Pope Francis

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/03/17/pope_be_merciful,_do_not_close_the_doors_of_the_heart/1129999

Pope: Be merciful, do not close the doors of the heart
17/03/2015 12:25

(Vatican Radio)  The Church "is the home of Jesus," a house of mercy that welcomes all, and therefore not a place where Christians should close the doors to those seeking to enter. This was the message at the heart of Pope Francis’ homily Tuesday morning at Mass at the Santa Marta guesthouse in the Vatican.

It is a message that Pope Francis has repeated many times in the past: that of Jesus who opens the doors to anyone who seeks Him and especially to those far from Him.  But, the Pope laments, some Christians shut out those who knock at the door of the Church.  While Christ offers complete mercy, those who profess to believe in Him sometimes fail Him by closing the door on others.

Do not stop those seeking Christ

The Pope's reflection begins with water,  the protagonist of Tuesday’s liturgical readings. Calling it "the water that heals," Francis comments on the Prophet Ezekiel’s description of the trickle of water emerging from the doorway of the temple, and which becomes a raging torrent rich with fish, capable of healing anyone. And, in the Gospel: the water of the pool of Bethesda where a sad paralyzed man lies just on the edge.  The Pope describes him as a little '"lazy" - never having found a way to immerse himself in the moving  waters to seek healing. Instead, Jesus heals him and encourages him to "go on", but this triggers the criticism of the doctors of the law because the healing took place on Saturday. It’s a tale notes the Pope, which occurs "many times" today:
 

[grace-land]

http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-francis-names-new-apostolic-nuncio-to-cuba

Pope Francis Names New Apostolic Nuncio to Cuba
Rome,  March 17, 2015

The Holy See announced today that Pope Francis has named Archbishop Giorgio Lingua, the Apostolic Nuncio in Iraq and Jordan as the Apostolic Nuncio in Cuba.

Archbishop Lingua will succeed Archbishop Bruno Musarò who was appointed as the papal nuncio to Egypt.

The Italian prelate has a long diplomatic career with the Holy See since 1992. Among the countries he has served in are the Ivory Coast, the United States, Serbia and Italy. He has also served in the Office of Relations with States of the Secretariat of State, and was mainly overseeing Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Archbishop Lingua's appointment to Cuba comes at historical time for the island nation. Three months ago, the US and Cuba agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations. It was revealed by Presidents Raul Castro and Barak Obama that Pope Francis played a significant role in forging the agreement.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2015/03/13/vatican-backs-military-force-to-stop-isis-genocide/

Vatican backs military force to stop ISIS ‘genocide’
March 13, 2015 

In an unusually blunt endorsement of military action, the Vatican’s top diplomat at the United Nations in Geneva has called for a coordinated international force to stop the “so-called Islamic State” in Syria and Iraq from further assaults on Christians and other minority groups.

“We have to stop this kind of genocide,” said Italian Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Vatican’s representative in Geneva. “Otherwise we’ll be crying out in the future about why we didn’t so something, why we allowed such a terrible tragedy to happen.”

Tomasi said that any anti-ISIS coalition has to include the Muslim states of the Middle East, and can’t simply be a “Western approach.” He also said it should unfold under the aegis of the United Nations.

The call for force is striking, given that the Vatican traditionally has opposed military interventions in the Middle East, including the two US-led Gulf Wars. It builds, however, on comments from Pope Francis that the use of force is “legitimate … to stop an unjust aggressor.”
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-a-society-can-be-judged-by-the-way-it-treats

Pope: a society can be judged by the way it treats its children
2015-03-18 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio)  (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis today turned his thoughts to the countless children across the world who live in poverty and need.

Addressing the crowds in St. Peter’s Square gathered for the weekly General Audience, the Pope continued in his catechesis on the family, focusing this time on children.

Pope Francis said that children are a great gift for humanity and for the Church. Recalling the many happy children he met during his recent journey to Asia brimming with life and enthusiasm, he said that on the other hand he thinks of the countless children throughout our world who are living in poverty and need.

“A society can be judged by the way it treats its children” he said. 

The Pope said that children remind us that from our earliest years we are dependent on others.  We see this in Jesus himself, who was born a child in Bethlehem.  This – he said – is a precious reminder of the fact the necessary condition to enter the reign of God is to never consider ourselves self-sufficient, but in need of help, love and forgiveness.

He said that children also remind us that we are always sons and daughters. This identity – he said – reminds us that we have been given the gift of life, that we never cease to be radically dependent.

And speaking of the many gifts that children bring to humanity, Francis said they challenge us to see things with a simple, pure and trusting heart.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-authorizes-promulgation-of-miracle-heroic-vir

Pope authorizes promulgation of miracle, heroic virtue
2015-03-18 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday received the Cardinal Angelo Amato, SDB, the Prefect for the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, in a private audience. During the audience, the Holy Father authorized the Congregation to promulgate decrees concerning several causes for saints.

Most notably, the Pope has approved a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Louis Martin and Blessed Marie-Azélie Guérin, the parents of St Thérèse of Lisieux.

The Congregation also promulgated decrees of heroic virtue for seven individuals who are on the path to canonization. The Servants of God whose heroic virtues were recognized on Tuesday are:
 

[grace-land]

http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/archbishop-georg-gaenswein-interviewed-by-italian-publication

Archbishop Georg Gaenswein Interviewed By Italian Publication
Vatican City,  March 18, 2015

Archbishop Georg Gaenswein has given an extensive interview to the Italian publication Oggi.

In the interview which the prefect of the Papal Household and private secretary to Pope Benedict XVI granted yesterday, he discusses his experiences under both pontificates, and speaks specifically on Pope Francis’ pontificate, the Pope Emeritus’ health and the Vatileaks scandal.

Pope Francis

Archbishop Gaenswein reflected on Pope Francis’ ability to always ‘surprise.’ "With the announcement of the extraordinary Holy Year, Pope Francis gave another proof of his ability to surprise."

Asked how the Pope is up close, he replied: "The personal perception and the perception of the media coincide. Pope Francis is an authentic person. He is how he looks to the viewer from a distance or on TV ... I'm surprised by his ability to manage having always so many events, general and private audiences, personal meetings, etc.”

“At age 78, Pope Francis tackles everything with extraordinary strength.”

He also reflected on the obstacles in the path of Church reform. "Of course, there are those who may not have his vision," he said, "but it cannot be said that Pope Francis is hampered or thwarted. The challenge of the missionary Church is the main theme of his pontificate," he said.

The Vatican official noted the Curia is working on economic and financial issues, but it takes patience and time. “A large ship cannot change course in a short time, it is not a small boat."

The archbishop also responded to Pope Francis’ statements which have caused media waves, such as giving a "punch" to those who offend or parents giving a child "a spanking." He admitted that, "In the Anglo-Saxon and German world, he has created a heated discussion, even one which is a little 'exaggerated.’”

“You have to contextualize his words and steer them in his direct communication style," he said, "especially when he speaks off the cuff. He likes to speak in a clear and open way.”

“Maybe, after certain reactions, which may also depend on the sensitivity of different peoples and countries, he could change gears."
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/vatican-donates-500-thousand-to-help-ebola-crisis

Vatican donates €500 thousand to help Ebola crisis
2015-03-18 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has given €500,000 to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the Ebola crisis in West Africa, especially Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.

The Fund is being distributed by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

Cardinal Peter Turkson, the President of the Council, said the Fund has many objectives, including improving existing health care structures, offering psychological help for families affected by the Ebola crisis, and to aid local dioceses and parishes to develop sacramental practices which minimize the risk of transmitting the virus.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1501183.htm

Mar-18-2015
U.N. says Pope Francis will visit morning of Sept. 25

UNITED NATIONS (CNS) -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the announcement that Pope Francis would visit the United Nations the morning of Sept. 25 to address the U.N. General Assembly.

In a statement March 18, the United Nations also said the pope would meet separately with the secretary-general and with the president of the General Assembly and would participate in a town hall gathering with U.N. staff.

Ban noted that the pope's visit came during the United Nations' 70th anniversary, in which its members would make decisions about sustainable development, climate change and peace. He said he was confident the pope's visit would inspire the international community to redouble its efforts for social justice, tolerance and understanding.
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/03/18/pope_francis_meets_with_brother_alois_of_the_taiz%C3%A9_community/1130175

Pope Francis meets with Brother Alois of the Taizé community
18/03/2015 08:30

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday met privately with the head of the Taizé ecumenical community, Brother Alois, the second such meeting during his pontificate.

The Taizé Community is an ecumenical monastic order of more than 100 brothers based in the French town of Taizé.  It was founded in 1940 by Roger Schütz, a Protestant, who was more popularly known simply as Brother Roger.

During his meeting with Pope Francis, Brother Alois thanked the Pope for his announcement last week of the Holy Year, Jubilee of Mercy. He also talked about how the words the Pope himself used to speak about love and forgiveness reminded him of those of Brother Roger.

According to a statement released by the Taizé community, Pope Francis was particularly attentive to the the ecumenical vocation of the community and to the welcome extended to young people in Taizé.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/is-the-bible-inspired-and-without-error/

Is the Bible Inspired and Without Error?
The Pontifical Biblical Commission publishes document on proper interpretation of Scripture and tackles tough questions about biblical violence, the status of women, historical errors and who authored what books.
by MARK SHEA 03/18/2015

The Pontifical Biblical Commission was asked by Pope Benedict XVI to study the question of the proper interpretation of Dei Verbum, the Second Vatican Council’s dogmatic constitution that deals with the transmission of the word of God.

The commission was asked to place particular focus on what the Church means when it says that the Bible is inspired and without error. Their work has recently produced a long-awaited document entitled "The Inspiration and Truth of Sacred Scripture: The Word That Comes From God and Speaks of God for the Salvation of the World."
 
Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/is-the-bible-inspired-and-without-error/#ixzz3Una1hE39

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-greets-benedict-xvi-on-feast-of-st-jo

Pope Francis greets Benedict XVI on Feast of St Joseph
2015-03-19 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis phoned Benedict XVI to offer best wishes on the feast of St Joseph. It is a tradition for many Catholics to celebrate in a special way the feast day of the saint for whom they are named; the Pope Emeritus was baptized Joseph Ratzinger.

In his turn, Benedict offered congratulations to the Holy Father on the occasion of the second anniversary of the solemn inauguration of Pope Francis' Petrine Ministry.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-condemns-tunisia-attack

Pope Francis condemns Tunisia attack
2015-03-19 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis sent a telegram offering prayers for the victims of Wednesday’s terror attack in Tunis, in which at least 23 people were killed and more than 40 others wounded, many among them foreign tourists.  In the telegram, signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, and addressed to the Archbishop of Tunis, Ilario Antoniazzi, the Holy Father decries the attack as, “[An act] against peace and the sacredness of human life.” He goes on to assure the families of the victims, all those affected by the incident, and the whole Tunisian people, of his continued prayers.
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/03/20/pope_francis_no_crime_ever_deserves_the_death_penalty/1130871

Pope Francis: no crime ever deserves the death penalty
20/03/2015 14:01

(Vatican Radio) Capital punishment is cruel, inhuman and an offense to the dignity of human life. In today's world, the death penalty is "inadmissible, however serious the crime" that has been committed. That was Pope Francis’ unequivocal message to members of the International Commission against the death penalty who met with him on Friday morning in the Vatican.

In a lengthy letter written in Spanish and addressed to the president of the International Commission against the death penalty, Pope Francis thanks those who work tirelessly for a universal moratorium, with the goal of abolishing the use of capital punishment in countries right across the globe.
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/03/20/pope_francis_japan’s_“hidden_christians”_a_model_for_church/1130783

Pope Francis: Japan’s “hidden Christians” a model for Church
20/03/2015 11:34

(Vatican Radio)  Japan’s “hidden Christians,” the Asian nation’s early Christian communities who kept the faith alive through centuries of persecution, can be an inspiration to today’s Catholics.  That’s what Pope Francis told Japanese bishops in an audience Friday in the Vatican, encouraging them to be fathers who are always available to their priests and brothers who share in their joys and difficulties.

Pope Francis received more than a dozen bishops from across Japan who are in Rome on their ad limina visit to the tomb of Peter.  In his remarks to them, the Pope recalled St. Francis Zavier, the Jesuit priest and his companions who brought Christianity to Japan in the mid 16th century and early Church leaders like Jesuit St. Paul Miki and his followers whose “steadfast faith in the midst of persecution became an encouragement for the small Christian community to persevere in every trial.”
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/cardinal-keith-obrien-gives-up-cardinalatial-right
Archbishop Emeritus Keith O'Brien gives up Cardinalatial rights
2015-03-20 Vatican Radio


http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-accepts-disgraced-scottish-prelates-resignation-from-cardinal-status-87693/

Pope accepts disgraced Scottish prelate's resignation from cardinal status

Vatican City, Mar 20, 2015 / 05:54 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a rare move, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of disgraced Scottish Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien from the rights and duties of a cardinal, the Vatican announced on Friday.

“As most people are aware, Pope Francis is a good and prayerful man whose character embodies justice and mercy. I am confident therefore that the decision of the Holy Father is fair, equitable and proportionate,” Archbishop Leo Cushley of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh in a March 20 statement. 

“Cardinal O'Brien’s behaviour distressed many, demoralised faithful Catholics and made the Church less credible to those who are not Catholic. I therefore acknowledge and welcome his apology to those affected by his behaviour and also to the people of Scotland, especially the Catholic community.” 

Cardinal O'Brien stood down as Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh in March 2013 at the age of 74 amid media claims of inappropriate sexual behaviour with other men which allegedly took place in the 1980s.

After the claims surfaced that February, the cardinal's request for retirement – originally submitted to Benedict XVI in November 2012 for reasons due to age and health – was accepted immediately by Benedict, going into effect Feb. 25.

O’Brien subsequently admitted that “there have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me as a priest, archbishop and cardinal.”

Following today’s announcement by the Vatican, Cardinal O'Brien will now remove himself from the key duties that pertain to the office of cardinal: the election of any future Pope and the assistance of the Holy Father in the governance of the Universal Church. He will also be reduced to a strictly private life with no further participation in any public, religious or civil events.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.slu.edu/news-stowe-named-bishop-319

March 19, 2015
Pope Francis Appoints SLU Alumnus Bishop of the Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky
 

John Stowe, OFM Conv.

A Saint Louis University alumnus has been named by Pope Francis to be the third bishop of Lexington, Kentucky. John Stowe, OFM Conv., a 1990 graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences, will be the first SLU graduate to hold such a position.

Born in Ohio, Father Stowe entered the Lady of Consolation Province of the Conventual Franciscans in Mount St. Francis, Indiana, in 1985, professed Solemn Vows in 1992 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1995.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/vigil-for-20th-anniversary-of-evangelium-vitae

Vigil for 20th Anniversary of Evangelium vitae
2015-03-20 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) The image of the Salus Populi Romani, the icon of Mary so dear to Pope Francis, will be centre stage during a great international vigil dedicated to life. This encounter, commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the Encyclical Evangelium vitae will take place at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, on Tuesday, March 24th.

The event, prepared by the Pontifical Council for the Family, is intended particularly to give thanks for the fruit produced by the ministry of life (especially that of St. John Paul II), as well as raising awareness of the benefits of prayer for life and recalling eternal life, which is each person's destiny.
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/03/20/papal_programme_of_liturgies_for_holy_week_and_easter/1130774

Papal programme of liturgies for Holy Week and Easter
20/03/2015 11:15

(Vatican Radio) The Vatican’s office for liturgical celebrations, headed by Msgr. Guido Marini on Friday released the full schedule of events that Pope Francis will be presiding over during Holy Week.

On Palm Sunday, March 29th, starting at 9.30am, the Pope will bless the palm and olive branches in St Peter’s Square before presiding at the celebration of Mass. Palm Sunday also marks the XXX World Youth Day with the theme taken from St Matthew’s Gospel ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God’ 

On Holy Thursday, April 2nd, starting at 9.30am in St Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis will preside at the celebration of the Chrism Mass, during which the oils to be used during the coming year will be blessed.
 

[grace-land]

http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/agenda/detail/articolo/39811/

03/18/2015
Saturday 21 March

The schedule for the Pope's visit to Naples and Pompeii
 
Schedule:

- 7 am Departure by helicopter from the Vatican heliport

 POMPEI

- 8 am Arrival at the meeting area of the Shrine of Pompeii

- Francis is met off the plane by:

      - Mgr. Tommaso Caputo, Archbishop of Pompei and papal delegate of the Shrine

      - Mr. Nando Uliano, Mayor of Pompeii

      - The Pope reaches the Shrine Pompei by car

 - 8:15 Pope to pray at the Shrine

- After the prayer, the Pope will board the helicopter to go to Naples

NAPLES
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1wTC6dMRLA
Pope Francis Naples visit: Prayer at the Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary - 2015.03.21
Scheduled for Mar 21, 2015
Starts at 8:00 am - Pope Francis visits The Pontifical Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary of Pompei (Naples)

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-visits-shrine-in-pompeii-before-headi

Pope Francis visits shrine in Pompeii before heading to Naples
2015-03-21 Vatican Radio



Pope Francis departed from the Vatican this morning at 7:15 to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Pompeii. He arrived at the heliport near the basilica at 8:00 where he was greeted by Archbishop Tomaso Caputo of Pompeii, the pontifical delegate for the Sanctuary and several local authorities.

After spending several minutes in prayer in front of the image of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Holy Father will once again make his way by helicopter to the city of Naples where he will meet the faithful at John Paul II Square.

At 11, he will celebrate a Mass at Plebiscito Square and shortly after will head to the Giuseppe Salvia Detention Center, where he will have lunch with several of the detainees.

In the afternoon, the Pope will go to the Cathedral in Napes where he will venerate the relics of St. Januarius, the 3rd century bishop and martyr whose dried blood contained in glass vials liquefies miraculously every year. It is there where the Pope will meet with the clergy and religious men and women before heading to the Basilica of Gesu Nuovo, where he will meet with the sick and disabled.

Pope Francis will conclude his apostolic visit to Naples with a meeting of youth at 5:00pm in Lungomare Caracciolo. The Holy Father is expected to land in Vatican City at approximately 7:00pm.

Below is the Vatican Radio translation of the Pope's prayer at the Shrine in Pompeii: