Roman Curia

The new law, which takes effect Dec. 8, applies to all legal “persons” or entities dedicated to a specific purpose and that are connected to the Holy See or Vatican City State.

Among the new appointments announced by the Vatican Oct. 7 was Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of San Diego, who will serve as a member of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life as well as the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

During the summer months, the Council of Cardinals work via internet on the new apostolic constitution with the updated draft presented to the Holy Father Oct. 13.

“Unfortunately, my cold forces me to not participate,” the pope told pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square March 1 for his Sunday Angelus address.

The ongoing reform of the Roman Curia is a necessary part of the Catholic Church’s fidelity to its mission to proclaim the Gospel, recognizing that very few countries today can be described as “Christian” and that new ways of evangelizing are necessary, Pope Francis said.

The proposed apostolic constitution for reforming and governing the Roman Curia is expected to emphasize the church’s missionary mandate with the creation of a “super-dicastery” merging two offices dedicated to evangelization.

Pope Francis is calling the presidents of every Catholic bishops’ conference in the world to Rome Feb. 21-24 to discuss the prevention of the abuse of minors and vulnerable adults.

Updating the norms and regulations governing the resignation of bishops and of Roman Curia department heads who are not cardinals, Pope Francis said they will continue to hold office until he accepts their resignations.