Pope Francis

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/02/05/pope_francis_god_triumphs_through_humility/1206172

Pope Francis: God triumphs through humility
05/02/2016 11:53

(Vatican Radio) God’s ‘style’ is not man’s ‘style,’ because God triumphs through humility. That was Pope Francis’ message in his homily during daily Mass at the Casa Santa Marta.

God’s style can be seen in the death of the greatest of the prophets, St John the Baptist. This “just and holy man,” the “greatest man,” the man who had prepared the people for the coming of the Messiah, was beheaded in the darkness of his cell, alone, condemned by the vindictive hatred of a queen and the cowardice of a submissive king.

The ultimate prophet

And yet that is how “God triumphs,” the Pope said, commenting on the day’s Gospel which relates the circumstances of John’s death:

“John the Baptist, ‘the greatest man born of a woman’ – so says the formula for the canonization of John. But this formula was used not of a Pope, or even of Jesus. That man is the greatest man born of a woman: The greatest saint: Thus Jesus canonized him. And he ended his life in jail, beheaded, and the final phrase [of the Gospel reading] seems almost one of resignation: ‘When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.’ This is the end of ‘the greatest man born of a woman.’ A great prophet. The ultimate, the last of prophets. The only one to whom it was granted to see the hope of Israel.”
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-to-meet-patriarch-kirill-of-moscow-on

Pope Francis to meet Patriarch Kirill of Moscow on February 12th
2016-02-05 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio)  It was announced on Friday that Pope Francis will hold a meeting with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia in Cuba on February 12th. It marks the first ever such meeting between a Roman Pontiff and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Please find below the Joint Press Release of the Holy See and of the Patriarchate of Moscow:

The Holy See and the patriarchate of Moscow are pleased to announce that, by the grace of God, His Holiness Pope Francis and His Holiness Patriarch Kirilll of Moscow and All Russia will meet on February 12th next. Their meeting will take place in Cuba, where the Pope will make a stop on his way to Mexico, and where the Patriarch will be on an official visit. It will include a personal conversation at Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport, and will conclude with the signing of a joint declaration.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/the-historic-meeting-will-take-place-in-cuba-on-12

The historic meeting will take place in Cuba on 12 February- Pope Francis will meet Patriarch Kirill
2016-02-05 L’Osservatore Romano

 
The meeting, Fr Federico Lombardi explained to the journalists in the Holy See Press Office, is the fruit of years of work and reveals a climate of great trust and mutual collaboration to overcome the difficulties that still exist between the two Churches. The Catholic Church is in dialogue with the Orthodox, however there had never been an official meeting with the Primate of the largest Orthodox Church. This meeting will be “the first in history”. On learning of the news, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople “expressed his satisfaction and joy for this step forward on the path of good ecumenical relations”.

The Holy See and the Patriarchate of Moscow, the joint statement reads, “hope that it will also be a sign of hope for all people of good will”. For this reason, “they invite all Christians to pray fervently for God to bless this meeting, that it may bear fruits”.

The news was announced contemporaneously in the Vatican and in Moscow. During the press conference, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk declared that the situation in the Middle East and in other regions in which “a real Christian genocide is taking place” requires “urgent measures and closer cooperation between Christian Churches” putting aside “internal disagreements”.

Kirill will arrive in Havana on Thursday, 11 February, for his official visit as Patriarch in Latin America. He will also visit Paraguay and Brazil. The same day Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and Dominican priest Hyacinthe Destivelle will be in Cuba in order to finalize the details of the meeting.

Francis will leave Rome on Friday morning, 12 February, at 7:15 am and will arrive in Havana at 2 pm local time. President Raúl Castro Ruiz; Cardinal Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino, Archbishop of Havana and the President of the bishops' conference; Archbishop Dionisio Guillermo García Ibáñez will welcome the Holy Father on his arrival.

The Pope's private meeting with Kirill will take place at 2:15 pm at the airport in both Spanish and Russian. It will last approximately two hours. Cardinal Koch, Metropolitan Hilarion and two interpreters will be present. Afterwards a joint declaration will be signed in Russian and Italian. Both the Pope and the Patriarch will deliver speeches. They will exchange gifts and the delegations will be presented. Then Francis will depart for Mexico.

http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2016/orthodox-say-pope-patriarch-meeting-not-an-all-clear-sign.cfm
Orthodox say pope-patriarch meeting not an 'all-clear' sign
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
2.5.2016 9:36 AM ET

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February 5, 2016 Tweets

https://twitter.com/roccopalmo
Rocco Palmo ‏@roccopalmo  · 2h  2 hours ago 
Prayers, crowds and clamor all around, fullvid of tonight's procession of Padre Pio's body to St Peter's: http://youtu.be/r2UBq2Qt4L8

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2UBq2Qt4L8&feature=youtu.be

Procession with the relics of St. Pio and St. Leopold Mandic - 2016.02.05 
Streamed live 10 hours ago
Procession with the relics of of St. Pio and St. Leopold Mandic to Saint Peter's Basilica. Reception of the relics by S. Em. Card. Angelo Comastri, Archpriest of Saint Peter's Basilica

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http://www.news.va/en/news/popes-angelus-reflection-trust-in-the-word-of-the

Pope's Angelus reflection: Trust in the word of the Lord
2016-02-07 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Do not be afraid but trust in the word of the Lord: that was Pope Francis message to the crowds gathered in a windswept St Peter’s Square on Sunday for the recitation of the Angelus prayer.

The Pope based his reflections on the Gospel reading which tells the story of Jesus calling his first disciples by Lake Galilee. After fishing all night without a catch, they are washing their nets when Jesus gets into Simon Peter’s boat so that he can preach to the crowds of people gathered on the shore.

Peter trusts in Jesus' words

When he has finished speaking, Jesus tells Peter to put out into the deep water and let down the nets for a catch. Peter replies that they have been working hard all night without catching anything, but he trusts in his Master’s words and lets down the nets. His faith is rewarded, the Pope says, as they catch so much fish that their nets begin to break.

You will be fishing for people

Amazed by this extraordinary event, Peter throws himself at Jesus feet saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinner”. Peter, the Pope explained, is aware that Jesus is the Lord and feels a strong sense of being unworthy. But Jesus tells him: “Do not be afraid, from now on you will be fishing for people”. Jesus cannot leave him as a sinner, the Pope said, any more than a doctor can abandon a sick person.

Share God's love through hospitality and mercy
 

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http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2016/vatican-updates-papal-itinerary-for-cuba-mexico-visit.cfm

Vatican updates papal itinerary for Cuba, Mexico visit
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
2.8.2016 10:55 AM ET

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis is scheduled to have more than two hours alone with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow in Cuba in addition to signing a declaration with the patriarch before flying on to Mexico for a Feb. 12-17 visit.

The Vatican announced the pope-patriarch meeting Feb. 5 and, on Feb. 8, released an updated itinerary for Pope Francis' trip. The pope will leave Rome almost five hours earlier than originally scheduled so that the meeting in Havana with Patriarch Kirill will not impact his schedule in Mexico.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, told reporters that in addition to official events on the schedule in Mexico, the papal motorcades are expected to be long and lively. For example, he said, the route from the airport to the nunciature in Mexico City, where the pope will sleep, is about 12 miles, and people are expected to line most of the route when he arrives from Cuba.

Five popemobiles will be on hand because papal flights to San Cristobal de Las Casas, Morelia and Ciudad Juarez would make it difficult to move the vehicles efficiently each day. Two of the popemobiles are being shipped down from the United States where they were used in September, the spokesman said.

No evening event is planned for Feb. 13 after Pope Francis' Mass in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the spokesman said. Instead, the pope will have all the time he wants and needs to pray before the image of Mary preserved there, something the pope said he wanted to do. "He did not want to feel under pressure because of his program," Father Lombardi said.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-to-mexicans-i-come-as-a-missionary-of-mercy-a

Pope to Mexicans: ‘I come as a missionary of mercy and peace’
2016-02-08 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a greeting to the people of Mexico as they await his arrival telling them that he is travelling to the nation as a “missionary of mercy and peace”.

Four days before the start of his apostolic journey to Mexico, the Pope sent a video message to those awaiting him.

In the message, in his native Spanish, the Pope highlights the fact that he wants to embrace all Mexican people, especially those who suffer.

He also speaks of his devotion for the Blessed Virgin and he expresses his joy at being able to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

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

Dear brothers and sisters,

With not long to go before my visit to Mexico, I am happy, I feel great joy. In my prayers, I always have a thought for all Mexicans. I carry them in my heart. Now I will be able to visit them and tread the soil of this blessed land, so beloved by God and so close to the Virgin Mary.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-to-capuchins-awareness-of-sin-key-to

Pope Francis to Capuchins: awareness of sin key to mercy
2016-02-09 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis was the principal celebrant at a Mass offered for the worldwide Capuchin community on Tuesday morning in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Mass was offered in connection with the presence in Rome and at St. Peter’s of the relics of two great Capuchin saints, who were renowned in their earthly lives as priest-confessors: St. Pius of Pietralcina (or St. Padre Pio as he is popularly known) and St. Leopold of Mandic.

“I speak to you as a brother,” said Pope Francis to the Capuchins present, “and through you I would like to speak to all confessors, especially in the Year of Mercy: the confessional is for pardon – and [even] if you cannot give absolution – let me say hypothetically – please, do not beat up on the penitent; one who comes [to the confessional], comes seeking comfort, pardon, peace in his soul; let him find a father who embraces him and says, ‘God loves you,’ and makes the penitent feel that God really does.”
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-missionaries-of-mercy-a-living-sign-o

Pope Francis: Missionaries of Mercy a "living sign" of God's forgiveness
2016-02-09 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Tuesday evening met with the Missionaries of Mercy, who are priests given special faculties to absolve even sins reserved to the Holy See.

The Missionaries of Mercy are being commissioned by the Holy Father during the Ash Wednesday Mass to be “a living sign of the Father’s welcome to all those in search of his forgiveness,” and will be preaching mercy and hearing confessions in dioceses around the world during the Jubilee of Mercy.

Pope Francis, meeting with the Missionaries the day before their commissioning, told them they are a “sign of special importance” which characterizes the Jubilee of Mercy, and offered some brief reflections to give practical help in their task.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/02/09/pope_francis_to_open_lenten_pastoral_effort_on_social_media_/1206975

Pope Francis to open Lenten pastoral effort on social media
09/02/2016 09:27

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is the inaugural contributor to a Lenten pastoral effort of the Prelature of the Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii. “Keep Lent” is an initiative of the Prelature’s youth ministry office, which reports several thousand subscribers already from throughout all of Italy and from around the world, including the United States.

The initiative begins on Ash Wednesday, and is based on social media: it will provide a daily Gospel reading and commentary from leading clergymen and lay catechists.

In his 2016 Lenten Message to all the faithful, Pope Francis said, “The digital world is a public square, a meeting-place where we can either encourage or demean one another, engage in a meaningful discussion or unfair attacks,” and encouraged Catholics to lead the way in making good use of God’s gifts in cooperation with the best of human ingenuity.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/c-9-meeting-decentralization-and-the-new-dicasteri

G-9 meeting: Decentralization and the new dicasteries
2016-02-09 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The latest meeting of the Council of Cardinals, Pope Francis’ closest advisers, ended on Tuesday. During their meetings, the cardinals discussed the theme of ‘synodality’ and Pope Francis’ call at last year’s Synod of Bishops for the Church to move towards “a healthy decentralization.”  The other main item on the agenda was a discussion and approval of the cardinals’ final proposals concerning the two new dicasteries that are being set up within the Roman Curia.

Pope Francis attended all three sessions, held on Monday morning and afternoon and on Tuesday morning. Often called the G-9, the Council of Cardinals is a group of cardinals chosen by the Pope to advise him on governing the Church and reforming the Roman Curia. It meets at regular intervals.

At a briefing following the end of this meeting, Father Federico Lombardi, the Director of the Holy See’s Press Office, summarized the main issues discussed.

Father Lombardi said the first session of the G-9 discussed the issues raised during the Pope’s keynote speech at the Synod of Bishops on October 17th 2015. This speech reflected on the theme of synodality within the Church and spoke of the need “to proceed towards a healthy decentralization” and Father Lombardi said this call by the Pope remains an importance reference point for the ongoing work of reforming the Curia.
 

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http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/3036/0/cardinal-parolin-scrapping-celibacy-is-no-solution-to-vocations-crisis

Cardinal Parolin: scrapping celibacy is no solution to vocations crisis
09 February 2016 | by Catholic News Service ,  Megan Cornwell   

The senior cleric stressed that celibacy is a gift that must be received and nurtured with “joyful perseverance”

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, speaking at a conference on priestly celibacy this week, told an audience gathered at the Pontifical Gregorian University that necessary solutions for the need for more priests does not justify scrapping the discipline of celibacy.

The Vatican’s secretary of state, acknowledged that while the lack of priests in some parts of the world is regarded as a “sacramental emergency” it is nevertheless necessary “not to take rushed decisions, or decisions based solely on the basis of present need”.
 
The senior cleric stressed that celibacy is a gift that must be received and nurtured with “joyful perseverance” so that it may “fully bear fruit” and he said that celibate priests ensure the “people of God always have radically free shepherds”.

The Pope this week lands in Mexico on a continent where the shortage of priests is felt keenly. In Mexico there is one priest for roughly every 6,500 Catholics.

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http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2016/woman-to-lead-theological-pastoral-aspect-of-vatican-communications.cfm

Woman to lead theological-pastoral aspect of Vatican communications
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
2.9.2016 10:05 AM ET

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The director of the new theological-pastoral department of the Vatican Secretariat for Communications is Natasa Govekar, a theologian who specializes in the communication of faith through images.

The Vatican announced Pope Francis' nomination of Govekar, a Slovenian, Feb. 9. At the same time, the pope named Francesco Masci, a 37-year-old official at the Vatican Internet Office, to direct the secretariat's technical office.

The communications secretariat was established by Pope Francis to coordinate and streamline Vatican communications. The organizational structure also is expected to include an editorial department, but that director has yet to be named.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-sends-first-keep-lent-message-to-pomp

Pope Francis sends first "Keep Lent" message to Pompeii
2016-02-10 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday morning sent an audio-message to the young people of the Prelature of the Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii.

It is the first contribution in the “Keep Lent” initiative of the Shrine’s youth ministry office, which will provide a daily Gospel reading and commentary from leading clergymen and lay catechists through social media throughout the penitential season.

In his message, Pope Francis reflects on the Gospel reading from the Ash Wednesday Mass, in which Jesus warns against practicing good works so others may see them.

“When we do something good, sometimes we are tempted to seek praise and to be rewarded: that’s human glory,” Pope Francis said. “But it’s a false reward because it makes us focus on what others think of us.”

The Holy Father said Jesus asks us to do good for the sake of good.

“He asks us to feel we are under the watchful gaze of our Heavenly Father at all times and to live in relationship with Him – not in relationship with the opinion of others,” the Pope said.

“Let us do what we can, in prayer, in sacrifice, and in acts of charity, humbly before God. This way we will be worthy of God the Father’s reward,” he concluded.

A Vatican Radio English translation of the full text of Pope Francis’ audio-message is below.

Dear young people,
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-meets-with-prime-minister-of-iraq

Pope Francis meets with Prime Minister of Iraq
2016-02-10 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Before the General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis met with the Prime Minister of Iraq, Haydar al-Abadi. The meeting took place in the studio of the Paul VI Audience Hall. Afterwards, the Prime Minister met with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who was accompanied by the Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Gallagher.

A statement from the Holy See Press Office called the talks “cordial,” adding that reference was made to the good state of bilateral relations between Iraq and the Holy See, the life of the Church in the country, as well as the situation of Christians and ethnic and religious minorities living in Iraq, with particular reference to the importance of their presence and the need to protect their rights.

The statement also said they discussed the role of interreligious dialogue and the responsibility of religious communities to promote tolerance and peace.
 

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http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/if-mercy-doesnt-reach-your-pockets-its-not-real-pope-says-77298/

If mercy doesn’t reach your pockets, it’s not real, Pope says

Vatican City, Feb 10, 2016 / 06:05 am (CNA/EWTN News).- For Pope Francis, mercy isn’t just spiritual, but is something that ought to be expressed in concrete acts of service and in sharing one’s goods with the poor, which was a key tradition during jubilee years throughout scripture.

Referring to the current Holy Year of Mercy, the Pope explained that the Jubilee is time “for conversion, so that our heart can become bigger, more generous, more like a child of God, with more love.”

“But I tell you that if the Jubilee doesn't arrive to the pockets, it's not a true Jubilee,” he said, adding that “this is in the Bible, it's not the Pope who invented this.”

Francis spoke to pilgrims present in St. Peter’s Square for his general audience on Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Church’s Lenten season.

In his continued catechesis on mercy as seen in scripture, the Pope noted how the jubilee year is an “ancient institution.”
 
http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-asks-for-prayers-for-his-meeting-with-russian
Pope asks for prayers for his meeting with Russian Patrirach
2016-02-10 Vatican Radio

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February 10, 2016 Tweets

https://twitter.com/roccopalmo
Rocco Palmo ‏@roccopalmo  · 1h  1 hour ago 

Featuring sending of Missionaries of Mercy, Padre Pio's remains on-site, livefeed of Pope's 5pm/11a ET Ash Wed Mass: https://youtu.be/zSBew288DA4
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSBew288DA4&feature=youtu.be
Ash Wednesday Mass - 2016.02.10
Scheduled for Feb 10, 2016

Pope Francis presides at Holy Mass on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, with the Rite of the blessing and bestowal of the Ashes and the sending out of the Missionaries of Mercy.

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http://www.wdtprs.com/images2/12_02_20_AshWednesday.jpg

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-commissions-missionaries-of-mercy-on-ash-wedn

Pope commissions Missionaries of Mercy on Ash Wednesday
2016-02-10 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis commissioned hundreds of “Missionaries of Mercy” during Mass on Ash Wednesday at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

In his Bull announcing the Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Holy Father said the Missionaries of Mercy “would be a sign of the Church’s maternal solicitude for the People of God, enabling them to enter the profound richness of this mystery so fundamental to the faith.” Priests chosen to be Missionaries of Mercy have also been given the authority to pardon “even those sins reserved to the Holy See.” Above all, the Pope said, they will be “living signs of the Father’s readiness to welcome those in search of his pardon.”

During Ash Wednesday Mass, the Pope focused on the theme of mercy as we begin the season of Lent.

In his homily during the Mass, Pope Francis said the day’s readings present two invitations: First, to be reconciled to God. In order to do so, he said, we must first recognize that we are in need of mercy: “This is the first step in the Christian journey; it comes in through the open door that is Christ, where He Himself awaits us, the Saviour, and He offers us a new and joyful life.”

The Pope noted a number of obstacles that “close the doors of our hearts” and make reconciliation with God difficult. The Missionaries of Mercy, he said, have a mandate “to be signs and instruments of the forgiveness of God,” called to help their brothers and sisters to “open the doors of their heart, overcome shame, and not flee from the light.”

The second invitation, the Pope said, is heard in the reading from the prophet Joel. God says to His people, “Return to me with your whole heart.” Sin keeps us far from God, but Jesus has offered a “story of salvation” that enables us return to Him. The Gospel for the beginning of Lent, he says, offers us three remedies for sin: prayer, charity, and fasting.

But these three remedies are not merely external acts, the Pope said. Rather, they must come “from the depths of our very being.” During Lent, Christ calls us to live out our acts of prayer, charity, and penance “with coherence and authenticity, overcoming hypocrisy.”

Pope Francis concluded, “Let us set out on this journey together, as a Church, receiving the ashes and keeping our gaze fixed on the Crucified One. Loving us, He invites us to be reconciled with God, and to return to Him, in order to rediscover ourselves.”

Below, please find Vatican Radio’s unofficial translation of Pope Francis’ prepared homily for Mass for Ash Wednesday 2016:
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSBew288DA4&feature=youtu.be
Ash Wednesday Mass - 2016.02.10

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http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/lent-is-a-time-of-pruning-and-reconciliation-pope-francis-says-87835/

Lent is a time of pruning and reconciliation, Pope Francis says

Pope Francis celebrates Mass on Ash Wednesday in St. Peter's Basilica, Feb. 10, 2016. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Vatican City, Feb 10, 2016 / 10:24 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his Ash Wednesday homily, Pope Francis said that Lent is the perfect time to let go of selfish and indifferent attitudes, returning to God with the help of prayer, penance and acts of charity.

“Lent is a beneficial time of pruning from falsity, from worldliness, from indifference: to not think that everything is ok if I am ok; to understand that what counts is not approval, the pursuit of success or consensus, but purity of heart and life,” the Pope said Feb. 10.

It’s a time to rediscover one’s Christian identity, “which is love that serves, not selfishness that uses,” he said.

Pope Francis celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica alongside the Missionaries of Mercy, who concelebrated with the Pope and received their official mandate from him during the ceremony.

A novelty of the Pope's Jubilee of Mercy, the priests will be sent out to dioceses around the world as special ambassadors of mercy during the Holy Year. Although there are more than 1,000 missionaries from all five continents, only 700 made it to Rome for the official mandate.

In addition to their increased availability for hearing confessions, they have also been given faculties to forgive sins otherwise reserved to the Holy See.

Though there are several such sins, the Holy See has clarified that the faculties of the Missionaries of Mercy are “limited exclusively” to just four.

Namely, they are: profaning the Eucharistic species by taking them away or keeping them for a sacrilegious purpose; the use of physical force against the Roman Pontiff; the absolution of an accomplice in a sin against the Sixth Commandment (“thou shall not commit adultery”) and a direct violation against the sacramental seal by a confessor.