Pope Francis

[grace-land]

An early morning surprise...   

http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/francesco-francisco-francis-sarto-42927/

08/22/2015
Pope joins faithful at altar of St. Pius X


The Pope at mass with the faithful (Photo by Nicola Rosetti - by Il Sismografo)

“I am a devotee of St. Pius X…” This is how Francis explained his presence among the faithful in the chapel dedicated to St. Pius X to Mgr. Lucio Bonora. The chapel, located in St. Peter’s Basilica, houses the relics of the late Venetian Pope. Lucio Bonora is a prelate from Treviso in northern Italy who works in the Secretariat of State and is a scholar of St. Pius X. On Friday 21 August, the day the Church commemorates St. Pius X, Francis celebrated a private early morning mass and entered the Basilica to pray at the tomb of his predecessor. At 7, while he was kneeling down at the altar, Fr. Bonora began his own mass celebration. When he entered the chapel, he saw about 50 or so faithful and lo and behold, the Pope was there too. According to the website of Treviso’s diocesan weekly La Vita del Popolo, Francis decided to stay for the mass celebration. He rose from the pew to exchange the embrace of peace and got in line to receive communion, followed by a moment of worship when Francis gave thanks kneeling. “At the end, the celebrant invited those who had rushed over in great numbers, to entrust all the needs of their families and the Church, particularly his (St. Pius X’s) successor, Pope Francis, to St. Pius X,” La Vita del Popolo writes. After mass, Francis confided to Mgr. Bonora that he had prayed for catechists in particular. In Argentina, St. Pius X, the “catechism Pope”, is the patron saint of catechists. As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, on the feast day of St. Pius X, the now Pope would meet catechists from the diocese. “I came to say a private prayer,” Francis told Bonora, “because I celebrated mass early, but then I saw you coming to the altar to celebrate and I decided to stay… I told you I’m a devotee of St. Pius X.”
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-who-is-jesus-for-me

Pope Francis: Who is Jesus for me?
2015-08-23 Vatican Radio


(Vatican Radio) “Who is Jesus for me?” At the end of his Angelus address on Sunday, Pope Francis called on the faithful to ask themselves this question. “Who is Jesus for me? Is He simply a name? an idea? A person from history? Or is He really someone who loves me, Who gave His life for me, and walks with me?”

The Pope asked if we would remain with Jesus, referring back to the day’s Gospel. In Sunday’s reading, some of Jesus’ disciples left Him, because He had disappointed their expectations of a worldly Messiah, a leader that would be immediately successful. But Jesus said He was the Bread come down from Heaven, Who would give His Flesh for food and His Blood for drink – clearly pointing to the sacrifice of His own life. The disciples who left Jesus misunderstood the “disturbing language” of the Master.

But Peter confessed his faith, and that of the other Apostles: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Pope Francis said Peter’s question – to whom shall we go – reveals that the problem is not one of leaving and abandoning the work one has begun, but is rather a question about a person: “To whom shall we go?” From Peter’s question, the Pope said, “we understand that faithfulness to God is a question about faithfulness to a person.” All that we have in this world, he continued “will not satisfy our hunger for the infinite. We need Jesus, we need to remain with Him, to nourish ourselves at His table, on His words of eternal life.”
 
http://www.news.va/en/news/angelus-address-full-text
Angelus address: Full text
2015-08-23 Vatican Radio

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-calls-for-peace-in-ukraine-ahead-of-independence-day-14951/

Pope calls for peace in Ukraine ahead of Independence Day

Vatican City, Aug 23, 2015 / 07:57 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Sunday the Holy Father again pleaded for peace in Ukraine as the nation faces ongoing cease-fire violations in a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives since early last year.

“With concern, I am following the conflict in eastern Ukraine, which has again worsened in recent weeks,” the pontiff said Aug. 23 during his weekly Angelus address.

“I renew my appeal that the commitments undertaken to bring about peace may be respected, and with the help of organizations and persons of good will, they might respond to the humanitarian emergency of the country.”

The Pope made these remarks from the papal palace to pilgrims and visitors gathered in Saint Peter's Square, one day ahead of Ukraine's national Independence Day.

The Holy Father's words come amid ongoing cease-fire violations, with one person having been killed and four others injured in clashes in Donetsk in the last 24 hours, according to Reuters.

Ukraine is also preparing for a parliamentary vote on Aug. 31 to amend their constitution and grant special status to regions in eastern Ukraine with pro-Russian leanings, the agency reported.
 

[Sister]

http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2015/through-the-holy-door-vatican-to-have-pilgrim-reservation-system.cfm

Through the Holy Door: Vatican to have pilgrim reservation system
8.21.2015 9:26 AM ET


CNS photo/Paul Haring
The Holy Door is pictured in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 13. Drawing on the experience of the public exposition of the Shroud of Turin, Vatican officials are adopting a reservation system for pilgrims who want to cross the threshold of the Holy Door during the Year of Mercy. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) See HOLY-DOOR-RESERVATIONS Aug. 21, 2015.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Drawing on the experience of the public exposition of the Shroud of Turin, Vatican officials are adopting a reservation system for pilgrims who want to cross the threshold of the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica during the Year of Mercy.

The free, online registration will not be activated until October, but in late August the Vatican published a brief explanation of the plan on www.im.va, which is the website for the Year of Mercy that begins Dec. 8.

"Since a large number of pilgrims is anticipated, it is strongly recommended that pilgrims register their arrival in Rome and the possible times at which they wish to make their pilgrimage," the notice said. People with special needs, particularly regarding mobility, can enter that information on the reservation form and be assured of assistance when they arrive.
 
The Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica is located to the right of the basilica's main entrance; between Holy Years it remains sealed with bricks as a symbolic reminder of the barrier of sin between human beings and God.

At the beginning of a Holy Year, the pope opens the door to signal the opening of a special year of grace and pardon.

wow!  to step across that threshold . . .

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/08/24/pope_sends_greetings_to_waldensian_synod/1167032

Pope sends greetings to Waldensian synod
24/08/2015 10:11

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis, through his Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, has sent greetings to a synod of the Waldensian and Methodist Church. The synod is meeting from 23-28 August in Torre Pellice, near Turin, Italy.

In a telegram addressed to the local Catholic Bishop, Cardinal Parolin assured the participants in the synod of the Pope’s spiritual closeness. Pope Francis, he said, promised “a fervent remembrance in his prayers, that the Lord may grant to all Christians the joy of journeying with sincerity of heart toward full communion, in order to bear witness to Jesus Christ and to His Gospel, 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-to-parents-find-time-for-prayer-in-busy-famil

Pope to parents: find time for prayer in busy family life
2015-08-26 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday continued his reflections on family life, focusing especially on the importance of finding time for prayer.

Greeting visitors from many different countries, gathered for the weekly General Audience in St Peter’s Square, the Pope said families often experience difficulty in devoting time for prayer. But he said a heart filled with the love of God can make even a silent thought or small gesture of devotion into a moment of prayer.

Pope Francis noted that family life is complicated and time consuming: parents, he said, should win Nobel prizes for the way they manage to squeeze 48 hours’ work into just 24 hours! But if we truly love God with all our hearts, and all our mind, and all our strength, he said, we will discover that the heart of prayer is the love of God, who constantly caresses us with his love.

The Pope urged parents to teach their children to pray, to read the bible and to make the sign of the Cross so that their homes may become places where Jesus always finds a warm welcome

Please find below the English summary of Pope Francis’ remarks at the Wednesday General Audience
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-to-lead-liturgy-for-world-day-of-prayer-for-c

Pope to lead liturgy for World Day of Prayer for Creation
2015-08-26 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) At the end of his weekly General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis recalled that next Tuesday, September 1st, the Church will mark the first World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. Following in the footsteps of the Orthodox Church, Catholics are encouraged to organize prayer and practical initiatives to combat the environmental crisis facing our planet.

Noting that local Churches around the world are planning events to reflect on the ways our lifestyles impact the environment, the Pope said he will be joining bishops, priests, religious and lay people from 5pm in St Peter's Basilica for a special Liturgy of the Word, 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-letter-to-hebrew-speaking-catholic-co

Pope Francis: letter to Hebrew-speaking Catholic community
2015-08-26 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has written a letter to Fr. David Neuhaus, SJ, who heads the St. James Vicariate for Hebrew-speaking Catholics in Israel, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Vicariate as the Work of St. James – so named after the Apostle who led the Church at Jerusalem in the founding generation. Signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, the letters states, “The Holy Father was pleased to learn of the celebrations marking the sixtieth anniversary of the Apostolate of Saint James and he sends cordial good wishes to you and the priests, religious and Hebrew speaking Catholics of the Saint James Vicariate.”

The letter goes on to promise prayers for the continued and constant spiritual renewal of the Vicariate and its members. “In this way, not only will the Vicariate community be strengthened,” the letter reads, “it will also become an ever more effective instrument of dialogue and peace within broader society and a sign of Christ’s love for those most in need.”

Please find the text of the letter in Enlgish, below
 

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-pope-did-not-endorse-gay-penguin-book-51835/

Vatican: Pope did not endorse 'gay penguin' book

Vatican City, Aug 28, 2015 / 11:52 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Vatican has rejected claims in the media that Pope Francis is supporting a book on gay adoption, saying a letter responding to the author should not be interpreted as an endorsement.

In responding to the author’s letter, the Vatican Secretariat of State did not intend in any way to support “behavior and teachings which are not in accordance with the Gospel,” and using the Vatican response to imply otherwise “is completely out of place,” said Fr. Ciro Benedettini, deputy director of the Holy See Press Office, Aug. 28.

The Holy See statement came in response to a media frenzy following reports that Francesca Pardi, author of a children’s book supporting gay adoption, received a letter from Pope Francis that allegedly encouraged her to keep up her work.

Pardi’s book is titled “Piccolo uovo” – in Italian, “Little egg.” It includes the story of two gay penguins who adopt a baby penguin, among other non-traditional animal families.
 
http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-didn-t-bless-gender-theory-children-s-books
Pope Didn't Bless ‘Gender Theory’ Children's Books
Italy,  August 28, 2015

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/former-nuncio-awaiting-vatican-trial-died-of-natural-causes-autopsy-says-52119/

Former nuncio awaiting Vatican trial died of natural causes, autopsy says

Vatican City, Aug 29, 2015 / 10:48 am (Aid to the Church in Need).- Initial autopsy findings indicate that disgraced former apostolic nuncio Jozef Wesolowski died of natural causes from a “cardiac event,” the Vatican announced Saturday.

The laicized archbishop was awaiting trial by the Vatican court for possessing child pornography and sexual abuse of minors when he died late Thursday evening at the age of 67.

Wesolowski's death prompted the Office of the Vatican’s Promoter of Justice, also known as the Vatican prosecutor, to order an autopsy..

According to a Vatican statement released Aug. 29, the autopsy was conducted Friday afternoon. Based on “preliminary conclusions from the macroscopic exam,” the autopsy “confirmed the natural cause of death, attributable to a cardiac event,” the statement said.
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/08/30/pope_francis_at_angelus_pray_for_pure,_whole_hearts/1168443

Pope Francis at Angelus: pray for pure, whole hearts
30/08/2015 15:00

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis prayed the Angelus with pilgrims and tourists gathered in St Peter’s Square on Sunday. In remarks to the faithful ahead of the traditional prayer of Marian devotion, the Holy Father reflected on the Gospel reading for this Sunday, August 30, the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, taken from the 7th Chapter of the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. The reading recounts the questions certain Scribes and Pharisees put to Our Lord, regarding His and the disciples’ observance of certain long-standing customs – or their lack of observance – specifically concerning practices associated with ritual purity.

“The literal observance of precepts,” explained Pope Francis, “will be fruitless if [said observance] does not change the heart and does not translate into concrete attitudes: opening oneself to encounter with God and His Word in prayer; to seeking justice and peace; to assisting the poor, the weak, the oppressed.” The Holy Father went on to say, “We all know, in our communities, in our parishes, in our neighborhoods, how much harm do people do to the Church, how much scandal do they give, who say they are Catholic and very often go to church, but later, in their daily lives, neglect the family, speak ill of others and so on. This is what Jesus condemned, for this is a Christian counter-witness.”
 
http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/angelus-address-on-converting-the-heart
ANGELUS ADDRESS: On Converting the Heart
Vatican City,  August 30, 2015

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/08/30/pope_francis_appeals_for_persecuted_christians,_migrants/1168416

Pope Francis: Angelus appeals for persecuted Christians, migrants
30/08/2015 12:40

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis issued a twofold appeal on Sunday: for persecuted Christians and for all persons forced to flee their homes in search of a peaceful and secure existence in foreign lands. Recalling the beatification on Saturday in Harissa, Lebanon, of the martyred Syrian Catholic Bishop Flavyānus Mikhayil Melkī, Eparch of Gazarta – or what is Cizre in modern-day Turkey, who was killed in Gazarta during the sayfo or “putting to the sword” of Syrians in 1915, after he refused to convert to Islam, Pope Francis said, “Even today, in the Middle East and other parts of the world, Christians are persecuted,” and expressed the hope that the beatification of this Bishop Martyr might instill in them consolation, courage and hope. The Holy Father went on to say, “Let it also be a stimulus to legislators and government leaders to guarantee religious freedom everywhere, and to the international community to put an end to the violence and oppression.”

Pope Francis also asked the faithful to pray especially for the migrants, who have lost their lives while in flight from situations of persecution, instability, and even social and economic failure, in search of a better life. Promising continued prayers of his own as well for all the victims, the Pope joined himself especially to the prayers of the Church in Austria – represented at the Angelus by the Cardinal-Archbishop of Vienna, Christoph Schönborn – for the seventy-one people who perished inside a truck found on the side of the highway connecting Vienna and Budapest this past week. “We entrust each of them to the mercy of God,” said Pope Francis, “and we ask Him to help us to work together effectively to prevent these crimes, which offend the entire human family.”

Below, please find Vatican Radio’s translation  of the full text of the Holy Father’s appeals
 

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/catholic-practice-and-catholic-faith-a-survey-looks-at-the-us-24855/

Catholic practice and Catholic faith: a survey looks at the US

Philadelphia, Pa., Aug 30, 2015 / 06:08 am (CNA/EWTN News).- What do practicing Catholics believe? A new U.S. survey has answered this question by breaking down the similarities and differences these Catholics have with non-practicing Catholics and with Americans as a whole.

“It should come as no surprise that Catholics who regularly attend Mass support the Church’s position in the greatest numbers,” Supreme Knight Carl Anderson of the Knights of Columbus said Aug. 26. “But to measure accurately what Catholics really believe, this survey highlights the importance of looking at the level of Catholic practice in this country when discussing Catholics’ opinions on issues.”

Pope Francis is popular with the American public ahead of his September visit. About 60 percent of Americans approve of Pope Francis, as do 70 percent of Catholics and 83 percent of practicing Catholics, the Knights of Columbus-Marist Poll said.

About 90 percent or more of practicing Catholics said it is important to pray daily, to follow the teachings of the Church, to receive the sacraments, and to attend Mass regularly.

By comparison, only 42 percent of non-practicing Catholics said regular Mass attendance is important, while 61 percent said receiving the sacraments is important. About 79 percent of non-practicing Catholics said daily prayer is important, while only 70 percent said the same of following Church teaching.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.thecompassnews.org/2015/08/pope-holds-virtual-town-hall-with-abc-and-catholics-in-3-cities/

Pope holds ‘virtual town hall’ with ABC News and Catholics in 3 cities
By Catholic News Service
August 31, 2015

WASHINGTON — Pope Francis held a “virtual town hall” with Catholics in Chicago, Los Angeles and McAllen, Texas, in advance of his Sept. 22-27 visit to the United States.

The town hall was arranged by ABC News, which was to air portions of the meeting during its “World News Tonight” program Aug. 31, with an hourlong version of its “20/20” newsmagazine called “Pope Francis & the People” airing 10-11 p.m. EDT Sept. 4. ABC News said the event would also the event will be posted in its entirety in both English and Spanish on abcnews.com.

Pope Francis engaged via satellite with students at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago, homeless men and women and those working with homeless people in Los Angeles, and members of a McAllen parish located near the U.S.-Mexico border.

“We were allowed inside the Vatican for an hour with Pope Francis, where he greeted us as he prepared for his trip,” said David Muir, “World News Tonight” anchor, in a 90-second “special report” that aired midday on ABC.

“He told me he’s ready, and he delivered a couple of messages to the American people before his historic visit, saying, ‘For me it is very important to meet with all of you, the citizens of the United States, who have your history, your culture, your virtues, your joys, your sadness, your problems, like everyone else. That’s why this trip is important, for me to draw close to you, in your path, your history,'” Muir said of the pope.
 

[grace-land]

http://americamagazine.org/issue/pope-francis-holds-virtual-town-hall-abc-news-0

Pope Francis Holds 'Virtual Town Hall' with ABC News
Aug 31 2015 - 4:50pm | Catholic News Service


David Muir of ABC's 'World News Tonight' with Pope Francis in Rome

[grace-land]

Video of preview of the program at the link

http://abcnews.go.com/International/watch-chicago-teen-sings-pope-francis/story?id=33442116

Watch: Chicago Teen Sings for Pope Francis
Aug 31, 2015, 7:32 PM ET

The day turned out to be extra special for Chicago, Illinois, student Valerie Herrera, who had the opportunity to sing before Pope Francis today.

Herrera, 17, a senior at Cristo Bey Jesuit High School, joined Americans chosen from all over the U.S. in a virtual audience with the pope via satellite. The event was moderated from inside the Vatican by ABC News' anchor David Muir.

Pope Francis Holds Virtual Audience With Americans in ABC News Event Ahead of US Visit

Pope Francis spoke today with three groups, including students from Cristo Rey on the southwest side of Chicago.
 

[Sister]

grace-land -- looking forward to your posting of the Pope's thoughts of forgiveness during the Year of Jubilee.  This will heal so many hearts -- I've read so much criticism already -- but I feel that is what Jesus would say.  It makes my heart sing with gladness for so many women.
 

[grace-land]

grace-land -- looking forward to your posting of the Pope's thoughts of forgiveness during the Year of Jubilee.  This will heal so many hearts -- I've read so much criticism already -- but I feel that is what Jesus would say.  It makes my heart sing with gladness for so many women.
 

 
Sister, I have looked at articles, and there is much misinformation regarding the letter about the forgiveness during the Holy Year of Mercy. The Vatican has already responded with clarifications.  I'll try to find articles that explain and clarify his letter.

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-christian-comfort-is-in-jesus-not-in

Pope Francis: Christian comfort is in Jesus not in chatter
2015-09-01 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis said Christians should comfort each other through good works and kind words and not with useless chatter. He was speaking on Tuesday (1st September) during his homily at his first morning mass at the Santa Marta residence since the summer break.

Taking his inspiration from the St Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians about the need for a strong faith and hope in a final meeting with Christ, the Pope noted that the apostle wrote that the day of the Lord can arrive without warning “like a thief” but Jesus is coming to bring salvation to those who believe in Him. My advice, he said, is to comfort each other and help each other and this comfort will give you hope.

“This is my advice, ‘comfort each other.’ Speak about this: but I’m asking you: do we speak about this, that the Lord will come and will we meet Him? Or do we speak about so many things, including theology, things about the Church, priests, religious sisters, monsignors, all this?  And is this hope our comfort? ‘Comfort each other,’ comfort those in the community. In our community, in our parishes, are we speaking about this that we’re waiting for the Lord who comes?  Or are we instead chattering about this and that to help pass the time and not get too bored?”
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-leads-liturgy-for-day-of-prayer-for-care-of-c

Pope leads liturgy for Day of Prayer for Care of Creation
2015-09-01 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Tuesday marked his first World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation in Saint Peter’s Basilica with the celebration of a Liturgy of the Word.

The liturgical celebration for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation began with the canticle from the Book of Daniel, where all of creation is called upon to praise the Lord. In addition to readings from  Genesis and the Gospel of Saint Matthew, there was a reading from Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato si’, which concluded with a passage from St Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Sun.

The homily during the liturgy was proclaimed by Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, the Preacher of the Pontifical Household. Father Cantalamessa focused three themes taken from the readings: “Fill the earth and subdue it”; “Whether or not to be concerned for tomorrow”; and “What Saint Francis can teach us.”
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbYPI9tlAcE
Liturgy of the Word - 2015.09.01
Streamed live on Sep 1, 2015
In the Occasion of the first World Day of Prayer for the care of creation, Pope Francis presides over the Liturgy of the Word