Pope Francis

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-to-model-un-problems-of-humanity-not-faceless

Pope to Model UN: ‘problems of humanity not faceless’
2016-03-17 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Thursday addressed the participants of the Harvard World Model United Nations, reminding them the world’s problems always have a human face.

The Model UN is a four-day international relations simulation promoted by Harvard University for high school students from around the world.

In his address to this year’s Model UN participants, Pope Francis focused on their experience of diversity as a remedy for the world’s ills.

Reminding them of the value of international structures of cooperation and solidarity, the Holy Father said growth in wisdom is “not only for your own benefit, but for the good of your local communities and broader society.”

“The greatest benefit is your time together, your encounter with people from around the world, who represent not only our many contemporary challenges, but above all the rich diversity of talents and potential of the human family.”
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/mass-at-santa-marta-the-thread-of-hope

Mass at Santa Marta- The thread of hope
2016-03-17 L’Osservatore Romano

Spes contra spem, “believe against all hope”. This is the Christian identity card posed by St Paul who, following in the footsteps of Abraham, was certain that “the thread of hope”, even in the most difficult of times, “runs the course of salvation history and, moreover, is a source of joy”. On Thursday morning, 17 March, during Mass at Santa Marta, Pope Francis put forth this call to never lose hope, to be certain that hope never disappoints.

“Today’s liturgy”, he began, “prepares us for the Easter celebrations with a reflection on the virtue of hope”, the humble virtue so often cast aside. In the passage from the Gospel of John (8:51-59), “Jesus speaks about Abraham and says to the doctors of the law: ‘Your father Abraham rejoiced that he was to see my day’; he saw it and was glad’”. Abraham, the Pope recalled, was “the man who left his land without knowing where he was going. He left in obedience, in faithfulness”. Abraham was also “the man who believed in the Word of God and was justified in that faith”; but he was also “the man who was tempted along this path of hope when, both he and his wife, smiled as God told them they would have a son. But he believed”.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-signs-book-for-sick-children

Pope Francis signs book for sick children
2016-03-17 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has personally inscribed the copy of his new book "Dear Pope Francis" which was given to the Vatican-owned Bambino Gesù Children's hospital.

The dedication reads: "To all the children of the Hospital Child Jesus and to those who lovingly provide care for them."

The presentation of the book at the hospital was attended by Father Antonio Spadaro, SJ, who helped Pope Francis prepare his answers to the questions sent by children around the world, and the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-emeritus-francis-teaches-need-for-gods-mercy

Pope-emeritus: Francis teaches need for God's mercy
2016-03-17 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI has given a very rare public interview to the newspaper of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, Avvenire.

Conducted by renowned theologian, Fr. Jacques Servais SJ, the interview focuses on two highly controversial issues in the post-Conciliar era: the right understanding of Christ’s unique and universal act of salvation with respect to those who do not profess Christian faith; and the right understanding of the primacy of mission in the life of the Church with respect to dialogue.

At the core of the two distinct, though related questions, says Pope Benedict, is the need to recover a sense of the Divine mercy - something Pope Francis has understood and placed at the center of his pastoral solicitude.

“Only where there is mercy does cruelty end,” said the Pope-emeritus in the interview.
 
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/full-text-of-benedict-xvis-recent-rare-and-lengthy-interview-26142/

Full text of Benedict XVI's recent, rare, and lengthy interview

Vatican City, Mar 17, 2016 / 11:50 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a recently published interview on issues of justification and faith, Benedict XVI has addressed issues of mercy and our need for forgiveness, salvation through the cross, the necessity of baptism, and the importance of sharing in Christ's redeeming love.
 

[grace-land]

http://voiceofthefamily.com/voice-of-the-family-analysis-reveals-serious-dangers-posed-by-synod-final-report/

Voice of the Family analysis reveals serious dangers posed by synod final report
March 13, 2016

Voice of the Family is pleased to publish a comprehensive analysis of the Final Report of the Synod of Bishops to the Holy Father. Our analysis argues that the Final Report, which was approved by the Ordinary Synod on the Family on 24 October 2015, undermines the teaching of the Catholic Church on matters relating to human life, marriage and the family. By striving towards bringing Catholic moral teaching in line with the norms prevailing in the modern world, the report pursues an approach that runs contrary to divine revelation and the natural moral law.

The Final Report:
endorses a central aspect of “gender theory” by asserting that biological sex and socio-cultural “gender” can be distinguished (paragraph 58)
threatens the rights of parents as the primary educators of their children by asserting that the family “cannot be the only place for formation in matters of sexuality” with regard to “young people at the age of puberty and adolescence” (paragraph 58)
 

https://twitter.com/EdwardPentin?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Edward Pentin ‏@EdwardPentin  · 14h  14 hours ago 
Fr Lombardi says Pope's apostolic exhortation will be released sometime after Easter week, in the 1st half of April http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/#ixzz43A0YPEOO …

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/in-groundbreaking-move-us-declares-christians-among-victims-of-isis-genocide-85079/

In groundbreaking move, US declares Christians among victims of ISIS genocide

Washington D.C., Mar 17, 2016 / 08:58 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Secretary of State John Kerry declared Thursday that Christians, Yezidis, Shi’a Muslims, and other religious and ethnic minorities are victims of ISIS genocide.

Secretary Kerry announced at a news conference that “in my judgment, Daesh is responsible for genocide against groups in areas under its control including Yazidis, Christians, and Shia Muslims.” Daesh is another name for the Islamic State, or ISIS.

The announcement is groundbreaking because the term is rarely used to describe ongoing atrocities committed by a state or non-state actor. It is the “crime of crimes,” according to the United Nations, because it involves the intentional destruction, “in whole or in part,” of an entire people.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/father-cantalamessa-preaches-fifth-lenten-sermon-t

Father Cantalamessa preaches fifth Lenten sermon to Roman Curia
2016-03-18 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The Preacher of the Pontifical Household, Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap., on Friday preached his fourth Lenten Sermon of 2016 in the presence of Pope Francis and his associates.

The full text of the sermon is below

Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, ofmcap.

Fifth Lenten Sermon 2016

 THE PATH TO UNITY AMONG CHRISTIANS

Reflections on Unitatis redintegratio

 1. The ecumenical path after Vatican II

Modern hermeneutics has familiarized us with Hans-Georg Gadamer’s principle of the “history of effects” (Wirkungsgeschichte). According to this method, to understand a text we need to take into account the effects it produced in history, placing oneself within that history and dialoguing with it.[1] This principle is highly useful when applied to the interpretation of Scripture. It tells us that we cannot fully understand the Old Testament except in the light of its fulfillment in the New, and we cannot fully understand the New Testament except by the fruit that it has produced in the life of the Church. Historical-philological study of “sources,” the influences a text has undergone, is therefore not enough by itself. We also need to take into account the influences the text itself has exercised. It is a principle that Jesus had much earlier formulated, saying that every tree will be known by its fruit (see Lk 6:44).

With the appropriate adjustments, this principle—as we saw in preceding meditations—can also be applied to the texts of Vatican II. Today I would like to show how it can be applied in particular to the Decree on Ecumenism, Unitatis redintegratio, which is the topic of this meditation. Fifty years of journeying and progress in ecumenism can demonstrate the vitality in this text. After recalling the profound reasons that led Christians to seek unity among themselves again, and after taking note of the spread of a new attitude among Christians of different churches, the Council Fathers express the purpose of the document this way:
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-calls-neocatechumenal-way-to-unity

Pope Francis calls Neocatechumenal Way to unity
2016-03-18 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis spoke to members of the Neocatacumenal Way on Friday in the Vatican's Paul VI audience hall.

In his address, the Holy Father focused on three words: unity, glory, and world.

Below is a Vatican Radio English translation of the Holy Father's prepared remarks:

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

I'm glad to meet you and thank you for coming in such great numbers. I send a special greeting to those who are about to set off! You have accepted the call to evangelize: I bless the Lord for this, for the gift of the Way and for the gift of each of you. I would like to highlight three words that the Gospel has just handed you, as a mandate for the mission: unity, glory and world.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/fr-lombardi-papal-visit-to-armenia-in-june-is-bein

Fr Lombardi: Papal visit to Armenia in June is being studied
2016-03-18 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The Director of the Holy See’s Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi said a visit by Pope Francis to Armenia in the second half of June 2016 is being studied. Fr. Lombardi said a final survey of the sites by organisers on the Vatican side has not yet taken place and there is no definitive programme for this visit approved by the Pope.

His comments came after some media outlets reported a visit by Pope Francis to Armenia would take place from the 22nd to the 26th of June.

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/st-peters-to-participate-in-earth-hour-2016

St. Peter's to participate in Earth Hour 2016
2016-03-18 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The lights of the Cupola atop St. Peter’s Basilica are to go dark on the evening of Saturday, March 19th, along with those that illumine Bernini’s colonnade embracing St. Peter’s Square. From 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM in the evening, the lights shall remain dark on the occasion of the 2016 iteration of Earth Hour – an initiative promoted by the World Wildlife Fund International, in which the Vatican City State is participating.

The lights illuminating the two fountains in the Square and the four candelabra surrounding the central obelisk will remain shining, however, along with those that light the two “arms” stretching from either side of the Basilica’s narthex and signed by the two great equestrian statues of Constantine and Charlemagne, north and south, respectively.
 

http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2016/vatican-to-undertake-ecological-initiatives-during-easter-season.cfm
Vatican to undertake ecological initiatives during Easter season
By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service
3.18.2016 11:01 AM ET

[klaasend]

I'm not Catholic, but I like this Pope, he's a good man

[grace-land]

I'm not Catholic, but I like this Pope, he's a good man

 

I agree with you, klaasend, he is a good man; and I think he is a holy and humble pope.

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-launches-franciscus-instagram-account

Pope Francis launches "Franciscus" Instagram account
2016-03-19 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis today launched his new INSTAGRAM account with a tweet in which he said: "I am beginning a new journey, on Instagram, to walk with you along the path of the mercy and tenderness of God."

It was Pope Francis himself who inaugurated his account, called "Franciscus," from his residence at the Casa Santa Marta. He also posted his first image, a picture of himself in prayer.

To create his startup profile, the Holy Father was assisted by Kevin Systrom, the CEO and co-founder of Instagram, and Msgr. Lucio Adrian Ruiz, secretary of the Secretariat for Communication.

Founded in 2010, Instagram has approximately 400 million users worldwide and shares photos and videos with a community of followers. The launch of the Pope’s Instagram account will increase his substantial presence on social media platforms. His Twitter account, with the hashtag “@Pontifex,” has more than 26 million followers.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-homily-for-mass-of-palm-sunday

Pope Francis: Homily for Mass of Palm Sunday
2016-03-20 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday presided at the Procession and Mass for Palm Sunday, as the Church enters into the celebration of Holy Week. Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem one week before His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

The crowds in Jerusalem joyfully welcomed Jesus, the Pope said in his homily, and "we have made that enthusiasm our own: by waving our olive and palm branches we have expressed our praise and our joy, our desire to receive Jesus who comes to us."

The Holy Father continued: "Nothing could dampen their enthusiasm for Jesus’ entry. May nothing prevent us from finding in Him the source of our joy, true joy, which abides and brings peace; for it is Jesus alone who saves us from the snares of sin, death, fear and sadness."

Pope Francis' homily focused on the redemptive Passion of Jesus, who emptied Himself, dying on the Cross for our sake. Even "at the height of His annihilation, He reveals the true face of God, which is mercy."

"If the mystery of evil is unfathomable," the Pope continued, "then the reality of Love poured out through Him is infinite, reaching even to the tomb and to hell.  He takes upon Himself all our pain that He may redeem it, bringing light to darkness, life to death, love to hatred."

God's way of acting, Pope Francis said, may seem very different from our own; nonetheless, we are called to "we are called to choose His way: the way of service, of giving, of forgetfulness of ourselves." Jesus, he concluded, "invites us to walk on his path. Let us turn our faces to Him, let us ask for the grace to understand something of the mystery of His obliteration for our sake; and then, in silence, let us contemplate the mystery of this Week."

Below, please find the full text of Pope Francis' prepared homily for Palm Sunday 2016:
 
http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-marks-world-youth-day-in-angelus-address
Pope marks World Youth Day in Angelus address
2016-03-20 Vatican Radio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf5cIg4cMRM
Palm Sunday celebration - 2016.03.20 
Streamed live 13 hours ago
Blessing of the palms and olive branches, Procession and Palm Sunday Mass presided over by Pope Francis followed by the Angelus.

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/via-crucis-meditations-at-colosseum-god-is-mercy

Via Crucis meditations at Colosseum: God is mercy
2016-03-21 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) "God is mercy": that’s the title chosen by Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti for the meditations for the Via Crucis which will be presided by Pope Francis on the night of Good Friday at the Roman Colosseum. In the texts, which will be published tomorrow by the Libreria Editrice Vaticana, the archbishop of Perugia, Italy conveys the message that in response to our fear, pain, persecution and violence, God gives his mercy freely to all. In meditations for each of the 14 stations of the Cross, Cardinal Bassetti recalls the words of St. John Paul II, reflects on the plight of persecuted Christians and the Jews killed in the death camps, and “the victims of all persecution.”

He reminds us to see the face of Christ in the stranger, especially migrants, and to pray for families in difficulty, especially for couples whose marriages are failing, those who have lost their jobs, and for young people who have yet to find stable employment.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-receives-grand-duke-and-duchess-of-lu

Pope Francis receives Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg
2016-03-21 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis received the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Henri Albert Gabriel Fèlix Marie Guillaume and his wife, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa Mestre, on Monday.

The private meeting lasted just under a half-hour, and included their Highnesses’ five children, their spouses, and three grandchildren.

The royal family of Luxembourg gave the Holy Father a family portrait, with the Spanish-language dedication, “To our Pope Francis, with the respectful and filial affection our whole family.” Pope Francis gave the family a medal of the pontificate and copies of his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii gaudium, and his Encyclical Letter, Laudato si’.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-welcomes-indonesias-new-ambassador

Pope welcomes Indonesia’s new ambassador
2016-03-21 Vatican Radio

Pope Francis on Monday welcomed Indonesia’s new Ambassador to the Holy See, Antonius Agus Sriyono. The Ambassador presented his credentials to the Pope at a formal ceremony in the Vatican, at the start of his mission with the Holy See. A graduate in international relations from Gadjah Mada University, Sriyono later did courses in diplomacy before starting a career in the diplomatic service. He has held several posts in Indonesia’s foreign ministry as well as in diplomatic missions abroad, such as in the Netherlands, the United Nations and Russia before serving as ambassador to New Zealand, 2010-2013.

Muslims form over 87% of Indonesia’s over 255 million population, making it the most populous Muslim-majority country in the world.   Catholics make up just 2.8% of the population. The Holy See recognized the Republic of Indonesia in 1947 and established an Apostolic Delegation in the country. 

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-prays-for-victims-of-russian-plane-crash-istanbul-bombing-89264/

Pope prays for victims of Russian plane crash, Istanbul bombing

Vatican City, Mar 21, 2016 / 10:30 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis offered prayers over the weekend for victims of both a plane crash in Russia and a suicide bombing in Istanbul.

“His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the tragic air accident in Rostov-on-Don and he sends his sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of the victims,” said a telegram from Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

“His Holiness commends the souls of the dead to the mercy of Almighty God and implores the divine gifts of consolation, strength and hope upon all who mourn their loss.”

Early Saturday, a flight from the United Arab Emirates crashed while attempting to land in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. All 62 passengers will killed. The plane had been circling for more than two hours without being able to land due to strong winds and poor visibility.

Also on Saturday, a suicide bomber attacked a busy shopping street in Istanbul, killing four. Authorities have identified the bomber as a Turkish citizen with links to ISIS.

The Pope “grieves to learn of the casualties caused by the bombing in Istanbul yesterday morning, and he expresses his prayerful solidarity with all touched by this tragedy,” said a separate telegram from Cardinal Parolin on Sunday.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-sends-condolences-following-belgium-attacks

Pope sends condolences following Belgium attacks
2016-03-22 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has a sent telegramme to Jozef De Kesel, Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels following the attacks on Tuesday morning in the Belgian capital Brussels.
 
Please find below a Vatican Radio translation of the Pope’s telegramme.

Learning of the attacks in Brussels, which have affected many people, His Holiness Pope Francis entrusts to God's mercy those who died and he prays for those who have lost relatives. He expresses his deepest sympathy to the injured and their families, and all those who contribute to relief efforts, asking the Lord to bring them comfort and consolation in this ordeal. The Holy Father again condemns the blind violence which causes so much suffering and imploring from God the gift of peace, he entrusts on the bereaved families and the Belgians the benefit of divine blessings.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin

Secretary of State of His Holiness

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http://www.news.va/en/news/the-pope-to-wash-the-feet-of-twelve-guests-of-the

The Pope to wash the feet of twelve guests of the reception centre in Castelnuovo di Porto - Holy Thursday among refugees
2016-03-22 L’Osservatore Romano

On Holy Thursday, Pope Francis will spend time in Castelnuovo di Porto with young refugees who are hosted by the Reception Centre for Asylum Seekers, known as the Centro di Accoglienza per Richiedenti Asilo, or CARA. The simple but eloquent visit will include the celebration of the Rite of the Washing of Feet. The Pope will stoop to wash the feet of 12 refugees as a sign of service and attention to their situation.

During the Jubilee Audience held on Saturday, 12 March, in speaking about the act of the washing of feet, Pope Francis stated: “By washing the feet of the Apostles, Jesus wished to reveal God’s mode of action in regard to us, and to give an example of his ‘new commandment’ (Jn 13:34) to love one another as He has loved us, that is, laying down his life for us”. Delving deeper, he added that love “is the practical service that we offer to others. Love is not a word, it is a deed, a service; humble service, hidden and silent”. Indeed, “it is expressed in the sharing of material goods, so that no one be left in need”. It is, moreover, “the lifestyle that God suggests, even to non-Christians, as the authentic path of humanity.”