Pope Francis

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http://www.news.va/en/news/papal-preachers-reflections-rediscovering-the-holy

Papal preacher's reflections: rediscovering the Holy Spirit
2017-03-10 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The preacher of the Pontifical Household, Fr Raniero Cantalamessa gave the first Lenten sermon on Friday for Pope Francis and other Vatican officials gathered in the town of Ariccia for their annual Lent retreat.

The Capuchin friar will be giving another four reflections for the Pope and members of the Pontifical Household on the Fridays leading up to Holy Week. This year the theme of these Lenten homilies is the work of the Holy Spirit, based on the biblical verse from St Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 12, verse 3:  ‘No-one can say “Jesus is Lord”, except by the Holy Spirit.’
 
http://www.news.va/en/news/first-lenten-sermon-of-fr-cantalamessa-full-text
First Lenten Sermon of Fr. Cantalamessa: Full text
2017-03-10 Vatican Radio

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http://www.news.va/en/news/vatican-announces-pope-francis-visit-colombia-in-s

Vatican announces Pope Francis’ visit Colombia in September
2017-03-10 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio)  The Vatican announced Friday that Pope Francis will make an Apostolic Journey to Colombia from 6 to 11 September 2017.

A communique from the Holy See Press Office confirmed that the Holy Father will visit the cities of Bogotá, Villavicencio, Medellín, and Cartagena:

“Accepting the invitation of the President of the Republic and the Colombian bishops, His Holiness the Pope Francis will make an Apostolic Trip to Colombia from 6 to 11 September 2017, visiting the cities of Bogotá, Villavicencio, Medellín and Cartagena. The programme for the trip will be published shortly.”

Official Logo and Motto

The logo of the Journey contains the motto of the Pope’s Apostolic Journey: “Let’s take the first step” [Demos el primer paso].

A message accompanying the logo says the words refer to "the more than 50 years of violence" which divided Colombia.

“The visit of Pope Francis to Colombia is a moment of grace and happiness in order to dream about the possibility of transforming our country and taking the first step. The Holy Father is a missionary of reconciliation.”
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-the-cross-is-the-gate-of-salvation

Pope Francis: the Cross is the gate of salvation
2017-03-12 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis prayed the Angelus with pilgrims and tourists gathered in St. Peter’s Square on the Second Sunday of Lent.

In remarks ahead of the traditional prayer of Marian devotion, the Holy Father reflected on the Gospel reading of the day, which was taken from the 17th chapter of the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, and that recounted the Transfiguration of Our Lord.

“Transfigured on Mt. Tabor,” said Pope Francis, “Jesus desired to show His glory to His disciples, not to keep them from going through the Cross, but to show them to where He was carrying the Cross.”

“Whoever dies with Christ, with Christ shall rise again,” said Pope Francis, “those who struggle with Him, with Him shall triumph.”

“The Cross is the gate of the Resurrection,” he said.

The Holy Father went on to say that the message of hope, which the Cross contains, is one that constantly calls us to be strong in our lives. “The Christian Cross is not something to hang in the house ‘to tie the room together’ [It. suppellettile di casa] or an ornament to wear, but a call to that love, with which Jesus sacrificed Himself to save humanity from sin and evil.”
 
http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-prays-for-guatemala-fire-victims-calls-for-ac
Pope prays for Guatemala fire victims, calls for action
2017-03-12 Vatican Radio

https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-address-on-jesus-transfiguration-on-mount-tabor/
ANGELUS ADDRESS: On Jesus’ Transfiguration on Mount Tabor 
March 12, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nbgb12cwh4k
2017.03.12 Angelus Domini 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-visits-romes-sta-maddalena-di-canossa

Pope Francis visits Rome's S.ta Maddalena di Canossa parish
2017-03-12 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis visited the Roman parish of St. Magdalene of Canossa on Sunday afternoon.

The schedule released by the Vatican ahead of the visit included time with the children and young adolescents of the parish in their sports field, a meeting in the parish theatre with parents and newborns baptized during the course of the past year, a visit with the elderly and sick of the parish in the parish hall, and an encounter with parishioners active in faith formation and pastoral outreach, time for the Sacrament of Penance, and Mass in the parish church.
 

The full text of the Pope’s brief homily at the link below--
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/the-transfiguration-prepares-us-for-the-crucifixion-pope-says-at-parish-visit-82840/
The Transfiguration prepares us for the Cross, Pope says at parish visit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUZ86lXwltw
2017.03.12 Pastoral visit to the Parish of Santa Maddalena di Canossa 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/vatican-releases-programme-of-pope-francis-visit-t

Vatican releases programme of Pope Francis’ visit to Milan
2017-03-09 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio)  The Vatican has released the programme for Pope Francis’ one-day visit to Milan on Saturday, 25 March 2017.

The Holy Father will begin the day with an encounter with the Rom, Islamic, and immigrant families of the ‘White Houses’ in the Forlanini quarter of the city.

After speaking with priests and consecrated persons, he will visit the inmates of the San Vittore Prison for lunch and then celebrate Holy Mass in Monza Park.

The final appointment of the day is a meeting with several recently confirmed young people in the Meazza-San Siro di Milano Stadium.

Below please find the full programme:
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/03/11/press_office_confirms_vatican_studying_papal_trip_to_egypt/1298138

Press Office confirms Vatican studying papal trip to Egypt
11/03/2017 18:34

(Vatican Radio) The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Greg Burke, has clarified that the possibility of a papal visit to Egypt is being studied, but as yet there are no definite plans for such a trip, with regard either to prospective dates or to a possible programme.

Mr Burke’s statement was made in response to an interview in German newsweekly Die Zeit, in which Pope Francis spoke about upcoming papal journeys. On Friday the Vatican released the program for the Holy Father’s visit to Colombia, in the Fall.
 

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Happy 4th Anniversary Pope Francis!

http://www.news.va/en/news/cardinal-parolin-of-anniversary-of-francis-pontifi

Cardinal Parolin on anniversary of Francis' pontificate
2017-03-13 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio). Jorge Bergoglio became the 266th Pope on March 13, 2013. His humble and direct style was immediately clear as he uttered his first words as pontiff: “buona sera.”

Four years on, his reform of the Church and of the Curia ploughs ahead, he continues to enjoy the acclaim of cheering crowds every Wednesday at the weekly General Audience and at all public appearances, his call for mercy and his openness and pastoral outreach towards the peripheries and towards the most vulnerable stand out as constant traits of his ministry.

The past year of France’s pontificate has given us unforgettable moments and important teachings such as the historic embrace with the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in Cuba, his silent prayer in Auschwitz, the canonization of Mother Teresa, his ecumenical journey to Lund to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, the publishing of his Apostolic Exhortation “Amoris Laetitia”, to name but a few.

The Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, one of Pope Francis’ closest collaborators looked back on the year gone by with Vatican Radio’s Alessandro Gisotti starting with that unique “buona sera” with which the new Bishop of Rome greeted his flock asking it for prayers, thus entrusting himself not only to the Lord, but  to “the holy people of God”.
 

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Video at the link

http://www.romereports.com/2017/03/13/the-election-of-pope-francis-the-beginning-of-a-pontificate-full-of-surprises

The election of Pope Francis, the beginning of a pontificate full of surprises
2017-03-13

This intense smoke is four years old. It was 7:06 p.m. on March 13, 2013 when this white smoke announced that the Catholic Church had a new pope.

However, it was more than an hour later before his name was known. During that time, thousands of people tried to enter St. Peter's Square and reserve a space to greet the new pope at his first appearance.
 

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http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/us-congratulates-pope-francis-on-his-4th-anniversary-39486/

US congratulates Pope Francis on his 4th anniversary

Vatican City, Mar 13, 2017 / 10:09 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Monday, the anniversary of Pope Francis being elevated to the papacy, the United States offered its congratulations and wishes for collaboration in the future.

“On behalf of President Trump and the people of the United States, I offer my congratulations to His Holiness Pope Francis on the fourth anniversary of his election as Bishop of Rome and leader of the Catholic Church,” said U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in a statement.

On March 13, 2013, then-Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina was elected Pope.

“The United States and the Holy See have worked together for decades to face global challenges such as trafficking in persons, food insecurity, epidemics, and the exploitation of religion as a tool to incite hatred and divide nations,” Tillerson said in his statement. “Together we have built vital partnerships and cooperated to advance peace, liberty, and human dignity around the world.”
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-conversion-learning-to-do-good-with-deeds-not

Pope: Conversion - learning to do good with deeds, not words
2017-03-14 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Avoiding evil, learning to do good, and allowing yourself to be carried forward by the Lord: this is the path of Lenten conversion pointed out by Pope Francis in his homily at the morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta. It is a conversion, the Pope said, that is manifested not with words, but with “concrete things.”

The Pope’s attempt to trace out the lines of Lenten conversion took its starting point from the words of the Prophet Isaiah from the day’s First Reading. Avoiding evil and learning to do good – the heart of Isaiah’s exhortation – are stages along this path. “Each one of us, every day, does something ugly.” The Bible, in fact, says that even “the most holy people sin seven times a day.”

Avoiding evil and learning to do good is a journey
 

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http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/6853/0/history-made-in-rome-as-anglican-liturgy-is-celebrated-at-heart-of-a-catholic-church

History made in Rome as Anglican liturgy is celebrated at heart of a Catholic Church
14 March 2017 | by Christopher Lamb

Director of Rome's Anglican Centre responsible for making the unthinkable thinkable

Earlier in the day there had been a cool breeze, but by mid-afternoon Rome was basking in spring sunshine allowing a brilliant white light to stream through Bernini’s window of the Holy Spirit in St Peter’s Basilica.

As the spirit-dappled rays shone down, the choir of Merton College, Oxford began singing the introit to evensong. Soon after, Catholic and Church of England clergy processed in together to the hymn “O Praise ye the Lord” before taking their seats on the altar beneath the chair of St Peter, the throne used by the first Bishop of Rome.

This was history in the making. For the first time, an Anglican liturgy was being celebrated at the heart of the Catholic Church, a symbolic moment showing that Christians really do have more that unites them than that which divides.

In his sermon Archbishop Arthur Roche, secretary of the Vatican’s liturgy department, said the outpouring of the holy spirit symbolised in the window above breaks down barriers so that “the unthinkable can be made possible.”

A few years ago it would have been unthinkable to celebrate a liturgy written by the English reformation’s hero Thomas Cranmer in the bosom of the Roman Church. Yet on Monday a 300-strong congregation made up of Anglican ex-pats, Catholic seminarians and diplomats stood next the tombs of Popes singing “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind” and reciting prayers from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer asking God to “create and make in us new and contrite hearts.”
 

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http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2017/archdiocese-announces-beatification-date-for-oklahoma-priest.cfm

Archdiocese announces beatification date for Oklahoma priest
By Rhina Guidos Catholic News Service
3.13.2017 4:51 PM ET

CNS
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City announced that one its native sons, Father Stanley Rother, a North American priest who worked in Guatemala and was brutally murdered there in 1981, will be beatified Sept. 23 in Oklahoma.

"It's official! Praised be Jesus Christ! Archbishop Coakley received official word this morning from Rome that Servant of God Father Stanley Rother will be beatified in Oklahoma City in September!" the archdiocese announced March 13 on its website.

Pope Francis recognized Father Rother's martyrdom last December, making him the first martyr born in the United States.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-love-is-gods-gift-to-us

Pope Francis: 'love is God's gift to us'
2017-03-15 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday continued his catechesis on Christian hope, focusing on charity, which he said, “is a grace, the fruit of our saving encounter with God’s own love”.

The Pope was addressing the faithful during his weekly General Audience.

To the over 12.000 pilgrims gathered in a sunny St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis said that he who loves has the joy of hope because one day he will be united with the source of all love: the Lord.

Reflecting on readings from Matthew and from Saint Paul, the Pope focused on what he described as our vocation for love and charity.

He warned against the risk of hypocrisy and of a “hypocritical love” which he said, can be tainted by self-interest and urged the faithful to not be tempted to carry out works of charity driven by the desire to put ourselves on show as we seek visibility and approval.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/general-audience-on-rejoicing-in-hope/
GENERAL AUDIENCE: On Rejoicing in Hope 
March 15, 2017

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-laying-off-workers-for-unclear-motives-is-gra
Pope: ‘Laying off workers for unclear motives is grave sin’

At the beginning of the video below (12:20 mark)--
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/what-pope-francis-did-when-guards-tried-to-stop-these-chinese-pilgrims-13881/
What Pope Francis did when guards tried to stop these Chinese pilgrims

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD18XC07R8s
2017.03.15 General Audience

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-damned-are-those-who-dont-care-for-the-poor-a

Pope: Damned are those who don't care for the poor and homeless
2017-03-16 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The parable of the poor man, Lazarus, lying at the rich man’s door, was at the heart of Pope Francis’ homily at the Santa Marta Mass on Thursday morning.  The Pope warned of the risks we run if we have the same uncaring attitude towards the poor and homeless people we see around us today.

Reflecting on the Gospel story of Lazarus, from St Luke’s Gospel, Pope Francis warned against those who place their trust in things of the flesh. Trusting in vanity, pride and riches, he said, will distance us from the Lord. He highlighted the fruitfulness of those who trust in the Lord and the sterility of those who rely only on themselves and the things they can control.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-holds-private-audience-with-president

Pope Francis holds private audience with President of Lebanon
2017-03-16 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis held a private audience on Thursday with Mr. Michel Aoun, President of the Republic of Lebanon, and his wife, Nadia.

A communique from the Holy See Press Office said their discussions were "cordial".

"The Parties focused on the good bilateral relations between the Holy See and Lebanon, underlining the historic and institutional role of the Church in the life of the country. Satisfaction was then expressed for the efforts on the part of all the various political parties in putting an end to the presidential vacancy, emphasising the hope for an increasingly fruitful future collaboration between the members of diverse ethnic and religious communities in favour of the common good and the development of the nation," the communique read.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-will-lead-24-hours-for-the-lord-penitential-s

Pope will lead '24 Hours for the Lord' Penitential Service
2017-03-16 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis will preside over a penitential service at the Vatican in anticipation of the  ’24 Hours for the Lord’ initiative.

The service will take place on Friday 17th March, one week before all churches around the world are asked to offer the sacrament of Confession, a request made by the Pontifical Council for the Promoting of the New Evangelization.

The theme of the initiative this year comes from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew: ‘I desire Mercy’ (Mt 9:13).
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/second-lenten-sermon-of-fr-cantalamessa-to-papal-h

Second Lenten Sermon of Fr. Cantalamessa to papal household: Full text
2017-03-17 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio)  The Preacher of the Papal Household, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M. Cap., gave his second Lenten Sermon to Pope Francis on Friday morning in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel.

The theme of the Lenten meditations is: “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord’, except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3). This second iteration carried the title: Christ, 'true God from true God'.

The next three Sermons of Lent will take place on Friday 24 and 31 March, and Friday 7 April.

Below please find the official English version translated from the Italian original by Marsha Daigle Williamson:
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-three-characteristics-of-a-good-confe

Pope Francis: three characteristics of a good confessor
2017-03-17 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met on Friday with participants at an annual course on the internal forum, organised by the Apostolic Penitentiary.In his words to the group, the Pope spoke about the formation of good confessors, focusing on three characteristics which should guide their work.

Firstly, Pope Francis said, a good confessor is a true friend of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and a person dedicated to prayer. A Ministry of Reconciliation "bound up in prayer", he said, is a credible reflection of God's mercy and will “avoid the harshness and misunderstandings” that are sometimes associated with the Sacrament. Prayer is the first guarantee for avoiding harsh attitudes, pointlessly judging the sinner and not the sin, he said.

Pope Francis told participants that they cannot forgive through the Sacrament without the awareness of first having been forgiven themselves. He urged them to pray for humility and “the gift of a wounded heart” so that they are able to understand other people's wounds and heal them with the oil of mercy.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/03/17/pope_francis_leads_lenten_penitential_service_in_st_peters/1299084
Pope Francis leads Lenten penitential service in St. Peter's
17/03/2017 19:00

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday evening presided over a penitential service in St. Peter's Basilica in anticipation of the ’24 Hours for the Lord’ initiative.
 
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-goes-to-confession-38876/
Pope Francis goes to confession

Vatican City, Mar 17, 2017 / 11:48 am (CNA/EWTN News).- At the end of his annual Lenten penitential service on Friday, Pope Francis was the first to go to the sacrament of confession, afterward hearing the confessions of seven laypeople, three men and four women, in attendance.
 
Instead of giving a homily during the service, which he has done in years past, Pope Francis led people in a lengthy silence following the readings in order to reflect and pray prior to receiving the sacrament of confession.
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z83MUAGZ20
2017.03.17 Penitential Liturgy

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-angelus-lent-is-an-opportunity-to-draw-near-t

Pope Angelus: Lent is an opportunity to draw near to Christ
2017-03-19 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) “Perhaps we have not yet encountered Jesus personally,” Pope Francis said in his Angelus address on Sunday. “Perhaps we have not recognized Him as our Saviour.”

The Holy Father was commenting on the day’s Gospel, which relates the “dialogue” between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. Because of the great respect Jesus shows her — despite her being a Samaritan, and despite her disordered life — she is open to the words of Christ, when He speaks to her about the true faith. She recognizes Him as a prophet, and intuits that He could be the Messiah, and Jesus tells her plainly that He is, in fact, the Messiah — something that happens very rarely in the Gospels, the Pope said.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-address-on-the-living-water/
ANGELUS ADDRESS: On the “Living Water”
March 19, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXq9aqIBLBA
2017.03.19 Angelus Domini