Bulletins, Newsletters, and Flocknotes

On 12 April 2025, the Holy Father Francis had appointed His Eminence Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz, archbishop emeritus of Warszawa, as his special envoy to the celebrations of the centenary of the archdiocese of Katowice, to be held on 11 June 2025.

The Pontifical Mission that will accompany the special envoy is composed of the following ecclesiastics:

1) The Reverend Canon Łukasz GAWEL, parish priest of the Cathedral of Christ the King in Katowice and canon of the Cathedral Chapter;

2) The Reverend Canon Damian WOJTYCZKA, parish priest of the parish of Saint Alberto in Radzionków and honorary canon of the Metropolitan Chapter.

The following is the Holy Father Francis’ letter to His Eminence Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz:

 

Letter of the Holy Father Francis

Venerabili Fratri Nostro

Casimiro S.R.E. Cardinali Nycz

Archiepiscopo emerito Varsaviensi

Evangelio laboris splendet Silesiam Altam incolens Poloniae populus, qui, pro innumerabilibus donis Deum laudans atque sub tutelam Beatae Mariae Virginis de Piekary ibi invocatae ex nomine Matris iustitiae et amoris socialis confugiens, altum sensum in dignitate navitatis humanae innisum ostendit, qua in opera exercenda unusquisque christianorum religiose devoteque cum Christo e die in diem magis magisque iungitur. Hac in terra centum ante annos, a Praedecessore Nostro Pio XI virtute bullae  Vixdum Poloniae unitas  erecta est dilecta Nobis Katovicensis dioecesis, postea sane a s. Ioanne Paulo II bulla  Totus tuus Poloniae populus  ad archidioecesis metropolitanae dignitatem ac gradum evecta, quae communitas, hoc Anno Sancto, suae institutionis anniversarii et gratae plurimorum beneficiorum memoriae causa sollemni modo hunc faustum felicemque eventum pro bono et emolumento Ecclesiae catholicae in Polonia exoptat celebrare.

Ex litteris Venerabilis Fratris Hadriani Iosephi Galbas, S.A.C., tunc Administratoris Apostolici archidioecesis Katovicensis, cui Varsaviensem deinde archidioecesim gubernandam nuper commisimus, novimus illud supradictum Centenarium die XXIII mensis Novembris anni MMXXIV inceptum, suum fastigium habere inter Missarum Sollemnia die XI proximi mensis Iunii Katovicensi in urbe, scilicet in Ecclesia Cathedrali Christo Regi dicata, atque usque ad I Dominicam Adventus huius anni protendere. Opportunum Nobis visum est, ad diligentiore usque modo pondus ac gaudium Ecclesiae Katovicensis pro hac divina gratia reddendum, sicut memoratus Praesul enixe quaesivit, ut Patrem Purpuratum eligeremus, qui Nostram personam gereret atque Evangelii gaudio congregatum populum confirmaret. Rerum adiunctis attente consideratis, nimirum virtute his Litteris te, Venerabilis Frater Noster,   Missum Extraordinarium Nostrum   ad illum supradictum eventum sollemniter explendum libentes fidentique animo   declaramus, ita ut sacris ritibus nomine Nostro praesideas, Dei populum erudiens de necessitate Evangelii nuntiandi eiusque transmittendi peculiariter in sinu familiari itidemque variis in laboris locis. Hoc enim plane veritatem ostendat, de qua pristinus auctor scripsit: “Fiunt, non nascuntur christiani” (cfr Tertullianus,  Apol.  18,17); ideo fiunt quia acceperunt, nascuntur quia eis traditum est (cfr  1Cor  15,3) et itaque ad Dominum se conformaverunt.

Proinde, Venerabilis Frater Noster, te diligenter quaesumus, ut ibi adstantes cunctos Fratres in episcopatu, civiles Auctoritates, presbyteros, diaconos atque vitae consecratae sodales necnon christifideles laicos comiter salutes, Nostram benevolentiam eis ostendens, quibus omnibus suademus, ut tempore huius Anni Sancti testimonium Spei, Lucis et Vitae, intercedentibus Beata Maria Virgine de Piekary, s. Hyacintho,  Lux ex Silesia  nuncupato itemque patrono huius metropoliae una cum ss. Barbara et Floriano, qui e caelo hanc archidioecesim tuentur, imo e pectore perhibeant.

Nos missionem tuam orationibus comitabimur teque, Venerabilis Frater Noster, tutelae Beatae Mariae Virginis eiusque Sponsi s. Ioseph fidenti animo committimus. Nostram denique benedictionem prolixe tibi imprimis elargimur, cum omnibus ad quos nunc mitteris communicandam, vicissim pro gravi Nostro Petrino ministerio exercendo preces enixe expostulantes.

Datum Romae, Laterani, die XIII mensis Aprilis, Dominica in Palmis de Passione Domini, Anno Sancto MMXXV, Pontificatus Nostri tertio decimo.

FRANCISCUS

Resignation and succession of bishop of Urgell, Spain

Resignation and appointment of bishop of Granada en Colombia, Colombia

 

Resignation and succession of bishop of Urgell, Spain

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Urgell, Spain, presented by Bishop Joan Enric Vives Sicília.

He is succeeded by Bishop Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat, until now coadjutor bishop of the same diocese.

 

Resignation and appointment of bishop of Granada en Colombia, Colombia

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Granada en Colombia, Colombia, presented by Bishop José Figueroa Gómez.

The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Jorge Enrique Malpica Bejarano, of the clergy of the diocese of Zipaquirá, Colombia, until now episcopal vicar of the Cristo Sacerdote pastoral zone and parish priest of Nuestra Señora de la Salud in Chía, as bishop of Granada en Colombia.

Curriculum vitae

Msgr. Jorge Enrique Malpica Bejarano was born on 2 August 1967 in Gachetá, diocese of Zipaquirá. He carried out his studies in philosophy and theology at the San José Major Seminary of Zipaquirá, and obtained a licentiate in philosophy from the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome and a diploma in spirituality and priestly formation from the Instituto Teológico-Pastoral para la América Latina (ITEPAL) of CELAM.

He was ordained a priest for the diocese of Zipaquirá on 8 December 1993.

He has held the following offices: vicar of the parish-minor basilica of Santo Cristo in Ubaté (1994-1996), parish vicar of San Juan Bautista in Villapinzón (1997), parish priest of Santa María in Villagómez (1998-2002), formator and director of studies (2003-2005), bursar and formator (2008.2015) at the San José Major Seminary of Zipaquirá, parish priest of Nuestra Señora de la Salud in Chocontá (2016-2024), and archpriest of Espíritu Santo (2017-2024). Since 2024 he has been episcopal vicar of the Cristo Sacerdote pastoral zone and parish priest of Nuestra Señora de la Salud in Chía.

The following is the Message sent by the Holy Father Leo XIV to the Bishops’ Conference of France on the occasion of the one hundredth anniversary of the canonization of Saint John Eudes, Saint John Mary Vianney, and Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus:

 

Message of the Holy Father

I am happy to be able to address you for the first time, pastors of the Church of France, and through you, all your faithful, as this month of May 2025 marks the one hundredth anniversary of the canonization of three Saints whom, by the grace of God, your country has given to the universal Church: Saint John Eudes (1601-1680), Saint John Mary Vianney (1786-1859) and Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (1873-1897). In raising them to the glory of the altars, my predecessor Pius XI wanted to present them to the People of God as teachers to listen to, models to imitate, and powerful supporters to pray to and invoke. The scale of the challenges facing the Church in France a century later, and the continuing relevance of these three holy figures in meeting them, lead me to invite you to give special prominence to this anniversary.

In this brief Message, I will mention just one spiritual trait that John Eudes, John Mary Vianney and Thérèse have in common and present in a very meaningful and attractive way to the men and women of today: they loved Jesus unreservedly in a simple, strong and authentic way; they experienced his goodness and tenderness in a special daily closeness, and they bore witness to it in an admirable missionary drive.

The late Pope Francis left us, rather like a testament, a beautiful Encyclical on the Sacred Heart in which he states: “That stream which is never exhausted, never passes away … offers itself time and time again to all those who wish to love as he did. For his love alone can bring about a new humanity” ( Dilexit nos , 219). There could be no more beautiful and simple programme of evangelization and mission for your country: to help everyone discover the tender and devoted love that Jesus has for them, to the point of transforming their lives.

And in this respect, our three Saints are undoubtedly masters whose life and doctrine I invite you to constantly make known and appreciated by the People of God. Was Saint John Eudes not the first to celebrate the liturgical worship of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary? Was Saint John Mary Vianney not the priest who gave himself passionately to his ministry and who said: “The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus”? and finally, was Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face not the great Doctor of scientia amoris that our world needs, she who “breathed” the Name of Jesus at every moment of her life, with spontaneity and freshness, and who taught the little ones an “easy” way to access it?

Celebrating the centenary of the canonization of these three saints is first and foremost an invitation to give thanks to the Lord for the marvels he has accomplished in this land of France over long centuries of evangelization and Christian life. Saints do not appear spontaneously but, by grace, emerge from living Christian communities that have been able to transmit the faith to them, to kindle in their hearts the love of Jesus and the desire to follow him. This Christian heritage still belongs to you, it still deeply permeates your culture and remains alive in many hearts.

This is why I express the hope that these celebrations will not merely evoke nostalgia for a past that might seem bygone, but that they will awaken hope and give rise to a new missionary impetus. With the help of the saints he has given you and whom you celebrate, God can renew the marvels he has accomplished in the past. Will Saint Thérèse not be the Patroness of the missions in the very lands where she was born? Will Saint John Mary Vianney and Saint John Eudes not be able to speak to the conscience of many young people about the beauty, greatness and fruitfulness of the priesthood, to inspire their enthusiastic desire for it, and to give them the courage to respond generously to the call, at a time when the lack of vocations is harshly felt in your dioceses and priests are under increasing strain? I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the priests of France from the bottom of my heart for their courageous and persevering commitment, and to express my paternal affection for them.

Dear brother Bishops, I invoke the intercession of Saint John Eudes, Saint John Mary Vianney and Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, for your country and the People of God who are courageous pilgrims there, despite the contrary and sometimes hostile winds of indifference, materialism and individualism. May they give courage to these People, in the certainty that Christ, the Saviour of the world, is truly risen.

Imploring upon France the maternal protection of her powerful Patroness, Our Lady of the Assumption, I impart to each of you, and to all those entrusted to your pastoral care, the Apostolic Blessing.

From the Vatican, 28 May 2025

Leo XIV

Eighth Buddhist-Christian Colloquium

Buddhists and Christians Working Together for Peace

through Reconciliation and Resilience

at the Catholic Pastoral Center, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

27-29 May 2025

Final Statement

The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, in collaboration with Preah Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University and the Catholic Church in the Kingdom of Cambodia, convened the Eighth Buddhist-Christian Colloquium in Phnom Penh from 27-29 May 2025. The event was held under the theme  “Buddhists and Christians Working Together for Peace through Reconciliation and Resilience.”

Gathering approximately 150 Buddhist and Christian participants from Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, the United States, and the Holy See—along with two representatives from the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences—the Colloquium was a testimony to the shared desire for peace and mutual understanding. The opening ceremony was honored by the presence of the Minister of Cult and Religion of the Kingdom of Cambodia and other religious leaders in Cambodia.

As the event draws to its close, the participants want to express the following sentiments and resolutions:

We, the Buddhist and Christian participants, met in Phnom Penh—a land profoundly shaped by the compassionate witness of His Holiness Maha Ghosananda—to reflect on our sacred texts, spiritual teachings, and lived experiences as sources of healing and hope for a world fractured by violence, injustice, and exploitation.

During these days, we have prayed, visited one another’s places of worship, studied and encountered one another in a spirit of mutual respect and friendship. Our conversations were marked by attentive listening and the discovery of shared wisdom: both traditions call for the transformation of hearts and societies through compassion and truth.

“Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal law”  ( Dhammapada 5).  Drawing from the Buddhist tradition, we are inspired by the practices of  Metta  (loving-kindness),  Karuna  (compassion), and mindful detachment—paths that cultivate inner peace and foster harmony within society. The life and witness of countless Buddhist practitioners, especially His Holiness Maha Ghosananda—revered as the “Gandhi of Cambodia”—remind us that even the most painful wounds of history can be transformed through compassion, wisdom, and spiritual resilience.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God”  ( Matthew 5:9).  From the Christian tradition, we find strength in the Gospel call to forgiveness and reconciliation. Jesus’ invitation to love one’s enemies and to respond to violence with mercy continues to guide Christian efforts toward peace and justice. The enduring witness of martyrs and peacemakers, who held fast to faith amid suffering and injustice, enriches our shared vision of a resilience grounded in hope and love.

Together, we affirm that:

● Reconciliation is not the erasure of memory but a courageous process of truth-telling, healing, and the restoration of relationships;

● Resilience is nurtured by inner strength, rooted in faith and sustained by communities that uphold the dignity of every person;

● Building peace requires addressing the deeper causes of conflict—poverty, environmental degradation, social injustice, and the denial of human rights;

● Our respective religious traditions offer profound ethical and spiritual resources to face today’s challenges with compassion, courage, and hope.

We recognize the essential role of education in forming new generations in the values of nonviolence, dialogue, and interreligious cooperation. We also affirm the responsibility of religious leaders and communities to embody reconciliation in practical ways: by standing with the suffering, promoting justice, and cultivating inner peace.

As we return to our homes and regions, we carry with us:

● A renewed commitment to walk together as friends and spiritual companions;

● A deepened appreciation for one another’s traditions and wisdom;

● A shared resolve to be instruments of peace, healing, and hope in a wounded world.

With heartfelt gratitude to the people of Cambodia—especially the Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh, Buddhist leaders, national authorities, and other organizers—for their generous hospitality, and in reverent memory of all who have suffered and continue to rise above adversity through resilience, we dedicate the fruits of this Colloquium to the flourishing of a world where peace is more than the absence of conflict. We envision peace as the active presence of love, justice, and enduring human solidarity.

We pledge to bring to life the insights and commitments born of these days through ongoing dialogue and concrete collaboration in our respective communities and regions.

Participants of the Eighth Buddhist-Christian Colloquium

Phnom Penh, 29 May 2025

NOTIFICATION

SUNDAY OF PENTECOST

PAPAL CHAPEL

On 8 June 2025, Sunday of Pentecost, on the occasion of the Jubilee of Movements, Associations and new Communities, at 10.30 the Holy Father Leo XIV will preside over the Eucharistic Celebration on the parvis of Saint Peter’s Basilica.

The Patriarchs and Cardinals who wish to concelebrate are requested to be present by 10.00 in the Chapel of Saint Sebastian in the Basilica in order to put on their liturgical vestments, bringing with them their white damask mitre.

The Archbishops and Bishops who wish to concelebrate, bringing with them the corresponding ticket requested from this Office via the procedure indicated at https://biglietti.liturgiepontificie.va , should be present by 10.00 in the Chapel of Saint Sebastian in the Basilica in order to put on their liturgical vestments, bringing with them their amice, alb, cincture and simple white mitre.

The Presbyters who wish to concelebrate and the Deacons, bringing with them the corresponding ticket requested from this Office via the procedure indicated at https://biglietti.liturgiepontificie.va , should be present by 9.30 at the Braccio di Costantino in order to put on their liturgical vestments, bringing with them their amice, alb, cincture and red stole.

* * *

In accordance with the Motu Proprio “Pontificalis Domus”, the members of the Pontifical Chapel who wish to participate in the Eucharistic Celebration without concelebrating should bring the Notification requested by e-mail at [email protected] by 5 June. They are all requested to wear their own choral habit and to be present on the parvis of the Basilica by 9.30, in order to take the seat to be indicated to them by the Pontifical Masters of Ceremonies.

Vatican City, 30 May 2025

By mandate of the Holy Father

✠ Diego Ravelli Titular Archbishop of Recanati Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations