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Inside the VaticanFebruary 24, 2023
Pope Francis gives ashes to a woman as he celebrates Ash Wednesday Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in this file photo from Feb. 10, 2016. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

This week, Pope Francis again confirmed restrictions on the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass, making it clear that permission to celebrate the pre-Vatican II liturgy is reserved to the Vatican and that bishops do not have the freedom to interpret the pope’s previous instruction at whim.

Plus, on his recent visit to Africa, Pope Francis told Jesuits in the Democratic Republic of Congo that he has no intention of resigning early from the papacy and that the decision for any pope to resign should not become “a fashion, or a normal thing.”

Finally, we’ve entered the season of Lent. Pope Francis has asked Catholics to journey not alone but in community with others, who, together, sustain, encourage, listen and challenge one another.

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