At 13.00 today, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Greg Burke, gave a briefing on the 25th meeting of the Council of Cardinals with the Holy Father Francis.

The Council of Cardinals met for three days: Monday 11, Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 June. All members were present apart from His Eminence Cardinal George Pell.

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 works of the Council were dedicated to the examination of the draft of the new Apostolic Constitution on the Roman Curia, which is provisionally entitled Praedicate Evangelium. The Council of Cardinals has prepared a first text to submit to the Holy Father for the considerations he may regard as opportune, useful and necessary.

The Council considered how, in accordance with the principle of graduality, the various parts of the reform of the Curia in process have already been implemented in these five years of work.

Msgr. Brian Ferme, secretary of the Council for the Economy, presented the reform of the financial and organizational structure of the Holy See and the Governorate. Furthermore, after illustrating the fundamental objectives and principles, including the avoidance of waste, promoting transparency, ensuring the correct application of accounting principles, following the principle of dual checking and international standards, Msgr. Ferme presented the following positive results:

- a uniform procedure for the preparation of budgets and final balances;

- greater attention to costs;

- greater cooperation and understanding of financial reform;

- a gradual change of mentality regarding transparency and accountability.

Finally, His Eminence Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap., updated those present on the work of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

The next meeting of the Council of Cardinals will take place on 10, 11 and 12 September 2018.