Francis' scathing address to the Curia in full – beware spiritual Alzheimer's, Martha-ism and a funereal face

This was the address that left its audience reeling. When Pope Francis finished speaking there was muted applause. Three days before Christmas, in the annual papal address to the Roman Curia, Francis accused the Vatican bureaucracy of suffering from a host of ailments that included rivalry, vainglory, hoarding, grumbling, gossip and spiritual Alzheimer's – where a person forgets their personal “salvation history” with God and end up obsessed by their own passions. Dear Brothers and Sisters, At the end of Advent, we meet for our traditional greetings. In a few days we will have the joy of celebrating the birth of the Lord: the event of God who became man in order to save us; the manifestation of the love of God who does not just give us something, or send us a message