Pope Francis’ reflections on his life and his future are included in a new book, Life: My Story Through History, written with Italian journalist Fabio Marchese Ragona.

That Pope Francis did not wait until the end of the Second Assembly to convoke the study groups, “shows that he has a heart that listens; he listened and is acting,” Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary-General of the Synod, told reporters on 14 March.

Titled “Vulnerability and Abuse: Toward a Wider View of Prevention,” the conference was designed to discuss “the handling of power and authority in the church” and to broaden conversations about abusive conduct beyond the crime of sexual abuse.

In the main speech read by Msgr Pierluigi Giroli, Pope Francis said that “the prideful (person) is one who thinks he or she is much more than he or she really is.

In a brief papal document released on 17 February, the Holy Father said that “these study groups are to be established by mutual agreement between the competent dicasteries of the Roman Curia and the General Secretariat of the Synod, which is entrusted with coordination.”

Pope Francis celebrated the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in 2021 and decreed that it be observed each year on the Sunday closest to the feast of Sts Joachim and Anne, Jesus’ grandparents.

Dressed in purple vestments to mark the Lenten season, Pope Francis said Lent is a chance for Christians to ensure their relationship with God “is not reduced to mere outward show.”

An illustration by Mauro Pallet “Maupal” is seen in this poster released during a news conference about Pope Francis’ Lent 2024 message at the Vatican on Thursday 1 February 2024. Lent 2024 begins on 14 February, Ash Wednesday, and concludes on Holy Thursday 28 March. Photo: CNS/Lola Gomez By Carol Glatz Lent is a time to free oneself from slavery and take action to free others suffering...

By Carol Glatz A woman pushing a patient in a wheelchair is seen in this screen grab from a video from The Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network. In the video, Pope Francis says people who are terminally ill and their families should always receive the care and assistance they need. For the month of February, the network is asking Catholics to pray for those who are terminally ill. Photo: CNS/The...

An Adobe AI generated image of Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd taking care of a lamb. By Justin McLellan While artificial intelligence can be a formidable tool to facilitate communication and exchange information, it cannot provide the uniquely human wisdom needed to promote the good of people and their communities, Pope Francis said. "No doubt, machines possess a limitlessly greate...