Saturday, December 19
BLESSED URBAN V (France, 1310-1370)
Benedictine monk and Pope (1360-1370)
A native of Provence, Guillaume Grimoard was abbot of a monastery in Marseilles when he was elected Pope,
in the century when the Popes reigned from Avignon not Rome (1305-1378). The ascendancy of the French
monarchy and its Frankish empire at the time also meant that French cardinals dominated. Urban V brought
his Benedictine culture to his papacy, setting the example for austere living, initiating reforms in the clergy
and the Church and liberally patronizing institutions of learning and culture. He tried hard to return the
Papacy to Rome but died shortly after returning from Rome where he was received triumphally by the people
and by the imperial court of Charles IV. Fighting among imperial and papal supporters in the papal states
of Italy continued, and the Papacy would not return to Rome till 1377, with Gregory XI, famously urged on
by Catherine of Siena and Bridget of Sweden. Urban's canonization was promised by Gregory XI as early
as 1375 but was stalled by the troubles of the time. His cultus was not officially declared until 1870.
OR today.
Papal stories on Page 1: the Pope's homily at Vespers with the university students of Rome on Thursday evening, and his audience for
the Belgian pilgrims who came to formally present this year's Vatican Christmas tree. Other page 1 stories: A report on the failure
of the Copenhagen climate change conference to arrive at any binding agreement; an agreement between the USA and Russia towards
a new strategic arms reduction treaty; and an assessment by the Congregation for the Clergy halfway through the Year for Priests.
THE POPE'S DAY
The Holy Father met today with
- Mons. Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints
- Mons. Salvatore Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Academy for Life, and Rector Magnificus
of the Pontifical Lateran University
- Gianni Letta, Undersecretary to the Italian Prime Minister and the Cabinet
- Superiors and officials of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, on the occasion of
the dicastery's 40th anniversary. Address in Italian.
- Representatives of the children's arm of Italian Catholic Action. Address in Italian.
And in the afternoon:
- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops (weekly meeting)
The Holy Father today promulgated decrees recognizing miracles that will lead to the canonization
of five Blesseds, the beatification of five Venerables and a modern martyr, and the declaration of
heroic virtues for ten others, including Popes Pius XII and John Paul XIII.
The Vatican also issued a declaration 'to protect the figure of the Pope' against the unauthorized use
o the Pope's name and symbol or the adjective 'Pontifical' for any activities that have little or nothing
to do with the Catholic Church.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 19/12/2009 18:41]