WHEREAS, His Holiness Pope Francis approved the promulgation of a decree on May 26, 2020, recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God Father Michael J. McGivney, thereby clearing the way for the Beatification of the exemplary American priest and venerable founder of the Order of the Knights of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, His Holiness received the members of the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors with exceptional kindness during their pilgrimage marking the Centennial of the Order’s presence in the Eternal City, receiving them in private audience in the Sala Clementina of the Apostolic Palace on February 10, 2020, and addressing them with inspiring words and encouraging sentiments; and
WHEREAS, His Holiness further manifested his paternal affection by greeting the Supreme Directors for a second time in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace on February 12, 2020, leading them in prayer before imparting his Apostolic Blessing at the conclusion of their pilgrimage.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of the Supreme Council assembled virtually for its 138th Annual Meeting on August 5, 2020, express their profound appreciation and renew their filial devotion to His Holiness Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that during the centennial year of the presence of the Knights of Columbus in the Eternal City, the Supreme Council renews the Order’s commitment to remain in devoted service to His Holiness Pope Francis and all the Successors of St. Peter in the next hundred years and beyond; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Supreme Council also recommits to continuing its longstanding support for the broadcasts of Papal Masses and other events, having considered it a privilege to fund the extraordinary broadcasts undertaken during the coronavirus pandemic, which powerfully demonstrated the importance of these broadcasts in fostering a spiritual bond between the Holy Father and the faithful around the world.