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Definition of papal

Examples of papal in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'papal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin papalis , from Late Latin papa

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing papal

• anti - papal

papal cross

• papal decree
• papal infallibility

Dictionary Entries Near papal

Cite this entry.

“Papal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/papal. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

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Kids definition of papal, more from merriam-webster on papal.

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Papal Visits

By William Madges

Popes use their visits to encourage faith, emphasize their priorities, and fulfill their role as pastors. The places visited use these trips to highlight their successes, history, and culture on an international stage. Prior to the visit of Pope Francis (b. 1936) to Philadelphia on September 26 and 27, 2015, only one other pope had made an official visit to the city. Pope John Paul II (1920-2005) came on October 3 and 4, 1979, as part of his first trip to the United States as pope. As Cardinal Wojtyła, he had visited Philadelphia in August 1976, representing Pope Paul VI at the International Eucharistic Congress during the celebration of the nation’s bicentennial.

John Paul II enjoyed a close relationship with John Cardinal Krol (1910-96), archbishop of Philadelphia (1961-88), a fellow Pole with whom he shared similar views concerning theology and church discipline. The large Catholic population of the archdiocese (more than 1.3 million), the historical significance of the city, and the pope’s friendship with Cardinal Krol were all factors in Philadelphia’s selection for a visit.

Before Philadelphia, John Paul II visited the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York, where he enunciated themes repeated in Philadelphia: the dignity of the human person, fundamental human rights, and the primacy of spiritual and moral values over material and technological progress. In 1979, Philadelphia was like many other urban centers, experiencing declining influence relative to the suburbs. During the 1972-80 tenure of Mayor Frank Rizzo (1920-91), a time of white flight to the suburbs and increases in crime rates, taxes, and poverty, tensions ran high between white residents and African Americans. In this context, in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul , the pope prayed that everyone in the region would “succeed in making your inner city and suburbs places where people are no strangers to each other, where every man, woman and child feels respected; where nobody feels abandoned, rejected or alone.” In his homily at the Mass in Logan Circle that followed, John Paul urged the estimated 400,000 participants to preserve the human and Christian values—especially liberty and justice—of the city’s and the nation’s heritage. Before leaving, the pope met with seminarians and priests, Hispanic Catholics, and Ukrainian Catholics.

World Meeting of Families

Philadelphia’s second opportunity for a papal visit emerged in connection with the city’s hosting of the 2015 World Meeting of Families, a triennial event established by John Paul II to encourage discussion of the challenges and contributions of family life. The two-day papal visit was planned to encompass the meeting’s concluding events, a family festival (September 26) and a Mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (September 27). Organizers projected that the Mass featuring the pope would draw between one and two million people.

In addition to appealing to the local Catholic community, the prospect of a second papal visit also drew support from civic and business leaders eager to encourage business opportunities and tourism by presenting Philadelphia as a city of global stature. A delegation including Robert J. Ciaruffoli (b. 1951), a top executive at accounting firm Baker Tilly, and Daniel Hilferty (b. 1957), Independence Blue Cross CEO, joined Mayor Michael Nutter (b. 1957), Governor Tom Corbett (b. 1949), and Archbishop Charles Chaput (b. 1944) in flying to Rome in March 2014 to encourage the pope to come to Philadelphia. The religiously diverse Executive Leadership Cabinet of the World Meeting of Families also reflected broad support.

The pope’s vigorous engagement with contemporary issues added to public interest in the visit, as evinced by newspaper articles, op-eds, and letters on the subject. Since his election in March 2013, the pope called for serving the urgent needs of migrants and refugees, protecting the environment, and making economic systems more just. He also sought to persuade the Church to be more concerned with compassionate service to all, especially the marginalized, rather than with a rigid adherence to doctrinal orthodoxy.  His message resonated not only with Catholics, but also with many others. At the same time, the pope’s insistence that humans had a moral obligation to become good stewards of the earth, instead of degrading the environment and inflicting suffering on the poor across the globe, led some conservatives to argue that the pope should steer clear of forays into “scientific” matters.

The Pope’s Itinerary

Like John Paul II before him, Francis’ arrival in Philadelphia followed an address at the United Nations in New York.  Echoing themes from that address, in Philadelphia Francis—using the same lectern that Abraham Lincoln used to deliver the Gettysburg Address—spoke about religious freedom and immigration at Independence Hall on September 26. He also met with selected prisoners and their families at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility before celebrating a concluding Mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on September 27.

While the two papal visits have many similarities, fund-raising for the 2015 visit of Pope Francis differed from its 1979 precedent. In 1979, after Mayor Frank Rizzo announced that the city would cover the $205,569 expense of the platform and decorations for the public Mass, the ACLU filed and won a lawsuit against Philadelphia for violating the First Amendment.  In 2015, no public funds were to be used to cover the estimated $45 million cost of infrastructure, security, and cleanup for the World Meeting of Families and the papal visit. A development committee chaired by Eustace Mita , CEO of Achristavest, a waterfront development company, led the fund-raising. In addition to appealing to local businesses, foundations, and individual philanthropists for most of the needed funds, the committee created opportunities for supporters to purchase merchandise online, to donate $10 to light a candle for one’s intentions at the Cathedral Basilica, and to designate the World Meeting of Families as a preferred charity to receive a percentage of purchases made on Amazon.com.

Security measures in 2015 were also far more robust than in 1979, which preceded the era of the 9/11 attacks and the rise of al Qaeda and ISIS.  The first papal visit had no secure vehicle perimeter to block traffic, nor was there screening of visitors with magnetometers or high fences severely restricting access to the principal papal venues. The 2015 visit, designated a National Special Security Event by the U.S. secretary of Homeland Security ,  led the city to implement unprecedented travel restrictions, criticized by some as excessive. These measures included closing the Benjamin Franklin Bridge , the Vine Street Expressway, and large stretches of the Schuylkill Expressway to private vehicles and preventing incoming traffic into the three-square-mile papal security perimeter for the entire weekend.

About one month before the pope’s visit, city officials and World Meeting of Families supporters mounted a campaign to undo  negative publicity brought by uncertainties over security and transportation issues, including distribution of “OpeninPHL” kits to downtown businesses and assurances that the city would take the event in stride.

Despite the inconvenience caused by the travel restrictions and disruption created by the huge influx of visitors, Philadelphia expected to net more than $400 million in economic benefit from the 2015 papal visit. Hotels and restaurants expected to reap the greatest profit, but local merchants—especially the official retail vendor, Aramark— also stood to benefit from the selling of papal paraphernalia, including the papal bobblehead doll with cheesesteak in hand, T-shirts, coffee mugs, and religious articles. In the final months prior to the pope’s arrival, local media intensified their coverage of the preparations for the papal visit, providing daily updates as their papal clocks counted down to Francis’s visit, expected to be the largest event thus far in Philadelphia history.

William Madges , Ph.D., is a professor of theology in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Saint Joseph’s University.  His most recent publication is a translation of Walter Kasper’s Pope Francis’ Revolution of Tenderness and Love (New York: Paulist Press, 2015).

Copyright 2015, Rutgers University

Philadelphia Civic Center Clergy-Only Mass

PhillyHistory.org

This sign at the old Civic Center in 1979 heralded Pope John Paul II's visit to Philadelphia, during which he held two Masses, one in Logan Circle for the public and the other at the Philadelphia Civic Center for 10,000 priests and 3,000 nuns.

During Pope Francis's 2015 visit to Philadelphia, two Masses were scheduled, the first at 10:30 a.m. September 26 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul for local religious and those with personal invitations.

The second, open to the public, occurred on September 27, when the pope celebrated the closing mass for the World Meeting of Families. He officiated from a stage in Eakins Oval in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Logan Circle Stage for Pope John Paul II, 1979

The public Mass held in Logan Circle on October 3, 1979, drew more than a million people, according to police estimates at the time, stretching on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from City Hall to the Art Museum.

Although the one million attendance figure has been widely used since Pope John Paul II's 1979 visit, and organizers at the World Meeting of Families 2015 predicted more than one million people would attend a parkway Mass on September 27, recent appraisals by crowd specialists say that the parkway can hold only about 400,000 people. Organizers set up giant screens beyond the parkway to handle the overflow.

In 1979, the papal stage and altar at Logan Circle brought controversy as Mayor Frank Rizzo spent $205,569 of public funds during its construction. A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union against the City of Philadelphia argued that using public money to build the stage amounted to “public sponsorship of a religious service.” The city lost the lawsuit and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia reimbursed the costs of the construction.

To avoid a similar issue with the 2015 visit of Pope Francis, the City of Philadelphia made clear that the $45 million in expenses for the papal event would be paid by the World Meeting of Families, covering all religious and nonreligious aspects of the visit.

Crowd at Pope John Paul II's Mass in 1979

During the 1972 to 1980 tenure of Mayor Frank Rizzo, a time of white flight to the suburbs and increases in crime rates, taxes, and poverty, tensions ran high between white residents and African Americans. In this context, in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, the pope prayed that everyone in the region would “succeed in making your inner city and suburbs places where people are no strangers to each other, where every man, woman and child feels respected; where nobody feels abandoned, rejected or alone.” In his homily at the Mass in Logan Circle that followed, John Paul urged the hundreds of thousands in attendance to preserve the human and Christian values—especially liberty and justice—of the city’s and the nation’s heritage.

Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II (1920-2005), shown here, was the only other pope to make an official visit to Philadelphia, on October 3 and 4, 1979, as part of his first trip to the United States as pope. Popes use their visits to encourage faith, emphasize their priorities, and fulfill their role as pastors. The places visited use these trips to highlight their successes, history, and culture on an international stage.

Traffic Perimeter for Pope's Visit

Security measures in 2015 were far more robust than in 1979. The first papal visit had no secure vehicle perimeter to block traffic, nor was there screening of visitors with magnetometers or high fences severely restricting access to the principal papal venues. The 2015 visit, designated a National Special Security Event by the U.S. secretary of Homeland Security, led authorities to implement unprecedented travel restrictions, criticized by some as excessive. These measures included closing the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, the Vine Street Expressway, and large stretches of the Schuylkill Expressway to private vehicles and preventing incoming traffic into the three-square-mile papal security perimeter, shown here, for the entire weekend.

Historic Visit

This postcard peddled by a vendor on Market Street, anticipated the arrival of Pope Francis at Independence Hall, where he spoke about immigration and religious freedom.

Related Topics

• Holy Experiment
• Philadelphia and the World
• Philadelphia and the Nation
• Philadelphia, the Place that Loves You Back
• City of Brotherly Love

Time Periods

• Twenty-First Century
• Twentieth Century after 1945
• Center City Philadelphia
• Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
• Roman Catholic Parishes
• Benjamin Franklin Parkway
• Missionaries

Related Reading

Ivereigh, Austen. The Great Reformer: Francis and the Making of a Radical Pope .  New York: Henry Holt, 2014.

Pilgrim of Peace: The Homilies and Addresses of His Holiness Pope John Paul II on the Occasion of His Visit to the United States of America .  Washington, D.C.: United States Catholic Conference, 1979.

Simon, Roger D.  Philadelphia: A Brief History . Harrisburg, Pa.: Huggins Printing Co., 2003.

Walsh, Mary Ann, ed. John Paul II: A Light for the World . New York: Sheed & Ward, 2003.

Weigel, George. A Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II . New York: HarperCollins, 2005.

Weigley, Russell F, ed.  Philadelphia: A 300-Year History . New York: W.W. Norton, 1982.

Related Collections

Papal Visit-John Paul II 1979 Collection, Philadelphia Archdiocesan Historical Research Center , 100 E. Wynnewood Road, Wynnewood, Pa.

Related Places

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul , Eighteenth Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia.

Independence Hall , Chestnut Street between Fifth and Sixth Streets, Philadelphia.

St. Charles Borromeo Seminary , 100 Wynnewood Rd., Wynnewood, Pa.

Temporary exhibits related to 2015 visit of Pope Francis ( listed by Philly.com ).

Backgrounders

Connecting Headlines with History

• Pope In Philly: FAQ (WHYY, July 13, 2015)
• PATCO readies rail passes for pope's visit (WHYY, July 16, 2015)
• Welcome Pope banner unveiled at cathedral (WHYY, July 29, 2015)
• Prison workshop crafting chair for Pope Francis (WHYY, August 24, 2015)
• Bike enthusiast plans a "pope ride" (WHYY, August 26, 2015)
• Papal tickets revive interest in visit for some suburban parishes (WHYY, September 7, 2015)
• SEPTA offering more subway stops for pope weekend and credits to monthly pass holders (WHYY, September 8, 2015)
• Philly side hustle will be on full display during papal visit (WHYY, September 17, 2015)
• Five things Philly officials learned from Pope Francis' visit (WHYY, November 11, 2015)
• Philadelphia to absorb $8 million in papal costs (WHYY, December 3, 2015)
• Security, vending plans for DNC convention differ from papal preparations (WHYY, March 28, 2016)
• New housing facility in the name of Pope Francis opens in Philadelphia (WHYY, May 4, 2016)
• Philly Orchestra sues for unpaid $70K bill from papal performances (WHYY, October 27, 2016)
• Extravaganzas and inconveniences: Philly becoming host with the most (WHYY, May 1, 2017)
• Schedule: 2015 Apostolic Journey of Pope Francis to the United States of America
• For Teachers: The Vatican and Social Change: The Pope Visits Philadelphia (Historical Society of Pennsylvania)
• World Meeting of Families 2015
• Papal Visit Playbook (World Meeting of Families)
• A Hope For The Pope Under The Gold Dome (Hidden City Philadelphia)
• The Pope 2015 Visit to Philadelphia (Collection from Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News, Philly.com)
• The Holy See
• Archdiocese of Philadelphia
• Catholic News Service
• Ticketed Areas for Pope's Visit (Philly.com, September 3, 2015)
• Papal parade plans released after public outcry over required tickets (Philly.com, September 4, 2015)
• Address of the Holy Father at Independence Hall (The Holy See)

Connecting the Past with the Present, Building Community, Creating a Legacy

A Guide to Rome's Papal Basilicas: Everything you Need to Know

Rome is a city of churches. And while many of these smaller churches are worth visiting – you never know when you’re going to stumble across a Caravaggio or a macabre relic – it’s the papal basilicas that are truly outstanding. These four major basilicas are not only places of pilgrimages for Catholics from all over the world, but also fascinating cultural attractions for anyone interested in art, history and religion. From the exquisite 5th-century mosaics of Santa Maria Maggiore to the awe-inspiring architecture of St Peter’s, each basilica is full of treasures to discover.

St Peter’s Basilica is best experienced on a Vatican tour , but make sure you don’t miss the other papal basilicas. These sacred places are some of the most beautiful buildings in the Eternal City, with nearly a millennia of rich and turbulent history.

History of the Papal Basilicas Visiting St Peter’s Basilicas Visiting St John Lateran Visiting Santa Maria Maggiore Visiting St Paul Outside the Walls Further Reading Tips

THE PAPAL BASILICAS

There are hundreds of churches in Rome, but the four most important churches to see on your Rome tour are the major basilicas or papal basilicas:

St Peter’s Basilica (San Pietro) in Vatican City; St John Lateran (San Giovanni) in the San Giovanni neighbourhood of the city centre; Santa Maria Maggiore in the Esquilino neighbourhood of the city centre; St Paul’s Outside the Walls (San Paolo Fuori le Mura) in the suburban San Paolo neighbourhood, south of the centre.

While St Peter’s is the most famous and receives the most visitors, St John Lateran could actually be considered the most important; it’s the seat of the Pope and the oldest of all the basilicas.

As well as having enormous significance for Catholics, many of whom make pilgrimages to Rome to visit the basilicas, these four churches are major attractions for their spectacular art, architecture, and ancient history.

History of the Papal Basilicas

The oldest of the basilicas, St John Lateran , was built in the 4th century on the site of an Ancient Roman cavalry fort. The land was given to the Bishop of Rome by Emperor Constantine I, and was declared to be the “Domus Dei” (“House of God”) by Pope Sylvester I. When the papacy moved to Avignon, the Basilica fell into decline and was ravaged by fires. It wasn’t until the 18th century that it was restored and enriched by the work of Baroque artists and architects such as Borromini.

St Paul Outside the Walls was founded in the 4th century and built over the supposed burial site of St Paul. It underwent various periods of construction work and expansion over the centuries. Legend has it that the ancient basilica was even grander than the old St Peter’s basilica. Tragically, the actions of a careless workman in 1823 led to a catastrophic fire that almost completely destroyed the basilica. Donations were sent from all over the world; including alabaster from Egypt, and precious jewels from Russia. Today, the vast majority of the basilica, from the artwork to the neoclassical façade, is a product of 19th-century restoration work.

Santa Maria Maggiore was built in the 5th century and is known as ‘Our Lady of the Snows’, because of its association with a legend about a miraculous snowfall in August. It was built on the site of a previous basilica, known as the Liberian Basilica after Pope Liberius. Santa Maria Maggiore was one of the first churches built in honour of the Virgin Mary, and its opulence is a reflection of its symbolic importance (as well as the wealth of the Church at that time). The church still retains its original structure, and periodic restoration work has helped to preserve its splendour.

The present-day St Peter’s Basilica is completely different from the original 4th-century basilica, which was built on the site of St Peter’s burial on the orders of Emperor Constantine. By the 15th century, the old basilica was in desperate need of renovation, and Pope Julius II decided it would be better to demolish it, replacing it with a larger, grander basilica, to house his tomb.

Building work took place over 120 years and involved the contributions of numerous artists and architects, including Michelangelo, who designed the dome. The travertine façade was designed by Maderno, while Bernini contributed important artistic details including the vast baldachin over the altar. The basilica that you’ll see on your Vatican tour is therefore mostly a Baroque creation and the grandest of all the papal basilicas.

VISITING ST PETER'S BASILICA

How to get to st peter's basilica.

St Peter’s Basilica is within Vatican City and so is easy to get to by bus or metro. The nearest metro is Ottaviano (Line A), only a 10-minute walk away. Buses 40 and 64 go from Termini to the Vatican (via the historic centre), but you can also take any bus that stops in Piazza del Risorgimento or the nearby Lungotevere.

Tickets & Entry to St Peter's Basilica

St Peter’s Basilica is open 7.00-18.00 daily. Entry to St Peter’s Basilica is free, so you can’t buy tickets in advance – prepare to queue! The lines are particularly long in peak tourist season (April-September). One way to avoid the queues is to join a Vatican tour, which will allow you to enter the basilica directly from the Vatican Museums.

What to see at St Peter's Basilica

Before entering the basilica, make sure you admire the extraordinary design of St Peter’s Square , which is one of the most beautiful public spaces in the world. The piazza was redesigned by the Baroque genius Bernini and is remarkable for its graceful symmetry. Take a walk under the vast colonnades that represent “the maternal arms of Mother Church”, embracing the square, and take a moment to notice all the interesting architectural details, from the Ancient Egyptian obelisk in the centre to the statues of saints lining the rooftop.

The undoubted masterpiece of St Peter’s is Michelangelo’s Pieta , which you’ll find on the right-hand side of the church. This moving statue – the only work Michelangelo ever signed – portrays a youthful Mary holding the body of the dead Christ. As an example of both classical beauty and naturalism, it’s one of the most significant works of the Renaissance, and as a depiction of maternal love and grief, it never fails to move.

As well as redesigning the piazza, Bernini was also responsible for the magnificent baldachin that rises above the altar. This vast Bronze canopy marks the burial place of St Peter and immediately catches the eye of anyone who enters the basilica.

After your tour, we recommend checking out the view from the dome . Yes, you’ll have to climb (551 steps in total, if you don’t use the lift for the first 320 steps), but it’s definitely worth it. From the basilica rooftop, you have unparalleled views across the Vatican and Rome.

VISITING ST JOHN LATERAN

How to get to st john lateran.

The easiest way to reach the Basilica of St John Lateran (San Giovanni) is to take the metro (Line A) to San Giovanni; you can see the basilica as soon as you walk out of the station. Tram 3 and various buses also stop in Piazza di San Giovanni/Porta di San Giovanni. St John Lateran is walking distance from the Colosseum; just follow Via di San Giovanni in Laterano and you’ll be there in 5 minutes.

Tickets & Entry to St John Lateran

St John Lateran is open daily from 7.00-18.30. Entry to the basilica is free and queues are usually short.

What to see at St John Lateran

Borromini’s niches were left empty until they were filled with the statues of the apostles in the early 18th The statues were created by a range of distinguished sculptors, including Camillo Rusconi and Pierre-Etienne Monnot, and their larger-than-life sizes creates a theatrical effect.

The ancient baptistery was for many years the only baptistery in Rome and is notable for its octagonal form and legendary history; Constantine I was supposedly baptized here. The opulent interior provides a striking contrast with the plain brick exterior.

There was once a monastery attached to the basilica, but today the only part that survives is the 13th-century cloister . Overlooked by many visitors, the highlight of tours of St John Lateran is a visit to the atmospheric cloister – an oasis of calm in the heart of Rome.

Just across the road from the basilica are the Holy Stairs (Scala Santa) , a flight of steps that pilgrims climb on their knees. According to legend the stairs were brought to Rome from Jerusalem by St Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, and are supposedly the steps that Christ climbed on the way to his trial. The Holy Stairs must be climbed on your knees as an act of devotion, but if you prefer to walk you can climb a parallel staircase.

The Lateran obelisk , which stands in the square in front of the Lateran Palace, weighs 455 tons and is the largest standing obelisk in the world . It was shipped from Egypt to Rome under the orders of Constantius II and used to stand in the Circus Maximus.

VISITING ST MARY MAJOR

How to get to st mary major.

Santa Maria Maggiore is a short walk from both Termini station and Piazza Vittorio metro station (Line A). Alternatively, look out for buses stopping at Termini (such as the 40 or 64) or along Via Cavour (75). As a centrally located major landmark, it’s easy to get to. Tickets & Entry Santa Maria Maggiore Santa Maria Maggiore is open daily from 7.00-19.00 (9.30-12.00 on Sundays). Entrance is free and queues are short.

What to see at St Mary Major

The stunning 5th-century mosaics , which fill the nave and the triumphal arch, are the highlight of any visit to Santa Maria Maggiore. The mosaics are breathtakingly beautiful and intricate – most are even more impressive when you admire them up close. They contain some of the oldest representations of the Virgin Mary in Christian art and had a profound influence on subsequent artwork.

The Crypt of the Nativity (also known as the Bethlehem Crypt) was designed to resemble the cave in Bethlehem where Christ was born. Inside the reliquary is some wood that was supposedly part of Christ’s crib. St Jerome – the man responsible for translating the Bible into Latin in the 4th century – is buried here.

One of the most important icons in Christianity is located at Santa Maggiore. Known as the Salus Populi Romani (The Protectress and Health of the Roman People), this sacred Byzantine icon is regularly venerated by popes and carried around Rome during religious processions. It’s believed to be around 1,000 years old, and according to legend was painted by St Luke himself.

VISITING ST PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS

How to get to st paul outside the walls.

The suburban San Paolo neighbourhood is not really within walking distance from the centre. To reach St Paul Outside the Walls (San Paolo Fuori le Mura) take the metro (Line B) to San Paolo. From the metro station, it’s just a two-minute walk to the basilica. You could also take a bus that goes along Via Ostiense, or a taxi, but the metro is the simplest option.

Tickets & Entry: St Paul Outside the Walls

St Paul’s is open every day from 7.00-18.30. Entrance is free, and there’s usually no queue. Entry to the cloister costs €4.

What to See at St Paul Outside the Walls

Although most of the basilica was destroyed during the fire of 1823, it was restored to spectacular effect, and some original details remain, such as the beautiful mosaics of the triumphal arch. Another survivor is the intriguing 5-and-a-half-meter tall candle stand , which dates back to the 12th century and is decorated with carvings of Biblical scenes. Look out for the Whore of Babylon riding a monster at the base…

There’s a mosaic masterpiece on the ceiling of the Apse, depicting Christ surrounded by Peter, Paul, Andrew and Luke. Designed by Venetian artists in the early 13th century, it’s one of the main attractions on a tour of St Paul Outside the Walls.

The walls of the basilica are lined with mosaic papal portraits . Every single pope is represented here, and rumour has it that when all the blank spaces have been filled, the world will end . In other words, just a few more popes till the Apocalypse!

It’s worth paying the small entry fee to visit the charming medieval cloister . It has been described as “one of the most beautiful of the Middle Ages” and contains fragments of the original basilica, as well as some ancient sarcophagi.

Insider tips

Dress appropriately! This point cannot be emphasized enough, especially for St Peter’s. Basilicas are sacred places, and visitors are expected to cover up – no shorts, short skirts, low-cut tops or uncovered shoulders. If you’re wearing a strappy top or vest you can cover up with a scarf or shawl but avoid shorts and short skirts altogether. This is particularly important for St Peter’s, where inappropriately dressed visitors will be turned away at the entrance no matter how long they’ve been waiting in line.

Recent terror attacks in Europe have led to increased security measures. Be prepared to go through scanners, have your bags checked, and queue a little longer before entering.

To make the most of your visit, take a guided tour of St Peter’s and the other papal basilicas. An expert guide will provide valuable historical context and point out fascinating details you might have otherwise missed. By joining a St Peter’s tour you’ll also be able to visit the basilica, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel without having to queue.

St Paul Outside the Walls is the least crowded by far. If you’re visiting Rome in high season and getting sick of the crowds, a trip to the peaceful cloister of St Paul’s could be the perfect solution.

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Definition of papal adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• papal authority
• a papal visit to Mexico

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W hen the pope speaks, Catholics tend to listen. Confusion often arises, however, when we do not have the tools to know how to properly listen. Using examples from Pope Francis’s pontificate (and some from other pontificates) we will outline the various types of papal writings in their scope, purpose, and doctrinal weight. One way to approach reading papal documents is to think of them as differing genres. Much like one would not read a newspaper, a poem, and a cookbook the same way, one also should avoid thinking of an apostolic constitution, a brief, and a homily in the same fashion. As you will notice, though, there is a complexity to sorting papal documents due to the inherent overlap in authoritative lens, style, and reasons for publishing the document. Many documents will fit within more than one category, which makes interpreting the document and the nature of its authority all the more difficult.

• Papal Bulls represent one of the oldest and most solemn forms of papal documents. Derived from the leaden seal (bulla) traditionally attached to them with silken cords, bulls are reserved for weighty matters such as canonizations, declarations of dogma, establishment of dioceses, or granting of privileges. They possess a formal and authoritative tone, typically beginning with the pope’s name, followed by the phrase “episcopus servus servorum Dei” and closing with “Datum Romae” (given at Rome) followed by the date and the pope’s name. Notable examples include the Bull Unam Sanctam by Pope Boniface VIII asserting papal supremacy and the bull Inter Caetera by Pope Alexander VI dividing the New World between Spain and Portugal. Pope Francis’s most extensive papal bull to date is Misericordiae Vultus .
• Apostolic Constitutions are solemn papal decrees that establish or modify laws and regulations within the Church. They possess a legislative character and are often used to promulgate or amend the Code of Canon Law or other ecclesiastical statutes. These documents are issued under the pope’s own name and are considered binding doctrinal (or even dogmatic) statements, and they may include provisions for their enforcement. Apostolic Constitutions can be issued as bulls and deal with matters of official doctrine. An example is Pope Francis’s Apostolic Constitution Vultum Dei Quaerere , which provides norms for contemplative women religious communities.
• Encyclicals are pastoral letters from the pope to all the bishops of the Catholic Church to be dispersed to all the faithful. These letters form part of the pope’s ordinary teaching authority. They cover a wide range of topics, including matters of faith and morals, social issues, and instructions for the faithful. Encyclicals are characterized by their didactic nature, offering comprehensive teaching and guidance on contemporary issues. While they lack the formal legal status of bulls, they carry significant doctrinal weight and are often considered authoritative sources of Catholic teaching. Notable examples include Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum on social justice and Pope John Paul II’s Evangelium Vitae on the sanctity of life. Pope Francis’s three encyclicals to date are Lumen Fidei , Laudato Si’ , and Fratelli Tutti .
• Apostolic Exhortations are documents that encourage and exhort the faithful to undertake specific actions or attitudes in light of particular circumstances. They often follow synods or assemblies of bishops and reflect the pope’s reflections on the discussions and outcomes of such gatherings, though they do not contain dogmatic definitions and are not considered legislative. Apostolic Exhortations combine elements of teaching, encouragement, and pastoral guidance, aiming to foster spiritual renewal and missionary zeal among the faithful. While they lack the legislative force of Apostolic Constitutions, they carry significant moral and pastoral authority. Notable examples include Pope Benedict XVI’s Verbum Domini (The Word of God) and Pope Francis’s Amoris Laetitia (on the family).
• Apostolic Letters encompass various types of correspondence issued by the pope. These letters are called apostolic epistles when addressed to specific groups of people. They can range from brief messages to formal decrees, depending on their purpose and audience. Apostolic Letters may address matters of doctrine, discipline, or pastoral concern, and they are often used for administrative purposes within the Church, though they are not considered legislative. While they may lack the solemnity of Bulls or the comprehensive teaching of Encyclicals, Apostolic Letters serve as important instruments of communication and governance in the papal ministry. Examples include Pope Paul VI's Solemni Hac Liturgia establishing the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Pope Benedict XVI’s Porta Fidei announcing the Year of Faith. Pope Francis has issued numerous Apostolic Letters, many of which were declared “Motu Proprio.”
• Motu proprio , “of his own impulse,” or “by his own hand,” are documents that aim to explain already existing doctrine or canon law. Unlike Apostolic Constitutions, these documents do not set out new doctrines, but rather further explain doctrines that are already considered binding on the conscience of Catholics. These documents are issued by the pope personally, expressing his own initiative, decision, or opinion on a particular matter. Motu Proprio can cover a wide range of subjects, including changes to Church law, organizational restructuring, or personal reflections. They often carry significant weight as they directly reflect the pope’s personal judgment and authority. Motu Proprio are typically brief and straightforward, lacking the extensive elaboration found in other types of papal documents. Examples include Pope Benedict XVI's Summorum Pontificum , which relaxed restrictions on the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass, and Pope Francis's Motu Proprio Magnum Principium , which shifted authority over liturgical translations to local bishops’ conferences.
• Decretal letters are authoritative writings issued by the pope or other high-ranking Church officials, typically in response to specific queries or requests for clarification on matters of canon law or ecclesiastical discipline. Historically, decretals contained papal administrative decisions, and by the Middle Ages were often issued in the form of papal bulls. Today decretals are associated with the extraordinary magisterium of the pope, though they are not considered to be legislative. These letters serve to interpret existing laws, resolve disputes, or provide guidance on legal or procedural issues within the Church. Decretals can be addressed to individuals, such as bishops or religious communities, or to broader audiences, including the entire Church. Today, decretal letters can denote dogmatic definitions, though they are typically used for the proclamation of beatifications and canonizations. While not as formal or solemn as papal bulls, decretal letters nonetheless carry significant authority and are binding on those to whom they are addressed. Examples of decretal letters include Pope Gregory IX's Decretales Gregorii , a collection of papal decrees and legal opinions that became a foundational text of canon law. Incorporating decretal letters into the classification of papal documents underscores their importance in shaping the legal and procedural framework of the Church. While they may not always receive the same level of attention as other types of papal documents, decretals play a crucial role in clarifying and interpreting canonical norms, ensuring the orderly governance and administration of the Church’s affairs.
• Addresses/allocutions, “allocutions,” were historically used for solemn addresses from the pope to his cardinals. Today, however, these addresses can be less formal and are often published in the  Acta Apostolicae Sedis and elsewhere. Allocutions are formal speeches or addresses delivered by the pope on various occasions, such as to visiting dignitaries, at gatherings of the College of Cardinals, or during papal audiences. These speeches may cover a wide range of topics, including matters of doctrine, current events, social issues, or reflections on the Church's mission and ministry. While allocutions are not written documents in the traditional sense, they are often transcribed and published for wider dissemination. Allocutions serve as important vehicles for the pope to communicate his thoughts, vision, and guidance to the Church and the world. Allocutions may include homilies , general audiences , speeches , or the weekly Angelus .
• Rescripts are documents that typically answer specific petitions put before the Roman Curiae or the pope himself. Signed by the cardinal prefect and the secretary of the relevant congregation, papal rescripts bear the seal of the congregation issuing the document. Rescripts are official responses or decrees issued by the pope or Vatican authorities in reply to petitions or requests submitted to them. These responses may come from bishops, clergy, religious communities, or laypersons seeking clarification, dispensation, or favor in various matters. Rescripts can address a wide range of issues, including dispensations from canonical requirements, permissions for exceptions to Church law, or grants of privileges or favors. They are typically written in a formal style and may include specific conditions or instructions to be followed by the petitioner. Some rescripts are called “instructions,” which are issued by  Congregations with the pope’s approval. The purpose of these documents is to explain the proper implementation of the more authoritative documents. An example of this type of document is Redemptionis Sacramentum (On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist), which was authored by the Congregation for Divine Worship and explains the practical implications and instructions for the implementation of Pope John Paul II’s encyclical, Ecclesia de Eucharistia . Sometimes rescripts are presented in the form of Declarations. One such example that has received considerable press in recent months is Fiducia Supplicans (On the Pastoral Meaning of Bishops). Though this document was released in response to particular dubia, the scope of the theological reflection was much broader pastorally and theologically than the short answers provided in typical apostolic briefs; therefore, the response was presented in the form of a formal declaration.
• Apostolic Briefs, also known as “brevia,” are simple documents that deal with matters of minor importance. The contemporary term brief (brevia) replaced the “litterae,” which were used prior to Pope Martin V (1417–1431). Brevia, also known as papal briefs, are concise papal documents issued for specific administrative or procedural purposes. They may include appointments to ecclesiastical offices, grants of privileges, approvals of statutes or regulations, or responses to particular inquiries or petitions. Brevia are characterized by their brevity and simplicity, conveying the Pope's decision or instruction in a clear and straightforward manner. While less formal than other types of papal documents, brevia play a vital role in the day-to-day functioning of the Church, facilitating the smooth operation of its administrative and juridical processes. Often, apostolic briefs are used to speak to legislative questions (called  dubia ) that are brought before the Church for further explanation. These speak to very specific questions and thus are quite narrow in their responses. An example of this type of document is the Responsum published on 15 March 2021 to questions regarding blessings of the unions of same sex persons.

Reading and analyzing papal documents takes considerable practice, even for the most seasoned theologian. The nuances between the various types of papal documents are quite important when thinking through the meaning and significance of the particular pronouncement, though the complexity should not be understated. Personally, it felt at times like I was writing in circles when trying to articulate the various types of documents and how they are authoritative. That said, it is not enough to simply think about what the words themselves mean; one has to also think through how the words are being relayed. In other words, it is not just what the pope says, but how he says it that determines how one should explicate the papal teachings.

Featured Image: Velazquez, Portrait of Innocent X (c. 1650); Source: Wikimedia Commons, PD-Old-100.

Elizabeth Huddleston

Elizabeth Huddleston is Head of Research and Publications at the National Institute for Newman Studies and is a Teaching Fellow in the Department of Catholic Studies at Duquesne University.

Read more by Elizabeth Huddleston

A Deceptively Simple Papal Document

May 20, 2021 | Paul Tighe

Patriarch of Venice: Mercy at the heart of the Pope's visit

By Benedetta Capelli

The Lagoon City of Venice is ready to welcome Pope Francis on Sunday, April 28, for his one-day visit with the motto "Remaining united in the love of Christ."

The Pope will depart, by helicopter, from the Vatican at 6:30 am and is scheduled to land at about 8 am in the Square in front of the Giudecca Women’s Prison Facility which houses about 80 inmates. In the prison’s inner courtyard, he will meet with the inmates, deliver an address and listen to some of their stories.

As the Patriarch of Venice, Archbishop Francesco Moraglia notes in this interview by Vatican News, the Holy Father’s meeting with women who are suffering is characteristic of his style and sets the tone for a visit undertaken in the spirit of mercy.

What does Pope Francis' presence mean for your diocese and how do you interpret the choice of the Giudecca prison as the first stop of his visit?

Having the Pope in this place, and especially having chosen it as the first stop of his visit to the entire Church of Venice, is an important signal. It asks the city and those who may be “resistant” to setting their gaze on this place of expiation and pain, to strive to make it increasingly one of redemption, of human and spiritual growth for the guests who are present here. Being a prison and not a penitentiary, the guests have long stays and in a way makes things, on one hand, simpler because it leads to a certain familiarity, on the other more difficult because having to stay in a restricted perimeter for a long time can become problematic. I thank the Holy Father for his choice and for his intuition.  I believe that from now on this prison will always remain, not only for those who have had this experience of the Pope's visit, but also among prisons, a light, a way of understanding justice with mercy and wanting to bet on people who have certainly made mistakes.

The Giudecca is not only a place of confinement but, since the beginning of the 60th edition of the International Venice Biennale, it has been dedicated to the theme of “the stranger” and is a place that hosts works of art born from the encounter between the inmates and artists…

So, there is a significant presence of non-Italian guests in the prisons, and here too many foreigners find themselves living in this place of expiation and suffering. At the same time, the way we see things is our calling card, it’s how we present ourselves, usually to others but particularly to those who are strangers because we have not yet met them, and we meet them for the first time. Focusing on this theme – because the Gospel says that the eyes are the mirror of the soul – I believe it is the key that can truly help us to grow in a very difficult context for harmony between peoples and individuals, particularly thinking about war. So, we have art, justice, and mercy held together by how we look at them.

Is there a particular artwork that struck you in the Holy See Pavilion that is entitled "With My Eyes"?

Yes, the artwork at the entrance (created by the Brazilian artist Sonia Gomes). The clothes, the garments worn by the women hanging from above reach the ground but remain suspended. It seems to me a beautiful image of man and woman who are the custodians of humanity. These well-worn clothes, which bear the signs of daily struggle and are suspended between heaven and earth, are a beautiful image of humanity.

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Today’s front page, Saturday, April 27, 2024

Pope’s visit to Singapore is hoped to ‘spur a renewal’ in the city-state

• Kristina Millare | Catholic News Agency via CBCP News
• April 28, 2024
• 2 minute read

Following the announcement of Pope Francis’ apostolic journey to the Asia Pacific region later this year, Cardinal William Goh, archbishop of Singapore, has expressed his hope that the Holy Father’s visit to the city-nation from September 11 to 13 “will bring renewed fervor to all Catholics” in a media release.

Goh encouraged the Catholic population of Singapore to unite and pray for the Holy Father’s upcoming visit.

“Let us, as a community, pray for the continued health and safety of the Holy Father and ask the Lord to grant us a truly meaningful and grace-filled visit,” he said.

Pope Francis’ visit will come 10 years after Goh outlined his 10-year pastoral plan for the Catholic Church in Singapore.

At a 2014 meeting held with approximately 750 parish ministry representatives, Goh stated that the Church may appear vibrant because of “so many Masses, baptisms, confirmations,” but it nevertheless faces challenges, including the declining practice of faith among local Singaporeans.

“Half of the Catholics go to church. The Church is full thanks to the migrants,” he said.

To help Singaporean Catholics to spiritually prepare “to meet Jesus through Pope Francis’ pastoral visit,” the Archdiocese of Singapore also recently launched a dedicated website containing prayers, online resources, and other updates regarding the coming of the Holy Father in September.

The website also unveiled the archdiocese’s chosen trifold theme of “Unity, Hope, and the Cross” to mark the occasion of the 2024 papal trip.

Singapore has a population of 5.637 million as of 2022. To date, there are about 395,000 Catholics living in the country who belong to diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

There are an estimated 200,000 Filipinos in Singapore, majority of who are Catholics.

Masses are predominantly celebrated in English but are also available in Mandarin, Tamil, and other Southeast Asian or European languages for local and expatriate communities.

Though the Catholic Church is relatively young and diverse, and it is growing in numbers in a place of political peace where religious tolerance toward institutions and individuals is mandated by the law, Goh hopes Pope Francis’ visit will spur a renewal and strengthening of faith, conversion of heart, and missionary spirit within Singapore’s Catholic communities.

Dominic Nalpon, a Singaporean theology student based in Rome, shares Goh’s sentiment that external factors, such as the numbers of Catholic faithful, do not necessarily indicate a “booming” Church.

“Singapore is probably the most Western country in Asia, which is not in and of itself a bad thing, but we are also the most affluent, and I think there is a correlation between affluence and a decline in faith or religiosity,” Nalpon said.

“I think that the challenge is that we can easily fall into the external practices of faith but without having a grounded relationship with the Lord. I think that’s the hardest issue,” he added.

One of the highlights of the pope’s visit to Singapore will be the papal Mass expected to take place on September 12.

The last and only other time a pontiff visited Singapore was in 1986 when Pope John Paul II made a five-hour stopover in the country and celebrated Mass with thousands of people at the national stadium.

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Papal visit brings on wave of commercialization

January 20, 2015

By Myrna Rodriguez Co

(first published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Business Monday, January 19, 2015)

As millions of Filipinos opened their hearts wide to the visiting Pope, businesses are accused of taking advantage of the occasion to push their commercial and selfish interests.

Huge billboards and banners festoon the streets, emblazoned with Pope Francis’ image, to welcome the Prelate to the country.  But the rub is the logos of sponsoring companies are also conspicuously displayed, inviting cynicism as to the sincerity of their motives.

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal thinks corporations are out to capitalize on the event to promote and advertise their business.  He deplored that these companies were “no different from politicians who were warned by Manila Arcbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle not to use the occasion for political purposes.”

Macalintal added that Pope Francis would rather have them donate what they spent for the billboards to Yolanda victims.

Meanwhile, small entrepreneurs are so out there in the streets doing a brisk business of selling papal visit souvenirs to the crowds that follow the route of the papal visit.

These products include t-shirts, mugs, button pins, rosaries, refrigerator magnets, ball pens, calendars, bag tags, and small cards with the image of a saint printed on them.

A vendor related, in an interview, that he was able to sell hundreds of Pope Francis t-shirts, at P250 each, on the first few hours of the Prelate’s arrival.

As early as October, demand for papal merchandise had begun to spike.  This was observed both by street vendors and the church-run Radyo Veritas whose marketing coordinator said that sales of the items climbed each day the Pope’s arrival neared.

Entrepreneurs are always known for keenly observing and seizing opportunities to open new ventures and to make existing ones grow.  They are constantly on the lookout to innovate products and increase sales.  This is known, among scholars who study entrepreneurs, as opportunity seeking – one of the hallmarks of the entrepreneurial personality.

That is why the feasting, gift-giving and sharing activities of Christmas has come to be associated with shopping and spending.

No wonder, too, that Valentine’s Day, Mother’s and Father’s Day, Halloween and other such festivities have similarly become a store event.

Even mass protest movements, like the recent marches against the pork barrel scam, cannot seem to be held without street entrepreneurs in the sidelines, making their own little stash.

How can the visit of the People’s Pope, expected to draw six million Filipinos to the streets, be an exception?

The local Catholic clergy came out in defense of the banners.  They were meant to highlight Filipino hospitality, explained Fr. Anton Pascual, head of the papal visit subcommittee on media relations and publicity.

The banners, he added, were put up by Radyo Veritas with the help of corporate partners.  The space allotted for the company logos at the bottom of the tarpaulins “only serves as our token ‘thank you’ for helping us out.”

On the thriving of street entrepreneurship during the Papal visit, Small Enterprises Research and Development Foundation (Serdef) Trustee Dr. Herminia Fajardo observed:  “How can we fault the intrepid hawkers, vendors and micro entrepreneurs from‘seizing the moment’  That is what makes them tick. Besides, they are doing the public a valid service. The rest of us should not just tolerate but encourage them, as long as we don’t lose sight of the main purpose of the Holy Father’s visit.”

For many of these very small entrepreneurs, street vending is the only means for survival.  Their work is highly insecure, involving long hours, poor conditions and no legal and social protection.  They are usually informal, unlicensed, untaxed, and non-compliant with government regulations.   However, many of them hold the potentias for more mainstream entrepreneurship that generates job and helps build the nation.

“Streetpreneurship” implies tackling the realities – and yes, the opportunities — at any given moment.  It’s about making the most of the cards one is dealt, and with street entrepreneurs, high cards are rare. Textbook prescriptions do not apply.   This does not mean setting aside ethical values, but, hey, cut them some slack.  It’s a tougher world out there in the streets, being at the mercy of the elements, amidst the honking of horns and the hurry-flurry of humanity.

Streetpreneurs may be tough but they are as devout and faithful as Pinoys come.  They are as exhilarated to be in the presence of such a holy and charismatic man as the rest of us.

Perhaps we can take a leaf from what Quiapo-based vendor Mami Yuki Reyes said in an interview with PRI’s The World: “Pope Francis is a kind man.  He will understand us.  And I want to go where he’s holding mass … his spirit will feel close.”

(Streetpreneurship is one of the priority targets in SERDEF’s development strategy this year.

Photo: from www.gmanetwork.com

Copyright © 2017 Small Enterprises Research and Development Foundation

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Pope Francis to attend G7 summit to speak on artificial intelligence

By Courtney Mares

Vatican City, Apr 27, 2024 / 12:30 pm

Pope Francis will attend the G7 summit in June to speak about the ethics of artificial intelligence, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced Friday.

The Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations summit is being held in the southern Italian region of Puglia from June 13–15 and will bring together leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States.

Meloni, who will chair the summit, said in a video message on April 26 that Pope Francis had accepted her invitation to attend a session of the summit on the topic of artificial intelligence. 

“This is the first time in history that a pontiff will participate in the work of a G7,” Meloni said.

“I am convinced that the presence of His Holiness will make a decisive contribution to the definition of a regulatory, ethical, and cultural framework for artificial intelligence,” she added.

The Vatican has been heavily involved in the conversation of artificial intelligence ethics, hosting high-level discussions with scientists and tech executives on the ethics of artificial intelligence in 2016 and 2020.

The pope has hosted Microsoft President Brad Smith, IBM Executive John Kelly III, and most recently, Chuck Robbins , the chief executive of Cisco Systems, in Rome — each of whom has signed the Vatican’s artificial intelligence ethics pledge, the  Rome Call for AI Ethics .

The Rome Call, a document by the Pontifical Academy for Life, underlines the need for the ethical use of AI according to the principles of transparency, inclusion, accountability, impartiality, reliability, security, and privacy.

Pope Francis chose artificial intelligence as the theme of his 2024 peace message, which recommended that global leaders adopt an international treaty to regulate the development and use of AI.

The pope established the RenAIssance Foundation in April 2021 as a Vatican nonprofit foundation to support anthropological and ethical reflection of new technologies on human life.

The Vatican has confirmed the pope’s participation in the G7 summit.

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Definition of 'papal'

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BYU Transfer Richie Saunders Takes Visit to Kentucky

BYU fan favorite Richie Saunders is in Lexington visiting Kentucky

• Author: Casey Lundquist

BYU transfer Richie Saunders is being pursued by Kentucky and former BYU head coach Mark Pope. This weekend, Saunders was in Lexington for a visit. Saunders, who has two years of eligibility remaining, averaged 9.6 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game, and 1.1 assists per game last season.

Mark Pope has been personally picking up and taking recruits to the airport this weekend for visits I don’t think I have ever heard of a coach doing this before pic.twitter.com/VpIXwzijUO — Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) April 22, 2024

Saunders was one of three BYU players that entred the transfer portal when Mark Pope left for Kentucky. He joined Dallin Hall and Aly Khalifa in the transfer portal. Khalifa has already committed to Louisville. Hall is still weighing his options.

Saunders had become a fan favorite over his last year in Provo. His impact on the basketball court extended well beyond the box score. Saunders made hustle plays his mission, and he had a non-flashy but effective style that fans grew to love. He had the potential to become a starter for BYU next season.

When Saunders entered the portal, he said his "heart hurts" because of the unanticipated change with the coaching staff.

"Due to the uncertainty of the coaching situation, I have decided to enter my name into the transfer portal," Saunders said. "My heart hurts because of this unanticipated change with the coaching staff. With that being said, I would like to be proactive about exploring what is best for my wife and I as we move forward. I love BYU and am forever grateful for the experiences I have had. I can't thank the coahes, staff, and fans enough for these experiences. Thank you Cougar nation, for everything."

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KenPom Predicts BYU Basketball vs Duquesne in NCAA Tournament

Tipoff Time, Broadcast Plans Announced for BYU-Duquesne in NCAA Tournament

No Sunday Play Likely Cost BYU Basketball a Seed Line in NCAA Tournament

BYU Basketball Gets a 6-Seed, Will Play 11-Seed Duquesne

Place: This Board meeting will be open to public observation only by webcast. Visit https://www.fdic.gov/news/board-matters/video.html for a link to the webcast. FDIC Board Members and staff will participate from FDIC Headquarters, 550 17 th Street, NW, Washington, DC.

Observers requiring auxiliary aids (e.g., sign language interpretation) for this meeting should email [email protected] to make necessary arrangements.

Status: Open to public observation via webcast.

Matter to be Considered: The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Board of Directors will meet in open session at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 25, 2024 to consider the following matters:

Discussion Agenda:

• Memorandum re: Deposit Insurance Fund Restoration Plan Semiannual Update.
• Memorandum and resolution re: Proposals Related to Change in Bank Control Act.

Summary Agenda:

• Disposition of Minutes of a Board of Directors’ Meeting Previously Distributed.
• Report of actions taken pursuant to authority delegated by the Board of Directors.

Contact Person for More Information: Direct requests for further information concerning the meeting to Debra A. Decker, Executive Secretary of the Corporation, at 202-898-8748.

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552b

Dated at Washington, DC, on April 23, 2024.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

________________________________  Debra A. Decker  Executive Secretary

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