Pope Francis

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Video, with English commentary, at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-mass-solemnity-immaculate-conception-new-cardinals.html
Pope at Mass on Immaculate Conception: True richness lies in a heart open to others
08 December 2024, 10:40

On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis celebrates Mass with the 21 new Cardinals and challenges the faithful to look beyond material wealth and privilege to embrace a life of love, solidarity, and meaningful connection.
By Linda Bordoni

“What is the use of having a full bank account, a comfortable home, unreal virtual relationships, if our hearts remain cold, empty, and closed?” Pope Francis asked during his homily at Holy Mass on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

“What is the use of achieving great financial growth in privileged countries if half the world is starving or ravaged by war, and the others look on with indifference?” he questioned further, during the liturgy celebrated together with the 21 new cardinals who received the red hat at a consistory on Saturday evening.

“What is the use of achieving great financial growth in privileged countries if half the world is starving or ravaged by war?”
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2024.index.html
Homilies 2024
Holy Mass with the new Cardinals and the College of Cardinals (8 December 2024)

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Video, with English commentary, at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-place-your-hopes-in-god-s-infinite-mercy.html
Pope: Place your hopes in God's infinite mercy
08 December 2024, 12:40

At the Sunday Angelus Pope Francis encourages us to open our hearts and minds to the Lord Jesus, born of Mary Immaculate, as we ask for her intercession so that the Lord might come and dwell in our lives.
By Thaddeus Jones

Speaking to the crowds gathered in Saint Peter's Square for the Sunday Angelus on today's Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis reflected on today's Gospel which recounts "one of the most important and beautiful moments in the history of humanity: the Annunciation." The Blessed Virgin Mary gives her “yes” to the Archangel Gabriel permitting the Incarnation of the Son of God, Jesus. The Pope describes this scene as one of great wonder and emotion "because God, the Most High, the Omnipotent, by means of the Angel dialogues with a young girl from Nazareth, asking for her collaboration for His plan of salvation."
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-appeal-ceasefire-christmas-ukraine-middle-east-myanmar-suda.html
Pope appeals for ceasefire ‘on all war-fronts’ by Christmas
08 December 2024, 12:47

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-angelus-prayer-nicaragua-immaculate-conception-peace.html
Pope prays for peace, fraternity and harmony in Nicaragua
08 December 2024, 13:15

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-appeal-prayers-federal-death-row-grace-inmates.html
Pope Francis: May inmates on death row in the US be graced
08 December 2024, 13:47

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2024.index.html
Angelus - Regina Cæli 2024
Angelus, 8 December 2024, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Video at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-pays-homage-to-mary-at-statue-of-immaculate-conception.html
Pope pays homage to Mary at statue of Immaculate Conception
08 December 2024, 16:42

On Sunday afternoon on the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis pays homage to the Blessed Mother, praying before the icon Maria Salus Populi Romani at Saint Mary Major, followed by his traditional visit to Rome's Piazza di Spagna to perform the traditional Act of Veneration to the Blessed Virgin Mary before the statue of the Immaculate Conception.
Vatican News

On Sunday afternoon of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis made a visit to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major where he prayed before the icon of Our Lady, Salus Populi Romani (Protectress of the Roman People). The Pope traditionally prays before the icon before and after his apostolic journeys to offer prayers and thanksgiving to the Blessed Mother.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/prayers.index.html
Prayers
Act of Veneration to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Spanish Steps (8 December 2024)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-to-theologians-ideology-kills-reality.html

Pope to theologians: ‘Ideology kills reality and manipulates people’
09 December 2024, 12:25

Pope Francis meets with participants in an international conference at the Pontifical Lateran University discussing the future of theology and invites theologians to develop a creative and inclusive approach to theology rooted in faith to make it relevant in today’s society marred by ideology and polarization.
[ Audio Embed Listen to our report]By Lisa Zengarini

Speaking at an audience for participants in a two-day international conference  held at the Pontifical Lateran University on 9-10 December  on the future of theology, Pope Francis called for a dynamic inter-disciplinary and inclusive theological approach that addresses the complexities of contemporary society while remaining deeply rooted in faith.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/december.index.html
Speeches 2024 December
To Participants of the International Conference on Theology (9 December 2024)

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News/articles from December 10...

(1)  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-on-human-rights-day-war-deprives-people-of-basic-rights.html
Pope on Human Rights Day: ‘War deprives people of their basic rights’
10 December 2024, 14:14

(2)  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-francis-message-parolin-eucharistic-congress-rwanda.html
Pope Francis sends blessings to Rwanda’s Eucharistic Congress
10 December 2024, 14:49

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News/articles from December 11...

Video at the link--
(1)  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-at-audience-may-the-spirit-help-us-abound-in-hope.html
Pope at Audience: May the Spirit help us ‘abound in hope’
11 December 2024, 10:02
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2024.index.html
Audiences 2024
General Audience of 11 December 2024 - Cycle of Catechesis. The Spirit and the Bride. The Holy Spirit guides the people of God towards Jesus our hope 17. The Spirit and the Bride say: “Come!”. The Holy Spirit and Christian hope

(2) https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-francis-audience-migrants-welcome.html
Pope: Prioritise human dignity for sustainable development
11 December 2024, 11:12

 
(3)  https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2024/12/vatican-nativity-scene-with-palestinian-keffiyeh-causes-a-stir
Vatican Nativity scene with Palestinian keffiyeh causes a stir
By Elise Ann Allen
Dec 11, 2024

ROME – In the wake of global controversy over a Nativity scene displayed at the Vatican showing the infant Jesus resting upon a Palestinian keffiyeh, widely seen as a pro-Palestinian statement, that set has now been removed.

The Nativity, designed by two artists from the Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem, was described by the Palestine Chronicle as “a poignant nod to the Palestinian struggle,” yet received blowback from the Israeli and Jewish communities.
 

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News/articles from December 12...

(1)  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-s-world-day-of-peace-message-we-are-all-in-debt-to-god.html
Pope’s World Day of Peace message: ‘We are all in debt to God’
12 December 2024, 11:30
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/peace.index.html
Messages World Day of Peace
LVIII World Day of Peace 2025 - “Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace”

(2)  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-meets-with-palestinian-president-mahmoud-abbas.html
Pope meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
12 December 2024, 13:13

(3)  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pilgrim-pope-set-to-visit-the-island-of-corsica-on-saturday.html
Pilgrim Pope set to visit the island of Corsica on Sunday
12 December 2024, 17:22

Video at the link--
(4)  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-francis-mass-feast-of-our-lady-of-guadalupe.html
Pope at Mass: Just the tilma, rose, and Juan Diego
12 December 2024, 19:52

On the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pope Francis warns against using the mystery of Guadalupe “for ideologies.”
By Kielce Gussie
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2024.index.html
Homilies 2024
Blessed Virgin Mary of Guadalupe - Holy Mass (12 December 2024)

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News/articles from December 12...

Helpful information about the College of Cardinals...

https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/
The College of Cardinals Report
Who they are.  Where they stand.

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News/articles from December 13...

(1)  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-meets-with-lebanese-prime-minister-najib-mikati.html
Pope meets with Lebanese prime minister Najib Mikati
13 December 2024, 13:36

(2)  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-st-lucy-teaches-us-compassion-to-build-a-just-society.html
Pope: 'St. Lucy teaches us the virtue of compassion to build a more just society'
13 December 2024, 14:19

(3)  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-12/pope-appointments-synod-council-members-women-bishops.html
Synod: Pope appoints Council members, including 2 women
13 December 2024, 15:39

Sister Simona Brambilla, Secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and María Lía Zervino, a member of the Dicastery for Bishops, are among the appointments made by Pope Francis to the XVI Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat. The four papal appointees are no longer required to be bishops.
By Vatican News

(4)  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-12/international-youth-advisory-body-vatican-new-members.html
New members of Vatican youth advisory body begin 5-year journey
13 December 2024, 16:34

Twenty young people meet in Rome to take on their roles as the new cohort of the International Youth Advisory Body for a week which Pope Francis capped off with his personal encouragement for their work.
By Devin Watkins

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News/articles from December 14...

(1)  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-francis-letter-apostolic-nuncio-russia-war.html
Pope to Nuncio to Russia: War is a serious wound inflicted on human family
14 December 2024, 15:14

(2)  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2024-12/zayed-award-2025-committee-candidates-peace-fraternity.html
Zayed Award Committee: Candidates are ‘Apostles of Hope’ in wounded world
14 December 2024, 12:04

(3)  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-francis-mary-major-visit-france-corsica.html
Pope Francis entrusts Corsica visit to Our Lady's protection
14 December 2024, 18:31

(4)  https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/261029/overturning-nancy-pelosis-communion-ban-it-s-too-late-for-an-appeal-expert-says
Overturning Nancy Pelosi’s Communion ban: It’s too late for an appeal, expert says
By Kristina Millare
Vatican City, Dec 13, 2024 / 16:35 pm

Despite former speaker Nancy Pelosi’s recent statement that she has appealed to the Vatican to overturn the Communion ban imposed on her because of her position on abortion, such recourse is no longer likely to be available to her, a canon law professor told CNA.

Pelosi would have needed to bring her case to Pope Francis within 30 days of San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone’s initial imposition of the ban in 2022, said Father Stefan Mückl, an ecclesiastical law professor at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. 

In an interview with the National Catholic Reporter published this week, Pelosi said she had sought intervention at the Vatican to get the ban overturned.
 

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News/articles from December 15...

Pope Francis' trip to Corsica -- December 15, 2024

Videos at the links...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-francis-departs-on-his-45-apostolic-journey-abroad-corsica.html
Pope Francis departs on his 47th Apostolic Journey abroad: Corsica
15 December 2024, 08:14

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-francis-corsica-visit-baptistery-saint-jean.html
Pope arrives in Corsica, prays before ancient Baptistery
15 December 2024, 10:17

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-popular-piety-fosters-evangelization-and-community.html
Pope in Corsica: ‘Popular piety fosters evangelization and community’
15 December 2024, 10:18

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-francis-discourse-religious-seminarians-clergy-corsica-2024.html
Pope to priests and religious in Corsica: Forgive everything, forgive always
15 December 2024, 12:10

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-francis-appeal-peace-holy-land-mediteranean-ukraine-russia.html
Pope Francis pleads for peace in the world
15 December 2024, 12:50

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-francis-mass-corsica-15-december-2024.html
Pope at Mass: Christ is joy, in every time and amid every affliction
15 December 2024, 17:00

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-franncis-corsica-apostolic-visit-meeting-president-macron.html
Pope’s meeting with Macron concludes Corsica visit
15 December 2024, 19:22

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-in-corsica-i-was-happy-to-see-a-people-who-have-children.html
Pope thanks journalists on return flight from Corsica for their work
15 December 2024, 20:18

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-francis-audience-filipino-community-spain-st-lorenzo-ruiz.html

Pope to Filipino community: We must build a welcoming home
16 December 2024, 10:47

Speaking to members of Spain's Filipino community, Pope Francis highlights the life of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the Philippines’ first saint.
By Kielce Gussie

Speaking to representatives of the Filipino community residing in Spain, Pope Francis expressed his joy at their visit to the Vatican.

He began by complimenting the word they have chosen as the title of their mission in Madrid: “Tahanan,” which translated means "home."

The Pope stressed that it well represents the universal Church because “wherever we go, is for us a home, warm and welcoming.”
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/december.index.html
Speeches 2024 December
To Members of the Filipino Community in Spain (16 December 2024)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-to-bankers-invest-in-hope-not-in-speculation-and-war.html

Pope to bankers: 'Invest in hope not in speculation and war'
16 December 2024, 12:02

Pope Francis addresses Italian Banking Institutes and reminds them of the ethical dimension of banking, challenging the financial sector to invest in development, not exploitation and war.
By Lisa Zengarini

Pope Francis has again warned against financial speculation that prioritizes profit over people, resulting in exploitation and social inequalities. “When finance tramples on people, fuels inequalities, and distances itself from the life of territories, it betrays its purpose” and “becomes uncivilized economy”, he said.

The Pope was addressing delegations of some Italian Banking Institutes whom he received in audience on Monday.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/december.index.html
Speeches 2024 December
To Representatives of Leaders and Employees from the Italian Banca Etica, the Cooperative Credit Bank of Abruzzi and Molise, the Cooperative Credit Bank of Central Campania (16 December 2024)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-francis-world-methodist-council-audience.html

Pope to Methodists: Reconciliation is a ‘task of the heart’
16 December 2024, 13:40

Pope Francis greets a delegation of the World Methodist Council, and encourages ecumenical efforts ahead of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis met on Monday with several members of the World Methodist Council, an association of around 80 Churches throughout the world which represent some 80 million faithful.

In his address, the Pope thanked God that Catholics and Methodists have overcome our estrangement and sought to dialogue “in reciprocal knowledge, understanding, and love” for the past 60 years.

“Opening ourselves to one another has brought us closer and made us realize that reconciliation is a task of the heart,” he said. “When the Heart of the Lord Jesus touches our hearts, He transforms us.”
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/december.index.html
Speeches 2024 December
To the Delegation of the World Methodist Council (16 December 2024)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-12/new-lighting-system-to-illuminate-st-peter-s-square-for-jubilee.html

New lighting system to illuminate Saint Peter’s Square for Jubilee
16 December 2024, 17:18

The Columnade of Saint Peter's Square

Acea Group and Archbishop Rino Fisichella present the new light architecture in Saint Peter’s Square and water facilities for pilgrims to be inaugurated for the Jubilee Year.
By Vatican News

A new illumination of the 140 Saint Statues on the Colonnade of St Peter's Square,  the installation of 14 "Water Houses" to provide free drinking water to tourists and pilgrims at key points in Rome, and an app to facilitate access to the city's water sources. These are some of the initiatives that will be  launched on the occasion of the upcoming Jubilee of Hope, by  Rome’s utility group Acea, responsible for energy, water, and environmental services in the Municipality.

The projects were presented at a press conference in the Vatican on Monday by Acea's top executives along with Monsignor Rino Fisichella, the Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and coordinator of the Jubilee 2025.
 

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Happy 88th Birthday, Pope Francis!   

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-francis-autobiography-hope-excerpts.html
Pope: Faith is not the opium of the people, but encounter and service
17 December 2024, 14:33

To mark his 88th birthday, Pope Francis has released several excerpts from his autobiography “Hope,” which will hit bookshelves in January, recounting his childhood in Buenos Aires and the logistical difficulties of his 2021 visit to Iraq.
By Isabella Piro

The “concentrate of humanity” experienced in Buenos Aires' slums, and the “arrow to the heart” experienced in Iraq in 2021, are central themes in Pope Francis' autobiography “Hope”, written with Carlo Musso.

Published by Mondadori, an Italian publisher, the book will be released on January 14 in over 100 countries.

On December 17—the Pope’s 88th birthday—two Italian newspapers “La Repubblica” and “Il Corriere della Sera” published a few excerpts.
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/261069/pope-francis-at-88-age-old-wisdom-intergenerational-dialogue-at-heart-of-evangelization
Pope Francis at 88: Age-old wisdom, intergenerational dialogue at heart of evangelization
By Kristina Millare
Vatican City, Dec 17, 2024 / 09:20 am

Pope Francis is presented with a birthday cake aboard the papal plane on the return from his trip to Corsica on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

https://www.ncregister.com/features/happy-birthday-pope-francis-2024
Happy Birthday to Pope Francis, a Quotable Pontiff
Here are some poignant excerpts from the pontificate to celebrate the Holy Father.
Register Staff | Features | December 17, 2024

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/261083/in-new-book-pope-francis-reveals-he-survived-two-threats-to-his-life-in-iraq
Pope Francis reveals he survived two threats to his life in Iraq
By Elias Turk
ACI MENA, Dec 17, 2024 / 16:10 pm

Pope Francis has revealed that he narrowly escaped two attempts on his life during his visit to Iraq in March 2021 in the city of Mosul.

In a new book titled “Spera” (translated as “Hope”), set to be released on Jan. 14, 2025, the Holy Father recounts his personal story, including details of the planned attack during his trip.
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-francis-catechesis-jubilee-hope-general-audience.html
Pope begins catchesis tied to Jubilee: “Jesus Christ, our hope"
18 December 2024, 09:35

With the opening of the Holy Door less than 6 days away, Pope Francis holds his weekly General Audience and begins the cycle of catechesis that will mark the entire Jubilee Year, focusing on "Jesus Christ, our hope."
By Kielce Gussie

With the countdown to the Jubilee winding down, Pope Francis began a new cycle of catechesis specifically inspired by the Holy Year.

This new cycle will last throughout the Jubilee and its theme is “Jesus Christ, our hope.”
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2024.index.html
Audiences 2024
General Audience of 18 December 2024 - Cycle of Catechesis – Jubilee 2025. Jesus Christ our Hope. I. The Infancy of Jesus. 1. Genealogy of Jesus (Mt 1,1-17). The entry of the Son of God in history.

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-the-jubilee-a-grace-filled-opportunity-for-encounter.html

Pope: The Jubilee, a grace-filled opportunity for encounter
18 December 2024, 10:44

The opening of the Holy Door during the Jubilee of Mercy in 2015

The Italian daily newspaper Il Messaggero publishes a reflection by Pope Francis on the Jubilee.
By Pope Francis

In the history of the people of Israel, the sound of a ram’s horn called yobel - from which the term “jubilee” originates - echoed through every village, marking the start of a special year as prescribed by the Law of Moses (cf. Lv 25).

Jubilee, a time of renewal

The jubilee year was a time of redemption and renewal, symbolised by practices that remain strikingly relevant even today. During this year, the land was left uncultivated to remind people that it belongs to God and is a gift entrusted to humanity for stewardship rather than exploitation. Debts were forgiven to restore social justice and counter inequality, a practice that occurred every fifty years. Slaves were liberated, fostering the dream of a human community free from oppression and discrimination - a vision reminiscent of the Exodus, where God formed His people into a single family on a shared journey.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-francis-pilgrimage-camino-de-santiago-three-signs.html

Pope: A pilgrimage needs silence, the Gospel, and Matthew 25
19 December 2024, 10:37

Speaking to pilgrims from the Camino de Santiago in Spain, the Pope encourages the group to reflect on what makes a pilgrimage versus a simple journey.
By Kielce Gussie

Welcoming Italian pilgrims from the Camino de Santiago, Pope Francis commented that the “number of pilgrims to Santiago has grown in the past thirty years.” He recognized that two well-known pilgrims were his predecessors: Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

In 1982, the Polish Pope became the first pontiff to travel to the Apostle James’ tomb and he returned five years later for World Youth Day. Pope Benedict XVI made a pilgrimage to Santiago in 2010
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/december.index.html
Speeches 2024 December
To Italian pilgrims of the Camino de Santiago cared for by the Opera Don Guanella (19 December 2024)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-assist-the-poor-with-a-joyful-heart.html

Pope: Assist the poor with a joyful heart
19 December 2024, 15:57

In a meeting with a group of Vietnamese benefactors of the Pontifical Missionary Works from the United States, Pope Francis highlights the "steadfast faith" of many Catholic immigrants from Vietnam living in America.
By Francesca Merlo

In an address to a group of benefactors of the Pontifical Missionary Works, Pope Francis emphasised the joy of supporting "those who live on the margins of society". The delegation of Vietnamese origin, now residing in the United States, is on a pilgrimage to Rome and was received by Pope Francis in the Vatican's Consistory Hall on Thursday.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/december.index.html
Speeches 2024 December
To Vietnamese benefactors of the Pontifical Mission Societies residing in the United States (19 December 2024)