“We cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life.”

Pope Francis said the aim of the decree is to “reduce in a significant way the danger of corruption” in the awarding of contracts.

On Pentecost Sunday, Pope Francis proclaimed the unity guaranteed by the Holy Spirit: “we are not bits of confetti blown about by the wind, rather we are irreplaceable fragments in his mosaic.” Gerard O’Connell reports.

The pope’s message poses a sharp challenge to a movement known more for personal conversion and evangelization than practical mercy.

Writing to priests in Rome and across the world, Pope Francis offered encouragement but warned against the ‘temptation’ to ignore the wounds of the pandemic. America correspondent Gerry O’Connell reports from the Vatican.

The pope also announced plans to canonize Charles de Foucauld, César de Bus and Maria Domenica Mantovani.