Pope Francis

[grace-land]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/21/pope-francis-iraq-president_n_5698154.html

Pope Francis To Iraqi President Fouad Massoum: 'I Appeal To You With A Heart Full Of Pain'
Religion News Service    | By Josephine McKenna 
Posted:  08/21/2014 3:33 pm EDT    Updated:  08/21/2014 3:59 pm EDT   

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis wrote to the president of Iraq, calling for an end to the “brutal suffering of Christians and other religious minorities” and urging political leaders to end the humanitarian crisis in the country.

Francis said in his letter to Iraqi President Fouad Massoum:

“I appeal to you with my heart full of pain while I follow the brutal suffering of Christians and other religious minorities who are forced to leave their homes, as their places of worship are destroyed.”

Cardinal Fernando Filoni, the pope’s official envoy to Iraq, delivered the pope’s message during his recent trip to that country. The two met at the Vatican on Thursday (Aug. 21). The pope previously appealed to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to intervene to end the crisis.

Earlier this week, Francis revealed during a media conference with reporters that he was ready to travel to Iraq to try to find a solution to the ongoing violence.

The pope surprised many pundits when he endorsed military action to stop “unjust aggression” by Islamist militants and their attacks on religious minorities in Iraq.

“In these cases, where there is an unjust aggression, I can only say that it is licit to stop the unjust aggressor,” Francis said. “I underscore the verb ‘stop.’ I’m not saying ‘bomb’ or ‘make war,’ just ‘stop.’”

It was the clearest endorsement for using military force by a pope in at least 100 years.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/21/pope-francis-called-to-console-foley-family-after-/

Pope Francis called to console Foley family after photojournalist’s killing
Thursday, August 21, 2014

The family of slain photojournalist James Foley received a call from Pope Francis on Thursday. Sunni radicals with the Islamic State group beheaded him on Tuesday.

A spokesman for the Vatican said that the family was “deeply moved and grateful,” NBC reported.

When James Foley, a Catholic who attended Marquette University, was captured by Muammar Gaddafi’s forces in 2011, he said that prayer helped him through the ordeal.
 

[Sister]

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/08/20/even-pope-has-family-francis-recalls-3-loved-ones-killed-in-car-crash-in/

'Even the pope has a family': Francis recalls 3 family members killed in car crash
Published August 20, 2014


Aug. 20, 2014: Pope Francis attends his weekly general audience in the Paul VI hall, at the Vatican. (AP/Riccardo De Luca)The Associated Press

VATICAN CITY –  Saying "even the pope has a family," Pope Francis expressed thanks on Wednesday for the prayers and condolences he has received following the death of his nephew's wife and their two young boys in a car crash in the pontiff's native Argentina.

Francis listened as priests expressed condolences in several languages during his weekly public audience at the Vatican.

"I thank you for your condolences for what happened in my family," Francis said. "Even the pope has a family."

The 77-year-old pontiff then explained about his family. "We were five siblings. I have 16 nephews and nieces and one of these nephews had a car accident and lost his wife and two little ones and is in critical condition. I thank you very much for your condolences and prayers."
 

grace-land, "even the Pope has family" . . . so true!  Sometimes folks think the Pope, pastors, all clergy folks and workers in the Lord's vineyard have an endless amount of energy, time . . . and don't have "every day" issues or grieving, etc. like everyone else.  Though Pope, he is also a man with siblings, cousins, health concerns, etc.  Glad this article was written and thank you for sharing it.

[grace-land]

You're welcome, Sister.  And thank you for working in the Lord's vineyard. 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-jesus-builds-the-church-on-faith

Pope Francis: Jesus builds the Church on faith
2014-08-25 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis based his weekly Angelus address on Sunday’s Gospel account of St Peter’s profession of faith in Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Our Lord responds to this confession by re-naming Simon “Peter,” a name meaning “rock.” But, the Pope said, Jesus gives Simon this name “not for his own personal qualities or his human merits, but on account of his genuine and firm faith, which comes from on high.”

Simon’s faith is a gift from God the Father, a dependable, trustworthy faith upon which our Lord can build His Church – His community, the Pope said, that is, all of us. Our Lord founds His Church on faith, on a relationship with Himself, a relationship of love and trust. When He began His Church, Jesus was looking for a solid faith from His disciples — that was the reason for His question in the Gospel, “Who do you say that I am?”
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-at-weekly-general-audience

Pope Francis at weekly General Audience
2014-08-27 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis greeted thousands of pilgrims and tourists in St Peter's Square on Wednesday for his weekly General Audience. During his catechesis the Holy Father stressed the importance of unity in the Church and in our lives.

Below are the Pope's English language remarks read out during the General Audience

Dear Brothers and Sisters, We affirm in the Creed that the Church is one and that she is holy.  One because she has her origin in the Triune God, mystery of unity and full communion.  Holy since she is founded by Jesus Christ, enlivened by his Holy Spirit, and filled with his love and salvation.  While we, the members of the Church, are sinners, the unity and holiness of the Church arise from God and call us daily to conversion.  We have an intercessor in Jesus, who prays, especially in his passion, for our unity with him and the Father, and with each other.  Unfortunately, we know well the sins against unity – jealousy, envy, antipathy – which come about when we place ourselves at the center and which occur even in our parish communities.  God’s will, however, is that we grow in our capacity to welcome one another, to forgive and to love, and to resemble Jesus.  This is the holiness of the Church – to recognize the image of God in one another.  May we all examine our consciences and ask forgiveness for the times when we have given rise to division or misunderstanding in our communities, and may our relationships mirror more beautifully and joyfully the unity of Jesus and the Father.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/why-we-are-reaching-out-to-anglicans-longing-for-unity

Why We Are Reaching Out to Anglicans Longing For Unity
Head of UK Ordinariate Explains Purpose of Upcoming Exploration Day
London,  August 26, 2014

November this year will mark the 50th anniversary of the solemn promulgation of the Second Vatican Council Decree on Ecumenism, Unitatis Redintegratio. It still remains the authoritative document of the Catholic Church setting out the principles of ecumenical dialogue, though much of its teaching was expounded by St John Paul II in his encyclical Ut Unum Sint (1995).

Its first paragraph makes clear that the restoration of unity among Christian people was one of the major concerns of the Council. But a reading of the documents of Vatican II shows clearly that the bishops meeting in Rome did not deviate from the belief that there is only One Church of Jesus Christ and identified that Church with the Catholic Church in communion with the successor of Peter. This is made clear both in the dogmatic constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, and also the decree on ecumenism. The Catholic Church is described as "God's only flock" and it is from this "one and only Church" that other Christian communities became separated over the centuries. In a much-quoted passage Lumen Gentium described the Church in this way: "This Church constituted and organised as a society in the present world, subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the bishops in communion with him. Nevertheless, many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside its visible confines. Since these are gifts belonging to the Church of Christ, they are forces impelling towards Catholic unity."
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/former-pakistani-minister-paul-bhatti-meets-pope-f

Former Pakistani Minister Paul Bhatti meets Pope Francis
2014-08-28 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis met briefly Wednesday with Dr. Paul Bhatti, former Pakistani Minister for National Harmony and Minorities.  Dr. Bhatti attended the weekly General Audience where he and his mother, both Catholics, had an opportunity to speak with the Pope.  Bhatti, whose brother Shabhaz was assassinated by Islamic extremists as Pakistan’s first Minister for Minority Affairs in 2011, says Pope Francis is a father figure for the world’s persecuted Christians.  Bhatti and his mother invited Pope Francis to visit Pakistan’s small Christian community and said their meeting with the Pope was a special moment.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/text-of-vatican-document-on-sign-of-peace-at-mass

Text of Vatican Document on Sign of Peace at Mass
Vatican City,  August 25, 2014 

The Vatican has released an English translation of the letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, regarding the Sign of Peace.
 
The Holy Father Pope Francis, on 7 June, 2014 approved and confirmed the contents of which is contained in this Circular Letter, prepared by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, and ordered its publication.

From the offices of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Rome, 8 June, 2014, the Solemnity of Pentecost.

Antonio Card. CANIZARES LLOVERA
Prefect

Arthur ROCHE
Archbishop Secretary

[Sister]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/21/pope-francis-called-to-console-foley-family-after-/

Pope Francis called to console Foley family after photojournalist’s killing
Thursday, August 21, 2014

The family of slain photojournalist James Foley received a call from Pope Francis on Thursday. Sunni radicals with the Islamic State group beheaded him on Tuesday.

A spokesman for the Vatican said that the family was “deeply moved and grateful,” NBC reported.

When James Foley, a Catholic who attended Marquette University, was captured by Muammar Gaddafi’s forces in 2011, he said that prayer helped him through the ordeal.
 

This was such a kind thing to do . . . he is a very sensitive man and assuredly feels the pain of others.

[grace-land]

I think his world-wide popularity is keeping him and the Vatican safe so far.  IIRC, when Pope John Paul II made a remark to Italy's mafia to repent, three churches in Rome were bombed. 

http://www.newsweek.com/isis-threat-against-pope-nothing-serious-says-vatican-267583

ISIS Threat Against Pope ‘Nothing Serious’, Says Vatican
Filed: 8/29/14 at 1:24 PM  | Updated: 8/29/14 at 1:28 PM

Security has been stepped up in Rome following an alleged ISIS threat against the Pope, Italian newspapers have reported.

On Monday, Il Tempo announced that Israeli intelligence experts say they believe ISIS is targeting Pope Francis, following his recent denouncement of the Islamist group. Il Tempo, citing an unnamed intelligence source, claims that Francis has been singled out as “the greatest exponent of the Christian religion”, and consequently a "bearer of false truth”.

But Vatican officials have played down the ISIS threat. "There is nothing serious to this," Reverend Federico Lombardi S.J. told the Catholic News Agency in response to Il Tempo’s claims. "There is no particular concern in the Vatican.”

Newsweek Magazine is Back In Print 

This belief was shared by Newsweek correspondent Nicholas Farrell, who was told by an Italian intelligence contact that though “the pope is the firing line as he always has been… Islamists have not attempted to assassinate the Pope or blow up St Peter's so far because the Islamists regard Italy as a strategic place to launch attacks” and “not the main enemy like America or Britain”.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/the-closeness-of-the-pastor-pope-francis-receives

The closeness of the pastor - Pope Francis receives the parish priest from Gaza
2014-08-29 L’Osservatore Romano



They are a minority, but like all the other people of Gaza they have suffered because of the conflict. They have been sustained by the certainty of being part of the universal Church and of feeling the solicitude and care of the Pope and the solidarity and prayers of Christians throughout the world. Fr Jorge Hernández Zanni of the Institute of the Incarnate Word spoke about them in this interview with our newspaper.

What are your first impressions after your meeting with the Pope?

The meeting with Francis was a grace. I would never expected it. During the days of war in Gaza, the Pontiff emailed a message to the parish. I immediately informed all the faithful about this gift. The relief they received is unimaginable, just for the fact that the Pope has all of us in his heart.

What was in the message?

First of all, Francis encouraged us to always go forward, to bear our witness, to be “salt of the earth”. I referred to the supernatural vision of the presence of Christians in that place. Let us not forget that out of almost two million people in Gaza, there are 1350 Christians, of whom 136 are Catholics and the rest Orthodox. An important minority. And the fact that the Pontiff cares about us is a meaningful gesture.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/card-veglio-action-is-needed-to-defend-minorities

Card Vegliò: action is needed to defend minorities in Iraq
2014-08-29 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Thursday met with Cardinal Antonio Maria Vegliò, the President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants, to discuss the plight of those fleeing the Islamist violence in Iraq. The so-called Islamic State controls large areas of both Syria and Iraq, and has been conducting a campaign of terror, especially against religious minorities, including Christians.

Cardinal Vegliò told Vatican Radio the Pope said the Church must be in the forefront  in efforts to  defend the weak.
 

[grace-land]

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/pope-removes-key-benedict-xvi-protege-25164244

Pope Removes Key Benedict XVI Protege
VATICAN CITY — Aug 28, 2014, 2:26 PM ET

Pope Francis has removed a key protege of Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI from the Vatican's liturgy office and sent him back to his native Spain.

In 2008, Benedict appointed Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera as prefect of the Congregation for the Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments. The office is in charge of regulating how Masses and other sacraments are celebrated, and under Benedict's papacy took on a more conservative and traditional bent.

Francis, who favors a less traditional style and has chafed at some Vatican liturgical rules, on Thursday named Canizares Llovera archbishop of Valencia, Spain.

No replacement was named.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=22432&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CatholicWorldNewsFeatureStories+(Catholic+World+News+(on+CatholicCulture.org))

Outgoing Vatican prefect says he asked for appointment to Spanish archdiocese
Catholic World News - August 29, 2014

Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera, who has been named Archbishop of Valencia, Spain, after almost six years as prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, has said that he sought the change.

“It was my desire to return to a diocese,” Cardinal Cañizares told La Stampa. He welcomed the new assignment, he said, because “for a shepherd there is nothing better than being among his flock.”

The new assignment for Cardinal Cañizares had raised eyebrows because it is highly unusual for the prefect of a Vatican congregation to return to his native town as an archbishop.

The Spanish cardinal’s statement contradicts an Associated Press story on his new assignment, which had suggested that Pope Francis ousted Cardinal Cañizares because of his conservative approach to liturgical issues.
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/08/31/pope_at_angelus_care_for_creation_and_gospel_values_/1105625

Pope at Angelus: care for creation and Gospel values
31/08/2014

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday called on the faithful and all people of good will to have greater care for creation. His appeal was offered to mark the Italian Bishops’ Day for the Safeguarding of Creation initiative, which the bishops have this year chosen to focus on educating in the care for creation. “I hope,” said Pope Francis, “that everyone – institutions, associations and citizens – will strengthen their efforts, so as to safeguard the life and health of people by respecting the environment and nature.”

The Pope’s call came in remarks following the Angelus prayer with pilgrims and tourists gathered beneath the window of the Papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace that overlooks St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.

Ahead of the traditional prayer of Marian devotion, Pope Francis reflected on the Sunday Gospel reading, in which St. Matthew recounts the moment in which Christ revealed to His disciples His coming Passion, death and Resurrection (Mt. 16:21-27). “It is a critical moment,” explained Pope Francis, “in which the apparent contrast between Jesus’ way of thinking and that of the disciples emerges,” especially in Peter’s behavior. The leader of the twelve rebukes the Master, wrongly thinking that the Lord could not possibly make so ignominious and end. “Then,” Pope Francis went on to explain, “Jesus, in turn, severely rebukes Peter, because he does not think ‘according to God, but according to men’, and plays – without realizing it – the part of Satan, the tempter.”
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-at-santa-marta-the-authority-of-christian-ide

Pope at Santa Marta: The authority of Christian identity
2014-09-02 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) A Christian’s authority comes from the Holy Spirit, not from human wisdom or degrees in theology, said Pope Francis at morning Mass Tuesday, as he explained that Christian identity is having the Spirit of Christ, not the "spirit of the world”.

The people were astonished at Christ’s teaching because he spoke with authority. Inspired by the passage from the Gospel Pope dwelt on the nature of Our Lord’s authority and, as a consequence that of the Christian. He said that Jesus was “not a common preacher," because his "authority" comes from the '"special anointing of the Holy Spirit." Jesus, he said, is "the Son of God, anointed and sent" to "bring salvation, to bring freedom." And some, he noted, "were scandalized" by this style that belonged to Jesus, by its identity and freedom:

"We too can ask ourselves, what is our identity as Christians? Paul puts it very well today when he says: ‘And we speak about them not with words taught by human wisdom'. Paul's preaching is not the result of a course at the Lateran, or the Gregorian [Pontifical Universities - ed]... No, no, no! Not human wisdom, no! But taught by the Spirit: Paul preached with the anointing of the Spirit, expressing spiritual things of the Spirit in spiritual terms. Man cannot understand the things of the Spirit of God by his own strength: Man alone cannot understand this!”.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-the-church-is-our-mother-we-are-not-o

Pope Francis: the Church is our mother, we are not orphans
2014-09-03 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio)  Tens of thousands gathered on a bright sunny day in St. Peter’s square for the weekly General Audience to hear Pope Francis reflect on the maternal nature of the Church.  He called her “a mother” who gives us “life in Christ,” and reminded the faithful she will never leave them “orphaned.”

Pope Francis was continuing his series of reflections on how one does not become Christian autonomously, by oneself.  We are created and grow in the faith, he said, in this “great body which is the Church.”

Below, please find the official English summary of the Pope’s remarks:
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-recalls-outbreak-of-wwii-prays-for-pe

Pope Francis recalls outbreak of WWII, prays for peace in Europe, world
2014-09-03 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) In remarks to Polish pilgrims participating at his General Audience Wednesday 3 September, Pope Francis recalled the 75th anniversary of the beginning of the Second World War.  He noted that many Polish cities in these days are holding events to remember this occasion and prayed for God’s mercy “on those who lost their lives for their love of country and of brothers.” 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-the-mother-church-embraces-persecuted

Pope Francis: the mother Church embraces persecuted Iraqis
2014-09-03 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) At the General Audience Wednesday, Pope Francis told Arabic speaking pilgrims and “particularly those from Iraq,” that “like all mothers,” the Church accompanies her needy children.  She “raises up the fallen child, heals his wounds, seeks the lost… and defends those who are defenseless and persecuted.”