Pope Francis

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http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-recent-stories-about-benedict-xvi-and-fatima-secrets-are-absolutely-untrue-20495/

Vatican: recent stories about Benedict XVI and Fatima secrets are 'absolutely untrue'

Vatican City, May 21, 2016 / 09:40 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Vatican announced today that recent articles claiming that Pope emeritus Benedict XVI said that the Third Secret of Fatima was not released in its entirety back in 2000 are “pure inventions” and “absolutely untrue.”

The Holy See Press Office released a statement May 21 responding to recent blog posts that, during his time as Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger told someone the Third Secret of Fatima was not completely published.

According to one article, Professor Ingo Dollinger was told by Cardinal Ratzinger that the Third Secret of Fatima, released in 2000 during the Jubilee Year by Pope John Paul II, was “incomplete.”

“In this regard, Pope emeritus Benedict XVI declares ‘never to have spoken with Professor Dollinger about Fatima’, clearly affirming that the remarks attributed to Professor Dollinger on the matter ‘are pure inventions, absolutely untrue’, and he confirms decisively that ‘the publication of the Third Secret of Fatima is complete,’” the Vatican statement said.
 
In 1930, the Catholic Church proclaimed the supernatural character of the apparitions and a shrine was erected at Fatima. Pope Paul VI visited Fatima in 1967, and later Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI visited during their pontificates. Pope Francis plans to visit Fatima in 2017 in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Marian apparitions.

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-angelus-the-holy-trinity-where-there-is-love

Pope Angelus: The Holy Trinity, where there is love there is God
2016-05-22 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) “The feast of the Holy Trinity invites us to engage in the daily events to be the leaven of communion, of consolation and of mercy.” Those were Pope Francis' words during his Angelus address on a sunny Trinity Sunday from his studio above St Peter’s Square.

Drawing inspiration from the  Gospel of St. John, the Pope said that Jesus knew how to be close to the realization of the Father's plan, which will be fulfilled by his death and resurrection; “for this, Pope Francis continued, he wants to ensure his followers that he will not abandon them because his mission will be prolonged by the Holy Spirit.”

The Holy Father explained that the Holy Spirit “guides us into new life situations with an eye to Jesus and, at the same time, open to events and to the future.” “He takes care of the wounded flesh of humanity from injustice, oppression, hatred and greed.”

Then the Pope described how the Trinity is a family of three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit which is not closed in on itself, but it is open,
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-sends-top-level-delegation-to-world-humanitar

Pope sends top level delegation to World Humanitarian Summit
2016-05-21 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) A top level Holy See delegation will be present in Istanbul for the first ever World Humanitarian Summit that takes place on 23 and 24 May.

Convened by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as the world witnesses the highest level of human suffering since World War 2, the summit brings together governments, humanitarian organizations, people affected by humanitarian crises and new partners - including the private sector.

At the heart of the summit is the call for us all to invest in humanity – that is in people’s safety, dignity and the right to thrive – to  place that belief at the core of global decision-making.

To do this, the summit is asking participants to propose solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges and to set an agenda for effective humanitarian action.

What with over 4.3 million Syrians displaced by the conflict in their nation and estimates there will be at least 4.7 million by the end of the year, refugee issues will take center stage in Istanbul as leaders and policy-makers have to acknowledge that more  than half of those suffering are children under the age of 18 who have lost everything: family, friends, education and hope for a future of normality.

So, while the Summit is above all a call to action to change the effects of the crisis on a global, regional and local level  by trying to rethink and reshape the aid given to refugees today, the  refugee crisis is not the only topic.

All participants will be committed to a unified agenda focusing on climate change, urbanization, population growth and how new technology can be used for the benefit of everyone. Round table events will provide the space for further creative brainstorming and on how to share and invest in new ideas.

So important are the issues at stake that the Holy See  has sent three top representatives to the meeting including Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, Permanent ******* to the UN, Archbishop Bernard Auza and Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, who until a few months ago was the Permanent ******* of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-sends-message-to-world-humanitarian-summit

Pope sends Message to World Humanitarian Summit
2016-05-23 Vatican Radio

Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a message to the World Humanitarian Summit taking place 23-24 May in Istanbul. The Summit was convened by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

In his message, addressed to Secretary General Ban, Pope Francis said, “I hope that your efforts may contribute in a real way to alleviating the sufferings of these millions of people” who need “protection, care and assistance, and who seek a dignified future.”

He also noted some of the difficulties in finding solutions to humanitarian crises, such as competing interests and “military, economic and geo-political strategies” that displace persons and “impose the god of money, the god of power.” And he warned about humanitarian efforts “conditioned by commercial and ideological constraints.

“For this reason,” he said, “what is needed today is a renewed commitment to protect each person in their daily life and to protect their dignity and human rights, their security and their comprehensive needs.” At the same time, he continued, “it is necessary to preserve freedom and the social and cultural identity of peoples.”

Aid for those in need must begin on a personal level, he said, but must also involve working together.

Pope Francis also said he hoped the Summit would be the occasion for recognizing the important work of many who “serve their neighbor and contribute to consoling” those who suffer.

He emphasized that love is not directed to ideas, but to persons.

Finally, Pope Francis offered a challenge to those taking part in the Summit: “let us hear the cry of the victims and those suffering.  Let us allow them to teach us a lesson in humanity.  Let us change our ways of life, politics, economic choices, behaviours and attitudes of cultural superiority. Learning from victims and those who suffer, we will be able to build a more humane world.”

Below, please find the full text of Pope Francis’ Message to the World Humanitarian Summit:
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-christians-live-gods-love-with-joy-as

Pope Francis: Christians live God’s love with joy, astonishment
2016-05-23 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) No Christian can exist without joy: that’s what Pope Francis said in his Homily at Mass Monday morning in the chapel of the Santa Marta guesthouse.  The Pope stressed that even through life’s difficulties, the Christian knows he can trust in Jesus and find hope.  The Pope also reminded the faithful they should not allow riches to dominate their lives because they ultimately lead to sadness.

Christians live in joy and amazement because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Commenting on the First Letter of St. Peter the Apostle, Francis pointed out that, even if we are plagued by trials, we can never lose the joy of knowing that God “regenerated us in Christ and gave us hope".

The identity card of the Christian is the joy of the Gospel

He noted that we can go towards that “hope” which "the early Christians depicted as an anchor in heaven."  We too, can “ take the rope and go up there," to "that hope" that brings joy:

"A Christian is a man, or a woman, of joy: a man and a woman with joy in their heart. There is no Christian without joy!”  You may be told that there are many such Christians, the Pope warned, but  “they are not Christians! They say they are, but they are not! They are missing something.”
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-receives-grand-imam-of-al-azhar-in-au

Pope Francis receives Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in audience
2016-05-23 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis received in audience in the Vatican on Monday the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheik Ahmed Muhammad Al-Tayyib. 
 
Upon his arrival in the Vatican, the Grand Imam was welcomed, and then accompanied to his audience with the Pope, by the President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Card. Jean-Louis Tauran, and by the Secretary of the same dicastery, Bishop Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot.

Fr. Lombardi further states that the Pope and Grand Imam noted “the great significance of this new meeting in the framework of dialogue between the Catholic Church and Islam.” The two then mainly “discussed the common commitment of the authorities and the faithful of the great religions for peace in the world, the rejection of violence and terrorism, the situation of Christians in the context of conflicts and tensions in the Middle East and their protection.”

During the meeting, Pope Francis gave the Grand Imam the Medallion of the olive tree of peace and a copy of his Encyclical Letter Laudato si'.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/05/23/anglicans,_catholics_welcome_return_of_thomas_becket_relics/1231765

Anglicans, Catholics welcome return of Thomas Becket relics
23/05/2016 12:45

The site in Canterbury Cathedral where St Thomas Becket was murdered on December 29th 1170.

(Vatican Radio) A relic of St Thomas Becket, the 12th century English archbishop murdered at the altar in Canterbury Cathedral, is returning home this week from Hungary, where it has been venerated as a powerful symbol of the Church’s struggle for religious freedom.

The relic, a small fragment of bone, is believed to have been taken to Hungary shortly after the assassination and has been kept for the past eight centuries in Esztergom Basilica. Becket’s murder by four knights in December 1170 marked the dramatic end of a long feud with King Henry II and the start of a popular tradition of pilgrimage to his tomb.

Under Henry VIII, his shrine was destroyed and his name was removed from the Church of England calendar, yet today he is being seen a sign of shared Christian heritage and a powerful symbol of those modern martyrs being persecuted for their faith.

Hungary’s president will join top Catholic and Anglican leaders for liturgies at both Westminster Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, before the relic continues its journey to Canterbury Cathedral.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-holiness-is-courage-hope-daily-conver

Pope Francis: holiness is courage, hope, daily conversion
2016-05-24 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio)  "Walk in the presence of God without reproach." That’s how Pope Francis says we can journey towards holiness.  During the Homily at Mass at Santa Marta Tuesday, the Pope said that for this commitment to succeed, Christians must be able to hope with courage, open themselves up to discussion, and freely welcome God's grace.

Holiness cannot be bought. Neither can it be earned by human strength. No, "the simple holiness of all Christians," "ours – the kind  we are called to every day," says the Pope, can only be attained with the help of four essential elements: courage, hope, grace, and conversion.

The path of courage

Taking the liturgical excerpt from the First Letter of St. Peter, which he called a "small treatise on holiness," Pope Francis said holiness means “to walk in the presence of God without reproach:"

"Holiness is a journey; holiness cannot be bought.  It can’t be sold. It cannot be given away. Holiness is a journey to God's presence that I must make: no one else can do it in my name. I can pray for someone to be holy, but he’s the one who has to work towards [holiness], not me. Walk in God's presence, in an impeccable way.”

Everyday holiness, the Pope continued, can also be “anonymous.” And the first element needed to achieve it is courage:  “The path to holiness takes courage."
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/05/24/gospel_of_family,_joy_for_the_world_theme_of_dublin_wmf/1232068

'Gospel of the family, joy for the world' is theme of Dublin WMF
24/05/2016 13:48

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin speaking in the Vatican press office
(Vatican Radio) ‘The Gospel of the family, joy for the world’ is the theme for the 9th World Meeting of Families which will take place in Dublin from August 22nd to 26th 2018.

The event was presented at a press conference in the Vatican on Tuesday by the Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin and by the head of the Pontifical Council for the Family, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia.

“Remember, Dublin begins today”. Those words were spoken by Pope Francis to Archbishop Diarmuid Martin at the start of the 2015 Synod on the family, shortly after the venue for the next World Meeting of Families had been announced in Philadelphia.

This international gathering may still be more than two years away, but as Archbishop Martin pointed out, it is not an isolated event: rather, it’s an extended process of discernment, encouragement, accompaniment and animation, as well as an important milestone in the application of the Synod’s final document 'Amoris Letitia'.
 
Papal visit to Ireland?

Responding to journalists’ questions, both Church leaders said it’s too early to say whether Pope Francis will be attending the meeting, though they noted it’s been nearly 40  years since the last papal visit of John Paul II in 1979. Due to the IRA murder of Lord Moutbatten in Ireland just a month before, the Polish Pope’s planned trip to Northern Ireland was cancelled, so they said there was a desire for Pope Francis to meet with politicians and leaders of the other Churches there, as well as with the Catholic population in the North.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-uses-sign-language-at-general-audienc

Pope Francis uses sign language at General Audience
2016-05-25 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis began his weekly General Audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday by greeting people in sign language.

The message of greeting – which involves raising one’s arms, and then turning your hand with the palms out – was for a pilgrimage group from the National Board for the Deaf, which is based in Florence.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-at-wednesday-audience-persevere-in-prayer

Pope at Wednesday audience: Persevere in prayer
2016-05-25 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis centered the catechesis of this week’s Wednesday general audience on the importance of persevering in prayer.
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters:  In our continuing catechesis for this Holy Year of Mercy, we now turn to the parable of the unjust judge and the widow (Lk 18:1-8).  In telling us that even an unscrupulous judge will finally render justice to a poor woman because of her persistence, Jesus encourages us to persevere in prayer to our heavenly Father, who is infinitely just and loving.  He also assures us that God will not only hear our prayers, but will not delay in answering them (vv. 7-8).  The Gospels tell us that Jesus himself prayed constantly.  His own intense prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane is a model for our own: it teaches us to present our petitions with complete trust in Father’s gracious will.  The parable of the unjust judge and the widow ends with a pointed question: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth”? (v. 8 ).  Perseverance in prayer keeps our faith alive and strong.  For in that prayer, we experience the compassion of God who, like a Father filled with love and mercy, is ever ready to come to the aid of his children.

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-everyone-has-a-duty-to-protect-children

Pope: Everyone has a duty to protect children
2016-05-25 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) “It is a duty of everyone to protect children, especially those exposed to elevated risk of exploitation, trafficking, and deviant conduct.”

That was the message of Pope Francis for International Missing Children’s Day at his General Audience on Wednesday. Missing Children’s Day was established in the United States by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, four years after the disappearance of 6-year-old Etan Patz in New York City. The date of his disappearance, May 25, was chosen for the annual commemoration. Since 1998 Missing Children’s Day has been commemorated internationally.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-sends-message-to-conference-on-perinatal-care

Pope sends message to Conference on Perinatal Care
2016-05-25 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a message to participants at a conference on pre- and perinatal care taking place at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Teaching hospital.

The Conference, entitled “Guarding Life: the perinatal hospice, a scientific, ethical and human response to prenatal diagnoses,” is presenting the initial results of therapeutic approaches to care for newborns, including those with grave pathological conditions, developed by the new “Perinatal Hospice” established at the Gemelli Hospital. The Hospice has been established in the context of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-corpus-domini-homily

Pope Francis: Corpus Domini homily
2016-05-26 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis delivered the homily at Mass being celebrated on the steps of Rome's cathedral Basilica of St. John Lateran on Thursday, to mark the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Our Lord. Below, please find the full text of the Holy Father's prepared remarks, in their official English translation.
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« Do this in remembrance of me » (1 Cor 11 :24-25).

Twice the Apostle Paul, writing to the community in Corinth, recalls this command of Jesus in his account of the institution of the Eucharist.  It is the oldest testimony we have to the words of Christ at the Last Supper.

“Do this”.  That is, take bread, give thanks and break it; take the chalice, give thanks, and share it.  Jesus gives the command to repeat this action by which he instituted the memorial of his own Pasch, and in so doing gives us his Body and his Blood.  This action reaches us today: it is the “doing” of the Eucharist which always has Jesus as its subject, but which is made real through our poor hands anointed by the Holy Spirit.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-sends-video-message-to-germanys-catho

Pope Francis sends video message to Germany's 'Catholic Day'
2016-05-25 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis sent a video message on Wednesday to participants in the 100th Katholikentag, or Catholic Day, taking place in Leipzig, Germany, from May 25th to 29th. First organised in 1848, this popular festival brings together Catholics, as well as people of other religious traditions, in dialogue with political, cultural and business leaders.

Speaking in German, a language he learnt during his student days, Pope Francis greeted participants and praised the good relations between Christians of different denominations in Germany.

Noting the title of this 100th Katholikentag, ‘Ecce homo’, or ‘Behold, the man’, the Pope said this theme shows us that it’s not exterior success that counts in life, but rather the ability to stop, to look and to be attentive to the needs of others.

Peace with Creation
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/05/26/statement_on_accusations_made_by_chaouqui/1232701

Statement on accusations made by Chaouqui
26/05/2016 17:04

(Vatican Radio) The Director of the Vatican Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, has released a statement concerning some statements made by Francesco Immacolata Chaouqui against Archbishop Angelo Giovanni Becciu, the Substitute of the Secretary of State, released during the ongoing trial at the Vatican for the appropriation and illicit disclosure of confidential documents:

“On the occasion of the last hearing in the trial taking place in the Vatican for the publication of confidential documents (May 24), Dr Francesca Immacolata Chaouqui has made some statements, of which the press has taken notice, in which she made serious charges against the person of the Substitute of the Secretary of State, of having acting unfairly towards her. Such accusations, after the hearing, were repeated in an even more serious way and spread by Facebook by the accused [Chaouqui]. 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/05/26/pope_francis_mass_and_corpus_domini_procession_/1232689

Pope Francis: Mass and torchlight Eucharistic procession for Corpus Domini
26/05/2016 21:30

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis celebrated Mass on the steps of Rome’s cathedral basilica of St. John Lateran Thursday evening, to mark the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

In the homily he prepared for the occasion, Pope Francis focused on the Eucharist as the source of Christian strength. “From the outset,” he said, “it is the Eucharist which becomes the centre and pattern of the life of the Church: but we think also of all the saints – famous or anonymous – who have ‘broken’ themselves, their own life, in order to ‘give something to eat’ to their brothers and sisters.” 

The liturgy was followed by a torchlight Eucharistic procession from the Lateran Basilica to the nearby Basilica of St. Mary Major: an occasion for parish groups, sodalities and charitable and fraternal organisations of all kinds to give public witness to the central mystery of the faith: that Jesus Christ is really, truly, substantially present: body, blood, soul and divinity, under the species of bread and wine.

Ordinary citizens participated too, whether watching from the windows and balconies of the buildings that line the route from the Lateran basilica along the via Merulana to the Basilica of St Mary Major, or joining on foot in the procession itself.

All told, the Mass and procession rad roughly two and a half hours, and ended as the fullness of night fell on the city in late spring, with the Pope leading the faithful in Eucharistic adoration and offering solemn benediction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KHpm7oD4ZI
Mass for the Solemn Feast of Corpus Christi 2016.05.26
Streamed live 9 hours ago
Holy Mass and Procession to St. Mary Major, presided by Pope Francis, for the Solemn Feast of Corpus Christi

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-to-orionines-remain-with-jesus-and-serve-the

Pope to Orionines: Remain with Jesus, and serve the poor
2016-05-27 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday greeted members of the Congregation of Don Orione, the Sons of Divine Providence, on the occasion of their 14th General Chapter.

The Congregation takes its inspiration from its founder, St Luigi Orione, whose motto was: “Do good to all; harm no one.” St Luigi Orione is remembered for his commitment to social justice and the service of those in need, a service guided and inspired by the teachings of the Catholic Church.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-receives-president-of-costa-rica-in-p

Pope Francis receives President of Costa Rica in private audience
2016-05-27 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis received the President of Costa Rica, Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera, who was accompanied by his wife and daughter, in the Vatican on Friday for a private audience.

A press release from the Holy See Press Office called the meeting 'cordial', saying the Holy Father and Mr. Solís spoke about the good relationship between the Holy See and Costa Rica.

Mr. Solís expressed his appreciation for the important contribution of the Catholic Church to Costa Rican society, especially in the areas of education, health care, the promotion of human and spiritual values, and charitable works. The two leaders also spoke about several themes of common interest, including the protection of human life, migration, and drug trafficking. Finally, mention was made of the regional situation and a number of international issues.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/popes-sends-condolences-upon-death-of-card-capovil

Popes sends condolences upon death of Card. Capovilla
2016-05-27 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis has sent his condolences to the Bishop of Bergamo, Italy for the death of Cardinal Loris Francesco Capovilla, the former private secretary of Pope John XXIII.  Upon hearing of the Cardinal’s passing 26 May 2016 at the age of 100, Pope Francis wrote in a telegram to Bishop Francesco Beschi, in whose diocese Cardinal Capovilla lived the last years of his life:  “I think with affection of this dear brother who in his long and fruitful existence gave witness to the Gospel with joy and obediently served the Church, first in the diocese of Venice, then with attentive affection at the side of Pope John XXIII, of whose memory he was the zealous custodian and expert interpreter. In his episcopal ministry, especially in Chieti-Vasto and Loreto (Italy), he was always a pastor totally dedicated to the wellbeing of all priests and the faithful …with a solid fidelity to the teachings of the Second Vatican Council.”