Pope Francis

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http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/christians-can-find-unity-in-suffering-pope-francis-tells-evangelicals-in-car-63345/

Christians can find unity in suffering, Pope Francis tells Evangelicals in CAR

Central Africans gathered in Bangui to greet Pope Francis, Nov. 29, 2015. Credit: Martha Calderon/CNA.
Bangui, Central African Republic, Nov 29, 2015 / 09:05 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The path to Christian unity includes shared suffering, Pope Francis told the Central African Republic’s evangelical Christian communities on Sunday, exhorting them to continue showing charity amid war and violence.

“God makes no distinctions between those who suffer. I have often called this the ecumenism of blood. All our communities suffer indiscriminately as a result of injustice and the blind hatred unleashed by the devil,” he said Nov. 29.

He especially expressed his closeness to a pastor whose home, which served as a meeting place for his community church, was ransacked and set on fire.
 
http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-meets-with-evangelical-leaders-full-t
Pope Francis meets with Evangelical leaders: Full text
2015-11-29 Vatican Radio

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http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2015/pope-in-bangui-open-the-doors-of-mercy-counter-violence-with-love.cfm

Pope in Bangui: Open the doors of mercy, counter violence with love
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
11.29.2015 12:04 PM ET

CNS photo/Paul Haring
Pope Francis opens the Holy Door at the start of a Mass with priests, religious, catechists and youths at the cathedral in Bangui, Central African Republic, Nov. 29. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) See POPE-BANGUI-MERCY Nov. 29, 2015

BANGUI, Central African Republic (CNS) -- Put down the weapons of war and work for justice, Pope Francis urged the people of the Central African Republic.

"Even when the powers of hell are unleashed, Christians must rise to the summons, their heads held high, and be ready to brave blows in this battle over which God will have the last word. And that word will be love and peace," the pope said in an evening homily Nov. 29 at Bangui's cathedral.

A civil war that began in 2013 and ongoing outbursts of violence, including between mainly Muslim and mainly Christian militias, have sown terror in the Central African Republic, which already was on most lists of the five poorest countries in Africa. A fifth of the country's population has fled abroad or is living in camps for displaced people.

Explaining to people outside the Bangui cathedral that their city was, for the day, "the spiritual capital of the world," Pope Francis prayed for the mercy and grace of peace as he used both hands and his body weight to push open the Holy Door of the cathedral. The main opening of the Year of Mercy will be Dec. 8 at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-opens-holy-door-at-mass-in-bangui-cathedral

Pope opens Holy Door at Mass in Bangui cathedral
2015-11-29 Vatican Radio


(Vatican Radio) Priests and religious, catechists and young people joined Pope Francis on Sunday evening for the celebration of Holy Mass in the Cathedral of Bangui, Central African Republic.  During the ceremony, the Pope opened the Holy Door of the Cathedral for the beginning of the Jubilee of Mercy. The Jubilee Year officially begins on 8 December. In his homily at the Mass the Pope spoke of the Christian vocation to love our enemies, saying it protects us "from the temptation to seek revenge and from the spiral of endless retaliation."

Below, please find the full text of Pope Francis’ homily for the Holy Mass for the First Sunday of Advent, celebrated in Bangui’s Notre-Dame Cathedral.

On this first Sunday of Advent, the liturgical season of joyful expectation of the Saviour and a symbol of Christian hope, God has brought me here among you, in this land, while the universal Church is preparing for the opening of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. I am especially pleased that my pastoral visit coincides with the opening of this Jubilee Year in your country. From this cathedral I reach out, in mind and heart, and with great affection, to all the priests, consecrated men and women, and pastoral workers of the nation, who are spiritually united with us at this moment. Through you, I would greet all the people of the Central African Republic: the sick, the elderly, those who have experienced life’s hurts. Some of them are perhaps despairing and listless, asking only for alms, the alms of bread, the alms of justice, the alms of attention and goodness.
 

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http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/be-like-a-banana-pope-francis-off-the-cuff-to-central-african-youth-29619/

Be like a banana – Pope Francis off-the-cuff to Central African youth

Bangui, Central African Republic, Nov 29, 2015 / 12:23 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- During his meeting with the youth of the Central African Republic, Pope Francis gave spontaneous comments in response to a young local who asked the Holy Father's advice about living in a war-torn country.

“We have been taken by heavy winds and violence...these challenges remain numerous,” the young man told the Holy Father, pointing out that the symbol of their country was the banana tree because it is resistant and life-giving.

The young man expressed that he and many of his friends are tempted to leave the violence and difficulties of their homeland in the Central African Republic. Since 2012, over 6,000 people in the CAR have died from violence spread by Muslim rebel groups challenging the country’s presidential power.

Pope Francis’ visit to the CAR is the most dangerous yet, as the country is considered to be an active war zone.

The pontiff held his encounter with the youth outside of Bangui’s Notre-Dame Cathedral on Nov. 29. It included a short, unprepared address and was followed by the administration of the sacrament of confession and a prayer vigil.

Below is CNA's full transcript of Pope Francis' remarks to Central African youth:
 

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http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2015/pope-to-visit-africa-nov-25-30-including-central-african-republic.cfm

Pope to visit Africa Nov. 25-30; including Central African Republic
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
11.3.2015 10:56 AM ET
 
Here is the schedule for the trip as released by the Vatican Oct. 17. The times listed are local with Eastern Standard Time in parentheses.
 
Monday, Nov. 30

8:15 a.m. (2:15 a.m.) Meeting with the Muslim community at the Koudoukou mosque in Bangui. Speech by pope.

9:30 a.m. (3:30 a.m.) Mass in the Barthelemy Boganda Stadium. Homily by pope.

12:15 p.m. (6:15 a.m.) Farewell ceremony at M'Poko International Airport.

12:30 p.m. (6:30 a.m.) Departure for Rome.

6:45 p.m. (12:45 p.m.) Arrival at Rome's Ciampino airport.

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Live streaming (check schedule above for EST) on Monday, November 30, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR8twvG2znc
Francis in Central African Republic: Holy Mass 2015.11.30
Scheduled for Nov 30, 2015
Holy Mass celebrated at Barthélémy Boganda Stadium

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-visits-grand-mosque-of-koudoukou-in-b

Pope Francis visits Grand Mosque of Koudoukou in Bangui
2015-11-30 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis on Monday morning visited the Grand Mosque of Koudoukou in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, meeting with the city’s Muslim community.

The Holy Father was welcomed to the mosque by the Grand Imam Nehedi Tidjani, along with four other Imam, who accompanied him to the podium.

In his address, Pope Francis recalled the recent violence which has rocked the country, saying "Christians and Muslims are brothers and sisters."

"We are well aware that the recent events and acts of violence which have shaken your country were not grounded in properly religious motives. Those who claim to believe in God must also be men and women of peace. Christians, Muslims and members of the traditional religions have lived together in peace for many years. [...] Together, we must say no to hatred, no to revenge and no to violence, particularly that violence which is perpetrated in the name of a religion or of God himself.  God is peace, God salam."

Recalling the upcoming national consultations, the Holy Father said, "We cannot fail to express hope that the forthcoming national consultations will provide the country with leaders capable of bringing Central Africans together, thus becoming symbols of national unity rather than merely representatives of one or another faction.  I strongly urge you to make your country a welcoming home for all its children, regardless of their ethnic origin, political affiliation or religious confession.  The Central African Republic, situated in the heart of Africa, with the cooperation of all her sons and daughters, will then prove a stimulus in this regard to the entire continent."

Below, please find Pope Francis' prepared remarks to the Muslim Community of Bangui:
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpoubqUcgOI
Pope Francis visits mosque in the Central African Republic 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/11/30/pope_celebrates_closing_mass_of_african_journey/1190843

Pope celebrates closing Mass of African Journey
30/11/2015 10:00

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday celebrated Mass at Bangui's Barthélémy Boganda Stadium for thousands of the faithful from the Central African Republic.

Speaking of Paul's missionary zeal in the Letter to the Romans, Pope Francis in his final Mass in the Central African Republic reflected on the great missionary effort which first brought the Gospel to the people of Central Africa.

Times of difficulty, trial and suffering remind all of the Lord's call to come together and "to rejoice in his presence and in the new life and the salvation which he offers us."

"Looking towards the world to come," he said, "has always been a source of strength for Christians, of the poor, of the least, on their earthly pilgrimage.  Eternal life is not an illusion; it is not a flight from the world.  It is a powerful reality which calls out to us and challenges us to persevere in faith and love."

He then reminded them of the more immediate ‘other shore’: the life of faith. "Those who believe, he said, receive the very life of Christ, which enables them to love God and their brothers and sisters in a new way and to bring to birth a world renewed by love."

The Holy Father continued, saying "Yet the fact is that we have not yet reached our destination.  In a certain sense we are in midstream, needing the courage to decide, with renewed missionary zeal, to pass to the other shore. How easy it is to be led into selfishness, distrust, violence, destructiveness, vengeance, indifference to and exploitation of those who are most vulnerable…"

Concluding his homily, Pope Francis told the faithful that, despite the difficulties of the present, "the other shore is at hand, and Jesus is crossing the river with us.  He is risen from the dead; henceforth the trials and sufferings which we experience are always opportunities opening up to a new future, provided we are willing to follow him."

Below, please find Pope Francis' full homily:
 

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http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2015/11/30/pope-francis-heading-back-to-rome-as-africa-visit-concludes/

Pope Francis flying back to Rome as Africa visit concludes

Youths hold images of Pope Francis prior to his arrival for a meeting at Kasarani Stadium in Kenya (AP)

The Holy Father's spent two days in Central African Republic to conclude his tour of the continent

Pope Francis is on his way back to Italy after a two-day visit to Central African Republic.

After a final Mass at the sports stadium in Bangui, the Pope’s motorcade headed to the airport where his plane has now taken off.
 

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http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2015/11/30/the-latest-pope-meets-muslims-in-central-african-republic

The Latest: Pope Francis heads back to Italy after historic visit to Central African Republic

Pope Francis arrives with the popemobile to celebrate a mass in the Barthelemy Boganda Stadium, during his visit in Bangui, Central African Republic, Monday, Nov. 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Nov. 30, 2015 | 1:40 p.m. EST

BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — The latest on Pope Francis' first trip to Africa. (All times local.)
___

7:35 p.m.

The United Nations says its peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic built the popemobile that Pope Francis used during his historic visit to the violence-torn nation.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Monday that in addition to building the white metal structure on the back of the open-air vehicle that allowed hundreds of thousands to see the pope, the U.N. mission in Central African Republic supported government efforts to secure the capital Bangui.

The U.N. mission in Central African Republic has nearly 11,000 military and police. It was beefed up for the pope's visit by a special unit of 250 peacekeepers from the U.N. mission in Ivory Coast.

Dujarric stressed the importance of the pope's messages of peace and reconciliation to members of the Christian and Muslim communities including victims of violence.

— Edith M. Lederer, United Nations
__

11:35 a.m.

Pope Francis is on his way back to Italy after a two-day visit to Central African Republic. After a final Mass at the sports stadium in Bangui, the pope's motorcade headed to the airport where his plane has now taken off.

Despite security concerns raised about the pope's visit to the highly volatile country, Francis was able to visit the Muslim enclave of PK5 and say Mass at the cathedral and sports stadium without incident. This is the end of the pope's 5-day visit to three African countries, Kenya, Uganda and Central African Republic.

— Jerome Delay, Bangui
 

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in-flight interview with journalists on board the flight from Bangui to Rome--

http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/francesco-africa-44994/

11/30/2015
Francis: “Regarding the climate, it’s either now or never. We are on the verge of suicide”

Francis on the flight from Bangui to Rome

The world is on the verge of suicide if we do not radically change the way in which we deal with problems linked to climate change and the current development model. Francis said this in his conversation with journalists on board the flight from Bangui to Rome. The Pope also responded to a couple of questions about the Vatileaks scandal: “Vallejo and Chaouqui’s appointments in the COSEA commission were a mistake,” he said and went on to give significant recognition to the work Ratzinger had started.

 In Kenya, you met poor families and listened to their stories of exclusion from fundamental human rights such as access to drinking water. What did you feel when you listened to their stories and what needs to be done to end such injustices?

“I have spoken about this problem on a number of occasions. I do not recall the statistics precisely but I seem to recall reading that 80% of the world’s wealth is in the hands of 17% of the population, I don’t know if that’s true. It is an economic system that places money at the centre, the god money. I remember a non-Catholic ambassador once speaking in French and saying "Nous son tombeé dans l'idolatrie dell'argent". What did I feel in Kangemi? I felt pain, great pain! Yesterday I went to a children’s hospital, the only one in Bangui and in the whole country. In the intensive care unit there’s no oxygen, there were children that were malnourished. Idolatry is when a man or a woman loses his or her ID card, in other words their identity as God’s children and prefers to seek a tailor-made God. The bottom line is this; if humanity does not change, poverty, tragedies, wars and injustice will continue. Children will go on dying of hunger. What does that percentage of people that holds 80% of the world’s wealth in their hands think of this? This is not communism, it is the truth. And seeing the truth is not easy.”
 
Religious fundamentalism is threatening the whole planet, we saw this with the Paris attacks. In the face of this danger, do you think religious leaders should intervene more in the political sphere?

“If intervening in the political sphere means doing politics, then no. They should be priests, pastors, Imams, Rabbis. Their political intervention is indirect, they preach values, real values and one of the greatest values of all is fraternity between us. We are all God’s children, we all have the same Father. I don’t like the word tolerance, we need to live peacefully alongside one another, develop friendships. Fundamentalism is a disease that exists in all religions. In the Catholic Church we have some – many – who believe they possess the absolute truth and they go on sullying others through slander and defamation and this is wrong. I say this because it is my Church. Religious fundamentalism must be combatted. It is not religious, God is lacking, it is idolatric. Hat religious leaders need to do is convince people who have these tendencies. Fundamentalism that ends in tragedy or commits crimes is a bad thing but it exists in all religions.”
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-sends-message-to-patriarch-bartholomew-for-fe

Pope sends message to Patriarch Bartholomew for Feast of St. Andrew
2015-11-30 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) In a message marking the feast of the apostle Andrew, patron saint of the Orthodox world, Pope Francis urges Catholics and Orthodox to offer a “credible and effective witness” to the Christian values of trust, respect, charity and reconciliation.

The message was hand delivered to the Orthodox leader in Istanbul by the head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Cardinal Kurt Koch, who led a delegation to the Patriarchal Church of St George for the feast of St Andrew on Monday November 30th.

In it, the Pope recalls his own visit to Turkey exactly a year ago, as well as the upcoming 50th anniversary of the lifting of mutual excommunications by their two predecessors, Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras !st on December 7th 1965. By consigning those “painful memories to oblivion”, Pope Francis writes, and restoring a “relationship of love and fraternity”, there is no longer “any impediment to Eucharistic communion which cannot be overcome through prayer, the purification of hearts, dialogue and the affirmation of truth.
 

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http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2015/vatileaks-trial-rescheduled-for-dec-7.cfm

'VatiLeaks' trial rescheduled for Dec. 7
By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service
11.30.2015 9:10 AM ET

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A Vatican trial against two Italian journalists, a Spanish monsignor and two others was postponed for one week after the court allowed one of the defendants to change lawyers.

On what was to be the criminal trial's first day of testimonies by the defendants Nov. 30, the Vatican court granted a request by one of the accused to have a new lawyer and receive more time to prepare for the case.

The proceedings began with the presiding judge, Giuseppe Dalla Torre, stating the request by Francesca Chaouqui, a member of the former Pontifical Commission for Reference on the Organization of the Economic-Administrative Structure of the Holy See.

Dalla Torre, along with three other Vatican judges, deliberated for 10 minutes before granting her request and announcing the trial would resume Dec. 7.
 

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/pope-francis-popebars-rap_565d76ace4b08e945fec6956

Pope Francis Becomes Internet Rap Sensation
Posted: 12/01/2015 08:35 AM EST

GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images
This photo of Pope Francis sparked a meme

His Holiness is the latest hip-hop superstar in this hilarious new meme.

When Pope Francis was pictured picking up a microphone with his other hand stretched out horizontally, people on the Internet thought he looked like a rapper.

And they responded by giving him some lyrics.

The #PopeBars hashtag swept Twitter on Monday, with hundreds of people posting Drake, Eminem and Kanye-style verses underneath the image.

Psalms are sweaty Knees weak from genuflecting Vomit on his vestment already Mother Teresa's spaghetti #PopeBars pic.twitter.com/fuVZmP28EE
— Riley Burns (@RiiiLeY_Burns) December 1, 2015 

as i walk through the valley of the shadow of death i take a look at my life and realize i'm @pontifex #popebars pic.twitter.com/B4goCfYrCR
— brent (@brntrydn) November 30, 2015
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/12/02/pope_francis_reflects_on_his_trip_to_africa_and_the_importan/1191378

Pope Francis reflects on his trip to Africa and the importance of missionary work
02/12/2015 12:21

(Vatican Radio) In his weekly general audience, Pope Francis told those present about his recent trip to Africa and spoke about the importance of missionary work. Speaking in St Peter's Square on Wednesday morning, he emphasized the value of living one’s life in the way of Christ by helping others.

The Holy Father began his catechesis by thanking God for enabling him to travel to Africa. He expressed his “heartfelt” thanks to all those who had helped organize the trip.

Pope Francis first spoke about Nairobi, the biggest city in Western Africa, where “wealth and poverty live side by side”. He said “this is a scandal!... the coexistence of wealth and poverty is a scandal, a true disgrace to humanity”. He said he had encouraged the diplomats, religious leaders and young people to “treasure their country’s natural and spiritual riches: from the earth’s natural resources to the new generations”.

The Holy Father expressed joy at having been able to proclaim Christ’s message of hope: “Be steadfast in your faith, do not be afraid”.
 
http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/general-audience-on-apostolic-visit-to-africa
GENERAL AUDIENCE: On Apostolic Visit to Africa
Vatican City,  December 02, 2015

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/12/02/pope_gives_interview_on_jubilees_revolution_of_tenderness/1191508

Pope gives interview on Jubilee's 'Revolution of Tenderness'
02/12/2015 16:33

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has given an interview to a Catholic weekly magazine, saying he hopes the forthcoming Jubilee Year of Mercy will enable people to discover an alternative to the atrocities, cruelty and exploitation of our world today. The Pope also talks about his personal discovery of God’s mercy in his own life and calls for a “revolution of tenderness” to encourage more just, tolerant and patient relationships between individuals and nations.

In the interview with the official Jubilee publication ‘Credere’,  Pope Francis recalls that he dedicated his first Angelus address and his first homily in the Vatican parish of St Anna to the theme of mercy, noting that he’s following the teachings of his predecessors, especially Pope John Paul II who instituted Divine Mercy Sunday.

We have become so used to bad news of cruelty and atrocities, the Pope says, but the world needs to discover that God is our Father, that mercy exists and that cruelty and condemnations are not the way forward. The Church itself, the Pope adds, sometimes falls into the temptation of following a hard line, of stressing only the moral norms – but how many people are excluded?
 

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http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/2874/0/pope-francis-named-peta-s-person-of-the-year-for-his-message-of-kindness-to-animals

Pope Francis named PETA's person of the year for his message of kindness to animals
01 December 2015 11:17

He is the first pope to have taken the name of St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals, who was always said that he would call creatures, no matter how small, by the name of brother or sister.

Now he is also the first Pope to be named PETA's Person of the Year.

Pope Francis has been chosen because, according to the animal charity, for asking the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics and all other citizens of the world to reject domination over God’s creation, treat animals with kindness and respect the environment – something the People's Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) views as a call to turn towards a simple, plant-based diet, given the now well-established role of animal agriculture in climate change.
 

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http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2015/12/02/suspected-isis-terrorists-arrested-in-kosovo-italy-made-threats-against-pope/

Suspected ISIS terrorists arrested in Kosovo, Italy made threats against Pope Francis
Published December 02, 2015

Police in Italy and Kosovo detained four Kosovars with Islamic State contacts Tuesday for making threats against the pope and a U.S. diplomat.

Authorities said the suspects had posted on their Facebook pages images of themselves with weapons and "in circumstances characteristic of Islamic State fighters." All four often visited a jihadist Facebook group whose members are known to be in Syria, where a few hundred Kosovo-born volunteers have joined the Islamic State group.

Chief prosecutor Tommaso Buonanno said the most alarming messages were aimed at the pope, stating, "Remember there won't be any pope after this one. This is the last. Don't forget what I am telling you."

Police said the men's posts included threats against a former U.S. ambassador to Kosovo, as well as celebrating the Paris attacks, saying "this is only the beginning."

Authorities said the men were armed and prepared to act.
 

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http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/03/world/europe/pope-francis-film-chiamatemi-francesco.html?_r=1

At No-Frills Premiere of Pope Francis Film, the Needy Are Honored Guests
DEC. 2, 2015

VATICAN CITY — Major film premieres usually involve paparazzi, screaming fans and catty scrutiny of red carpet fashions, and often end with swag bags crammed with luxury goodies.

But when the occasion is the premiere at the Vatican of a biopic about Pope Francis, expect a no-frills ceremony (save for a rare command performance by the Swiss Guard band) and goody bags filled with sandwiches, fruit and a can of tuna for refugees, the elderly and homeless people invited to the showing.

All of the tickets at the premiere on Tuesday were reserved for the needy and the volunteers who care for them, said Msgr. Diego Ravelli, of the Office of Papal Charities, which put together the guest list for the world premiere of “Chiamatemi Francesco,” or “Call Me Francis,” a film about “the people’s pope,” as the tagline on one poster read.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-missionary-work-renews-the-church-restores-th

Pope: missionary work renews the Church, restores the faith
2015-12-03 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis says it is not the Church that carries out a mission, but the mission itself that makes the Church pointing out that: “the mission is not the tool but the starting point and the end”.

The Pope was addressing participants of the XIX Plenary Assembly of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in the Vatican on Thursday morning.

The theme of the Plenary is “Missionary awareness and young Churches 50 years after the Ad Gentes Decree” and it marks the 50th anniversary of the “Ad Gentes” conciliar Decree on the Missionary activity of the Church.

Receiving participants of the Plenary on the feast day of St. Francis Xavier, Patron of the Missions, Pope Francis, recalled his just concluded apostolic trip to Africa where – he said – he had first hand witness of the “spiritual and pastoral dynamism of many young Churches of the Continent, as well as the serious difficulties in which most of the population lives”.