Pope Francis

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-rigidity-worldliness-a-disaster-for-p

Pope Francis: rigidity, worldliness a disaster for priests
2016-12-09 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis celebrated Mass in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta on Friday morning, focusing his remarks following the readings of the day on the need for priests to serve as authentic mediators of God’s love, rather than as intermediaries – “go-betweens” or “middle-men” – concerned  only with advancing their own interests.

No to “go-between” priests, yest to priests who are mediators of God’s love

The role of the mediator is not that of the intermediary – and priests are called to be the former for their flock:

“The mediator gives himself (lit. perde se stesso) to unite the parties, he gives his life. That is the price: his life – he pays with his life, his fatigue, his work, so many things, but – in this case the pastor - to unite the flock, to unite people, to bring them to Jesus. The logic of Jesus as mediator is the logic of annihilating oneself. St. Paul in his Letter to the Philippians is clear on this: ‘He annihilated himself, emptied himself, and to achieve this union, [he did so] even unto death, death on a cross. That is the logic: to empty oneself, to annihilate oneself.”
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/papal-preacher-delivers-second-advent-sermon-to-po

Papal preacher delivers second Advent Sermon to Pope, Curia
2016-12-09 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio)  The Papal preacher, Father Raniero Cantalamessa, delivered his second Advent Sermon on Friday to Pope Francis and members of the Roman Curia.

As preacher to the Papal Household, Capucin Father Cantalamessa gives a meditation to the Pope, Cardinals and members of the Roman Curia every Friday morning in Lent and Advent in the Apostolic Palace’s “Redemptoris Mater” Chapel.

In the second Advent sermon, Fr. Cantalamessa continued his theme of the Holy Spirit’s action in the Church, focusing on the charism of discernment.

Please find below the full text English translation of the Sermon:
 

[grace-land]

https://zenit.org/


http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-christmas-tree-and-crib-symbols-of-hope-and-l
Pope: Christmas tree and crib symbols of hope and love
2016-12-09 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) This year’s Christmas tree and crib were due to be inaugurated and lit up on Friday afternoon in St Peter’s Square. Earlier in the day in the Paul VI hall, Pope Francis met with the donors of the tree and the nativity scene, telling them that these gifts “form a message of hope and love.”

Welcoming the donors of this year’s Christmas Tree and crib, Pope Francis thanked them for their gifts which he said, would be admired in Saint Peter’s Square “by pilgrims from around the world during Advent and the Christmas holidays.”

The 25 metre high spruce tree was donated by the Lagorai Forests Association which is located the Trentino region of Northern Italy and the Pope remarked that, “the beauty of those views is an invitation to contemplate the Creator and to respect nature, the work of his hands.”

The Pope also had a special word of thanks to the children who decorated the tree, with the support of the "Lene Thun Foundation" that organises the ceramic therapy workshops in various Italian hospitals for children undergoing treatment for cancer and other illnesses.
 

[grace-land]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9fZvZYuPmo
Vatican prepares for Christmas 
Catholic News Service
Published on Dec 9, 2016
The Vatican unveiled its Nativity scene and lit the Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square during a ceremony Dec. 9.

https://twitter.com/CatholicNewsSvc?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Catholic News Svc ‏@CatholicNewsSvc  · 6h 6 hours ago 
Vatican prepares for #Christmas with #Nativity scene; #PopeFrancis says Baby Jesus reminds us of #migrants http://tinyurl.com/hjvmzfd


Catholic News Svc ‏@CatholicNewsSvc  · 9h 9 hours ago 
@CatholicNewsSvc Pphotographer Paul Haring caught the beauty of the Vatican #ChristmasTree.

[grace-land]

Video at the link

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/as-vatican-lights-christmas-tree-pope-reflects-on-nativity-scene-94125/

As Vatican lights Christmas tree, Pope reflects on Nativity scene

Vatican City, Dec 9, 2016 / 11:21 am (CNA/EWTN News).- As Christmas approaches, the Nativity scenes found in churches and homes around the world bid us to make room for Jesus both in our lives and in society, Pope Francis said shortly before the lighting of the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square Friday.

On Dec. 9, a massive 82-foot tree from the Dolomites was lit in St. Peter’s Square, next to the nearly life-size Nativity scene, donated to the Vatican by the Archdiocese of Malta and designed by local artists.

An artist from the island of Gozo named Manwel Gretch created the sketch chosen for the Nativity, which depicts the Maltese countryside. The 17 characters in the Nativity, animals excluded, are dressed in typical Maltese clothing and holding tools and instruments.

The Nativity scenes found “in churches, in homes and in many public places are an invitation to make room in our lives and society for God, hidden in the face of so many people who are in conditions of hardship, poverty and tribulation,” the Pope said during a meeting with the artist of the scene and a delegation from Malta and Trentino.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-rejoice-in-the-imminent-coming-of-jes

Pope Francis: 'Rejoice in the imminent coming of Jesus!'
2016-12-11 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday invited the faithful to rejoice of a joy that is not ‘superficial’ or purely ‘emotional,’ of a joy that is not that of ‘worldliness’ or ‘consumerism’, but an authentic joy that touches us deeply as we await the coming of Jesus.

The Pope’s catechesis on the third Sunday of Advent, which is also called ‘Gaudete Sunday,’ focused on the invitation of St. Paul to “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.”

Speaking to the crowds gathered in St Peter’s Square for the Sunday Angelus, the Pope said the announcement of Salvation changes everything: “the desert blooms, consolation and joy pervade our hearts.”

And quoting from the Gospel of Matthew: “the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them,” Francis said “these are not words, but facts” and they demonstrate how salvation, brought by Jesus regenerates us.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-address-on-true-joy/
Angelus Address: On True Joy
December 11, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpbRONewDgo
Angelus Domini

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-blesses-bambinelli-during-angelus

Pope Francis blesses "Bambinelli" during Angelus
2016-12-11 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The Third Sunday of Advent is the traditional day when the children of Rome bring the Baby Jesus statues from their Nativity Scenes at home to St. Peter’s Square to be blessed by the Pope during the Sunday Angelus. The day is affectionately known as “Bambinelli Sunday.”

“Today, my first greeting goes to the children and young people of Rome who have come for the traditional blessing of the “Bambinelli ,”which has been organized by parish churches and Catholic schools,” – Pope Francis told them – “Dear children, when you pray in front of your crèche with your parents, ask the Baby Jesus to help us all to love God and neighbor. And remember to pray for me, as I remember you.”
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-prays-for-victims-of-terrorist-attack

Pope Francis prays for victims of terrorist attacks
2016-12-11 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has prayed for the victims of several terrorist attacks which had taken place in the hours before his Sunday Angelus.

In Egypt, a bomb outside St. Mark’s Coptic Cathedral in Cairo killed at least 25 people on Sunday morning; in Somalia, a suicide bomber killed over a dozen people in Mogadishu on Sunday morning; and in Turkey, at least 38 people were killed in twin bomb attacks outside a football stadium in Instanbul on Saturday evening.

“And we also pray for the victims of some horrible terrorist attacks which have hit various countries in the last few hours,” Pope Francis said after reciting the Angelus.
 
http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-do-not-forget-people-of-aleppo
Pope Francis: Do not forget people of Aleppo
2016-12-11 Vatican Radio

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-celebrates-mass-for-feast-of-our-lady-of-guad

Pope celebrates Mass for Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
2016-12-12 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis celebrated Mass on Monday evening in St. Peter’s Basilica for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas.

In his homily for the celebration, Pope Francis reflected on how the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe reminds us that we are not orphans, saying she teaches us to look on our brothers and sisters with her eyes full of love.

The Holy Father said, “We must certainly learn from [her] receptive and servile faith… learn from this faith which knows how to insert itself within history to be salt and light in our lives and in our societies.”

In contrast, he lamented the current direction of human society, which he said is “ever more marked by signs of division,” calling it “a society of distrust”.

“A society which likes to boast of its scientific and technological advances but which has turned a blind and insensitive eye to the thousands of faces which get lost on the way, excluded by the blinding pride of a few.”

The Holy Father said, “Our beloved American continent has grown accustomed to seeing thousands and thousands of children and young people on the street, begging and sleeping in train stations or wherever they find space… And they feel that there is no space for them on the ‘train of life’”.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83aloQLag9Q
2016.12.12 Mass for Latin America 
Streamed live 6 hours ago
Pope Francis celebrates the Mass of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of Latin America, preceded by the recitation of the Rosary, and an Advent prayer

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-nonviolence-a-style-of-politics-for-p

Pope Francis: 'Nonviolence: A Style of Politics for Peace'
2016-12-12 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is calling for a renewed culture of nonviolence to inform global politics today, saying military responses to conflicts only breed more violence.

The Pope’s appeal was released on Monday in the 50th papal Message for the World Day of Peace, marked on January1st.

Calling on political and religious leaders, on the heads of international institutions, on business and media executives and on all men and women of goodwill to become instruments of reconciliation and adopt nonviolence as a style of politics for peace, Pope Francis remarked on the  fact that we find ourselves “engaged in a horrifying world war fought peacemeal”, and that  violence is clearly “not the cure for our broken world.”

Violence, he said, leads  to forced migrations and enormous suffering , devastation of the environment, terrorism and organized crime. It leads to retaliation and a deadly cycle that end up benefiting only a few warlords. 

But, Pope Francis said, Christ’s message offers a radically positive approach. He himself walked the path of nonviolence and became an instrument of reconciliation.

And citing historical figures like Mother Teresa, Mahatma Ghandi and Martin Luther King as models of nonviolent peacemakers, the Pope said nonviolence is more powerful than violence and it  has produced impressive results.
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/12/12/pope_francis_expresses_condolences_to_coptic_patriarch_/1278416

Pope Francis expresses condolences to Coptic Patriarch following Egypt attack
12/12/2016 12:25

File photo of Pope Francis greeting the Coptic Orthodox leader Tawadros II during a private audience - ANSA

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis this morning called His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, to express his condolences following the  recent attack on the Coptic Cathedral of St. Mark in Abassiya, Cairo.

According to a statement from the Holy See Press Office, the Pope expressed his closeness to the Patriarch and the Coptic community so hard hit, especially to the women and children who represent the highest number among the victims.

During the call Patriarch Tawadros II recalled the expression of Pope Francis, pronounced during their meeting at the Vatican, namely the '' blood ecumenism ". For his part, Pope Francis said that "We are united in the blood of our martyrs."
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-sends-letter-to-syrian-president-assa

Pope Francis sends letter to Syrian President Assad
2016-12-12 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a letter to the President of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, through Cardinal Mario Zenari, Apostolic Nuncio to Syria, appealing for "an end to the violence and the peaceful resolution of hostilities" in the country.

A comuniqué from the Holy See Press Office released on Monday read as follows:

"In naming Archbishop Mario Zenari to the College of Cardinals, the Holy Father sought to show a particular sign of affection for the beloved Syrian people, so sorely tried in recent years.

"In a letter sent through the new Cardinal, Pope Francis expressed again his appeal to President Bashar al-Assad and to the international community for an end to the violence, and the peaceful resolution of hostilities, condemning all forms of extremism and terrorism from whatever quarter they may come, 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-clericalism-distances-the-people-from-the-chu

Pope: Clericalism distances the people from the Church
2016-12-13 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The spirit of clericalism is an evil that is present in the Church today, Pope Francis said, and the victim of this spirit is the people, who feel discarded and abused. That was the Pope’s message in the homily at the morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta.

Among those taking part in the Mass were the members of the Council of cardinals, who are meeting with the Pope this week in Rome.

In his homily, Pope Francis warned pastors of the dangers of becoming “intellectuals of religion” with a morality far from the Revelation of God.

The poor and humble people who have faith in the Lord are the victims of the “intellectuals of religion,” those who are “seduced by clericalism,” who will be preceded in the Kingdom of Heaven by repentant sinners.

The law of the high priests is far from Revelation

The Pope directed his attention to Jesus, who in the day’s Gospel turns to the chief priests and the elders of the people, and focuses precisely on their role. “They had juridical, moral, religious authority,” he said. “They decided everything.” Annas and Caiaphas, for example, “judged Jesus,” they were the high priests who “decided to kill Lazarus”; Judas, too, went to them to “bargain,” and thus “Jesus was sold.” They arrived at this state of “arrogance and tyranny towards the people,” the Pope said, by instrumentalizing the law:

But a law that they have remade many times: so many times, to the point that they had arrived at 500 commandments. Everything was regulated, everything! A law scientifically constructed, because this people was wise, they understood well. They made all these nuances, no? But it was a law without memory: they had forgotten the First Commandment, which God had given to our father Abraham: “Walk in my presence and be blameless.” They did not walk: they always stopped in their own convictions. They were not blameless!

The people discarded by the intellectuals of religion

And so, the Pope said, they had forgotten the Ten Commandments of Moses”: “With the law they themselves had made – intellectualistic, sophisticated, casuistic – they cancelled the law the Lord had made, they lacked the memory that connects the current moment with Revelation.” In the past their victim was Jesus; in a similar way, now their victim is “the humble and poor people who trust in the Lord,” “those who are discarded,” those who understand repentance even if they do not fulfill the law, and suffer these injustices. They feel “condemned,” and “abused,” the Pope said, by those who are vain, proud, arrogant.” And one who was cast aside by these people, Pope Francis observed, was Judas:

Judas was a traitor, he sinned gravely, eh! He sinned forcefully. But then the Gospel says, “He repented, and went to them to return the money.” And what did they do? “But you were our associate. Be calm… We have the power to forgive you for everything!” No! “Make whatever arrangement you can!” [they said.] “It’s your problem!” And they left him alone: discarded! The poor Judas, a traitor and repentant, was not welcomed by the pastors. Because these people had forgotten what it was to be a pastor. They were the intellectuals of religion, those who had the power, who advanced the catechesis of the people with a morality composed by their own intelligence and not by the revelation.

The evil of clericalism can still be found in the Church today
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/12/13/pope_appoints_new_dallas_bishop/1278752

Pope appoints new Dallas bishop
13/12/2016 14:35

Pope Francis has appointed a new Bishop of Dallas, Texas. Bishop Edward James Burns, presently serving as Bishop of Juneau in Alaska, has been selected to lead the Catholic community in the North East Texan city.

The Diocese has been without a Bishop since August, 2016, when Pope Francis transferred the then-Bishop Kevin Farrell to the Vatican to lead the New Dicastry for Laity, Family and life. Bishop Farrell was later made a Cardinal.

Bishop Edward James Burns was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1957. He was Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Pittsburgh in 1983. He served in a number of pastoral roles within the Diocese, including Rector of the Saint Paul Seminary in Pittsburgh. He was also a member of the US conference of Catholic Bishops, focusing on Vocations and religious life.
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/12/13/wish_pope_francis_happy_birthday_by_email/1278745

Wish Pope Francis happy birthday by email
13/12/2016 14:19

The Vatican has created new email addresses for well wishers to leave Birthday messages for the Pope.

Pope Francis turns 80 years old on December 17th.

According to his staff, Pope Francis will be working “just as normal” on the day itself. He will reveive the President of Malta in an audience and will later meet with the Prefect of the Congregation of Bishops, Cardinal Marc Oullet, as well as other guests and dignitaries. He will also celebrate Mass in the Pauline Chapel of the Vatican, along with those Cardinals who are living and working in Rome.
 
The email addresses are: Papafranciscus80@vatican.va  (Latin)  PapaFrancesco80@vatican.va   (Italian)  PapaFrancisco80@vatican.va  (Spanish / Portuguese)  PopeFrancis80@vatican.va  (English)  PapeFrancois80@vatican.va  (French)  PapstFranziskus80@vatican.va  (German)  PapiezFranciszek80@vatican.va  (Polish)

A social media hashtag has also been created. #Ponitfex80

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-at-audience-jesus-coming-brings-consolation-t

Pope at Audience: "Jesus’ coming brings consolation to thirsting world"
2016-12-14 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis continued his catechesis on the theme of 'Christian hope' at his Wednesday General Audience, saying the Kingdom brought by Jesus at his birth calls us to be joyful heralds in a world that “yearns for justice, truth, and peace”.

Pope Francis focused his reflection on the words of the prophet Isaiah: "How beautiful upon the mountains, are the feet of the one bringing good news" (Is 52:7,9-10).

He said these words help us prepare for the coming feast of Christmas by opening ourselves to the hope of salvation.

The prophet calls God’s people to rejoice, for the Lord is near, bringing freedom from exile and the promise of renewal and redemption for the faithful “remnant” who continued to hope in his word.

Pope Francis noted how the prophet speaks “not of the messenger but of the messenger’s feet”.

Comparing this to the spouse in the Song of Songs (Sg 2:8 ), he said, “So also the messenger of peace races to bring the proclamation of liberation, of salvation, and declaring that God reigns.”

The Pope said God’s kingdom means that “God has not abandoned His people and has not let them be overcome by evil, because He is faithful and His grace is greater than sin… And the fulfillment of so much love will be exactly the Kingdom established by Jesus, that Kingdom of pardon and peace, which we celebrate at Christmas and which is manifested conclusively in Easter.”
 
http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2016/12/14/161214b.html
Greetings to faithful and pilgrims, 14.12.2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmBFGxQ7fYM
2016.12.14 General Audience

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/press-office-c-9-meeting-focuses-on-mission-synoda
Press Office: C-9 meeting focuses on mission, synodality
2016-12-14 Vatican Radio


http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/mission-synodality-key-themes-in-latest-round-of-cardinal-meetings-99906/
Mission, synodality key themes in latest round of cardinal meetings

Vatican City, Dec 14, 2016 / 07:22 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis’ Council of Cardinals met for the 17th time this week, with synodality and the Church’s “missionary drive” forming the basis of the discussion on how reform of the Curia’s various departments will move forward.

Discussion largely centered around the role of the Secretary of State and the Congregations for the Evangelization of Peoples (Propaganda Fides), for Bishops, and for Oriental Churches.

According to a Dec. 14 communique from the Vatican, the “fundamental” themes of “missionary push” and “synodality” emerged as guidelines during the Dec. 12-14 discussion. In the past, the council has also emphasized the need for greater harmonization and simplification in the Curia.

In this round of meetings, the cardinals handed the Pope their completed studies on several Vatican dicasteries, including the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, for Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, for Saints Causes and for Christian Unity, which Francis must himself now study and approve.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pastors-should-speak-the-truth-welcome-peoples-fir

Pastors should speak the truth, welcome people's first steps
2016-12-15 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pastors should speak the truth, but at the same time welcome people for what they are able to give: this is the first step; the rest we leave to the Lord. That was the message of Pope Francis at the daily Mass at the Casa Santa Marta on Thursday.

St John the Baptist was at the centre of the Pope’s homily. The liturgy of Advent, especially in these days, often reflects on his ministry: a man who lived in the desert, preached, and baptized.

The strong preaching of Baptist against the Pharisees and the Doctors of the Law

Many people went out into the desert to find John the Baptist, including the Pharisees and the doctors of the law. The latter, though, went out with a certain detachment, intending not to be baptized by John, but to judge him. In the Gospel of the Day, Jesus asks the crowds what they went out to see in the desert: “a reed swayed by the wind? Someone dressed in fine garments?” They weren’t looking for men dressed in fine vestments, because people like that are found in the palaces of kings – “or sometimes of Bishops,” the Pope added. Rather, they went out to see a prophet, one who was “more than a prophet.” Jesus said “among those born of women, no one is greater than John.” He was “the last of the prophets,” the Pope said, because after him came the Messiah. Dwelling on the reason of John’s greatness, Pope Francis explained, “He was a man who was faithful to what the Lord had asked of him”; “he was great because he was faithful. This greatness is seen even in his preaching:
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-to-childrens-hospital-hope-is-the-fuel-of-chr

Pope to children's hospital: ‘hope is the “fuel” of Christian life’
2016-12-15 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Thursday greeted young patients, their families and hospital staff of Rome’s ‘Bambino Gesù’ Children’s Hospital and encouraged them to nurture hope and to say ‘thank you’ to God for having shown us the way to give meaning to our human existence.

Amongst the hundreds of children at the audience receiving care from the Vatican hospital, were young patients from across the world including 15 kids from the Central African Republic where the ‘Bambino Gesù’ has a special cooperation project like the ones in Jordan and in Palestine which reach out to give medical assistance to refugee children from Syria and Iraq.

The packed audience that took place in the Paul VI Hall was opened by ‘Bambino Gesù’ President Mariella Enoc who spoke about how the hospital has a system stretches well beyond regional and national boundaries with Centers in impoverished Italian regions and with numerous international missions in developing nations.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-receives-new-ambassadors

Pope Francis receives new Ambassadors
2016-12-15 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Thursday met with newly accredited non resident Ambassadors to the Holy See telling them that those who hold public office at national and international levels are called to cultivate a nonviolent style in their consciences and in the exercise of their duties. 

Below find the English translation of the Pope's discourse to the Ambassadors

Your Excellencies,

I am pleased to receive you for presentation of the Letters accrediting you as Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Holy See on the part of your respective countries: Burundi, Fiji, Mauritius, Moldova, Sweden and Tunisia.  I thank you for your kind words, which attest to your desire to maintain and develop the relations of esteem and cooperation which you enjoy with the Holy See, and I ask you to convey to the Heads of State whom you represent my gratitude and the assurance of my prayers for them and for their nations.