a member of the Episcopal Board of ICEL between 1983 and 2003, president of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference between 1997 and 2003, and was awarded Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the community.

In his homily at a Mass to mark Bishop Peter's fiftieth anniversary of priesthood, Cardinal Thomas Williams said, ‘Bishop Peter ... You have witnessed over those years to the truth that the vocation to priesthood, serving as Christ served, although it involves sacrifice and commitment, is not only possible but becomes a rich source of fulfilment and deep happiness because it is rooted in love - Christ's love.'

Sources

• Welcom
• NZCBC
• Image: Manawatu Evening Standard

In making the announcement, Morris says he has been targeted over comments he made five years ago, comments that have been deliberately misrepresented.

In a 2006 letter to parishioners Bishop Morris raised the prospect of the Church considering the ordination of married men and women to help counter a looming shortfall in priests.

The letter has been "misread and I believe deliberately misinterpreted by a small group (which has) found my leadership and the direction of the diocese not to their liking".

Following up the complaint, the Vatican began an investigation which included an apostolic visitation and ongoing discussions with the Vatican-based congregations for Bishops, Divine Worship and Doctrine of the Faith and even the Pope.

"Appalling" is how ousted priest, Fr Peter Kennedy described the situation.

"Bishop Morris is a man of an amazing amount of compassion … people generally in the diocese know the compassion of this man and the goodness of this man," Fr Kennedy said.

However Kennedy is not surprised by the Vatican's decision.

"It was John Paul II who said the actual ordination of women could never be discussed even and it was interesting to hear he was beatified yesterday," he said.

"The absolute authority of the Vatican that is held over bishops - you've got to remember that bishops, when they become bishops, promise obedience of mind and will to the Holy Father."

Catholics in the Toowoomba diocese say they are in shock after their bishop was forced to quit after the dispute with the Pope.

"There is a whole range of reactions - some people are just shocked and saddened, some people were in tears, some people were extremely angry," Fr Dorfield said.

"Some people were just shaking their heads - just simply couldn't comprehend how a man who was so well regarded in our diocese, prayerful and pastoral, could be considered as not suitable to be the Bishop."

The chair of the diocese and pastoral council in Toowoomba, John Elich, says Bishop Morris has done an extraordinary job.

"Bishop Bill Morris has been poorly and unfairly treated and secondly, I guess disappointed on behalf of the church that a decision could be made with no forms of natural justice whatsoever - no access even to a report that was prepared," Elich said.

Bishop Morris had been among a handful of Queensland bishops considered to contain the frontrunners for the role of archbishop of the Brisbane Archdiocese, to be vacated later this year by the retirement of Archbishop John Bathersby.

A vigil mass will be held outside the Bishop Morris's house in Toowoomba tomorrow.

Sources

• Courier Mail
• ABC
• ABC News