Pope Francis

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/08/02/pope_francis_jesus_is_the_bread_of_life/1162526

Pope Francis: "Jesus is the bread of life"
02/08/2015 14:11

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has urged the faithful to look beyond material needs and turn to Jesus who is “the bread of life”.

The Pope’s words came as he addressed the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Sunday Angelus.

Taking his cue from the Gospel reading of the day which tells of the crowd that went looking for Jesus, not because they saw the signs but because they had eaten the loaves of bread and were filled, Pope Francis pointed out that those people gave more value to the bread than to He who gave them the bread.

He explained that before this spiritual blindness, Jesus highlights the need to look beyond the gift and discover the giver. God himself – the Pope said – is the gift and is also the giver.

Jesus invites us – the Pope continued – to be open to a perspective which is not only that of daily preoccupation and material needs; Jesus speaks to us of a different kind of food, food which is not corruptible and that we must search for and welcome into our lives.
 
http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/angelus-on-the-bread-of-life
Angelus: On the Bread of Life
Vatican City,  August 02, 2015

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/08/03/st_pio_of_pietrelcina_in_st_peter’s_for_jubilee_ash_wed/1162745

Reliquary of St. Pio of Pietrelcina in St. Peter’s for Jubilee Ash Wednesday
03/08/2015 15:30


Remains of St. Pio of Pietrelcina in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
(Vatican Radio)  The Vatican announced on Monday that the remains of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, better known as Padre Pio, will be exposed for veneration in St. Peter's Basilica during the Jubilee of Mercy from 8-14 February 2016.

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, wrote in a letter to the Archdiocese of Manfredonia-Vieste-San Giovanni Rotondo it was Pope Francis who desired that Padre Pio's reliquary be present in the Vatican for Ash Wednesday of the Jubilee of Mercy. 

"The Holy Father has expressed his strong desire that the remains of St. Pio of Pietrelcina be exposed in St. Peter's Basilica for Ash Wednesday of the upcoming Extraordinary Holy Year, the day in which he will send 'Missionaries of Mercy' throughout the world, giving them a special mandate to preach and confess so that they may be a living sign of how the Father welcomes all who seek his pardon," Archbishop Fisichella wrote.
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/08/03/popes_charity_gathers_pace_in_hot_summer_months/1162737

Pope's charity gathers pace in hot summer months
03/08/2015 16:21

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis’ helping hands reach out to the poor throughout the year – especially in summer time when many volunteers may be away on holiday.

Pope Francis’ love for the poor sees no lull in the hot summer months, in fact – says Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, the Pope’s Almoner – it actually gathers pace as more and more homeless people find themselves in need of cool showers, haircuts and a healthy meal.

And it is the Archbishop himself together with a bunch of volunteers, Mother Teresa’s Sisters of Charity and occasionally the Swiss Guards who make sure that every day the showers under St. Peter’s Colonnade stay open from 7 in the morning ‘til 6 in the evening, and that a personal hygiene kit is available to all.

Of course, in line with Papal Audiences and the Angelus Prayer, opening hours can undergo some variations.

Krajewski also reveals that together with his group of helpers, he goes out every evening with food packs and water bottles as many soup kitchens close down for the summer as well.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-meets-with-altar-servers-in-st-peters-square

Pope meets with altar servers in St Peter's Square
2015-08-04 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met Tuesday with thousands of altar servers from around Europe. The encounter in Saint Peter’s Square was part of the ninth International Pilgrimage of Acolytes and Altar Servers.

In his prepared remarks, Pope Francis reflected on the theme of this year’s pilgrimage, “Here I am: Send me!” The Holy Father told the young people, “It is important to realize that being close to Jesus and knowing him in the Eucharist through your service at the altar, enables you to open yourselves to others, to journey together, to set demanding goals and to find the strength to achieve them.”

The International Pilgrimage of Altar Servers, which takes place every five years, is organized by the group Coetus Internationalis Ministrantium, a group that includes representatives from countries throughout Europe, including Germany, Italy, and France, as well as smaller countries such as Croatia, Luxembourg, Serbia, and Slovakia. The international pilgrimage allows altar servers to take part in a unique experience for their service, and helps them to discover the diversity of the universal Church.

Address of Pope Francis
 to the International Pilgrimage of Altar Servers
Saint Peter’s Square, 4 August 2015
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_2Mzmlb460
Celebration of Vespers with the Altar Servers - 2015.08.04

[grace-land]

http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/sinodo-famiglia-42652/

08/ 3/2015
Müller: Synod must address family issue without reducing the word of Jesus

The upcoming October Synod on the family will need to deal with “the challenge of finding pastoral solutions to ensure a stronger integration of people in difficult situations into the community”, without “reducing the word of Jesus and the teaching of the Church”. This is according to Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith who, in a pre-August interview with Katholish.de confirmed that the Vatican dicastery will deal with Medjugorje in the autumn, revealed that there are no “major updates” regarding the Lefebvrians and he praised the Pope’s “Laudato Si’” encyclical and his visit to Latin America which demonstrated the Church’s commitment to “a real liberation theology”. In light of the controversy that broke out after a statement suggesting that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith had the task of “theologically structuring” Francis’ pontificate, he gave the following assurance: “Personally, loyalty to the Pope lies deep within my heart and has done so throughout my life.”

“In our age, questions relating to marriage and the family have gained fresh relevance,” said the German cardinal in view of October’s Ordinary Synod. We must help people, including Catholics, to gain a renewed understanding of the meaning of marriage and publicly committing oneself to another person. There needs to be a review of the preparation and guidance processes for marriage. The Church needs to address the family again and the family needs to open up to the Church again. Then there are the well-known issues linked to pastoral guidance for people in difficult situations: here, the challenge the Church faces is finding pastoral solutions to ensure a stronger integration of people in difficult situations into the community”, without “reducing the word of Jesus and the teaching of the Church. The family is vital for the future of the Church and of society.”
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/cardinal-sandri-inaugurates-greek-melkite-co-cathe

Cardinal Sandri inaugurates Greek Melkite Co-cathedral in Los Angeles
2015-08-04 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, on Saturday elevated the Church of Saint Anne in Los Angeles to the level of Co-cathedral of the Catholic Eparchy of Newton of the Greek Melkites.

Bishop Nicholas Samra, the Eparch of Newton, was present at the celebration, as well as the Archbishop of Los Angeles, Jose Gomez.

In his message during the Liturgy, Cardinal Sandri recalled the suffering and persecution of Christians in the Middle East, likening it to California’s Northridge Earthquake of 1994, which damaged the Church of St. Anne in Los Angeles.

He said “It seems that for too many years your motherland, the Middle East, has been shaken to its foundations by an earthquake which seems, not only never to end, but actually to increase its intensity from day to day. It carries with it sorrow and suffering, especially for the littlest and poorest, among whom are many of our brothers and sisters in the faith.”

Please find below Cardinal Sandri's full message:

Message of Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, during the Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the erecting of the Co-cathedral of the Eparchy of Newton of the Greek Melkites, Church of Saint Anne, Los Angeles,

Saturday, 1 August, 2015

Your Excellency Msgr. Samra,
Your Excellencies,Msgr. Gomez, Msgr. Zaidan,
Your Grace the Syriac Orthodox Metropolite,
Reverend Father Fouad, Rector of the Church,
Reverend priests, sisters and brothers in the Lord!

We have heard the homily of Bishop Nicolas which helps us to live fully this Divine Liturgy, by which is rendered effective the decision of the Holy Father Francis to elevate this Church to co-cathedral of the Eparchy of Newton of the Greek Melkites.
 

[Sister]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/08/03/st_pio_of_pietrelcina_in_st_peter’s_for_jubilee_ash_wed/1162745

Reliquary of St. Pio of Pietrelcina in St. Peter’s for Jubilee Ash Wednesday
03/08/2015 15:30


Remains of St. Pio of Pietrelcina in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
(Vatican Radio)  The Vatican announced on Monday that the remains of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, better known as Padre Pio, will be exposed for veneration in St. Peter's Basilica during the Jubilee of Mercy from 8-14 February 2016.

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, wrote in a letter to the Archdiocese of Manfredonia-Vieste-San Giovanni Rotondo it was Pope Francis who desired that Padre Pio's reliquary be present in the Vatican for Ash Wednesday of the Jubilee of Mercy. 

"The Holy Father has expressed his strong desire that the remains of St. Pio of Pietrelcina be exposed in St. Peter's Basilica for Ash Wednesday of the upcoming Extraordinary Holy Year, the day in which he will send 'Missionaries of Mercy' throughout the world, giving them a special mandate to preach and confess so that they may be a living sign of how the Father welcomes all who seek his pardon," Archbishop Fisichella wrote.
 

what a Holy moment this will be!
thanks for all the postings -- I do read them.

 

[grace-land]

Sister!  Always good to "see" you here!
It will be a blessed opportunity for the pilgrims and visitors on Ash Wednesday.

In case you are not familiar with Padre Pio, Saint Pio, here is a link to his biography:  https://www.ewtn.com/padrepio/man/biography.htm

ps:  Continuing to keep you, Connie, and George in my prayers. 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-divorced-and-remarried-people-not-excommunica

Pope: divorced and remarried people not excommunicated
2015-08-05 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis resumed his General Audiences on Wednesday, following the summer holiday. In his catechesis, the Holy Father continued his teaching on the family, reflecting on the situation of those who have divorced and entered into a second union.

“The Church knows well,” he said, “that such a situation contradicts the Christian Sacrament.” However, he continued, the Church, as a Mother, always seeks the good and salvation of all her children. The Pope said it is important for the Church to foster a true welcome for these families in our communities. The Church must always show her pastoral care for those in such situations, especially the children.

Pope Francis noted that the Church in recent decades has developed a greater awareness of the need to be welcoming toward the divorced and re-married. He emphasized that they are still part of the Church – they are not excommunicated, and should not be treated as such, but rather must be encouraged, with their families, to participate in the Church’s life: through prayer, listening to the Word of God, the Christian education of their children, and service to the poor. He pointed to the words of Pope Benedict XVI, who called for careful discernment and wise pastoral accompaniment, while recognizing that there are no “simple solutions” to the difficulties wounded families face.
 

http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/general-audience-on-wounded-families
GENERAL AUDIENCE: On Wounded Families
Vatican City,  August 05, 2015

Here is a ZENIT translation of the Pope’s address at the general audience held this morning in St. Peter’s Square.
* * *
Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning!

With this catechesis we take up again our reflection on the family. After speaking last time of wounded families caused by the misunderstanding of spouses, today I would like to focus our attention on another reality: how to take care of those that, following the irreversible failure of their marital bond, have undertaken a new union.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-highlights-religious-freedom-and-marr

Pope Francis highlights religious freedom and marriage in message to K of C
2015-08-05 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent his good wishes to the Knights of Columbus who are currently holding their the 133rd Supreme Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In a message signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin and addressed to the Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Carl Anderson, Pope Francis assured his closeness in prayer to all the participants who are looking at the theme “Endowed by their Creator with Life and Liberty”.

Below find the message addressed to the Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Carl Anderson and signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin

Dear Mr Anderson,

His Holiness Pope Francis has been informed that from 4 to 6 August 2015, the 133rd Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  He has asked me to convey his warm good wishes to all present, together with the assurance of his closeness in prayer.

As he prepares to visit Philadelphia next month for the Eighth World Meeting of Families, the Holy Father expresses deep appreciation for the steadfast public witness which your Order has borne to our Christian understanding of marriage and the family.  Elevated by the Savior to the dignity of a sacrament, marriage is, in the Creator’s plan, a natural institution, a life-long covenant of love and fidelity between a man and a woman, directed to their perfection and sanctification, and to the future of our human family.  Today, when the institution of marriage is under attack from powerful cultural forces, the faithful are called to bear witness to this basic truth of biblical faith and natural law, which is essential to the wise and just ordering of society.  In meeting the moral, social and political challenges of the present hour, great wisdom and perseverance will be required of them – “the patience of the saints, who keep the commandments of God and hold fast to their faith in Jesus” (Rev 14:12).
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/08/06/the_pope_appeals_for_action_against_persecution_of_christian/1163441

The Pope appeals for action against persecution of Christians
06/08/2015 15:25

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis has appealed to the international community to take action against the continuing persecution of Christians and religious minorities.

In a letter addressed to the Auxiliary Bishop of Jerusalem and Patriarchal Vicar in Jordan, Maroun Lahham, Pope Francis has expressed his solidarity with the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi refugees in Jordan who have fled persecution describing them as the martyrs of today.

Upon the invitation of Archbishop Lahham and of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Fouwad Toual, the Secretary General of the Italian Episcopal Conference, Archbishop Nunzio Galantino is currently visiting Jordan to mark the 1st anniversary of the arrival of Iraqi refugees in the nation.

During his visit, Archbishop Galantino will participate in a number of meetings and events and will visit some refugee camps.

Please find below Vatican Radio’s translation of the Pope’s letter:
 

[grace-land]

http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/2330/0/vatican-picks-music-by-english-composer-paul-inwood-as-official-year-of-mercy-hymn

Vatican picks music by English composer Paul Inwood as official Year of Mercy hymn
06 August 2015 17:40 by Liz Dodd

The Vatican has chosen a composition by English Catholic composer Paul Inwood to be the official setting for the hymn of the Holy Year of Mercy.

Mr Inwood’s setting was judged the best entry in an international competition organised by The Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation and judged by a committee that included Mgr Massimo Palombella, Director of the Sistine Chapel Choir.

The hymn, which is available in Italian, English and French, has been recorded with the Sistine Chapel Choir and the support of Vatican Radio.

The text, which runs to four verses, has a Latin antiphon and refrains.

Mr Inwood, a former Director of Liturgy for the Diocese of Portsmouth, said that his setting was inspired by music from the Taizé Community, the ecumenical monastic order from France that uses a contemplative, repetitive style of music to enhance prayer and meditation.

Of his setting Mr Inwood said: “I deliberately kept the music very simple so that even the smallest parishes can hopefully make use of it.”
 
To hear the hymn...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N0Dto5s9fg#t=99
Inno ufficiale del Giubileo della Misericordia
Published on Aug 5, 2015

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2015/pope-talks-to-youths-about-discernment.cfm

Pope talks to youths about discernment, grandparents, Eucharist
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
8.7.2015 9:25 AM ET

Pope Francis smiles as he greets a young woman during a special audience with members of the Eucharistic Youth Movement in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Aug. 7. (CNS photo/Tony Gentile, Reuters) See POPE-DISCERNMENT Aug. 7, 2015

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Following Jesus and doing the right thing gives believers a sense of peace, but sometimes "it comes wrapped in the cross," Pope Francis told a group of teenagers and young adults.

Asked Aug. 7 what his greatest challenge was as a Jesuit, Pope Francis responded that it was and continues to be "discernment," prayerfully seeking God's will and doing it, which gives one a sense of peace.

About 1,500 members of the Eucharistic Youth Movement from 35 countries were meeting in Rome Aug. 4-10. The movement is the junior affiliate of the Apostleship of Prayer, a Jesuit-run outreach that has brought Catholics the popes' monthly prayer intentions since 1890.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-approves-decree-of-martyrdom

Pope approves decree of martyrdom
2015-08-08 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) On Saturday morning, Pope Francis received Cardinal Angelo Amato, S.D.B., Prefect for the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in a private audience. In the course of the audience, the Holy Father authorized the Congregation to promulgate the decree regarding the martyrdom of the Servant of God Flavien-Michel Malké, of the Fraternity of St Ephrem, Eparch of Gazireh of the Syrians.
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/08/08/pope_names_new_personal_physician_/1163830

Pope names new personal physician
08/08/2015 12:16

(Vatican Radio) The Holy Father has named as his personal physician Dr Fabrizio Soccorsi, Chief emeritus of Hepatology at the San Camillo Hospital in Rome, and Consultant for the Department of Health and Welfare of the Governorate of the Vatican City State.

Dr Soccorsi was born 2 February 1942 in Rome, where he still resides. He graduated with a degree in Medicine and Surgery from “La Sapienza” University in Rome in 1968, and the following year attained the requisite qualifications for the exercise of his profession. He has had a full professional and teaching career, culminating in his position as Chief of the Department for Hepatology and Director of the Department for Illnesses of the Liver, the Digestive System and Nutrition and of the Department of Internal and Specialized Medicine at the San Camillo Forlanini Hospital in Rome.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-repulsion-of-hiroshima-nagasaki-attac

Pope Francis: Revulsion of Hiroshima & Nagasaki attacks
2015-08-09 Vatican Radio

(Pope Francis)  Pope Francis on Sunday recalled the 70th anniversary of the "terrible" atomic bomb attacks on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, saying this tragic event "still arouses horror and revulsion" in us many years later. The Pope said these attacks have become the symbol of the enormous destructive power of humanity when it makes a distorted use of scientific and technical progress and serves as a lasting warning to us. Turning to the situation in El Salvador, Pope Francis spoke of his deep concern for the suffering of the population there as a result of the famine, the economic crisis and growing violence. 

His remarks came in an appeal following the Angelus prayer addressed to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square. In his earlier Angelus address, the Pope spoke of how faith only blooms if we allow our hearts to be opened by God’s love.

Please find below a translation in English of the Pope’s appeal and a summary of his earlier Angelus address:
 

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2015/pope-designates-sept-1-as-world-day-of-prayer-for-care-of-creation.cfm

Pope designates Sept. 1 as World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
8.10.2015 9:39 AM ET

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Like their Orthodox brothers and sisters, Catholics formally will mark Sept. 1 as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, Pope Francis has decided.

The day of prayer, the pope said, will give individuals and communities an opportunity to implore God's help in protecting creation and an opportunity to ask God's forgiveness "for sins committed against the world in which we live."

Pope Francis announced his decision to add the annual prayer day to the Catholic calendar in a letter to Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and to Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

The text of the letter, dated Aug. 6, was released by the Vatican Aug. 10.

Pope Francis said he was instituting the prayer day for Catholics because he shares the concern of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who initiated a similar prayer day for the Orthodox Church in 1989.
 

http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-letter-for-institution-of-world-day-of-prayer-for-the-care-of-creation
Pope's Letter for Institution of World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Vatican City,  August 10, 2015

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/08/11/pope_francis_chooses_2016_world_peace_day_theme/1164387

Pope Francis chooses 2016 World Peace Day theme
11/08/2015 14:35

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis has announced the theme of the Message for the Church’s 49th World Day of Peace that will be celebrated on 1st January 2016 is: Overcome Indifference and Win Peace.

Please find below a communique released by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace which explains why the Pope chose this theme for the 2016 World Day of Peace:

Overcome Indifference and win Peace will be the title of the Message for the 49th World Day of Peace, the third of the papacy of Pope Francis. Indifference in regard to the scourges of our time is one of the fundamental causes of the lack of peace. Today, indifference is often linked to various forms of individualism which cause isolation, ignorance, selfishness and, therefore, lack of interest and commitment. Increase of information does not mean per se an increase of attention to the problems, if it is not accompanied by solidarity-based openness of conscience. To this end, it is essential the contribution that can provide–besides the family–educators, teachers, people of culture, media practitioners, intellectuals and artists. Indifference can be won only responding together to this challenge.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-audience-reflection-on-celebration-wo

Pope Francis: Audience reflection on celebration, work and prayer
2015-08-12 Vatican Radio


(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held his weekly General Audience on Wednesday morning in the Paul VI Hall. The Holy Father dedicated his catechetical reflection once again to the family, opening a new phase in the series of reflections on the family, to three specific facets of family life: celebration, work and prayer.

“It is God himself who teaches us the importance of dedicating time to contemplating and enjoying the fruits of our labours, not only in our employment or profession, but through every action by which we as men and women cooperate in God’s creative work, even in times of difficulty,” said Pope Francis. The Pope went on to note that, even in the workplace, we celebrate – a birthday, a marriage, a new baby, a farewell or a welcome, and that true moments of celebration make us pause from our work, because they remind us that we are made in the image and likeness of God, who is not a slave to work, but the Lord of work. “So,” he said, “we must never be slaves to work but rather its master.” Nevertheless, “We know that millions of men and women, even children, are slaves to work.  The obsession with economic profit and technical efficiency puts the human rhythms of life at risk,” he continued.

Pope Francis concluded his reflection with a focus on the need to recover attunement to the rhythms of life, which are found most especially in the sense of the sacred that at once draws to and flows from Sunday, the day of rest, and its centerpiece, the Eucharistic celebration. “Moments of rest, especially on Sunday, are sacred because in them we find God,” said Pope Francis, adding that the Sunday Eucharist brings to our celebrations every grace of Jesus Christ: his presence, his love and his sacrifice; his forming us into a community, and his way of being with us. “Everything is transfigured by his grace: work, family, the joys and trials of each day, even our sufferings and death,” he continued.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/the-angelus-on-the-assumption-for-the-first-time-i

The Angelus on the Assumption for the first time in St Peter’s Square
2015-08-13 L’Osservatore Romano

“Mary is full of grace. She is a sure refuge for us in times of temptation”. With this Tweet posted on @Pontifexon Thursday, 13 August, Pope Francis called for a climate of reflection on Mary, on the vigil of the Solemnity of the Assumption.

On the occasion of the Marian feast, at midday on Saturday, 15 August, the Pontiff will guide the recitation of the Angelus in St Peter’s Square. It marks a first: during the occasion in 2014, Francis was on a pastoral visit to Korea, while in 2013 he was at Castel Gandolfo to celebrate Mass and meet with employees of the Papal Villas.