Pope Francis

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/08/21/pope_francis_life_is_no_video_game,_salvation_is_serious/1252717

Pope Francis: life is no video game, the goal of salvation is serious
21/08/2016 12:30

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis on Sunday said “life is not a video game or a soap opera; our life is serious and the goal to achieve is important: eternal salvation.”  Speaking to pilgrims gathered for the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square, the Pope focused on the theme of eternal salvation and referred to the day’s Gospel reading in which a man asks Jesus how many people will be saved. “It doesn’t matter how many,” the Pope noted, “but it is important that everyone knows which is the path that leads to salvation.”  And the door to salvation lies in Jesus, he said, and we can cross the threshold of God's mercy through love, and by overcoming pride, arrogance and sin.

Below, please find a Vatican Radio translation of the Pope’s Angelus address:

“Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

Today's Gospel passage invites us to meditate on the theme of salvation. The Evangelist Luke tells us that Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem and along the way is approached by a man who asks him this question: "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" (Luke 13:23). Jesus does not give a direct answer, but takes the discussion to another level, with suggestive language that at first, the disciples don’t understand:   "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter, but they will not succeed" (v.24 ). With the image of the door, He wants to explain to his listeners that it is not a question of numbers – how many people will be saved.   It doesn’t matter how many, but it is important that everyone knows which is the path that leads to salvation: the door.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/08/21/pope_offers_prayers_for_victims_of_turkey_bomb_attack/1252706

Pope offers prayers for victims of Turkey bomb attack
21/08/2016 12:29

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis on Sunday offered prayers for the victims of Saturday’s bombing in southern Turkey.  At least 50 people were killed and dozens wounded when a suspected suicide bomber detonated his explosives among people at a wedding party in the southern Turkish city of Gaziantep.  Women and children were among those killed.
 
Speaking after the recitation of the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis said, “Sad news has reached me about the bloody attack” that was carried out yesterday in “dear Turkey.”  “Let us pray for the victims, for the dead and the injured, and we ask for the gift of peace for all,” the Pope said, leading pilgrims present in the square in the recitation of the Hail Mary prayer.

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/08/19/baton_rouge_bishop_flooding_is_“of_historic_proportions/1252310

Baton Rouge Bishop: Flooding in Louisiana is “of historic proportions”
19/08/2016 12:31

(Vatican Radio)  With thousands of people across Louisiana displaced by catastrophic flooding, the Catholic Church is among those mobilizing to help those who urgently require shelter and other assistance. More than 40,000 thousand homes were damaged by the flood waters in Louisiana that have claimed at least 13 lives and experts say the U.S. state could be looking at its biggest housing emergency since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina a decade ago.

One of the worst-hit areas was in and around the state capital, Baton Rouge. Susy Hodges spoke to Bishop Robert Muench of Baton Rouge to find out more details.

Describing the flooding as “a life-changing event”, Bishop Muench said despite this “enormous” disaster, the spirit of the local people is “resilient” and “amazingly good – even those who have lost everything.”

He described how all the different Christian denominations are working together to help the displaced by providing shelter and distributing other essentials and also praised the work of volunteers in boats who “went out and saved a lot of lives.” He said people are rallying around and “coming together” in the wake of this disaster to help those in need and called it “very inspiring.”
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/08/20/pope_francis_sends_message_to_eucharistic_congress_in_brazil/1252634

Pope Francis sends message to Eucharistic Congress in Brazil
20/08/2016 16:22

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has expressed his love for the people of the Amazon region in a message to the XVII National Eucharistic Congress of Brazil, taking place this weekend in Belém.

Reflection on the call of Jesus Christ to preach the Gospel, and to baptize, Pope Francis said “while we strive to promote the new evangelization throughout the land, we should remember events in the past connected to the preaching of the Gospel: In them we can contemplate the grace of God, Who is always rich in mercy, and calls all men to salvation in Christ.”

In his message, the Holy Father mentioned his love for the church leaders from the Amazon, and every part of Brazil.
 

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https://zenit.org/articles/pope-to-christians-despite-our-differences-we-can-work-together/

Pope to Christians: ‘Despite Our Differences, We Can Work Together’
August 23, 2016

“The Holy Father hopes that the differences between Catholics and Waldensians will not impede finding ways of collaboration in the ambit of evangelization, of service to the poor, to the sick, to immigrants and in the safeguarding of Creation.”

Pope Francis’ desire was expressed in a telegram, signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on the Pope’s behalf, to the Methodist and Waldensian (Valdese) churches yesterday on occasion of their Synod in Turin, Italy this week.

In the telegram, the Pontiff expressed his spiritual closeness to the participants and his greetings.

Assuring them of his prayers, Francis invoked the Lord’s gifts “to walk with serenity of heart towards full communion, to witness Christ effectively to the whole of humanity,” and to encounter, together, the men and women of today “to transmit to them the heart of the Gospel.”
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-thanks-church-in-poland-for-world-you

Pope Francis thanks Church in Poland for World Youth Day
2016-08-23 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The Bishops Conference of Poland has released the text of a letter sent by Pope Francis to thank the country for the reception he received last month during World Youth Day.

In the letter, Pope Francis told the Church in Poland he was “deeply moved by your strong faith and the unwavering hope that you have kept in spite of difficulties and tragedies, and by your fervent love, which animates your human and Christian pilgrimage.”

The full text of the letter is below
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/08/17/poland_outlaws_use_of_term_%E2%80%98polish_death_camp%E2%80%99/1251793

Poland outlaws use of term ‘Polish death camp’
17/08/2016 10:59

A man crosses the iconic rails leading to the former Nazi death camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau prior to a visit by Pope Francis in Poland, 29 July 2016

(Vatican Radio) Poland's government has approved a new bill that foresees prison terms of up to three years for anyone who uses phrases like "Polish death camps" to refer to Auschwitz and other camps that Nazi Germany operated in occupied Poland during World War II. The bill follows years of debates on the issue.

The bill aims to deal with a problem the Polish government has faced for years: foreign media outlets - and even U.S. President Barack Obama - referring to the Nazi camps as "Polish."

In a statement, the Justice Ministry said the Cabinet of Prime Minister Beata Szydlo approved the legislation during a weekly session on Tuesday. It is expected to pass easily in the parliament, where the right-wing ruling Law and Justice party enjoys a majority.

Poles fear that as the war grows more distant younger generations across the world will incorrectly assume that Poles had a role in running Auschwitz, Treblinka and other German-run Nazi death camps.

It's seen as a bitter association for a nation that was occupied and subjected to brutality that left some 5.5 million Polish citizens dead during the war, including about 3 million Jews and 2.5 million non-Jews.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2016/08/22/pope-francis-taps-american-envoy-guinea-bissau/

Pope Francis taps American as envoy in Guinea Bissau
August 22, 2016

ROME - On Monday Pope Francis appointed U.S. Archbishop Michael W. Banach as Apostolic Nuncio to Guinea Bissau, meaning the pope’s ambassador to that nation, marking the latest in a string of American nuncio appointments so far this year.

The announcement that Banach, previously nuncio to several other countries, will now be overseeing the Holy See’s relations with Guinea Bissau came in an Aug. 22 communique from the Vatican.

Designated Titular Archbishop of Memphis in 2013, Banach was named nuncio to Senegal and apostolic delegate to Mauritania March 19, and as nuncio to Cape Verde July 9. He will continue to hold these positions in addition to his new appointment as nuncio to Guinea Bissau, all of which sit along the Northwest coast of Africa.
 

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http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-taps-dc-auxiliary-as-the-new-bishop-of-memphis-79367/

Pope Francis taps DC auxiliary as the new Bishop of Memphis

Vatican City, Aug 23, 2016 / 03:58 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Tuesday the Vatican announced that Pope Francis has named Martin D. Holley, currently Auxiliary Bishop of Washington D.C. and an advocate of minority issues, as the new Bishop of Memphis, Tenn.

After serving 12 years as Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar General for the Archdiocese of Washington, Bishop Holley has been appointed the fifth Bishop of Memphis, a city sometimes called “The Good Samaritan on the banks of the Mississippi.”
 

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http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2016/pope-leads-11000-pilgrims-praying-rosary-for-quake-victims.cfm

Pope leads 11,000 pilgrims praying rosary for quake victims
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
8.24.2016 2:17 PM ET

CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano via EPA

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Hearing the mayor of Amatrice in central Italy say his town no longer exists and knowing there were children who died Aug. 24 in the earthquakes that struck the region, Pope Francis turned his weekly general audience into a prayer service.

Beginning the audience in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis said he had prepared a normal audience talk on how the merciful Jesus is close to people, but given the devastation in central Italy, he decided to lead the recitation of the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary.
 

http://www.news.va/en/news/at-audience-pope-prays-rosary-for-earthquake-victi
At Audience, Pope prays Rosary for earthquake victims
2016-08-24 Vatican Radio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHi-sdQhIoU
Pope Francis General Audience 2016.08.24

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-appeals-for-peace-in-ukraine-3

Pope appeals for peace in Ukraine
2016-08-24 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday once again appealed for peace in Ukraine, urging all parties in the conflict, as well as international bodies, to “strengthen the initiatives to resolve the conflict, release the hostages, and respond to the humanitarian emergency.”

The Holy Father assured Ukrainians of his continued prayers for peace.

The appeal comes on Ukraine’s Independence Day, this year marking the 25th anniversary of independence from the former Soviet Union.

The full text of the Pope’s appeal for Ukraine.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-greets-paralympic-committee-ahead-of

Pope Francis greets Paralympic Committee ahead of Rio games
2016-08-24 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday made a special greeting during his General Audience to the members of the International Paralympic Committee and the athletes who are preparing to participate in the next Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, which will take place from 7-18 September.

The Holy Father blessed the Paralympic Flag when he was in Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day in 2013, taking the opportunity to speak about the bonds between evangelisation and the world of sport.

The Vatican is participating in the "Casa Italia Paralimpica in Rio 2016,” which is a meeting place for the Italian delegation at the Paralympic Games.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-greets-world-conference-of-secular-in

Pope Francis greets World Conference of Secular Institutes
2016-08-24 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday during his general audience greeted the participants the General Assembly of the World Conference of Secular Institutes.

A Secular Institutes is an “institute of consecrated life in which the Christian faithful living in the world strive for the perfection of charity and work for the sanctification of the world especially from within.” [CIC 710]
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/08/24/pope_sends_vatican_firefighters_to_quake_town_of_amatrice/1253459

Pope sends Vatican firefighters to quake town of Amatrice
24/08/2016 18:49

An injured man is carried by rescuers in the city of Amatrice following Wednesday's quake.

(Vatican Radio) As a concrete sign of his closeness to the victims of Italy’s earthquake, Pope Francis has sent a team of six firefighters from the Vatican City State to Amatrice, the city in central Italy that was worst affected by the quake. 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/08/25/pope_francis_appoints_new_auxiliary_bishop_for_denver/1253528

Pope Francis appoints new Auxiliary Bishop for Denver
25/08/2016 11:44

(Vatican Radio) The Holy Father has named Father Jorge H. Rodríguez-Novelo, of the Archdiocese of Denver, USA, as Auxiliary Bishop of the same Archdiocese. Father Rodríguez has been serving as Pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Denver, and professor at the archdiocesan Seminary of St John Vianney. Bishop-elect Rodríguez will hold the titular see of Azura.

Biography of Bishop-elect Jorge Rodriguez, S.T.D.

Bishop-elect Rodriguez was born March 22, 1955, in Merida, Mexico, located in the state of Yucatan. He is the son of Nery Maria Novelo and Ramon Rodriguez (deceased), and he has two brothers and four sisters, who live in Merida. In Merida he attended a primary school run by the Maryknoll Sisters, and then secondary and preparatory schools run by the Marist Brothers. When he finished high school, he joined the Legionaries of Christ to study and become a priest. He was ordained Dec. 24, 1987.
 

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http://www.lastampa.it/2016/08/25/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/priests-need-to-work-on-their-ability-to-discern-xsN8UPIRM02Ahc4qZNFOvK/pagina.html

Priests need to work on their ability to discern”
25/08/2016

Discernment is a key word in the sections of the “Amoris Laetitia” that deal with welcoming and guiding wounded and “irregular” families. It is precisely this discernment that “priests are really in need of” today, during their formation as well. Francis said this in a conversation he had with a group of 28 Polish Jesuits in Krakow in the afternoon of 30 July. A summary of the conversation  which lasted around 40 minutes was transcribed by Antonio Spadaro, the director of Italian Jesuit periodical La Civiltà Cattolica, and is published in the latest issue of the periodical.
 
“I ask you to work with seminarians,” the Pope told the group of Jesuits. “Above all, give them what you have received from the Exercises: the wisdom of discernment. The Church today needs to grow in the ability of spiritual discernment. Some priestly formation programs run the risk of educating in the light of overly clear and distinct ideas, and therefore acting within limits and criteria that are rigidly defined a priori, disregarding concrete situations: ‘you must do this, you must not do this’. Then, when the seminarians become priests, they find themselves in difficulty when they have to offer guidance to so many young people and adults. Because many ask: ‘can you do this or can you not?’ That’s all. And many people leave the confessional disappointed. Not because the priest is bad, but because the priest doesn’t have the ability to discern situations, to accompany them in authentic discernment. They don’t have the required formation.”
 

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2016/08/24/vatican-issues-sex-ed-guidelines/

Vatican issues its own sex ed guidelines
Inés San Martín   August 24, 2016

ROME- Trying to get ahead of the curve when it comes to sex education for children, the Vatican has issued an alternative to the standard treatments. The new project seeks to avoid approaches that teach either too much about human sexuality to impressionable youth or too little.

Amid the frenzy of World Youth Day, which gathered millions of young people in Krakow, Poland at the end of July, the Pontifical Council for the Family, headed by Italian Archbishop Vicenzo Paglia, launched a website with materials both for students and educators called “The Meeting Point, project for affective and sexual formation.”

“Cultural, legislative and educational projects directly or indirectly challenge the Christian vision of the body, of the difference and the complementarity between man and woman, the exercise of sexuality, marriage and the family,” Paglia wrote in the project’s introduction.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/non-violence-a-style-of-politics-for-peace-message

«Non-Violence: A Style of Politics for Peace». Message for the 50th World Day of Peace, the fourth of Pope Francis.

«Non-Violence: A Style of Politics for Peace». This is the title of the Message for the 50th World Day of Peace (1st january 2017), the fourth of Pope Francis. Violence and Peace are at the origin of two opposite ways to building society.

The proliferation of hotbeds of violence produces most serious negative social consequences. The Holy Father sums up this situation in the expression: “A Third World War in Pieces”. Peace, by contrast, promotes social positive consequences and it allows the achievement of real progress. Therefore, we should act within what is possible, and negotiate ways of peace even where they seem tortuous and impractical. Thus, non-violence can acquire a more comprehensive and new meaning. It will not only consist of desire, of moral rejection of violence, barriers, destructive impulses, but also of a realistic political method that gives rise to hope.
 
TheWorld Peace Day initiated by Paul VI is celebrated each year on the first day of January. The Holy Father's Message is sent to all Foreign Ministries of the world and it indicates the diplomatic concerns of the Holy See during the coming year.

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-to-church-in-americas-bring-the-balm

Pope Francis to Church in Americas: bring the balm of Christ's presence
2016-08-27 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a Video Message to the Church in the Americas, to mark the Jubilee of the Americas, organized by the Bishops’ Conference of Latin America (CELAM) and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

Scheduled to take place in Bogota, Colombia, from the 27th to the 30th of August, the theme of the continental Jubilee celebration is taken from Pope Francis’ homily at Mass on May 2nd, 2015, at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where he had gone to visit as part of preparations for the canonization of St. Junipero Serra: “May a powerful gust of holiness sweep through all the Americas during the coming Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy!”
 

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https://cruxnow.com/analysis/2016/08/27/francis-says-people-spoken-two-popes-just-fine/

Francis says the people have spoken: ‘Two popes are just fine’
John L. Allen Jr.   August 27, 2016

Arthur Schlesinger once said that President John F. Kennedy could look at all the polling numbers he wanted, but he didn’t really grasp how deep public support was for a nuclear test ban treaty until he hit the road and heard from the crowds.

Surveys are useful for assessing opinion, but to gauge intensity and depth of feeling, sometimes a leader needs to see for him or herself how real people react.

A similar point could be made with St. Pope John Paul II and ecumenism. The pontiff was already firmly committed to closer ties with other Christians by 1999, but when he traveled to overwhelmingly Orthodox Romania that year and was greeted by large crowds enthusiastically chanting unitate! unitate!, meaning “unity,” it helped drive home that this wasn’t just a theological or academic undertaking, but a transcendent popular cause.

The lesson is that crowds sometimes teach things polls can’t, perhaps not so much about what people think, but how passionately they’re thinking it.

That insight comes to mind in light of a new Italian biography of emeritus Pope Benedict XVI to be published Aug. 30 called Servant of God and of Humanity, written by theologian and historian Elio Guerriero.

The book carries an original preface by Pope Francis, which was published Wednesday by the newspaper of the Italian bishops’ conference. In it the pontiff reflects, among other things, on what he sees as the blessing of having Benedict around.

“His discrete presence and his prayer for the Church are a continual support and comfort for my service,” Francis writes.