Pope Francis

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-homily-for-mass-on-feast-of-mother-of

Pope Francis: homily for Mass on Feast of Mother of God
2016-01-01 Vatican Radio

Pope Francis delivered the homily at Mass on New Year's Day, the Solemnity of the Mother of God, in St. Peter's Basilica. Below, please find the full text of the official English translation of his prepared remarks.

Salve, Mater Misericordiae!

With this invocation we turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Roman Basilica dedicated to her under the title of Mother of God.  It is the first line of an ancient hymn which we will sing at the conclusion of this Holy Eucharist.  Composed by an unknown author, it has come down to us as a heartfelt prayer spontaneously rising up from the hearts of the faithful: “Hail Mother of mercy, Mother of God, Mother of forgiveness, Mother of hope, Mother of grace and Mother full of holy gladness”.  In these few words we find a summary of the faith of generations of men and women who, with their eyes fixed firmly on the icon of the Blessed Virgin, have sought her intercession and consolation.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC-evOG0rvU
Holy Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God 2016.01.01 - English
Streamed live 14 hours ago

Pope Francis presides at Holy Mass on the Solemnity of Mary Holy Mother of God and 49th World Day of Peace.
Audio in. Arabic, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and international sound

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-angelus-appeal-for-peace

Pope Francis: Angelus appeal for peace
2016-01-01 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis renewed his calls for peace and goodwill throughout the Earth on Friday, New Year’s Day, the Solemnity of the Mother of God and the World Day of Peace. The Holy Father’s appeal came at the Angelus prayer with pilgrims and visitors gathered in St. Peter’s Square after Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. “Today we celebrate the World Day of Peace, whose theme is: ‘Overcome Indifference and win Peace’,” said Pope Francis. “That peace, which God the Father wants to sow in the world, must be cultivated by us,” he continued. “Not only: it must also be ‘conquered’. This involves a real struggle, a spiritual battle that takes place in our hearts, for the enemy of peace is not only war, but also indifference, which makes us think only of ourselves and creates barriers, suspicions, fears and closures [of mind and heart].”

Pope Francis went on to say, “We have, thank God, much information; but sometimes we are so inundated with news that we are distracted from reality, from the brother and sister who needs us: let us begin to open our hearts, awakening attention to our neighbor.”

“This,” said Pope Francis, “is the way to win the peace.”
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KavdPVejQwc
Angelus Domini 2016.01.01
Streamed live 12 hours ago

Every Sunday and on the main liturgical feasts, the Pope recites the Angelus prayer with the pilgrims. Before and after the prayer, he delivers a brief reflection and issues greetings

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-opens-holy-door-at-st-mary-major

Pope Francis opens Holy Door at St Mary Major
2016-01-01 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday evening celebrated Mass and opened the Holy Door at the papal Basilica of St Mary Major.
The Basilica of St Mary Major, also known as Our Lady of the Snows, is one of the oldest churches dedicated to the Mother of God, and the largest in the world. So it was particularly appropriate that the Pope chose the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God to open the Holy Door at one of Rome’s most beloved churches.

Earlier, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Holy Father solemnly opened the Holy Door at St Peter’s basilica to inaugurate the Jubilee Year of Mercy; a few days later, he presided at the opening of the Holy Door at Rome’s Cathedral, the Archbasilica of St John Lateran. The Holy Door at St Paul’s “Outside-the-Walls” was opened by the Archpriest of that Basilica, Cardinal James Harvey.

Since the Jubilee Year of 1500, Holy Doors have been opened at all four of the Major Basilicas in Rome. For the Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis has also opened a Holy Door at a homeless shelter at Rome’s central train station, and, during his trip to the Central African Republic, the Holy Door at the Cathedral in Bangui, the nation’s capital. The Holy Father has also extended permission to Bishops around the world to open Holy Doors in their own Diocese. Those passing through a Holy Door, whether in Rome or elsewhere throughout the world, are able to obtain a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions. In his Bull Misericordiae Vultus, formally proclaiming the Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis said, “the Holy Door will become a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instils hope.”
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WbF6HMxdj4
Opening of the Holy Door of the Basilica of St. Mary Major 2016.01.01 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/holy-see-state-of-palestine-comprehensive-agreemen

Holy See, State of Palestine Comprehensive Agreement enters into force
2016-01-02 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio)  The Holy See announced on Saturday (2 Jan 2016) that the Comprehensive Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Palestine has come into full force.

The Comprehensive Agreement was signed by the Holy See and the State of Palestine on 26 June 2015. It "regards essential aspects of the life and activity of the Church in Palestine, while at the same time reaffirming the support for a negotiated and peaceful solution to the conflict in the region."

A joint statement released by the two parties stated that "The Agreement shall come into force when both Parties have notified each other in writing that the constitutional or internal requirements for the coming into force of the Agreement have been met."

The text of the official announcement may be found below:
 

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http://www.romereports.com/2016/01/02/the-news-stories-about-pope-francis-that-you-will-be-reading-about-in-2016

The news stories about Pope Francis that you will be reading about in 2016
2016-01-02

The new year has started and the Pope's plate is full as he is already busy with upcoming plans and projects.

NEW DOCUMENTS
During this year, probably before mid-March, Francis will publish an official papal document on the family. Technically it is an "apostolic exhortation”, which will reflect on the ideas of the recent Synod.

Some months ago he hinted he would like to sign this document in Nazareth, yet it is uncertain whether he will return to the Holy Land to fulfill his dream.

TRIPS
Yes, he will travel to Mexico. On Friday, Febuary 12th he will be in Mexico City and then visit other states like Chiapas, Michoacan and Chihuahua.

If there are no surprises, the other major trip of the year will be in July to the land of John Paul II. On July 31st  the Pope will close in Krakow the World Youth Day with millions of young pilgrims.

GREAT CEREMONIES
The largest ceremony of the year will probably be the canonization of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, which almost certainly will be in early September.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/angelus-church-invites-us-to-welcome-the-word-of-s

Angelus: Church invites us to welcome the Word of salvation
2016-01-03 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) At St Peter's Square, Pope Francis lead the faithful in the recitation of the Angelus on the first Sunday of the new year. Speaking on the day's Gospel, the Holy Father noted the dramatic contrast between God's gift of love in the Incarnation, and man's failure to receive Him. The solemn opening of John's Gospel, which was already proclaimed on Christmas day and which is read again on this Sunday, "is the invitation of Holy Mother Church to welcome this Word of salvation, this mystery of light," the Pope said. If we welcome Jesus into our hearts, he continued, "we will grow in understanding and in the love of the Lord, we will learn to be merciful as He is. Especially in this Holy Year of Mercy, let us make sure that the Gospel becomes ever more incarnate in our own lives too."

Following the recitation of the Marian prayer, Pope Francis greeted pilgrims from Rome and around the world. Once again, he encouraged people to read a passage from the Gospel every day in order "to know Jesus better, and to open our hearts to Jesus."

Below, please find the full text of Pope Francis' address for the Sunday's Angelus:
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnGEwKjdW70
Angelus Domini 2016.01.03

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-visits-greccio-to-pray-at-site-of-fir

Pope Francis visits Greccio to pray at site of first crib scene
2016-01-04 Vatican Radio

Pope Francis made a private visit to the Italian hilltown of Greccio in the Lazio region north of Rome on Monday afternoon, where he met with the local Franciscan community.

The town is well known as the place where, in December 1223, St. Francis set up the first crib scene, using local animals and a carved image of the Christ Child in a manger to recreate the events of Our Lord’s birth in Bethlehem.

The tradition continues in the same hillside cave which has become a popular local shrine, and visitors can also see the monastic cell in the nearby convent where St Francis slept.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/01/04/pope_erects_syro-malankara_eparchy_in_us,_canada/1198685

Pope Francis erects new Syro-Malankara Eparchy in US, Canada
04/01/2016 12:00

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis on Monday erected the Syro-Malankara Eparchy of St. Mary, Queen of Peace, of the United States and Canada, nominating Bishop Thomas Mar Eusebius Naickamparambil as its first Bishop.

The Eparchy consists of 11,500 faithful, especially in the US states of Illinois, Texas, Michigan, Florida, New York, and Washington, D.C., served by 19 priests in 19 parishes or missions.  Three women religious Institutes also operate within the Eparchy’s territory.

The Eparchy’s seat will be at St. Vincent de Paul Malankara Catholic Cathedral in Elmont, New York.
 

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http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2016/video-messages-papal-prayer-intentions-hit-social-media.cfm

Video messages of pope's prayer intentions will hit social media
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service
1.4.2016 11:20 AM ET

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis will deliver his monthly prayer intentions on video over social media as part of a Jesuit-run global prayer network.

The new video messages, featuring the pope asking for prayers and action on various challenges facing the world today, will begin Jan. 6, the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord.
 
Working with the Vatican Television Center, the apostleship will launch the monthly videos of the pope's universal prayer intentions on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

While the pope will speak in Spanish, the videos will have subtitles for a total of 10 languages, Father Fornos said.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-church-doesnt-shine-with-its-own-ligh

Pope Francis: Church doesn’t shine with its own light
2016-01-06 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) In his homily at Mass celebrating the solemnity of the Epiphany, Pope Francis said the Church is called to be a missionary Church and announcing Christ is not a profession and nor is it about proselytism. He said the Church cannot delude herself that she shines with her own light but instead draws her brightness from the light of Christ. 

Please find below a translation in English of Pope Francis’ prepared remarks for his homily at the Mass in St Peter's Basilica celebrating the solemnity of the Epiphany:
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-angelus-dont-scrape-a-living-settle-for-medio

Pope Angelus: Don’t scrape a living & settle for mediocrity
2016-01-06 Vatican Radio

Vatican Radio) Pope Francis said on Wednesday the experience of the Magi urges us not to settle for mediocrity and not to scrape a living but instead examine with passion the great mystery of life. He also said the Magi teach us to recognize the majesty in humility and learn how to knee in front of it. The Pope’s comments came during his Angelus address to the crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square on the feast of the Epiphany.

Pope Francis said the gospel account of the Magi who came from afar to worship the Baby Jesus gives “an air of universality” to the feast of the Epiphany. He said “the Church has always seen in herself the image of all humanity” and through this feast wishes, as it were, “to guide, with respect, every man and woman of this world towards the Child Jesus who was born to save us all.”
 
In further remarks after the recitation of the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis expressed his “spiritual closeness” to our “brothers and sisters of the Christian Orient,” Catholics and Orthodox many of whom celebrate Christmas on January 7th, saying he wished them peace and happiness.

The Pope noted that the Epiphany is also the Church’s World Day of Missionary Childhood and explained that this is the feast day for “children who with their prayers and sacrifice" help their more needy peers by becoming “missionaries and witnesses of brotherhood and sharing.”

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http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/pope-to-video-monthly-prayer-intentions

First Papal Prayer Intentions Video Released
by Edward Pentin  01/05/2016

The first video of Pope Francis’ traditional monthly prayer intentions has been released.

In the video, which demonstrates the Pope's prayer intention for January on interreligious dialogue, the Pope says that all religious followers are children of God and dialogue is necessary if justice and peace are to be achieved. It ends with representatives of Buddhism, Judaism, Islam and Christianity each saying they "believe in love."

Each month, the Holy Father will have his prayer intentions filmed by Vatican Television Centre (CTV) and disseminated on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
 
http://www.romereports.com/2016/01/06/pope-francis-surprising-spot-on-dialogue-among-religions#.Vo2BoNFei_k.twitter

Pope Francis surprising spot on dialogue among religions
2016-01-06

From now on, Pope Francis himself, will expand on His teachings and make His monthly intentions for Christians to pray in a never before seen broadcasted spot like this.

In the intentions of each month, The Pope outlines the challenges and problems that concern the world. The month of January is focused on the importance of sincere dialogue between religions.
 
Some of the Popes close friends have participated in the video, such as Muslim Omar Abboud and Rabbi Daniel Goldman.

This is an unprecedented initiative, yet it showcases Pope Francis' approach in bringing His concerns to the world in a more direct and personal way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq7us5Lf5IU
The Pope Video – Inter-religious Dialogue
Published on Jan 6, 2016

January 2016. Pope Francis’ video on inter-religious dialogue for the Pope’s worldwide prayer network, the Apostleship of Prayer (http://www.apmej.net).

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http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/missionaries-of-mercy-to-be-sent-out-under-the-gaze-of-padre-pio-52948/

Missionaries of Mercy to be sent out under the gaze of Padre Pio

Vatican City, Jan 6, 2016 / 12:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The body of Padre Pio will be on display for veneration at next month’s Ash Wednesday Mass in the Vatican, where a group of priests will be sent  out as “Missionaries of Mercy” for the Jubilee Year.

Pope Francis “has expressed his keen desire” for the relics of the Capuchin saint to be exposed during the Feb. 10 Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, said Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization.
 

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http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2016/vatican-newspaper-says-being-pc-disdainful-of-religion-sad-paradox.cfm

Vatican newspaper: Being PC, disdainful of religion is 'sad paradox'
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service
1.6.2016 10:32 AM ET

CNS photo/Eric Gaillard, Reuters
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A world that carefully adheres to the dictates of being "politically correct" yet refuses to respect people's faith in God is a "sad paradox," the Vatican newspaper said.

The Jan. 6 article, headlined "The Charlie Hebdo question: Manipulated faith," came in response to the front cover of the latest issue of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

Marking the one-year anniversary of when two Islamic extremists raided the magazine's offices and killed 12 people, the magazine featured a drawing of an angry God running with blood spattered on him and a machine gun slung over his back. The headline read: "One year on: the assassin is still out there."

The article in the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, said the satirical dig was nothing new "because behind the misleading banner of uncompromising secularism, the French weekly is forgetting once again what religious leaders of every faith have been repeating for a long time in rejecting violence in the name of religion -- that using God to justify hatred is true blasphemy, as Pope Francis has reiterated several times."
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-mass-works-of-mercy-at-heart-of-our-faith

Pope Mass: Works of mercy at heart of our faith
2016-01-07 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis warned against false spirituality and worldliness saying many people appear to be spiritual but live in a way that is totally detached from the presence or needs of others. He stressed that works of mercy are at the heart of our faith in God and the visible sign of that faith. The Pope was speaking at his first Mass at the Santa Marta residence since the Christmas break.

The cue for the Pope’s homily came from the first letter of John where the Apostle writes of remaining in the Lord. The Pope explained that a Christian is somebody who remains in God, who has the Holy Spirit and who is guided by Him.  Noting that John warned against Antichrists, Pope Francis said not every spirit is to be trusted and it's necessary to test them to see whether they are from God.  He said to do this we need to discern if we follow the spirit of God.  And this is the daily rule of life that John teaches us."

But what does it mean to "test the spirits," asked the Pope? It is not about "ghosts", it is about testing, to see "what happens in my heart", what is at the root "of what I'm feeling now, where does it come from? This is to test if "what I’m hearing comes from God" or comes from the other," from the Antichrist.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-the-embrace-of-gods-love-silences-our-sins

Pope: The embrace of God’s love silences our sins
2016-01-08 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis said on Friday that the embrace of God’s love has the power to silence all our sins, no matter how many. He stressed that not all love comes from God but He is the true love. The Pope’s words came during his homily at the morning Mass celebrated in the Santa Marta residence.

Taking his cue from the gospel reading from the letter of John the Apostle, Pope Francis’s homily was a reflection on the different meanings of the word 'love' and the two most important commandments for a Christian: to love God and to love our neighbour.

“This word ‘love’ is a word that is used so many times and when we use it we don’t know exactly what it means. What is love? Sometimes we can think of the love in the soap operas but that doesn’t appear to be love. Or else love can seem like having a crush on a person but then it fades away. Where does true love come from? Whoever loves has been created by God because God is love. Don’t say: ‘Every love is God,’ No, God is love.”
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/01/10/pope_francis_baptises_26_babies_in_sistine_chapel/1200090

Pope Francis baptises 26 babies in Sistine Chapel
10/01/2016 13:19

Pope Francis baptises a baby in the Sistine Chapel on the feast of Our Lord's baptism - RV
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday baptized 26 baby girls and boys during Mass in the Sistine Chapel marking the feast day of Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan.

In a short and off-the-cuff homily the Pope said through baptism, our faith is handed on from one generation to the next, throughout the course of history. To the parents of the 13 girls and 13 boys, he said they must never forget that faith is the greatest heritage they can give to their children. Amid the sounds of some of the babies crying, Pope Francis told the mothers to feel free to feed their children whenever they are hungry.

In his Angelus address, following the Mass, the Pope recalled the Gospel accounts of the Baptism of Jesus, during which the Holy Spirit is seen descending like a dove and a voice is heard from heaven saying “You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”. In this way, the Pope said, Jesus is revealed by God as our saving Messiah.
 

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http://www.religionnews.com/2016/01/10/pope-talks-about-gays-annulments-in-new-book/

Pope talks about gays, annulments in new book
Rosie Scammell  |  January 10, 2016

VATICAN CITY (RNS) A new book-length interview with Pope Francis gives fresh insight into his view of gay parishioners, marriage annulments and other hot topics being debated by Catholics globally.

The conversation, in Italian, between Francis and journalist Andrea Tornielli was published on Sunday (Jan. 10) under the title, “The Name of God Is Mercy,” and coincides with the Vatican’s Holy Year of Mercy which opened in December.

While the title theme is addressed at length, the pope also opens up on issues that have made headlines during his papacy. Here are some excerpts from the English translation:

Gay Catholics:

“I am glad that we are talking about ‘homosexual people’ because before all else comes the individual person, in his wholeness and dignity. And people should not be defined only by their sexual tendencies: let us not forget that God loves all his creatures and we are destined to receive his infinite love.

“I prefer that homosexuals come to confession, that they stay close to the Lord, and that we pray all together. You can advise them to pray, show goodwill, show them the way, and accompany them along it.”
 

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Part One of a three-part story on Pope Francis' new book-length interview...

http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/new-interview-francis-pushes-church-big-mercy-tough-law
In new interview, Francis pushes for a church big on mercy, tough on law
by Joshua J. McElwee    |  Jan. 10, 2016

Part Two of a three-part story on Pope Francis' new book-length interview...

http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-s-personal-encounters-mercy
The pope’s personal encounters with mercy
by Joshua J. McElwee    |  Jan. 10, 2016

Part Three of a three-part story on Pope Francis' new book-length interview...

http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/francis-explains-who-am-i-judge
Francis explains 'who am I to judge?'
by Joshua J. McElwee    |  Jan. 10, 2016

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-to-the-diplomatic-corps-accredited-2

Pope Francis to the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See - Placing people at the centre of migratory policies
2016-01-11 L’Osservatore Romano

In his speech to the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, Pope Francis dedicated the most significant passages to “the grave crisis of migration which we are facing”. The diplomats had gathered in the Regia Hall on Monday morning, 11 January, for the traditional audience at the beginning of the year. The choice was motivated by the Pope’s wish to help discern the causes of the crisis and “consider possible solutions”, in order to defeat “the inevitable fears associated with this massive and formidable phenomenon”.

As customary, the meeting offered the Pontiff the opportunity for a broad international overview. It was preceded by a meaningful report on the results of the Holy See’s diplomatic efforts in 2015, a year in which the number of ambassadors residing in Rome increased and in which important international agreements were reached. The work found new motivations and perspectives in the “common thread” of mercy indicated by Pope Francis to the Church and to the world with the induction of the extraordinary Jubilee. The Pontiff reaffirmed the need to “to set out anew and resume dialogue” and to reject every attempt to use religion as reason to “kill in the name of God”, as has happened in the recent terrorist attacks in in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Turning to current global complexities laden with “challenges” and “more than a few tensions”, the Pope focused attention on the migratory phenomenon in which, he observed, the consequences of the great humanitarian tragedies afflicting the planet have become concentrated: wars, violations of human rights, religious-based persecution, extreme poverty, malnutrition, climate change. All are tragic situations that fuel events of genuine mass exodus, forcing millions of men, women and children to flee their lands in order to escape violence and “unspeakable acts of cruelty towards vulnerable persons”.
 
http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-speech-to-diplomatic-corps
Pope Francis: speech to diplomatic corps
2016-01-11 Vatican Radio