Pope Francis

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-our-faith-is-an-encounter-with-jesus

Pope Francis: our faith is an encounter with Jesus
2015-04-24 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) Jesus never forgets the day we encountered Him for the first time; we should ask God for the “grace of memory” so that we can always remember it. That was the Pope’s hope for us in the homily at Mass on Friday morning at the Casa Santa Marta.

An encounter is the means chosen by Jesus to change lives. A good example of this is Paul of Tarsus, the anti-Christian persecutor who, by the time he reached Damascus, had already become an Apostle. Pope Francis spoke about the celebrated episode in the first reading of the day’s liturgy, and related it to the many encounters that appear in the Gospel narratives.

The first encounter

More precisely, Francis considered the “first encounter” with Jesus – the encounter that “changes the life” of those who meet Him: John and Andrew, who stayed with the Master throughout the night; Simon who immediately became “the rock” of the new community; and then the Samaritan, the leper who returned to thank Jesus for healing him, the sick woman who was healed when she touched Christ’s tunic: these, the Pope said, are decisive encounters that should prompt a Christian to never forget his own first encounter with Christ.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-meets-with-the-president-of-the-czech

Pope Francis meets with the President of the Czech Republic
2015-04-24 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday met with the President of the Czech Republic, Miloš Zeman,  who subsequently met with His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, secretary for  Relations with States.

A statement released by the Holy See Press Office called the meeting “cordial”, and noted the meeting took place on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the  restoration of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the then-Czech and Slovak Federative  Republic, which took place on 19 April 1990.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-meets-with-gay-french-ambassador-nominee-72369/

Pope Francis meets with gay French ambassador nominee

Vatican City, Apr 24, 2015 / 11:00 am (CNA).- Pope Francis met April 17 with Laurent Stefanini, the openly gay foreign service officer named by France to be ambassador to the Vatican.

News of the private audience, which was kept strictly confidential, was reported April 22 by the French magazine Le Canard Enchainé, although the magazine said that the meeting took place April 18. A source from the Vatican Secretariat of State told CNA that the meeting actually took place in the late evening of April 17, and confirmed that it lasted about 15 minutes.

The case of the French ambassador-elect to the Holy See has sparked controversy and media frenzy in parts of Europe.
 
Stephane Le Foll, a spokesperson for the French Presidency, confirmed that “there was a meeting between the Pope and Stefanini,” and that “nothing has changed: France has proposed a candidate, and at the moment we are waiting for the Vatican response.”

Waiting for the final decision, a Vatican source said to the French newspaper 'La Croix' that “the Vatican message to France is: follow the procedures.” Such procedures imply silence while the review process of a proposed ambassador is ongoing.

[Sister]

Sister!! 

Regarding Bishop Finn--it's a sad situation for all involved. 
Here's an article that I found helpful in understanding the ministry of retired bishops:

http://americamagazine.org/issue/730/article/bishop-emeritus

The Bishop Emeritus
March 22, 2010 Issue
Frank J. Rodimer
Resigned but still ministering

And another article about the Bishop Finn situation--

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/vatican-removes-bishop-finn-after-years-of-attacks-for-upholding-catholic-i

Tue Apr 21, 2015 - 4:43 pm EST
Vatican removes Bishop Finn after years of attacks for upholding Catholic identity

grace-land -- what a blessing you are!   

The articles were very helpful, but I found the first one of particular personal interest to me.  I printed it out so I can examine it more closely.
It has helped my spirit very much.

Blessings.

[grace-land]

Sister,

It's good to hear that the article was of interest to you and helpful! 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-solidarity-is-always-actual-prophetic

Pope Francis: solidarity is always actual, prophetic
2015-04-25 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) The word “solidarity” maintains it “prophetic force” today, even though some people may have thought the term had seen its day, said Pope Francis on Saturday, during his message to members of the John Paul II Foundation.

The foundation was established by papal decree in 1981 and carries out charitable work in the fields of education, science, culture and religion. It is based in the Vatican.

In his message, Pope Francis said the canonization of the late pontiff gave the foundation’s mission “a new impulse,” making it even “more universal.”

The foundation offers “a precious contribution” to the promotion of the “spiritual legacy” of Saint John Paul II,  he added.

He thanked foundation members for their educational initiatives among youth – noting Saint John Paul II’s “great love for young people and special pastoral care for them” – allowing the late pontiff’s “charism and paternity (to) continue to bear fruit.” 

The foundation’s formation opportunities also help to prepare priests and laity to “accompany communities faced with the cultural and pastoral challenges today,” the pope said.
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/04/25/colombian_ambassador_to_holy_see_back_for_second_term/1139492

Colombian ambassador to Holy See back for second term
25/04/2015 11:19



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met with Colombia’s new ambassador to the Holy See, Guillermo León Escobar Herrán, who presented his  Letters of Credence on Saturday, marking the start of his appointment.

Ambassador Escobar is not new to diplomacy in the Vatican. This is his second posting as the Colombian ambassador to the Holy See. He served in this role the first time from, 1998 to 2007, during the pontificates of both John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

Ambassador Escobar came to diplomatic work after a career in education. Having earned a doctorate in philosophy, literature and education, he taught in all of these faculties, as well as theology, at the pontifical university in Medellin. More recently, he taught political sociology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/04/25/pope_prays_for_victims_of_massive_earthquake_in_nepal/1139567

Pope prays for victims of massive earthquake in Nepal
25/04/2015 12:33

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is praying for the victims of a major earthquake in Nepal and following the developments in the country with great concern and sharing in the suffering of those who were struck. The major earthquake, which  measured 7.9 on the Richter Scale, shook Nepal just before noon on Saturday, causing major damage to the densely-populated Kathmandu Valley. Officials fear hundreds of people have died.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-ordains-priests-for-diocese-of-rome

Pope ordains priests for diocese of Rome
2015-04-26 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) On Sunday, Pope Francis presided over the ordinations of priests for the diocese of Rome in Saint Peter’s Basilica, reminding them they are ministers of unity in the Church.

Most of the 19 men ordained 26 April were part of Roman seminaries, including the Pontifical Roman Seminary, the Redemptoris Mater diocesan college, and the Madonna del Divino Amore seminary.

In off-the-cuff remarks during his homily for morning Mass, Pope Francis had advice for those about to be ordained.

He told them that the homilies they deliver should come from the heart, in order that they might reach the hearts of the people.
 
http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-homily-to-new-priests-on-52nd-world-day-of-prayer-for-vocations
Pope's Homily to New Priests on 52nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations
Vatican City,  April 26, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N20G1zNQQow
Holy Mass and Presbiteral ordination - 2015.04.26

[grace-land]

April 26, 2015 Tweets
https://twitter.com/FatherRosica

Thomas Rosica retweeted 
Catholic News Svc @CatholicNewsSvc 
  ·  5h 5 hours ago   
#PopeFrancis invites 2 of new priests he ordained to greet crowds, thank folks for their prayers.

[grace-land]

April 26. 2015 Tweet
https://twitter.com/FatherRosica



http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-at-regina-coeli-prays-for-nepal-earthquake-vi
Pope at Regina Coeli prays for Nepal earthquake victims
2015-04-26 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) On Sunday, Pope Francis remembered the victims of the recent earthquake in Nepal which has claimed the lives of nearly 2,000 people.

After the recitation of the Regina Coeli prayer with the crowds gathered in Saint Peter’s Square, the Holy Father expressed his “closeness to the populations struck by a powerful earthquake in Nepal and neighbouring countries.”

The Pope said: “I pray for the victims, for the wounded, and for all those who suffer because of this calamity.”
 
Pope Francis said of those affected by the disaster: “May they be supported by fraternal solidarity.

The Holy Father then prayed that the Blessed Mother would be close those affected by the earthquake, and led the crowds in reciting the Hail Mary.

Earlier, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin sent a telegram on behalf of Pope Francis to Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Nepal, Paul Simick, expressing his condolences for those affected by the earthquake.

http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/regina-coeli-on-following-the-good-shepherd
Regina Coeli: On Following the Good Shepherd
Vatican City,  April 26, 2015

Below is a translation of Pope Francis' address today before and after the recitation of the Regina Coeli to the pilgrims in St. Peter's Square:
****
Before the Regina Coeli:

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

This Fourth Sunday of Easter,  called "Good Shepherd Sunday," each year invites us to rediscover even more new wonder, this definition which Jesus gave of Himself, reading into it in light of His Passion, Death and Resurrection. "The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (Jn 10:11). These words came true when Christ fully, freely obeying the will of the Father, sacrificed himself on the Cross. Then it becomes quite clear what it means that He is "the Good Shepherd:" He gives life, He offered His life as a sacrifice for all of us: for you, for you, for you, for me, for everyone! And this is the good shepherd!
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/04/27/pope_tells_benin_bishops_to_promote_interreligious_dialogue/1139925

Pope tells Benin Bishops to promote interreligious dialogue
27/04/2015 13:18



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has encouraged Bishops from Benin to support families, to pursue the formation of young people and to promote inter religious dialogue.

The Pope was receiving a group of Bishops from the West African Nation who are in the Vatican for their ad limina visit.

In his message to them, Pope Francis thanked the Bishops for the successful exercise of their ministry which shines through in the great enthusiasm and in the visible expression of the faith of God's people in Benin.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-meets-queen-silvia-of-sweden

Pope Francis meets Queen Silvia of Sweden
2015-04-27 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday met with Queen Silvia of Sweden, who personally led her delegation to a one-day seminar on human trafficking and the exploitation of women which was being held at the Vatican.

Although a Swedish interpreter was present, the two spoke mostly  in Spanish, which the Queen speaks fluently. In fact, Queen Silvia at one time worked at the Argentine Consulate in Munich.

The Queen spoke with the Holy Father about various activities she has promoted in Sweden, especially in favour of children. Pope Francis took the opportunity to express his gratitude for the welcome Sweden has extended to refugees and displaced persons.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-meets-with-chief-rabbi-of-rome

Pope meets with Chief Rabbi of Rome
2015-04-27 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met Monday morning at the Vatican with the Chief Rabbi of Rome, Riccardo Di Segni. The Chief Rabbi had intended to meet with the Pope last week, during the audience with the delegation of European Rabbis. He was unable to attend, however, due to the death of his predecessor Elio Toaff.

A press statement from the spokesman of the Jewish community in Rome described the meeting as cordial. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed a number of issues, including issues arising from immigration to Europe. 

[grace-land]

http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/2007/0/francis-to-visit-fatima-for-100th-anniversary-of-marian-apparitions

Francis to visit Fatima for 100th anniversary of Marian apparitions
27 April 2015 16:04

Pope Francis has confirmed that he will come to Portugal for the 100th anniversary of the apparitions at Fatima, in 2017.

Following a private audience with the Pope, the bishop of Leiria-Fátima, António Marto, told Portuguese media that Francis had expressed the desire to make the trip, provided he is still “alive and healthy” at the time.

No final date has been set, but the most likely would be around the 13 May, the centenary anniversary of the first apparition, or 13 October, the centenary of the Miracle of the Sun, which was witnessed by close to 100,000 people.
 
If Francis makes the trip he will be the fourth pope to do so, following Benedict XVI, John Paul II and Paul VI.

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/the-theology-of-the-people-according-to-pope-francis-83384/

The 'theology of the people', according to Pope Francis

Vatican City, Apr 27, 2015 / 03:38 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- In a previously unpublished 2012 lecture, Pope Francis explains the inner sense of the ‘theology of the people,' emphasizing that popular piety is the antithesis of widespread secularization.

The lecture has now been published for the first time, in the Italian edition of “An Introduction to the Theology of the People,” by Argentine theologian Ciro Enrique Bianchi, a pupil of Victor Manuel Fernandez – rector of the Catholic University of Argentina and one of Pope Francis' closest collaborators.

The book was conceived as a theological and spiritual profile of the Argentine thinker Rafael Tello, considered one of the founders of the 'theology of the people' which Pope Francis holds in high esteem.

The 'theology of the people' was popular in Argentina as an alternative to radical liberation theology. While radical liberation theologians looked to Marxist, immanentist interpretations of the Gospel, theology of the people was founded on common peoples' culture and devotion, including their spirituality and sense of justice.
 

[grace-land]

A photo of the Basilica is at the link below.

http://president.cua.edu/papal-visit.cfm?fullsite=1

April 27, 2015
Catholic University to Welcome Pope Francis
Holy Father to Celebrate Outdoor Mass on Campus on Sept. 23, 2015

John Garvey, President of The Catholic University of America, has confirmed that during his upcoming visit to Washington Pope Francis will celebrate Mass from the east portico of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, where the University holds its Commencement exercises each year. The congregation attending the Mass, which will take place on Sept. 23, will assemble in the area surrounding the steps of the Basilica, including the 3.6-acre University Mall.
 
Pope Francis announced in January that in addition to visiting Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families, he will stop in New York and Washington, D.C., during his trip to the United States. During the Mass on the steps of the Basilica, he will canonize American missionary Blessed Junipero Serra.

The Catholic University of America is the national university of the Catholic Church, founded by the U.S. Catholic bishops in 1887. It is the only U.S. university to have been visited by two popes – John Paul II in 1979 and Benedict XVI in 2008. Both pontiffs delivered addresses on the topic of Catholic higher education.

[grace-land]

http://www.nj.com/south/index.ssf/2015/04/wanted_10000_volunteers_for_pope_francis_visit_to.html

Wanted: 10,000 volunteers for Pope Francis' visit to Philly
on April 27, 2015 at 3:28 PM, updated April 27, 2015 at 4:27 PM

Philadelphia organizers for Pope Francis' visit in September have announced they will require as many as 10,000 volunteers for the six-day event, and have officially opened an online registration system allowing those eager to be part of the festivities to sign up.

According to officials with the World Meeting of Families, which will be hosted in Philadelphia throughout September 22-25, followed by the papal visit on Sept. 26 and 27, there are currently 100 openings for volunteers, although many more will be coming in the weeks and months to come.

Those who are 18 years of age or older and interested in volunteering can register at worldmeeting2015.volunteerhub.com
 
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/04/27/ten-thousand-volunteers-sought-to-help-pitch-in-during-popes-visit-to-philadelphia/
Ten Thousand Volunteers Sought To Pitch In During Pope’s Visit to Philadelphia
April 27, 2015 1:25 PM

 
Farrell says she’s casting a wide net across the region:

“Philadelphia, New Jersey, Wilmington, Allentown, the rest of the Lehigh Valley, and welcome them — we need them.”

But, Farrell notes, there’s no guarantee how close volunteers will get to Pope Francis.

“Proximity to the pope, that we don’t know yet,” she points out.  “For some people, they may be seeing him more on a Jumbotron than they are seeing him up close and personal.”

Farrell says they’re looking for people with a variety of skills, including those with social media experience, those who speak languages other than English, or just average folks looking to work as guest guides.

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-humble-prayer-is-key-to-discernment

Pope Francis: humble prayer is key to discernment
2015-04-28 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis said Mass on Tuesday morning in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence in the Vatican. Speaking to the congregation following the readings of the day, the Holy Father focused on the pilgrim journey of the Church through history under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Reflecting on the preaching of the Gospel to all nations, narrated in the Acts of the Apostles, the Pope pointed to the need – even and especially today – for Apostolic courage, in order that Christian life not become a “museum of memories.” He noted how many at the time of the events narrated in the book of Acts were troubled to hear the gospel was preached to non-Jews, though Barnabas in Antioch – the reading tells us – is happy to see and understand that the conversions of Pagans there are the work of God.

Do not be afraid of the God of surprises

Pope Francis went on to say how the preaching of salvation to all nations was something prophesied in chapter 60 of Isaiah, though many did not understand the saying:

“They did not understand. They did not understand that God is the God of all things new: ‘I make everything new,’ Our Lord tells us – he tells us that the Holy Spirit has come for this, to renew [all things] – and continually does this work of renewal. This makes some people afraid. In the history of the Church from [Apostolic times] down to the present, how many fears there have been in the face of the Holy Spirit’s surprises. He is the God of surprises.”
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/cor-unum-to-send-100000-dollars-to-earthquake-stri

“Cor Unum” to send 100,000 dollars to earthquake-stricken Nepal

Vatican City, 28 April 2015 (VIS) – Following the earthquake that struck the territory of Nepal with extraordinary vehemence last weekend, the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum” has undertaken to send a first contribution of 100 thousand dollars for aid to the population on behalf of the Holy Father.

This sum, which will be sent to the local Church, will be used to support aid operations for the displaced and other affected persons, and is intended as a first and immediate concrete expression of Pope Francis' “spiritual closeness and paternal encouragement” towards those afflicted, as he assured during the Regina Coeli of Sunday 26 April. Episcopal conferences and Catholic charitable entities are already extensively involved in humanitarian works.