Chancellor’s Office

The Chancellor in the Diocese of Shreveport serves as secretary-treasurer of the diocesan corporation and assists the Bishop and Vicar General/Moderator of the Curia in the daily tasks of administration and operation. The work of this office includes serving as a general resource to all diocesan directors, parishes and the faithful.

The Office of the Chancellor is located on the ground floor in the west wing of the Catholic Center.

Tax Status

The Diocese of Shreveport, its churches, and related Catholic organizations are exempt from federal income tax. For documentation, access the web site of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops/Office of the General Counsel/Group Tax Exemption (www.usccb.org/ogc).

Rome Visits – Papal Audiences

Anyone may obtain tickets for a papal audience simply by accessing the Bishops Office for U.S. Visitors to the Vatican, www.pnac.org/visitorsoffice/

This 10 page website will explain the various events for General Audiences, Newly Weds, Papal Liturgies and Blessings on Sundays and Holy Days. There is a complete section on tickets for all events and how to obtain them by email, phone or by mail.

Masses with the Pope at the Vatican

For most of the Masses with the Pope a ticket is needed. Tickets are always free. For between 1 and 6 tickets, you may pick them up directly from the Swiss Guard in St. Peter’s Square at the “Bronze Door” usually from 3 days before the Mass.

For special Masses (such as Christmas or Easter) or if you need more than 10 tickets, you need to make a reservation in advance. These reserved tickets are picked up from the Prefecture of the Papal Household. Book these tickets 2-6 months in advance.

For a Ticket Request Form, click here: Papal Audience with Pope Francis.

Due to the completion of the construction at the Casa Santa Maria last year, the Visitors’ Office will be able to welcome pilgrims at the usual location, Via dell’Umilta, 30 throughout the summer months.

In order for pilgrims to visit the Office and receive their tickets, it is necessary that they present either an American passport or a driver’s license when they pick up their tickets. In the confirmation email sent to each pilgrim’s request, a necessary phone number will be provided which will allow the pilgrims to call the Office when they arrive to collect their tickets on ticket distribution days. Pilgrims must have this phone number when they come to the Visitors’ Office to claim their tickets.

Papal Blessings

A Papal Blessing (decorative parchment document with the Pope’s photo and seal) may be requested for special occasions.

As of January 1, 2015, Catholics may order papal blessings directly from the Vatican—Office of Papal Charities—Elemosineria Apostolica—for the following occasions:

Baptism
First Communion
Confirmation
Marriage
Priestly Ordination
Religious Profession
Secular Consecration
Ordinations of Permanent Deacons

A form titled “Request Form for Apostolic Blessings on Parchment” is available on the Vatican website:

(http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/institutions_connected/elem_apost/documents/rc_elemosineria_doc_20130218_benedizioni_en.html)

For papal blessings for anniversaries of marriage, anniversaries of ordination and religious profession, and for birthdays, contact the Office of the Bishop, Diocese of Shreveport for more information.