Cardinal-designate Mykola Bychok, a Redemptorist, will be the youngest cardinal in the Catholic Church, and only the eighth cardinal in both the history of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and of Australia.
Reflecting on the Gospel reading from St Matthew, Pope Francis noted that modern technology, in addition to its positive elements, provides “countless means to give an opportunity to the devil” to enter people’s lives, “and many fall in the trap.”
“To give love, always, and to welcome with open arms the love we receive from the people we care about: this is the most beautiful and most important thing in our life, in any condition and for any person – even for the pope,” Pope Francis has said.
“You are the clear majority of the population of this land, and your presence fills it with life, hope and a future,” the Holy Father told about 1,000 young people, Wednesday 11 September during his visit to Timor Leste.
Since arriving in Papua New Guinea from Indonesia Friday 6 September, Pope Francis had been hearing about the work of the government and the local church to combat clan-based violence and to assist people accused of bringing evil to their communities.
If every baby brings joy, the Holy Father said, how much more should people marvel at the fact that in Christ, God himself became human “to draw close to us and save us.”
Catholic Earthcare Coordinator, Alice Carwardine, for Caritas Australia, said as Catholics we are called by God, and the writings of Pope Francis, to show greater care for our common home.
This year, among the diverse groups and individuals participating, a team from Catholic Youth Ministry in conjunction with Caritas Australia saw 16 enthusiastic entrants who ran and walked their way to the finish line.