Pope Francis: For the second, there are three possible dates that have been proposed. Two are countable and I don't remember them well but the third I remember well, the first Sunday of Advent. I've said that when I return I'll choose the date. There are three. I need to choose. And I'll do it privately, alone, as a priest, as a bishop, as Pope, but alone, that's how I want to do it. I would like to feel, to be close to the people. But I still don't know how.
About the cardinals. The criteria will be the same as the other two consistories, a little bit of everywhere as the Church is everywhere in the world. Yes, perhaps I am still studying the names…maybe there will be three from one continent and two from another… or one from another part, and another from another. One from one country. But it's unknown. The list is long but there are only 13 spots. We need to think about how to balance it out. But I'd like to show the universality of the Church in the cardinals' college, not just the, let's say, European center. A little bit of everywhere. The 5 continents, if we can.
Cardinale: Is there already a date?
Pope Francis: No, we don't know. I need to study the list and the date. Then, it could be at the end of the year or the beginning of next year. At the end of the year, there is the problem of the Holy Year, but that can be resolved. Or, it could be at the beginning of next year. But, it will be soon.
Aura Vistas Miguel, Radio Renascenca: Holy Father, good evening. My question is about your schedule for trips outside of Italy, in 3 parts. You said in recent days to Argentinians that your agenda is very full and you even spoke of Africa and Asia. I would like to know which countries. There's also a colleague her from Colombia who awaits you there, naturally, and I'm from Portugal and there we await you. About Portugal, when will it be, the 12th and 13th, Lisbon and Fatima?
Pope Francis: It's sure that up until today that I'll be going to Portugal and I'll go only to Fatima. Up to today. Because there's a problem. This Holy Year, the ad limina visits have been suspended. Next year, I have to do this year's ad limina visits and next year's. There's little space for trips.
But I'll go to Portugal. And India and Bangladesh, almost for certain. In Africa, the place still isn't sure. Everything depends both on the weather, in which month because if it's in Northwest Africa it's one thing, if it's in the Southeast, it's another. And it also depends on the political situation, the wars there. But there are possibilities. Think about Africa.
In America, I said that when the peace process comes out, I would like to go. When everything is locked in. When the plebiscite wins. When everything is absolutely certain, when they can't turn back. That is, when the whole world nationally and internationally are all in agreement that they won't make recourse. If it's like that, I could go. But if the thing is unstable, no. Everything depends on what the people say. The people are sovereign. We're more used to looking at the democratic forms than the sovereignty of the people and both need to go together. For example, a habit has come about in some continents where when he finishes the second term, whoever is in government tries to change the constitution to get a third. This is overestimating of the so-called "democracy" against the sovereignty of the people, which is in the constitution. Everything depends on that. The peace process will be resolved today in part with the voice of the people, which is sovereign. Whatever the people say, I think should be done.
Vistas Miguel: And Fatima will be the 12?
Pope Francis: Until now the 13. But it could be, I don't know…
Jean-Marie Guenois, Le Figaro: Thank you, Holy Father. A question about the trips, why didn't you speak in your answer about China? Why are the reasons why you, as Pope, cannot have a ticket for Beijing? Is it a reason internal to the Church in China? Is it an issue between the Church in China and the Chinese government? Or, is the reason an issue between the Vatican and the Chinese government? And, if you allow me, I would like to pose a recent question, because some hours ago Mons. Lebrun, the archbishop of Rouen, announced that you have authorized the commencement of the process of beatification of Fr. Hamel, skipping the regular waiting period of five years. Why this decision? Thanks.
Pope Francis: On the latter, I've spoken with Cardinal Amato and we will carry out the studies and he will give the final news. But, the intention is to go on this line, to make the necessary research and to see if there are the motives to do it.
(Story continues below)
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.
As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Guenois: He announced that the process has opened.
Pope Francis: No, witness must be sought to open the process. Not losing the witnesses is really important, because the fresh witnesses are those who have seen the people. After a little bit of time, some die, some lose their memory … In Latin, you say "ne perdeat provationem."
On China, you know the story of China and the Church. The patriotic Church, the underground Church, but we're working and we're in good relations. We're studying and speaking. There are working commissions. I'm an optimist. Now, I believe the Vatican Museums made an exposition in China. The Chinese will make another in the Vatican. There are so many professors that go to attend school in the Chinese universities. So many sisters, so many priests that can work well there. But the relations between the Vatican and China has to be fixed once and we're speaking about this slowly but slow things always go well. Fast things don't go well. The Chinese nation has my highest esteem. The day before yesterday, for example, there was a congress - two days, I believe - in the academy of sciences on Laudato Si. And there was a Chinese delegation from the president there too. And the Chinese president sent me a gift. They are good relations.
Guenois: But still no trip?
Pope Francis: I would like to but I don't think so yet.
Juan Vicente Boo, ABC: Thank you, Holy Father. In the Spanish language group we have seen that the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize will be announced Oct. 7. There are more than 300 nominations. An example: the people of Lesbos for what they have done in favor of the refugees or the white helmets of Syria, these volunteers who pull people out of the rubble after bombings - they have pulled 60,000 people out at the price of 130 of their own lives...or even President Santos of Colombia and the commander of the FARC, Timochenko, who signed the peace accord...and many others. Now the question: who is your preferred candidate and which are the people or organizations who merit (the award) due to the work they do?