VATICAN (Agencies): In a sign that Pope Francis has been able to conduct work while in the hospital, the Vatican said the pope had met with the top officials of the Vatican secretariat of state and had signed several decrees in sainthood causes.
The Holy See Press Office said February 25 that the pope had signed the decrees the previous day during a meeting at Rome’s Gemelli hospital with Pietro Cardinal Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, and with Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, substitute secretary of state.
It was also announced on that that the pope amended the Fundamental Law of Vatican City State [13 May 2023] and Law No. CCLXXIV on the Government of Vatican City State [25 November 2018].
In light of these changes, he appointed Archbishop Emilio Nappa, currently assistant secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelisation [Section for First Evangelisation and New Particular Churches] and president of the Pontifical Mission Societies; and lawyer, Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, until now deputy secretary general of the Governorate of Vatican City, as secretaries general of the Governorate of Vatican City, effective March 1.
This is the same day Sister Raffaella Petrini, of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, will assume the office of president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and President of the Governorate. Sister Petrini will also have the authority to delegate specific duties and responsibilities to the newly appointed secretaries general as needed.
In his audience with Cardinal Parolin and Archbishop Peña Parra, Pope Francis authorised the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints to promulgate various decrees concerning those on the path to sainthood.
The pope recognised the “offering of life” of the Servants of God, Father Emil Joseph Kapaun, a United States Army chaplain during World War II and the Korean War; and Italian layperson, Salvo D’Acquisto.
He also recognised the heroic virtues of three Servants of God: Father Michele Maura Montaner, founder of the Congregación de las Hermanas Celadoras del Culto Eucarístico; Father Didaco Bessi, founder of the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of Saint Mary of the Rosary; Cunegonda Siwiec.
Furthermore, Pope Francis approved the favourable votes of the Ordinary Session of the Cardinals and Bishops of the Dicastery for the canonisation of two Blesseds: Giuseppe Gregorio Hernández Cisneros, Bartolo Longo, both laypeople.
