杏MAP导航

By Salvatore Cernuzio

Sister Raffaella Petrini, currently Secretary General, will head the Governatorate of the Vatican City State starting in March. The appointment will follow the retirement of Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga from his role as President of the Governatorate.

In an interview with Fabio Fazio for Italian TV channel Nove's Che tempo che fa program, which aired on Sunday evening, 杏MAP导航 Francis announced the news of his intention to appoint Sr. Petrini as President.

He also expressed sorrow over the prospect of mass deportations of migrants in the United States, joy at the truce in Gaza, and his hope for a two-State solution.

The 杏MAP导航 discussed welcoming migrants, the ongoing Jubilee, his decision to open a Holy Door in a prison in Rome, efforts to combat abuse, and his personal health.

杏MAP导航 Francis had previously granted an interview to Che tempo che fa in 2022 and another in 2024.

Sunday鈥檚 new hour-long conversation also served as an opportunity to present his autobiography, Hope, curated by journalist Carlo Musso, published by Mondadori, and available in 100 countries.

He described the work of writing his autobiography as 鈥渧ery delicate,鈥� comprising numerous stories that "convey a sense of who I am."

Sister Petrini to head Vatican Governatorate

杏MAP导航 Francis reassured viewers about the condition of his arm following Thursday鈥檚 bruise, saying, 鈥淚t鈥檚 moving better.鈥�

He then announced that, starting in March, Sister Raffaella Petrini will become President of the Vatican Governatorate.

This marks another significant appointment of a woman to a prominent role, following Sr. Simona Brambilla鈥檚 appointment as Prefect of the Dicastery for Consecrated Life.

鈥淭he work of women in the Curia has progressed slowly but effectively. Now, we have many,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 noted.

Listing roles assigned to women in the Vatican, he added: 鈥淎t the Governatorate, the Secretary General, who will become President in March, is a nun... Women manage better than we do,鈥� he remarked.

Mass deportation plans in the U.S.

杏MAP导航 Francis responded to a question about the United States amid rumors of a potential mass deportation plan for migrants following President Donald Trump鈥檚 inauguration.

The 杏MAP导航 described such an eventuality 鈥渁 disgrace,鈥� because 鈥渋t makes the poor who have nothing pay the price for imbalance鈥�.

Welcoming migrants and declining birthrates

On the topic of migration, 杏MAP导航 Francis reiterated the 鈥渇our verbs鈥� to address the emergency. 鈥淢igrants must be welcomed, accompanied, promoted, and integrated.鈥�

He also touched on his concern over declining birthrates, citing Italy鈥檚 average age of 鈥�46 years.鈥�

鈥淚f you don鈥檛 have children, you have to let migrants in,鈥� he said.

Two-State solution and the importance of peace

The 杏MAP导航 also addressed the war in the Middle East, noting the start of the ceasefire on Sunday in Gaza and the release of three women held hostage by Hamas.

As he did at the Angelus earlier in the day, he expressed gratitude to those who negotiated the ceasefire, saying, 鈥淭hey are good.鈥�

He then discussed the two-State solution. 鈥淚 believe it is the only solution. Some are willing, others are not,鈥� he noted, adding that 鈥減eace is greater than war.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 emphasized the courage required to pursue peace, noting that 鈥渟ometimes you lose something, but you gain much more.鈥�

War, he insisted, is instead always 鈥渁 defeat,鈥� and he reiterated the importance of negotiations and condemning the 鈥渋mmense鈥� profits of arms manufacturers who fuel 鈥渄estruction.鈥�

Do not forget prisoners

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to speak of hope, the central theme of the Jubilee, calling hope 鈥渢he anchor on the shore鈥� to cling to, echoing the imagery from his homily at the opening of the Holy Door at Rome鈥檚 Rebibbia prison.

He explained that he made this unprecedented gesture 鈥渂ecause I always carry prisoners in my heart,鈥� adding his appeal: 鈥淒o not forget prisoners; many outside are more guilty than they are.鈥�

Shame and sorrow for the Holocaust

Ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27, the 杏MAP导航 expressed 鈥渁 sense of pity and shame鈥� for the tragedy.

He recalled his visit to Auschwitz in 2016, which he was able to experience firsthand through stories, films, and the testimony of 鈥渢he great lady鈥� Edith Bruck, the 92-year-old Hungarian poet and Holocaust survivor.

Abuse, youth, sin

The interview also covered other topics, including abuse, which the 杏MAP导航 described as 鈥渁 very great evil鈥� against which we must 鈥渇ight forcefully.鈥�

He also talked about the challenges of young people who must be 鈥渁ccompanied鈥� and the importance of being close to 鈥渆veryone, everyone, everyone,鈥� without an 鈥渁ngelicality鈥� regarding sins or focusing excessively on sins of the flesh.

鈥淚t disgusts me when some in Confession always seek those,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航. 鈥淭here is no sin that cannot be forgiven; none. Because God wants everyone with Him, as His children, as brothers and sisters among ourselves.鈥�

The "first stumble" in the Sistine Chapel

Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis shared humorous anecdotes, such as his 鈥渇irst stumble鈥� on a step in the Sistine Chapel, right after his election, as he went to greet a cardinal in a wheelchair. 鈥淭he infallible 杏MAP导航 started with a fallible step: he tripped!鈥�

As the interview concluded, the 杏MAP导航 issued a request for the Holy Year. 鈥淒o not let this opportunity pass by,鈥� he said. 鈥淪trive forward courageously. And never lose your sense of humor.鈥�