Pope Francis

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/03/16/pope_francis:_sunday_angelus_focuses_on_prayer_and_action/en1-781959

2014-03-16 12:47:56
Pope Francis: Sunday Angelus focuses on prayer and action

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis prayed the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, the second Sunday of Lent. Speaking ahead of the traditional prayer of Marian devotion, the Holy Father focused on the Gospel reading of the day, which tells the story of the Transfiguration.

Three were the principal elements that Pope Francis identified in his reflection: the importance of listening, of being attuned and attentive to the Word of God; and the twofold movement of ascent and descent that characterizes the Gospel episode (Mt. 17:1-9), in which the Lord takes Peter, James and John to the top of Mt Tabor, reveals Himself in His glorified form, and returns down the mountain with them, with grave warnings to the disciples who accompanied Him not to speak of what they had seen. Listen: RealAudioMP3

“The mountain is the site of the encounter intimate closeness with God - the place of prayer, in which to stand in the presence of the Lord,” said Pope Francis. “We, the disciples of Jesus,” he continued, “are called to be people who listen to His voice and take seriously his words.” He added, “To listen to Jesus , we must follow Him.”
 

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http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/up-to-5-million-may-go-to-rome-for-papal-canonizations/

Up to 5 million may go to Rome for Papal canonizations


Bl. John XXIII's tomb under the altar of St. Jerome in St. Peter's Basilica. Credit: John Mosbaugh

Vatican City, Mar 15, 2014 / 04:07 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- As many as 5 million people could travel to Rome for the April 27 canonization of John XXIII and John Paul II, and are expected to arrive beginning on Good Friday, April 18.

Rome will be a hot spot for tourism also because on April 25 Italy celebrates its liberation from fascism, and is national holiday. Many Italians will take advantage of the day off to spend the weekend in Rome, so pilgrims and tourists will be mixing during these days.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/03/17/pope_francis:_the_way_to_peace_is_through_mercy/en1-782247

2014-03-17 14:40:31
Pope Francis: The way to peace is through mercy

(Vatican Radio) To find mercy we must first forgive. It is through forgiveness that our hearts, and the world, are filled with peace. This was the overarching theme of Pope Francis’ homily during Monday morning’s Mass at the Casa Santa Marta.

“Be merciful as your Father is merciful.” Commenting on these words of Jesus, the Pope added that “it is not easy to understand this attitude of mercy” because we are habitually judgmental. “We are not [the sorts of people] who naturally [allow for understanding and mercy.”]

“To be merciful,” he said, “two attitudes are needed. The first is knowledge of oneself”. This self-knowledge means that we acknowledge “we have done many bad things: we are sinners!” And, when faced with the need for repentance, “the justice of God transforms us in mercy and forgiveness.” However, we must have shame for our sins.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/03/17/pope_francis_receives_the_president_of_argentina/en1-782260

2014-03-17 14:58:51
Pope Francis receives the President of Argentina



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday received Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, President of the Republic of Argentina at the Domus Santa Marta.
 
The aim of the visit on Monday was to present the Holy Father with the greetings and good wishes of the people of Argentina on the occasion of the first anniversary of his Pontificate.

According to the press release, the Pope awaited the arrival of President Kirchner at the front door of the Domus Santa Marta shortly after 1pm. The audience took place in a room on the ground floor, first with the entire Delegation, afterwards, with the President alone.

At about 1.30pm, the Pope and the President lunched together privately.

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/03/17/global_freedom_network_founded_by_catholics,_anglicans,_muslims_to/en1-782279

2014-03-17 15:29:24
Global Freedom Network founded by Catholics, Anglicans, Muslims to end trafficking



(Vatican Radio) Representatives of the Catholic, Anglican and Muslim worlds gathered for the first time ever in the Vatican press office on Monday for the launch of a Global Freedom Network aimed at eradicating human trafficking by the end of the decade. Philippa Hitchen went along to witness this historic event:

The groundbreaking agreement to work closely together across the different faith communities was signed by Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo on behalf of Pope Francis. The Argentinian bishop is chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Science and Social Sciences which brought together a broad coalition of anti-trafficking experts for a workshop last November. He was joined by New Zealand Archbishop David Moxon, director of the Anglican Centre here in Rome and representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Holy See. Also on hand to sign the founding declaration was Dr Mahmoud Azab, representing the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, one of the most important centres of Sunni Islam located in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.
 

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http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=20791&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20CatholicWorldNewsFeatureStories%20(Catholic%20World%20News%20(on%20CatholicCulture.org))

Russian Orthodox leader pays tribute to Pope Francis
March 17, 2014

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church paid tribute to Pope Francis in a statement issued on the first anniversary of his election.

“The first year of your tenure as pontiff was marked with high hopes and important initiatives in the Roman Catholic Church,” said Patriarch Kirill I of Moscow, according to the Interfax news agency. “The wish of Your Holiness to make the presence of evangelical ideals in the life of modern society is already bearing good fruit.”
 

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http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/554/0/pope-francis-invited-to-address-us-congress

Pope Francis invited to address US Congress
17 March 2014 16:36

Pope Francis has been invited by the Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner to speak to a joint session of Congress.

Boehner, a Republican and a Catholic, extended the invitation in a letter to the Vatican on the first anniversary of Francis’ election as Pope last Thursday saying Francis had “awakened hearts on every continent”.

He issued the invitation with Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat and a fellow Catholic.

“Pope Francis has inspired millions of Americans with his pastoral manner and servant leadership, challenging all people to lead lives of mercy, forgiveness, solidarity, and humble service,” Boehner wrote.

Mr Boehner said the Pope’s message “challenges people of all faiths, ideologies and political parties”.

Popes Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI visited the United Nations in New York, but a pope has never addressed the House and Senate during a joint session.

In January unnamed Vatican officials reportedly said that Pope Francis had expressed an interest in visiting the US in 2015
 

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http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/36012

Statement on the announcement of Bipartisan invitation to Pope Francis
3/17/2014



Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, issued the following statement:

“It was a pleasure to learn today of the bipartisan invitation extended on behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate by House Speaker John A. Boehner to Pope Francis to address a joint session of Congress. This is, indeed, a high honor, one that recognizes the importance of the qualities the Holy Father embodies – a desire for peace, care for the poor, an ability to bring people together to address the needs of the suffering and marginalized. These are values that our broken world is so in need of at this moment in history. 

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http://www.catholicregister.org/news/international/item/17798-as-tensions-continue-with-russia-ukrainian-catholic-leader-meets-pope-francis

As tensions continue with Russia, Ukrainian Catholic leader meets Pope Francis  
Monday, 17 March 2014 10:19

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis met privately at the Vatican with the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church March 17, the day after pro-Russian voters on the Crimean peninsula voted to secede from Ukraine in a referendum the United States and European Union called illegal.
 
While Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kiev-Halych, head of the Eastern-rite church in Ukraine, declined requests for interviews, it was assumed his talk with the pope would include a discussion about the fate of the Ukrainian Catholic priests ministering in Crimea.
 

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http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-francis-receives-head-of-ukrainian-greek-catholic-church

Pope Francis Receives Head of Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church
Vatican City,  March 17, 2014 

Pope Francis today received in private audience His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, major archbishop of Kyiv-Halyc in Ukraine.

The meeting followed yesterdays referendum in which pro-Russian voters on the Crimean peninsula voted to secede from Ukraine. The United States and European Union have called the referendum illegal.

No details of todays meeting have been given but it is likely that the fate of the Ukrainian Catholic priests ministering in Crimea was discussed.

Over the weekend, a Ukrainian pastor was released after being taken captive from his church in Crimea. Father Mykola Kvych, pastor of the Dormition of the Mother of God Parish in Sevastopol, was taken from his church by two men in uniform and four men in civilian clothing, according to a Ukrainian Catholic Church spokesman.

Father Kvych and other priests in Crimea were urged to evacuate with their families to mainland Ukraine, but the priests returned to their parishes to be with their faithful during the crisis.

During his capture, Father Kvych was questioned on whether he had been organising anti-Russian riots. He is now understood to be in safe place, outside Crimea, but exact details of his whereabouts are unknown.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/03/18/pope_francis:_lent_a_time_to_adjust_your_life/en1-782518

2014-03-18 13:05:01
Pope Francis: Lent a time to adjust your life

(Vatican Radio) Lent is a time to “adjust your life,” “to get closer to the Lord.” That was the message of Pope Francis at Mass this morning at Casa Santa Marta. The Pope warned against thinking of ourselves as “better than others.” The hypocrites, he warned, “disguise themselves as good people” and do not understand that no one is made just by his own efforts; we all need to undergo justification.

Pope Francis began his homily stressing “conversion” as the key word of Lent, a favourable time “to grow closer” to Jesus. Commenting on the First Reading, from the book of Isaiah, he said that the Lord calls two “sinful cities” like Sodom and Gomorrah to conversion. This shows us that we all “need to make a change of life,” to take a “good look into our soul” — where we always find something. The purpose of Lent, then, is precisely “to adjust my life,” to draw closer to the Lord. Jesus, the Pope said, wants to be close to us; He assures us the He is “waiting for us in order to forgive us.” However, he cautioned, the Lord wants “a sincere approach;” and warns us against being hypocrites:
 

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http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Sign+popes+collaborating+Benedict+critiqued+Francis/9630105/story.html

Sign of 2 popes collaborating: Benedict critiqued Francis' interview on "small-minded" rules
March 18, 2014

VATICAN CITY - The man who serves two popes has revealed that retired Pope Benedict XVI wrote four pages of critique and commentary on Pope Francis's landmark interview in which he blasted the church's obsession with "small-minded" rules.

Monsignor Georg Gaenswein, Benedict's personal secretary and head of Francis' papal household, told German broadcaster ZDF that Francis had solicited Benedict's input on the interview, which was published in September in 16 Jesuit journals around the globe and helped define Francis' agenda.

The Jesuit priest who conducted the interview, the Rev. Antonio Spadaro, said Tuesday that he gave the first printed copy of the interview to Francis on the day it was published. Francis gave that version to Benedict to critique, Spadaro told The Associated Press.

Though Benedict's comments had no impact on the published article, the revelation is further evidence of the remarkable and unprecedented collaboration between the two popes, who stay in touch by phone, in person and by sending notes back and forth across the Vatican gardens via Gaenswein.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/03/19/pope_francis_celebrates_the_feast_of_st_joseph_with_special_greetings/en1-782760

2014-03-19 10:57:51
Pope Francis celebrates the Feast of St Joseph with special greetings for all fathers

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday celebrated the Feast of St. Joseph pointing out that he is a model for all fathers and educators.

Speaking to the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the General Audience, the Pope’s catechesis focused on three aspects pertaining to the life and mission of St Joseph: as the “guardian” of the Holy Family; as the teacher and educator of the young Jesus; and as a guide who helped Jesus respond to the working of the Holy Spirit.

And speaking off the cuff, the Pope sent special greetings to all the fathers of the world, thanking them for what they do with their children. "Be close to your children" - the Pope said - "they need you. Just as St. Joseph was close to Jesus in his physical, psychological and spiritual growth, you too must be guardians in age, wisdom and grace".

listen to the report by Linda Bordoni... RealAudioMP3
Please find below the synopsis in English of the Pope’s catechesis:
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/03/20/pope_francis:_trust_in_the_lord,_not_in_yourself/en1-783118

2014-03-20 13:32:04
Pope Francis: Trust in the Lord, not in yourself

(Vatican Radio) “The one who trusts in himself, in his own richness or ideologies is destined for unhappiness. The one who trusts in the Lord, on the other hand, bears fruit even of time of drought.” That was the message of Pope Francis at Mass this morning in the chapel at Casa Santa Marta.

“Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings,” “the man who trusts in himself”: he will be “like a barren bush in the desert,” condemned by the drought to remain without fruit and to die. Pope Francis began with the day’s First Reading, which also says that the one who trusts in the Lord will be blessed: “He is like a tree planted beside the waters,” who in times of drought “still bears fruit.” Only in the Lord, Pope Francis said, is our sure confidence. Trusting in others is useless; such confidences “don’t save, they don’t give us life, they don’t give us joy.” And even if we know this, “we like to trust ourselves, to trust in that friend or trust in that situation I have, or in that ideology” and “the Lord remains on the side.” Such a person is closed in on himself, “without horizons, without open doors, without windows” and “will not have salvation, he cannot save himself.” That’s what happens to the rich man in the Gospel, the Pope explained. “He had it all, he dressed in purple, he ate all day, great banquets.” He was so content, but he didn’t notice that there was a poor man “at his door . . . covered with sores.” The Pope said the Gospel gives the name of the poor man — he was called Lazarus — while the rich man has no name:
 

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http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/russian-orthodox-church-issues-statement-on-crisis-in-ukraine-and-crimea

Russian Orthodox Church Issues Statement on Crisis in Ukraine and Crimea
Moscow,  March 20, 2014 

The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church issued the following statement on March 19 regarding the situation in Ukraine and Crimea:

The attention of the entire Orthodox world is transfixed upon the tragic events taking place in the Ukrainian land. Blood has been spilt in Kiev. Unrest has spread throughout the entire country.

Responding to this acute situation and to the threats of violent takeover of churches and monasteries of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches, having gathered on March 6-9 of this year in Istanbul, jointly addressed an appeal for the peaceful resolution of civil resistance and for the non-intervention of political forces into church matters. The Primates also bore witness to the fact that they pray for the return of those who are today outside of ecclesiastical communion to the bosom of the Holy Church.

Having gathered today at a session of the Holy Synod, we once again appeal to Ukraine, so dear to our hearts, and bear witness that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church correspondingly called for and continues to call for peace and for prayer, without identifying with (in contrast with a series of other religious organizations) one or another side of the political conflict. Her devoted children live in all regions of Ukraine, she is the largest religious community in the nation, which lives a unified life with her people, she is right beside them in their moment of trials and sorrows. Herein lies the unique character of her social service, for people who live in Ukraine belong to various ethnic, lingual and cultural communities, which have various political viewpoints. Some strive for the maximal integration in political structures created by the Western European governments. Others, on the contrary, strive for developing relations with the people of historic Rus, for the preservation of their original native culture.
 

Comments/actions by Pope Francis (posted previously)

http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/pope-francis-calls-for-dialogue-in-ukraine-to-resolve-crisis-1.1710305
Pope Francis calls for dialogue in Ukraine to resolve crisis
Published Sunday, March 2, 2014 8:16AM EST 

http://www.catholicregister.org/news/international/item/17798-as-tensions-continue-with-russia-ukrainian-catholic-leader-meets-pope-francis
As tensions continue with Russia, Ukrainian Catholic leader meets Pope Francis
Written by Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service
Monday, 17 March 2014 10:19
Updated 03/18/14

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/03/21/pope_francis:_do_not_kill_the_word_of_god/en1-783441

2014-03-21 12:35:53
Pope Francis: Do not kill the Word of God

(Vatican Radio) In order not to “kill” the Word of God in our hearts, we need to be humble and capable of prayer. Pope Francis pointed out these attitudes in his homily this morning in his homily during Mass at the Casa Santa Marta.

If a Christian is not humble, if he does not pray, he risks taking the Word of God and remaking it in his own liking. To see how to guard against this temptation, Pope Francis looked the Gospel of the day. Jesus recounts the story of the workers in a vineyard, who killed first the servants, and ultimately the son, of the master of the vineyard, with the intention of making themselves masters of his inheritance. This parable, was directed to the Pharisees, the elders of the people, the priests; Jesus, the Pope said, was trying to show them “where they had fallen” by not having their “hearts open to the Word of God”:

“This is the tragedy of these people, and our tragedy too! They have taken over the Word of God. And the Word of God becomes their word, a word according to their interests, their ideologies, their theologies... but in their service. And everyone interprets it according to their own will, according to their own interests. This is the tragedy of this people. And to preserve this, they kill. This happened to Jesus."
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/03/21/praying_for_victims_of_mafia_violence/en1-783375

2014-03-21 11:00:05
Praying for victims of mafia violence

(Vatican Radio) A prayer vigil for the victims of mafia violence and for the families of victims is taking place this evening in a Roman parish dedicated to Pope St. Gregory VII. The vigil is taking place ahead of the 19th “Day of Memory and Commitment” in remembrance of the innocent victims of organized crime, sponsored by the “Libera” foundation. Pope Francis himself is meeting the relatives and loved-ones of the roughly 700 victims, whose names are being remembered one-by-one in the evening ceremony.
 
The “Libera” foundation was born in the Spring of 1995, with the purpose of involving civil society in the fight against organized crime and promoting both justice and the rule of law. “Libera” at present represents a co-ordination of over 1500 organizations, including parish and civic groups, schools and grassroots efforts.

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http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/pope-named-worlds-greatest-leader-by-fortune-magazine

Pope Named "World's Greatest Leader" by Fortune Magazine
Thursday, March 20, 2014 11:36 AM



Fortune magazine has become the latest publication to honor Pope Francis, naming him the world's greatest leader.

The Holy Father came top of 50 of the world's greatest leaders, chosen by the magazine in a world "starved for leadership". The magazine says the list consists of "men and women who will inspire you -- some famous, others little known, all of them energizing their followers and making the world better."

"In the brief time since [his election], Francis has electrified the Church and attracted legions of non-Catholic admirers by energetically setting a new direction," the magazine says. "He has refused to occupy the palatial papal apartments, has washed the feet of a female Muslim prisoner, is driven around Rome in a Ford Focus, and famously asked "Who am I to judge?" with regard to the Church's view of gay members. He created a group of eight cardinals to advise him on reform, which a Church historian calls the 'most important step in the history of the Church for the past 10 centuries.'"

The magazine notes that Francis "recently asked the world to stop the rock-star treatment" but adds: "He knows that while revolutionary, his actions so far have mostly reflected a new tone and intentions. His hardest work lies ahead."

It says that "signs of a 'Francis effect' abound." In a poll in March, one in four Catholics said they'd increased their charitable giving to the poor this year. "Of those, 77% said it was due in part to the Pope," Fortune says.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/03/21/pope_prays_with_victims’_families,_entreats_mafia_members_to_change/en1-783641

2014-03-21 19:17:13
Pope prays with victims’ families, entreats mafia members to change lives



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis gathered to pray with the families whose loved ones were killed by mafia violence and entreated mafia members to convert and change their lives. The Pope made this appeal on Friday evening at St Gregory VII Church in Rome at a prayer vigil, organized by the Libera Foundation.

Pope Francis listened quietly, his head hung low, his hands clasped in prayer, as the 842 names of victims of mafia violence, including 80 children, were read one by one.

During the moving and prayerful vigil, the Pope expressed his empathy, sympathy and solidarity with 700 people present, whose loved ones were killed by the mafia.

He lauded them for their witness, their courage to share their suffering with others and their hope that corruption will be overcome.

And then stern words to the men and women currently involved in the mafia: “And I feel that I cannot conclude without saying a word to... the protagonists who are absent today -- the men and women Mafiosi.

"Please change your lives, convert yourselves, stop perpetrating evil,” he said to applause.

“And we pray for you. I ask this on my knees. It is for your good,” he entreated.“This life that you live now will not give us pleasure; it will not give us joy. It will not give you happiness. The power and money that you have now from many dirty dealings, from many mafia crimes – blood money, power gained with blood – you cannot bring them with you to the next life,” the Pope continued.

“Convert yourselves. You still have time so as not to end up in hell. And that is what is waiting for you if you continue on this path,” he said. “You have a father and a mother. Think of them. Cry a little and convert yourselves.”

He concluded his remarks, leading the assembly in a Hail Mary, followed by the Lord’s Prayer.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/03/22/papal_appointments_for_mexico,_vietnam,_sri_lanka,_estonia,_latvia_/en1-783810

2014-03-22 12:16:26
Papal appointments for Mexico, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Estonia, Latvia

(Vatican Radio) The Vatican has released information regarding the latest appointments made by Pope Francis for positions within the Church. Pope Francis has nominated two Auxiliary Bishops to Monterrey, Mexico. Rev. Juan Armando Pérez Talamantes, Parish priest of “San Francisco de Asis” parish in Apodaca has been assigned the titular see of Auzegera. Alfonso Gerardo Miranda Guardiola, Chancellor of the Curia for the Archbishop, has been assigned the titular see of Idicra.
 
Pope Francis has also appointed as Apostolic Nuncio to Sri Lanka, Archbishop Pierre Nguyên Van Tot, until now the Apostolic Nuncio to Costa Rica.

The Holy Father has appointed Archbishop Pedro López Quintana to be the new Apostolic Nuncio to Estonia and Latvia. The Archbishop is currently Apostolic Nuncio to Lithuania.