Delegates spent the morning voting on the few remaining proposals before them.  The afternoon was given over to discussing and evaluating the Chapter in language groups and then presenting them to the whole group.  Overall delegates seemed pleased with many aspects of the Chapter and they also made several suggestions to a future Chapter planning group to help improve the process for the next Chapter in six years.

On Thursday evening, Br. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM spoke about the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land and through his experience as Custos and through the work carried out by the about 300 hundred friars who serve in the Sanctuaries in the reception of pilgrims and in the social and cultural promotion with the local Christians and in assisting of immigrants.

Even today resulted in another intensive moment. Almost all morning was taken up by the voting of the last proposals. At the end of the second morning session the Chapter remitted to the General Definitory the final revision of the text and the publication of the Final Document and the approval of the minutes which have not been approved by the Assembly.

After dinner, delegates had a chance for recreation and to begin to say their goodbyes.  Tomorrow, the Chapter officially concludes with an address by General Minister Jose Rodriguez Carballo, OFM, and a Solemn Mass at 11 a.m. in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli.  Mass will be followed by a festive lunch at the proto-convento.

The approved proposals are still yet to be published publicly and the same is true for the final document of the Chapter.