Pope Francis

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-tears-of-a-mothers-pain-become-seeds-of-life

Pope: Tears of a mother's pain become seeds of life and hope
2017-01-04 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday continued his series of reflections on Christian hope, speaking of the inconsolable pain of a parent losing a child. The Pope focused his words on the Old Testament figure of Rachel, wife of Jacob, who is described by the prophet Jeremiah as weeping bitter tears for her children in exile.

In the book of Genesis, we learn that Rachel died in childbirth, giving life to her second son, Benjamin. But the prophet Jeremiah talks about her inconsolable grief at the loss of her children who’ve been sent into exile.

There are no words or gestures, the Pope said, that can console a mother faced with the tragedy of losing a child. 

There are many mothers today, he went on, who are crying and inconsolable, unable to accept the senseless death of a child. Rachel’s pain, he said, encapsulates the suffering of all mothers and the tears of all people who weep for an irreparable loss.

This story, the Pope said, teaches us how delicate and difficult it is to console another person’s grief. Before speaking of hope, he said, we must share in their tears and if we can’t find words to do that, then it’s better to keep silent, offering only a gesture or a caress instead
 
https://zenit.org/articles/general-audience-on-weeping-hope/
GENERAL AUDIENCE: On Weeping & Hope
January 4, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2gN-AE5XBc
2017.01.04 General Audience

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-renews-appeal-for-prison-reform-following-bra

Pope renews appeal for prison reform following Brazil riots
2017-01-04 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday expressed his “sorrow and concern” upon hearing news of the prison riots that took place Monday in Brazil. More than 50 people were killed, making the riots the deadliest to hit Brazil in two decades.

During his General Audience on Wednesday, the Holy Father called for prayer “for those who have died, for their families, for all the inmates of that prison, and for those who work there.” The Pope also renewed his appeal “that prisons might be places of re-education and re-integration into society; and that the conditions of life of prisoners might be worthy of human persons.”

In improvised remarks following the appeal, Pope Francis led the crowd in a prayer for the prisoners involved in the riots, both living and dead, and for all prisoners throughout the world. He prayed to Mary, the Mother of prisoners, that prisons might not be overcrowded, but might be places of rehabilitation.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-meets-with-survivors-of-central-italys-earthq

Pope meets with survivors of central Italy's earthquakes
2017-01-05 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met on Thursday with hundreds of Italians from the archdiocese of Spoleto-Norcia, devastated by a series of powerful earthquakes over the past six months. The central Italian town of Amatrice and surrounding areas were hit by a 6.3 magnitude quake in August which killed nearly 300 people. Other powerful quakes caused major damage in the same region on October 26th and 30th, with the latest tremors reported in Spoleto last Monday, January 2nd.

Around 800 people, led by their Bishop Renato Boccardo and local civic authorities, travelled to Rome for the audience in the Paul VI hall. Many of them had lost their houses, livelihoods and friends or family members in the largest earthquakes which reduced parts of many towns and villages to piles of rubble. 

Regional reconstruction

Pope Francis sat and listened as a survivor and a local parish priest described the immense suffering of people, now seeking to rebuild their shattered communities. In his off-the-cuff response, the Pope said the worst thing to do in such circumstances was to offer a prepared sermon, but instead he reflected on the work of physical, mental and spiritual reconstruction that has been taking place throughout the region.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muT9kBa6Gc8
2017.01.05 Audience with populations struck by the Italian earthquake

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-fostering-vocations-requires-passion-and-grat

Pope: 'Fostering vocations requires passion and gratitude'
2017-01-05 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met on Thursday with participants in a Conference organized by the national Office for Pastoral Care for Vocations of the Italian Episcopal Conference.

The theme of the conference is “Arise, go forth, and fear not. Vocations and sanctity: I am on a mission.”

During the encounter, Pope Francis set aside his prepared remarks and spoke off-the-cuff to the 800 seminarians and religious men and women present.

Recalling the conference’s theme, the Holy Father asked himself aloud, “How many young people, boys and girls, today hear in their heart that ‘Arise’, and how many – priests, consecrated men and women – close the door? And they wind up frustrated.”

To remedy this situation, the Pope offered several thoughts on ways to increase vocations to religious life and the priesthood.

“The doors are opened through prayer, though good will, through risk,” he said. “Jesus told us that the first way to have vocations is prayer, but not all are convinced of this.”

Rather, he went on, “Pray with the heart, with your life, with everything.”
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-epiphany-magi-personify-all-who-believe-and-l

Pope Epiphany: Magi personify all who believe and long for God
2017-01-06 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday celebrated Mass for the feast of the Epiphany telling the faithful in St Peter's Basilica the Magi personify all those who believe and long for God.

The 6th of January is synonymous with the Magi who, following a star are led to the Christ child in Bethlehem. And it was next to a manger containing the baby Jesus in St Peter’s Basilica that Pope Francis in his homily spoke about these three Kings who, he said, “personify all those who believe, those who long for God, who yearn for their home, their heavenly homeland.”

They reflect, he added,  “the image of all those who in their lives have not let their hearts become anesthetized.”

Like these kings, the Pope explained, “a holy longing for God helps us keep alert in the face of every attempt to reduce and impoverish our life.  That longing keeps hope alive in the community of believers, which from week to week continues to plead: “Come, Lord Jesus”.”
 
http://www.news.va/en/news/the-popes-homily-on-the-feast-of-the-epiphany
The Pope's homily on the feast of the Epiphany
2017-01-06 Vatican Radio


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsSX10qrdhU
2017.01.06 Holy Mass for the Epiphany 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-angelus-choose-to-be-guided-by-the-star-of-je

Pope Angelus: Choose to be guided by the star of Jesus
2017-01-06 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) "We learn from the Magi not to devote only spare time and some thoughts every now and then. Like the Magi, let us set out, clothe ourselves in the light following the star of Jesus, and love the Lord with all our might". Those were Pope Francis’ words to the thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square for the Angelus of the Epiphany, to which he donated a book on Mercy distributed by the poor attendance.
 Like the Magi chose to be guided by the star of Jesus - said the Pope, "even in our life there are several stars. It's up to us to choose which to follow."
 "There are flashing lights that come and go, like the small pleasures of life: although good, they are not enough… “

The Magi invite us to follow the true light that is Lord - said Pope Francis - "a light that does not dazzle, but it accompanies and gives a unique joy. Follow today, among the many shooting stars in the world, the bright star of Jesus! Following it, we will have the joy, like  that of the Magi. "

"I would like, the Pope said, to invite everyone not to be afraid of this light and open up to the Lord. Above all I would say to those who have lost the strength to look, to those who, are dominated by the darkness of life, …Courage, the light of Jesus can overcome the darkest darkness. "
 "We learn from the Magi not to devote to Jesus only spare time and some thoughts every now and then…”

Concluding the Angelus, Pope Francis donated to those present in St Peter’s Square a small booklet on Mercy which was distributed by more than 300 poor people present in St Peter's Square to whom the Pope offered lunch.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-on-the-feast-of-the-epiphany/
ANGELUS: On the Feast of the Epiphany 
January 6, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plgjrM_yo1M
2017.01.06 Angelus Domini

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-baptises-28-babies-in-the-sistine-cha

Pope Francis baptises 28 babies in the Sistine Chapel
2017-01-08 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday baptised 28 babies during Mass in the Sistine chapel, telling their families that Jesus’ first sermon was the sound of his crying in the stable at Bethlehem.

Surrounded by the sounds of baby noises, the Pope gave a short, off-the-cuff homily on the faith which is given to children in Baptism. Faith, he said, does not just mean reciting the Creed on Sundays, but rather it means believing in the truth, trusting in God and teaching others with the example of our lives.

Faith, the Pope continued, is also the light which grows in our hearts – that’s why a lighted candle is given to every person being baptized. In the early years of the Church, he noted, baptism was called ‘illumination’ to show the way in which faith helps us see things in a different light. To the parents who had brought their children to be baptized, he said “you have the task of making that faith grow, of nurturing it, so that it may bear witness to others”.

As the sounds of crying grew louder, the Pope joked that the concert had begun. The babies are crying, he said, because they are in an unfamiliar place, or because they had to get up early, or sometimes simply because they hear another child crying. 

https://zenit.org/articles/popes-homily-at-baptism-of-28-babies-in-sistine-chapel/
Pope Baptizes 28 Babies in Sistine Chapel (Full Text of Homily) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItcwR244CWQ
2017.01.08 Eucharist with Baptism of infants 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/angelus-pope-urges-care-for-homeless-in-freezing-w

Angelus: Pope urges care for homeless in freezing weather
2017-01-08 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Speaking to pilgrims gathered in a freezing St Peter’s Square on Sunday, Pope Francis asked for prayers for all those living and dying on the streets at this time of year.

The Pope’s words came during his Angelus address at the end of Mass marking the feast of Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan. As Jesus came to be baptised, the Pope said, John the Baptist tries to stop him, saying he is the one who should be baptised by Jesus. But, the Pope continued, Jesus came down to earth to close the gap between God and man, to fulfill God’s will and to show that God remains close to us, his children.
 
After praying the Angelus prayer, the Pope remembered the homeless and especially those who’ve died during the extreme cold weather. May the Lord warm our hearts to be able to help those who live on the streets, he said.

Practical support for homeless

The Pope’s almoner, Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, told Vatican Radio yesterday that the three hostels run by the Vatican, close to St Peter’s and to Termini train station, will remain open 24 hours a day while the cold weather continues. He said a number of cars have also been made available as a place to sleep for those who wish to remain on the streets, while special thermal sleeping bags and gloves are being provided to try and protect the homeless from the freezing temperatures.

https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-address-jan-8-on-our-baptism/
ANGELUS ADDRESS Jan. 8: On Our Baptism

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrGxE6wKDw0
2017.01.08 Angelus Domini

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2017/01/08/pope-francis-says-lampedusa-knew-travel/

Pope Francis says after Lampedusa, he knew he had to travel
John L. Allen Jr.  January 8, 2017  EDITOR

ROME - In a new interview published on Sunday, Pope Francis says he came into the papacy not wanting to travel very much, but after his initial outing to the Italian island of Lampedusa in early July 2013, which is a major point of arrival for refugees trying to enter Europe, he understood he had to hit the road.

“It was important to go there,” he said, referring to the brief visit to Lampedusa he made on July 8, 2013.

“There was no program, no official invitations,” he said. “I felt I had to go, I was touched by the news of migrants who had died at sea, who had drowned.”

After that, Francis said, his reluctance to travel dissolved in the face of the importance of his physical presence in such spaces.

The pope made the comments in an interview with veteran Italian journalist Andrea Tornielli of the newspaper La Stampa and the online outlet “Vatican Insider,” who’s published a new book chronicling the pope’s trips.
 

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http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/disorder-in-the-order-of-malta

Vatican  |  Jan. 7, 2017
Disorder in the Order of Malta
Last month’s dismissal of the Order’s Grand Chancellor by its Grand Master, because of the Order’s involvement in condom distribution, has precipitated a serious rift with the Holy See.
Edward Pentin

VATICAN CITY — The dismissal of a senior figure in the Sovereign Order of Malta over the distribution of contraceptives in parts of the developing world has provoked a serious rift between the Knights of Malta and the Holy See, but one both parties hope will be swiftly resolved.

The dispute, which has led to a controversial intervention by the Holy See, has exposed a divergent approach to dealing with practices that the Church has always taught to be gravely immoral. It has also revealed allegations of ambitions of the Knights’ German association to extend its influence within the ancient chivalric Order, a papal wish to rid the Order of Freemasonry, and a mysterious 120 million Swiss Franc ($118 million) donation to the Knights.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-christians-put-jesus-at-the-center-of-their-l

Pope: Christians put Jesus at the center of their lives
2017-01-09 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Christian life is simple; a Christian does not need to do strange or difficult things, but put Jesus at the center of his or her daily choices.

This was the message at the heart of Pope Francis’ homily on Monday during morning Mass.

Resuming the daily Santa Marta Mass after the Christmas break, the Pope remarked on the fact that we have begun a new liturgical season in ordinary time, highlighting however that Jesus is always at the center of Christian life:

"Jesus Christ manifested himself; we are invited to get to know him, to recognize him in our lives and in so many circumstances of life” he said.

The Pope also explained that Saints and apparitions are important, but without Jesus, he said, they would not exist.
   
Hence, he said, we must ask ourselves the question: “is Jesus Christ at the center of my life? And what is my relationship with Jesus Christ? "

Thus, the Pope continued, we have three tasks because "to be able to put Jesus at the center we must make sure that we know Him and that we are able to recognize Him.

“In His time many did not recognize him: the doctors of the law, the chief priests, the scribes, the Sadducees and the Pharisees. Indeed, they persecuted Him and they killed Him. We too must ask ourselves: ‘Am I interested in getting to know Jesus? Or am I perhaps more interested in watching soap operas, in gossiping, in pursuing an ambition or talking about the lives of others?’” he said.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/peace-security-focal-points-of-popes-speech-to-dip

Peace, security focal points of Pope's speech to Diplomats
2017-01-09 Vatican Radio

Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday called on people of every religious tradition to join in condemning the misuse of God’s name to justify acts of violence.

Speaking in the Apostolic Palace to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See during the traditional exchange of New Year’s greetings with the diplomats, Pope Francis said, “[ O]ne can never kill in God’s name,” adding that the world is, “dealing with a homicidal madness which misuses God’s name in order to disseminate death, in a play for domination and power.”

Pope Francis also said,  “Fundamentalist terrorism is the fruit of a profound spiritual poverty, and often is linked to significant social poverty.”

“It can only be fully defeated with the joint contribution of religious and political leaders,” he continued.

Security and peace were the twin focal points of the Holy Father’s broad-ranging address, which is often described as his "state of the world" address and this year was articulated in some thirty-four paragraphs and twenty footnotes.
 
http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/01/09/pope_francis_new_years_address_to_diplomatic_corps/1284443
Pope Francis: New Year's address to Diplomatic Corps
09/01/2017 11:20

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http://www.news.va/en/news/popes-january-prayer-intention-christians-serving

Pope’s January prayer intention: ‘Christians serving humanity’
2017-01-09 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis’ prayer intention for January is for Christians serving the challenges facing humanity, in which he asks that full ecclesial communion be restored in order to serve the challenges facing humanity.

The Apostleship of Prayer has produced the Pope’s Video on this prayer intention.

The full text of the Pope’s Video is below:

In today’s world, many Christians from various churches work together to serve humanity in need, to defend human life and its dignity, to defend creation, and to combat injustice. [1]

This desire to walk together, to collaborate in service and in solidarity with the weakest and with those who suffer, is a source of joy for us all. [2]

Join your voice to mine in praying for all who contribute through prayer and fraternal charity to restoring full ecclesial communion in service of the challenges facing humanity. [3]
_____________________
 

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http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2017/doctrinal-chief-dismisses-idea-of-fraternal-correction-of-pope.cfm

CNS/Paul Haring

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/vatican-doctrine-chief-criticizes-four-cardinals-pope-shouldnt-be-forced-to
Mon Jan 9, 2017 - 4:26 pm EST
Vatican doctrine chief criticizes four Cardinals: Pope shouldn’t be ‘forced to answer with yes or no’
ROME, January 9, 2017 (LifeSiteNews) – The head of the Vatican congregation that defends the Catholic Church’s teaching has publicly criticized the four Cardinals asking Pope Francis to clarify whether his recent exhortation on the family conforms to Catholic teaching.

Cardinal Gerhard Müller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), says a formal correction of the document is “impossible.”

Cardinal Müller told Italian TV-channel TGCOM24 January 8 that the pope has not put the faith and Catholic teaching in danger and is therefore in no need of a “fraternal correction.”

“The Pope is basically forced to answer with ‘yes or no’. I don’t like that,” he said.

Amid recent news that Pope Francis ordered Cardinal Müller, against the cardinal's objections, to dismiss three priests from his office, some speculate that the Pope could be planning a thorough overhaul of the Congregation similar to the one he recently carried out at the Congregation for Divine Worship headed by Cardinal Robert Sarah. Some are asking whether Cardinal Müller may in fact be trying to avoid the kind of "silencing" that Cardinal Sarah has faced.

Pope Francis’ exhortation Amoris Laetitia has caused widespread confusion in the Catholic Church since its release in April, largely due to its ambiguity on important moral questions involving the indissolubility of marriage, the proper disposition to receive Holy Communion, and the role of conscience. The ambiguity has already caused various bishops as well as bishops’ conferences to implement practices that are at odds with perennial Catholic teaching, such as the bishops of Buenos Aires and Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego allowing civilly divorced and remarried Catholics who are living in adultery to receive Holy Communion in certain cases.
 
http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/cardinal-muellers-tv-interview-causes-bewilderment
Jan. 9, 2017
Cardinal Müller's TV Interview Causes Bewilderment

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http://www.news.va/en/news/daily-homily-jesus-had-authority-because-he-was-a

Daily homily: Jesus had authority because He was a servant
2017-01-10 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Jesus had authority because He served the people, He was close to persons and He was coherent, as opposed to the doctors of the law who considered themselves princes. These three characteristics of Jesus’ authority were highlighted by Pope Francis in his homily at the morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta. The Holy Father noted, on the other hand, that the doctors of the law taught with a clericalist authority: they were far distant from the people, and didn’t live what they preached.

The respective authority of Jesus and that of the Pharisees were the two poles around which the Pope’s homily revolved. The one was a real authority, the other was merely formal. The day’s Gospel speaks of the amazement of the people because Jesus taught “as one who has authority” and not like the scribes: they were the authorities of the people, the Pope said, but what they taught didn’t enter into their hearts, while Jesus had a real authority: He was not a “seducer,” He taught the Law “down to the last point,” He taught the Truth, but with authority.

Jesus served the people while the doctors of the law considered themselves princes

The Pope then entered into details, focusing on the three characteristics that distinguished the authority of Jesus from that of the doctors of the law. While Jesus “taught with humility,” and said to His disciples, “the greatest should be as one who serves: he should make himself small,” the Pharisees considered themselves princes:

Jesus served the people, He explained things because the people understood well: He was at the service of the people. He had an attitude of a servant, and this gave authority. On the other hand, these doctors of the law that the people… yes, they heard, they respected, but they didn’t feel that they had authority over them; these had a psychology of princes: ‘We are the masters, the princes, and we teach you. Not service: we command, you obey.’ And Jesus never passed Himself off like a prince: He was always the servant of all, and this is what gave Him authority.
 

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https://twitter.com/roccopalmo
Rocco Palmo ‏@roccopalmo  · 6h  6 hours ago 

Citing its sovereign prerogative in "internal matter," Order of Malta says it won't cooperate with Vatican probe:

--------------
https://www.orderofmalta.int/2017/01/10/statement-grand-magistry/
Statement of the Grand Magistry
Rome, 10/01/2017

The Grand Magistry of the Sovereign Order of Malta, in response to the activities being carried out by a Group appointed by the Secretary of State of the Vatican, considers it appropriate to reiterate that the replacement of the former Grand Chancellor was an internal act of the government of the Order.

Thus, considering the legal irrelevance of this Group and of its findings relating to the legal structure of the Order of Malta, the Order has decided that it should not cooperate with it. This is to protect its sovereignty against initiatives which claim to be directed at objectively (and, therefore – quite apart from its intentions – reveals it to be legally irrelevant) questioning or even limiting said Sovereignty.

Article 4 paragraph 6 of the Constitutional Charter is clear when it states that “the religious nature of the Order does not prejudice the exercise of sovereign prerogatives pertaining to the Order in so far as it is recognised by States as a subject of international law” and Article 4 paragraph 5 reiterates that “the Order has diplomatic representation to the Holy See, according to the norms of international law.”
 

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http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/6592/0/vatican-commission-responds-to-order-of-malta-s-refusal-to-cooperate-with-investigation

Vatican commission responds to Order of Malta's refusal to cooperate with investigation
11 January 2017 | by Catholic News Service   

The order said its refusal to cooperate with the commission aims to protect its independence

The leadership of the Order of Malta denied the legality of a Vatican investigation into the forced resignation of the group's former grand chancellor, but the commission established by Pope Francis said it "is completely legitimate and authorised" to investigate the matter and inform the pope.

According to one of the legal notes prepared for the commission, the Pope's right to be informed of the circumstances surrounding the removal of Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager relates "to the authority he exercises directly and immediately over all baptised faithful, whether lay or clerical."

"This is not about interfering in the internal affairs of the order because the purpose of the commission, as is evident, is to give an account to the Holy Father on the procedures [used to remove von Boeselager] and nothing else," said the note, which was dated 11 January and shown to Catholic News Service.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-at-audience-christian-hope-born-of-trust-in-g

Pope at Audience: ‘Christian hope born of trust in God's word, not idols’
2017-01-11 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis continued his series of catechesis on Christian hope at his Wednesday General Audience, in which he contrasted authentic hope, born of trust in God's word, with the temptation of false hope in idols.

Taking issue with the false idols offered by our modern world, Pope Francis at his Wednesday General Audience said that “hope is a primary need in man” but that we can get lost in our search for security by trusting in the false hopes offered by idols.

He said the Scriptures teach us that side by side with authentic hope, born of trust in God’s word, we can be tempted by false hopes and worldly idols, like money, power or physical beauty.

Idols, he said, “confuse the mind and heart, and, instead of favoring life, they lead to death.

The Pope then told a story he had heard in Buenos Aires of a “very beautiful woman who bragged of her beauty”. The woman commented, he said, “as if it were natural: ‘Oh yes, I had to have an abortion because my figure is very important.’”
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRqG1jQQTno
2017.01.11 General Audience 

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http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2017/auxiliary-bishop-oscar-solis-of-los-angeles-named-bishop-of-salt-lake-city.cfm

Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis of Los Angeles named bishop of Salt Lake City
By Catholic News Service
1.10.2017 4:40 PM ET

CNS photo/J.D. Long-Garcia, The Tidings

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Francis has named Auxiliary Bishop Oscar A. Solis of Los Angeles as bishop of Salt Lake City.

Bishop Solis, 63, a native of San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, has been auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles since 2004. Previously, he served the Archdiocese of Manila and the Diocese of Cabanatuan, both in the Philippines, before coming to the United States in 1984.

The appointment was announced Jan. 10 in Washington by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/01/12/pope_francis_receives_rome_mayor,_lazio_region_president_/1285281

Pope Francis receives Rome mayor, Lazio region president
12/01/2017 15:39

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Thursday met separately with the Mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi, and the President of the Region of Lazio, Nicola Zingaretti.

It is tradition for the Bishop of Rome to meet with local officials during the month of January to exchange New Year greetings.

The meetings were private, and no official statement was released afterward.