Angelus: Pope invites prayers for Protection of Minors meeting

Pope Francis, following the recitation of the Angelus prayer on Sunday, focused his attention on "the protection of minors in the Church" meeting, to be held in the Vatican from 21 to 24 February 2019.

The Pope said that all the Presidents of all the Episcopal Conferences would be there and he invited those present in St Peter’s Square to pray for the meeting, which the Pontiff said, he wanted “as an act of strong pastoral responsibility in the face of an urgent challenge of our time.”

The February Meeting will include plenary sessions, working groups, moments of common prayer, listening to testimonies, a penitential liturgy, and a final Eucharistic celebration.

Pope Francis will be present for the entire duration of the Meeting, and has entrusted Fr. Federico Lombardi SJ, with the task of moderating the Plenary sessions.

According to an earlier communication from the Holy See Press Office regarding the upcoming summit: “the goal is that all of the Bishops clearly understand what they need to do to prevent and combat the worldwide problem of the sexual abuse of minors.

Pope Francis knows that a global problem can only be resolved with a global response. The Pope wants it to be an assembly of Pastors, not an academic conference – a meeting characterized by prayer and discernment, a catechetical and working gathering.”

The meeting will include a penitential liturgy February 23rd and a closing Mass February 24th.