Morning Catholic must-reads: 08/02/16

The Pope expressed “deep concern” over “the dramatic fate of civilian populations” in Syria in his Angelus address on Sunday (full video).

Germany needs “a reduction in the number of refugees”, Cardinal Reinhard Marx has said (German text).

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin has said there is room for “legitimate debate” about ending priestly celibacy.

Australia’s royal commission will decide today whether to permit Cardinal George Pell to give evidence from Rome via videolink.

Bamzi Banchiri, R Andrew Chesnut, Terry Mattingly, Rocco Palmo, Francesco Sisci and Christoph Strack reflect on this week’s historic meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill.

Austen Ivereigh argues that the clash between Peter Saunders and the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors was “inevitable” (full text).

And Christopher White asks whether drinking can be saintly.

Follow me on Twitter @lukecoppen for updates throughout the day.