At 13.00 today, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Greg Burke, held a briefing on the 24th meeting of the Council of Cardinals with the Holy Father Francis.

The Council of Cardinals met for three days: Monday 23, Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 April. All the members were present, apart from His Eminence Cardinal George Pell. His Eminence Cardinal Reinhard Marx was absent on Monday. The Holy Father was not present this morning due to the general audience.

The sessions took place in the morning from 9.00 to 12.30 and in the afternoon from 16.30 to 19.00. The majority of the Council’s work was dedicated to the rereading of the draft of the new Apostolic Constitution of the Roman Curia. At the end of the drafting process, which will require a little more time, the Cardinals will approve the text to be submitted to the Holy Father for his further considerations and for his final approval.

Among the various themes that will form the new document, many of which have already been extensively covered in the previous sessions of the Council of Cardinals, some of particular importance were highlighted:

- the Roman Curia in the service of the Holy Father and of the particular Churches;

- the pastoral nature of curial activities;

- the institution and formation of the Third Section of the Secretariat of State;

- the proclamation of the Gospel and the missionary spirit as a perspective that characterizes the activity of all the Curia.

His Eminence Cardinal Sean O’Malley updated the Council participants on the many efforts that have been made throughout the world for the protection of minors and vulnerable adults. During the recent plenary meeting, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors heard the testimonies of the newly-appointed members from Brazil, Ethiopia, Australia and Italy. In addition, a group from the United Kingdom, the “Survivor Advisory Panel”, was heard. The Cardinal highlighted the profuse commitment and great competence of the Members of the Commission who represent very well the variety of cultures of the world. He also reiterated the priority of having to start out from lived experience, continuing the work of listening to the victims and receiving their experiences.

The Cardinals heard Msgr. Lucio A. Ruiz, secretary of the Secretariat for Communication, who updated the Council on the current state of the reforms of the Vatican communication system.

The next meeting of the Council of Cardinals will take place on the days 11, 12 and 13 June 2018.