Pope Francis presided over the formal inauguration of the Vatican’s judicial year on Saturday, and called on those involved in Vatican justice to witness “the immense heritage of values that characterizes the Church’s mission.”
By Christopher Wells
At the beginning of the Vatican’s judicial year, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude and recognition for his judicial work, especially in light of the reforms made in recent years. “These changes,” the Pope said, “will be more fruitful to the extent that they are accompanied by new reforms in the criminal field,” aimed primarily at combating and cracking down on financial crimes; to promote and accelerate international cooperation between the Vatican institutions and other financial control bodies; and other Vatican police initiatives.
The meaning and work of the Church
Pope Francis began his speech by noting that the inauguration of the judicial year was taking place, due to anti-vision measures, in the Hall of Blessings, located between St. Peter’s Square and the main body of the basilica. “In this singular position,” said Pope Francis, “one can see the meaning and work of the Church,” established by Christ, “to carry out the mission of supporting the truth … and proclaiming, even with his own example, humility and personal sacrifice. “
The Holy Father insisted on the “urgency” of identifying and introducing new forms of cooperation, as requested by financial supervisory institutions to achieve faster results in investigations. He expressed the hope that meetings could soon be held at the appropriate levels in order to make collaboration more effective.
Inspired by principles of ecclesial life
At the same time, Pope Francis noted that measures aimed at “absolute transparency of the institutional activities of the Vatican State” must be inspired “by the founding principles of ecclesial life,” taking into account internationally recognized “best practices”.
He stressed in particular the importance of guaranteeing the equality of all members of the Church, and their equality of dignity and position, in the procedural system of Vatican justice, and called for an end to the privileges “that no longer fulfill the responsibilities of each individual must be built by the Church ”.
A duty of witness
Despite being a relatively small entity, the Vatican has a “particular duty of witness,” the pope said. We are called to bear witness, in a concrete and credible way, in our respective roles and tasks, to the immense heritage of values that characterizes the mission of the Church, which is “salt and light” in society and in the international community, especially in crisis like the current one “.
She urged those present to reflect on the fact that, in carrying out her daily work, “they offer a precious contribution to the Church, in this small state of Vatican City, giving a good example of what she teaches in her teaching. social. ”
And he invited all those “called to work for the cause of justice” not to be afraid of “wasting time” in prayer, noting that “only in prayer, do we draw from God, from his Word, that inner serenity that allows to fulfill our functions with magnanimity, equity and foresight “.
The eyes of Justice look up at the sky
Illustrating his message with an appeal to the artistic tradition, Pope Francis noted that painting and sculpture represent justice as a weight and balance of opposing interests, on the one hand, while defending the which is correct for the other. “Christian iconography adds to the earlier artistic tradition a detail of little importance,” he said, “The eyes of Justice are not blindfolded, but turn upward and look up to Heaven, because only in Heaven is there true justice. “
Pope Francis said he hoped that, in the new judicial year, “this awareness would accompany and inspire” his listeners in their “daily work in the service of justice.” He said, “I pray for this and I accompany you with my blessing,” before concluding his speech with a request that they, in turn, pray for him.