Pope Francis

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-evangelize-with-a-language-of-mercifu

Pope Francis: Evangelize with a language of merciful love
2015-05-29 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday received members of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization at the end of their Plenary session.
During the course of their Plenary session the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization has been discussing the relationship between evangelization and catechesis and it was on that theme that Pope Francis addressed members of the Council, including its President Archbishop Rino Fisichella.

Speaking to them at the end of their session the Holy Father told them that the Church is called to evangelize at a time of great change. But he stressed in order to proclaim the Gospel, the language used needs to be renewed so it can be understood by all who hear it.

The Pope went on to say that people want a Church that can walk with them, offering a witness of faith, a Church for the marginalized which expresses solidarity with those on the “outskirts of existence”.

Then, getting to the heart of what the true meaning of the new evangelization is, the Holy Father said,  it is this: to become aware of the merciful love the Father has for us and also to become instruments of salvation for our brothers.Turning his attention to the Catechesis, as part of the process of evangelization, Pope Francis explained that “it needs to go beyond just the school sphere of educating believers, from childhood because it is an encounter with Christ who awakens the desire to know him better and then to follow him to become his disciples.
 
http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-address-to-pontifical-council-for-promoting-the-new-evangelization
Pope's Address to Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization
Vatican City State,  May 29, 2015

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-civilizations-progress-is-measured-by

Pope Francis: Civilization’s Progress Is Measured by Its Ability to Protect Life
2015-05-30 Vatican Radio



The degree of progress of a civilization is measured by its ability to protect life, especially in its most fragile stages.”

These were the words of Pope Francis during an audience with the Science and Life Association, who are celebrating their 10th anniversary.

The Holy Father began by thanking them for their service in promoting the protection of human life in a society marked by the negative logic of discarding.”

“The love of Christ urges us to become servants of the small ones and the elderly, of every man and every woman, through which the primordial right to life is recognized and protected,” he said.

The Pope encouraged the association to keep their gaze fixed on the sacredness of life and the human person, “so that science may truly be at the service of man, and not man at the service of science.”
 

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http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/francesco-francis-francisco-41440/

05/30/2015
Francis to children of inmates: “Never stop dreaming"


(©Ap) Francis with the children

“Never stop dreaming!” Francis urged the children of male and female inmates who came to the Vatican on the “Children’s Train”. His discussion with them lasted 20 minutes or so and took place in the Nervi hall lobby.

“Now I have a difficult question for you,” Francis said to them. “What is a girl who cannot dream like?” Almost all of the children sitting on the floor in front of the Pope shouted in chorus: “unhappy”. “Unhappy,” the Pope repeated, “because dreaming opens the doors of happiness, while the hearts of those who do not dream are closed. And what is a closed heart like?” he asked. “It is made of ice,” some replied; others said “of stone”. The Pope then asked when a heart turns to ice or stone. Some replied: “when a person is disappointed,” while others said, “when we don’t dream or don’t pray”. One little girl said: “it happens when we don’t listen to the Word of God and of Jesus,” to which the Pope responded: “that’s a beautiful thing you said there, good girl, let us repeat it: we must never stop dreaming and listening to the Word of Jesus because Jesus opens his heart and loves everyone.”
 

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http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-to-sick-children-dont-be-afraid-to-ask-god-why-10617/

Pope to sick children: Don’t be afraid to ask God 'Why?'

Vatican City, May 30, 2015 / 12:16 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- “Why do children suffer?” Pope Francis asked this of a group of children with serious illnesses or disabilities and their parents, some of whom had been told to abort their babies because of their condition.

The Holy Father answered with a question he might ask God while gazing at the Cross: “Why is Your Son there?”

“It is the mystery of the Cross,” he said.

The pontiff made these remarks during a meeting on Friday evening with the children in the chapel of the Vatican’s Santa Marta residence. They were accompanied by the parents, as well as volunteers from Unitalsi Lazio -- a national Italian organization that transports the sick to Lourdes, France and other international shrines.

Most of the children were between the ages of seven and fourteen, although some were just a few years old.

Pope Francis told the children to not be afraid of asking and challenging God “Why?”, even if the only answer God gives is: “Even my Son suffered.”

“But this is the answer,” the Pope said. “And your strength is there: the loving gaze of the Father.”

One might ask how it is that he, as Pope -- who has studied a great deal of theology -- does not have the answer.

“No. The Trinity, the Eucharist, God’s grace, the suffering of children is a mystery,” he said. “And one can enter into the mystery only if the Father looks upon us with love.”

Pope Francis expressed his admiration for their strength and courage. He recalled how some of the parents present had said they had been told to have abortions, but refused because their children had the right to live.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-moto-proprio-revises-vaticans-pension-fund

Pope: Motu Proprio revises Vatican’s Pension Fund
2015-05-29 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis’ Motu Proprio which revises the statutes governing the Vatican’s Pension Fund was released on Friday (May 29th). The Director of the Holy See’s Press office, Father Federico Lombardi, said whilst there are some revisions in the Fund’s statutes, the regulations governing the Vatican pensions themselves remain the same with no changes being made to them for now.

In particular, the Pope’s Motu Proprio introduces changes in how the president of the Fund’s Board of Directors is appointed. Previously, the president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA) more or less automatically became president of the Pension Fund but from now on the president will be directly appointed by Pope Francis who will choose from a list of three candidates proposed by the Council for the Economy and they could include lay people.
 

[Sister]

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-to-sick-children-dont-be-afraid-to-ask-god-why-10617/

Pope to sick children: Don’t be afraid to ask God 'Why?'

Vatican City, May 30, 2015 / 12:16 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- “Why do children suffer?” Pope Francis asked this of a group of children with serious illnesses or disabilities and their parents, some of whom had been told to abort their babies because of their condition.

The Holy Father answered with a question he might ask God while gazing at the Cross: “Why is Your Son there?”

“It is the mystery of the Cross,” he said.

The pontiff made these remarks during a meeting on Friday evening with the children in the chapel of the Vatican’s Santa Marta residence. They were accompanied by the parents, as well as volunteers from Unitalsi Lazio -- a national Italian organization that transports the sick to Lourdes, France and other international shrines.

Most of the children were between the ages of seven and fourteen, although some were just a few years old.

Pope Francis told the children to not be afraid of asking and challenging God “Why?”, even if the only answer God gives is: “Even my Son suffered.”

“But this is the answer,” the Pope said. “And your strength is there: the loving gaze of the Father.”

One might ask how it is that he, as Pope -- who has studied a great deal of theology -- does not have the answer.

“No. The Trinity, the Eucharist, God’s grace, the suffering of children is a mystery,” he said. “And one can enter into the mystery only if the Father looks upon us with love.”

Pope Francis expressed his admiration for their strength and courage. He recalled how some of the parents present had said they had been told to have abortions, but refused because their children had the right to live.
 

I used to tell this to folks all the time.  God can handle our questions -- and as we question and contemplate, our faith increases as we learn to appreciate more fully the majesty and mystery of God.

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-the-holy-trinity-exhorts-us-to-live-one-with

Pope: the Holy Trinity exhorts us to live "one with the other"
2015-05-31 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis says that Holy Trinity Sunday exhorts us to live “one with the other”, to “welcome the beauty of the Gospel message” and to learn to ask forgiveness.

Speaking on Sunday morning during the Angelus to some 50,000 pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope also spoke of the need of ecclesial communities to become ever more “family”.

Marking the liturgical feast of Holy Trinity Sunday, the Pope reminded those present that it is celebrated in honor of the most fundamental of Christian beliefs, the mystery of the three Persons of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, — who are all equally God, and cannot be divided, the Pope said this solemnity renews in us “our own mission to live in communion with God and with each other”.

He said: “We are not called to live without the other, above or against the other, but with the other, for the other and in the other”.

This – the Pope said - means welcoming and bearing witness to the beauty of the Gospel; loving each other, sharing joy and suffering, learning how to forgive.
 
http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/angelus-on-the-mystery-of-the-holy-trinity
Angelus: On the Mystery of the Holy Trinity
Vatican City State,  May 31, 2015

The following is a translation of Pope Francis’ address before and after the recitation of the Angelus this afternoon in St. Peter’s Square:
 

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Unofficial

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/popes-environmental-encyclical-to-be-titled-laudato-sii-praised-be-72899/

Pope's environmental encyclical to be titled 'Laudato Sii' (Praised Be You)

Vatican City, May 31, 2015 / 07:11 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Taken from St. Francis of Assisi’s “Canticle of the Sun” prayer praising God for creation, the likely name of the Pope’s upcoming encyclical was informally announced just weeks before its anticipated publication.

Fr. Giuseppe Costa, director of the Vatican Publishing House, reportedly announced the encyclical’s title during the delivery of the Cardinal Michele Giordano prize Saturday afternoon, May 30, in Naples.

The prize honors the former archbishop of Naples, who died in 2010, and was inspired by his keen appreciation for the media.

Expected to be published in mid-late June, the Pope's encyclical “Laudato sii” has already been written and is currently being translated.
 

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http://www.newsmax.com/EdwardPentin/gay-ireland-catholic-pope/2015/05/31/id/647799/

After Ireland, Gay Agenda Eyes Catholic Church
Sunday, 31 May 2015 10:49 AM
By Edward Pentin

Evidence is coming to light of concerted and covert attempts to coax the Catholic Church into accepting homosexual relationships, principally using an upcoming church synod on the family to achieve it.

A group of influential church figures, mainly from Germany and northern Europe, appear intent on making the meeting about same-sex relationships, while cloaking their agenda in vague and abstruse language.

They speak of “enriching” the “biblical and theological foundations” of the synod (code for ignoring traditional church teaching), creating a “new theology of love” (an abstract concept aimed at legitimizing extramarital unions), and finding a “nonhostile” language to convey church doctrine (a watering down of Catholic teaching).

They are publicly distancing themselves from endorsing same-sex “marriage,” but at the same time supporting church recognition of homosexual relationships and acts — sins that used to “cry to heaven for vengeance” until the church began softening its language 50 years ago.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-gods-love-for-his-people-is-manifest-in-jesus

Pope: God’s love for his people is manifest in Jesus’ death on the Cross
2015-06-01 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday said that after rejection and death comes the glory of resurrection.

Reflecting on the Gospel reading of the day during morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta, the Pope said the stone that the builders rejected became the cornerstone; the scandalous executioner’s block that appeared to put an end to the story of hope, marked the beginning of man’s salvation.

And highlighting how the Scriptures speak to us today, the Pope said God builds upon weakness and waste; he said God’s love for mankind is manifested in the apparent “failure” of the Cross.

Taking his cue from the Gospel reading which tells the story of the wicked tenants, Pope Francis pointed out that this parable richly conveys some important truths about God and the way he deals with his people with patience and with justice.

But above all - the Pope said - the story tells us of how Jesus’s death led to his ultimate triumph.

Let us not forget the cross – he said – because it is here that the logic of “failure” is turned upside down.

Jesus – Pope Francis said – reminds the chief priests, the scribes and the elders that although we can expect trials and rejection, in the end we will see triumph and he quotes the Scriptures: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone”.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/programme-of-the-holy-fathers-visit-to-turin-2

Programme of the Holy Father's visit to Turin


Vatican City, 1 June 2015 (VIS) – The programme of the Holy Father's pastoral visit to Turin, Italy on 21 and 22 June, on the occasion of the extraordinary exposition of the Turin Shroud, was published today.

The Pope will leave by air from Rome's Ciampino airport at 6.30 a.m. on Sunday 21 June, arriving in Turin's Caselle airport an hour later. Upon arrival, he will be greeted by the Archbishop of Turin, Cesare Nosiglia, Sergio Chiamparino, president of the Piedmont region, Paola Basilone, prefect of Turin, and Piero Fassino, mayor of the city. He will transfer by car to Piazzetta Reale, where he will address representatives of the world of work.

At 9.15 a.m. the Holy Father will then enter the Cathedral on foot, where he will pray before the Holy Shroud and visit the altar of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, in the presence of the cloistered nuns and priests residing in clergy houses in the diocese, the Chapter of canons, the Commission for the Holy Shroud, relatives of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, Cardinal Severino Poletto, archbishop emeritus of Turin, and the bishops of the episcopal conference of Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/fr-lombardi-issues-clarification-on-cardinal-georg

Fr. Lombardi issues clarification on Cardinal George Pell



Vatican City, 1 June 2015 (VIS) – In response to questions from journalists, the director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., explained that the statement made by Mr. Peter Saunders (one of the 17 members of the Commission for the Protection of Minors) during a television broadcast was evidently given in an entirely personal way and not on behalf of the Commission, which is not competent to investigate or to pronounce specific judgements on individual cases.
 

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http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/vatican-responds-to-60-minutes-broadcast-on-cardinal-pell

Vatican Responds to '60 Minutes' Broadcast on Cardinal Pell
Vatican City State,  June 01, 2015

The Holy See has called for respect following a television interview with a member of the Commission for the Protection of Minors who criticized Cardinal George Pell, the prefect of the Secretariat of the Economy.

In an interview with 60 Minutes, Peter Saunders called the cardinal’s position “untenable” following the Australian Royal Commission’s hearings on the Church’s actions on abuse crimes committed by a former priest. Cardinal Pell has strongly denied accusations that he had knowledge of abuse in the Diocese of Ballarat, where he served as a priest.   

Saunders is one of the 17 members of the commission established by Pope Francis to ensure the protection of children and minors from sexual abuse. During the interview, Saunders also criticized the Australian prelate, saying: "He has a catalogue of denigrating people, of acting with callousness, cold-heartedness, almost sociopathic I would go as far as to say, this lack of care.”

However, Cardinal Pell’s secretary denied the accusations raised against him during the interview and also expressed disbelief of Saunders' opinion given the fact that they never met.
 
http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/pell-41479/
06/ 1/2015
Vatican downplays commission member’s remarks about Cardinal Pell

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/cardinal-pells-spokesperson-slams-outrageous-60-minutes-coverage-19842/
Cardinal Pell's spokesperson slams 'outrageous' 60 Minutes coverage

Vatican City, Jun 1, 2015 / 04:06 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- A television broadcast revisiting charges that Australian Cardinal George Pell mishandled abuse claims was “false and misleading” and “outrageous” in its coverage, a spokesperson for the cardinal said Sunday.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-sends-video-message-to-sarajevo-befor

Pope Francis sends video-message to Sarajevo before visit
2015-06-02 Vatican Radio


(Vatican Radio) In preparation for his one day visit to the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday, Pope Francis has sent a video-message to the people of Sarajevo.

The Holy Father said that he hopes his visit will confirm the faith of Catholics, support ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, and especially encourage peaceful coexistence for all citizens of the country. The motto for the visit is “Peace be with you”, taken from Jesus’ encounter with the apostles on the evening of Easter.

The Apostolic Visit is scheduled to last for a little less than eleven hours, but the Holy Father will be busy from the moment he lands in Sarajevo on Saturday morning until he takes off in the evening.

After he has been welcomed at the Presidential Palace by President Bakir Izetbegović, the highlight of the visit will be the celebration of Holy Mass at 11:00 (UTC) at the Olympic Koševo stadium.

Later, he will meet with a host of people including civil authorities, Bishops, priests, religious and seminarians of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He will attend an Ecumenical and Interreligious meeting at 17:30 (UTC) before travelling to the ‘John Paul II’ Diocesan Youth Centre to meet with young people.

The Pope said in his video-message, “I am preparing to come among you as a fellow messenger of peace, to express to everyone – everyone! – my respect and my friendship. I would like to express to every person, every family, and every community the mercy, tenderness and love of God.”

Below, please find the full text of the video-message of Pope Francis
 

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http://catholicphilly.com/2015/06/news/wmf2015/keepsake-items-for-world-meeting-of-families-unveiled/

Posted in World Meeting of Families 2015, on June 1st, 2015
Keepsake items for World Meeting of Families unveiled


Some of the more than 200 items available in late June include these collectibles.

More than 200 items emblazoned with the World Meeting of Families logo or Pope Francis’s smiling face will soon be available to purchase as keepsakes for the historic congress and papal visit to Philadelphia this September.

A representative sampling of the items were on display at a press conference Monday, June 1 in Philadelphia City Hall at which Aramark Corp. was announced as the official vendor of retail merchandise for the events in Philadelphia this September.

Apparel including polo shirts, T-shirts, track-style jackets and caps were displayed alongside household items like wine goblets, key chains and decorative dinner plates, plus devotional rosaries, crosses and prayer cards of many styles.

World Meeting of Families officials expect the items to be available for online shoppers on the website shop.worldmeeting2015.org by late June. They will also be sold at the Pennsylvania Convention Center during the families’ congress, Sept. 22-25, and at retail kiosks along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in center city during the visit of Pope Francis Sept. 26-27.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-poverty-afflicts-too-many-families

Pope Francis: poverty afflicts too many families
2015-06-03 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis says poverty today afflicts too many families.

Speaking during the weekly General Audience, the Pope continued his catechesis on the family opening up his reflections to a new perspective: the difficulties and problems that put families to the test in modern society.

One condition that afflicts families today – he said – is poverty. “Let’s think of the many families who populate the peripheries of large cities, and also of those who live in rural areas… how much misery, how much degradation!” he said.

And to make things even worse – the Pope continued – in some areas there is even war. War – he said – is always terrible, and it specially affects civilians and families.

“War really is the ‘mother of all poverties’, war impoverishes the family, it steals lives, souls, our most sacred feelings and our beloved ones” he said.

And yet – Pope Francis pointed out - even in the worst of circumstances, there are many poor people who persevere with dignity, often entrusting themselves to the goodness of God.
 
http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/general-audience-on-poverty-and-the-family
General Audience: On Poverty and the Family
Vatican City State,  June 03, 2015

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http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-wants-vatican-liturgy-chief-to-continue-the-work-of-benedict-xvi-76508/

Pope Francis wants Vatican liturgy chief to continue the work of Benedict XVI

Vatican City, Jun 3, 2015 / 01:33 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, revealed in a letter sent to a liturgical conference this week that when he was appointed to his post, Pope Francis indicated a desire to continue the liturgical work done by his predecessor as Bishop of Rome.

“When the Holy Father, Pope Francis, asked me to accept the ministry of Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, I asked: ‘Your Holiness, how do you want me to exercise this ministry? What do you want me to do as Prefect of this Congregation?’ The Holy Father's reply was clear. ‘I want you to continue to implement the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council,’ he said, ‘and I want you to continue the good work in the liturgy begun by Pope Benedict XVI,'” Cardinal Sarah wrote in a letter to the Sacra Liturgia Conference, which was made public June 2.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-celabrates-the-solemnity-of-corpus-ch

Pope Francis celebrates the Solemnity of Corpus Christi
2015-06-04 Vatican Radio


(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Thursday observes the liturgical feast of Corpus Christi celebrating Mass in front of the Patriarchal Basilica of Saint John Lateran, and symbolically leading the traditional procession with the Blessed Sacrament to the nearby Basilica of St. Mary Major.

As the Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship, Cardinal Francis Arinze explains, whilst in many communities the Corpus Christi celebration is transmitted to the following Sunday, the Vatican liturgical calendar has stayed true to tradition and marks the Solemnity on the Thursday after Holy Trinity Sunday.

As he did last year, after Mass Pope Francis will travel by car to St. Mary Major where he will await the procession led by Cardinal Vicar Agostino Vallini. Here he will receive the Blessed Sacrament and  lead the Benediction.
 
http://www.news.va/en/news/corpus-christi-a-musical-meditation-3
Corpus Christi: a musical meditation
2015-06-04 Vatican Radio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_B40IyC6Bs
Mass for the Solemn Feast of Corpus Christi - 2015.06.04

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-prays-for-victims-of-china-ship-disas

Pope Francis prays for victims of China ship disaster
2015-06-03 Vatican Radio


(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday expressed his closeness to the Chinese people following the capsizing of a cruise ship on the Yangtze River.

Speaking to the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the General Audience, the Pope turned his thoughts to the victims and their families as hopes of finding any more survivors from the disaster fade.
 
“In a particular way I wish to express my closeness to the Chinese people in these difficult moments after the ferry disaster in the Yangtze River.  pray for the victims, their families and for all involved in the rescue efforts” he said.

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http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-encyclical-on-ecology-to-be-released-june-18

Pope's Encyclical on Ecology to Be Released June 18
Vatican City State,  June 04, 2015

Pope Francis' encyclical on ecology will be published Thursday, June 18.

According to a statement issued by the Holy See Press Office this morning, the Vatican gave this precise date for the release of the highly anticipated document.

"To avoid confusion over the date of publication of the long-awaited encyclical of Pope Francis, the confirmed date of publication will be next Thursday, June 18, 2015," the statement noted, adding, "Next week further details about the encylical will be made public in the daily bulletin of the Holy See."

The encyclical will be reportedly titled Laudato Sii (Praised Be To You,), which is a title reflecting St. Francis’ Canticle of the Sun, a hymn of praise to God for His creations, written in 1224.