Pope Francis

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/05/21/pope_appeals_for_peace_in_car_/1313769

Pope appeals for peace in CAR
21/05/2017 13:10

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday appealed for peace in the Central African Republic following intense armed clashes there. He made the call following the Regina Caeli in St Peter's Square.

The Holy Father said it pained him to hear about the violence in CAR especially after visiting the country in November 2015.

He went on to say that the fighting had claimed many victims, displaced people and threatened the peace process.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/regina-coeli-address-on-the-coming-of-the-holy-spirit/
Regina Coeli Address: On the Coming of the Holy Spirit 
May 21, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWYBOBcfHUs
2017.05.21 - Regina Coeli

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/05/21/pope_calls_consistory_to_create_new_cardinals/1313753

Pope calls consistory to create new Cardinals
21/05/2017 12:33

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday announced a consistory for the creation of new Cardinals. He made the announcement at the end of the Regina Caeli in St Peter’s Square.

The new Cardinals come from Mali, Spain, Sweden, Laos and El Salvador. The Consistory will take place on June 28th.

Find below the list of new Cardinal designates:

Archbishop Jean Zerbo of Bamako, Mali.

Archbishop Juan José Omella of Barcelona, Spain.

Bishop Anders Arborelius, Bishop of Stockholm, Sweden.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/05/21/saint_nicholas_bones_in_russia_after_1000_years_/1313807

Saint Nicholas Bones in Russia after 1000 years
21/05/2017 18:31

Russian Orthodox clergymen carry the relics of Saint Nicholas in the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow, Russia

(Vatican Radio) For the first time in nearly 1,000 years bone fragments of Saint Nicholas, one of the Russian Orthodox Church's most revered figures, have been moved from an Italian church to Russia where huge crowds of Orthodox faithful were expected to visit the relics. The historic move follows talks between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill.

After reaching Moscow's Vnukovo airport, a glass-topped metallic ark bearing the relics was visited by a long stream of Russian pilgrims who bowed and kissed the container.
 
The relics are to be displaced in Moscow's Christ the Savior cathedral until mid-June. They are then moved to St. Petersburg, Russia's second largest city, before being returned to Bari on July 12. Both cities are expecting huge crowds of Orthodox faithful to visit the relics and the Moscow patriarchate has already described it as "an unprecedented event."

It is also appreciated by Russian President Vladimir Putin who keeps close ties with the Russian Orthodox Church. He already visited the St. Nicholas relics in Bari in 2007.

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/05/22/pope_francis_open_your_heart_to_the_holy_spirit/1313870

Pope Francis: Open your heart to the Holy Spirit
22/05/2017 11:53

It is only the Holy Spirit Who can teach us to say: “Jesus is the Lord.” That was the focus of Pope Francis’ reflections during the morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta on Monday. The Holy Father emphasized that we must open our hearts in order to hear the Holy Spirit, and thus be able to bear witness to Christ.

“Be calm, I will not leave you orphans; I will send you an advocate, the Holy Spirit, to defend you before the Father.” Pope Francis based his homily on the long discourse of Jesus to His disciples at the Last Supper. The Pope dwelt especially on the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, who accompanies us and “gives us the assurance of being saved by Jesus.”
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/05/22/pope_francis_receives_the_president_of_ireland/1313952

Pope Francis receives the President of Ireland
22/05/2017 14:40

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday morning  received in audience the President of Ireland, His Excellency Michael D. Higgins.  The President also met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.

A communique released by the Holy See Press Office said that "the cordial discussions began by evoking the constructive relations that unite the Holy See and Ireland, and their collaboration."

It went on to say that "the parties then focused on several themes of mutual interest, such as the protection of the rights of humanity and its dignity in every stage and condition of life, the issue of migration and the welcome of refugees, safeguarding the environment, and sustainable development."
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-a-church-without-martyrs-breeds-distrust

Pope: ‘a Church without martyrs breeds distrust’
2017-05-23 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) On the second anniversary of the beatification of Archbishop Oscar Romero, who was killed in 1980 by military squadrons linked to the Regime in San Salvador as he defended the poor, Pope Francis recalled Romero’s religious fervor and passion for justice while warning the faithful against a ‘lukewarm’ Church.

The Pope was speaking during Mass at the Casa Santa Marta.

Pope Francis exhorted believers to leave comfort to the side and embrace an energetic lifestyle proclaiming Jesus with joy.

He reflected on the liturgical reading of the day which tells the story of Paul and Silas in Philippi where they were followed by a slave girl with an oracular spirit who was shouting “These people are slaves of the Most High God”. This seemed like praise, the Pope said, but Paul became annoyed and cast out the spirit.  Paul understood, the Pope explained, that that was not the path to conversion of that city; it was not the Church of Christ. Everyone there accepted the doctrine, there were no conversions.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-condolences-to-manchester-victims

Pope Francis: condolences to Manchester victims
2017-05-23 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a telegram expressing condolences to the victims of Monday night's bombing of a concert venue in Manchester, England, and condemning the attack, in which at least 22 people were killed and 59 thers injured. Please find the full text of the telegram, below...
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His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the injury and tragic loss of life caused by the barbaric attack in Manchester, and he expresses his heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by this senseless act of violence.

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http://www.romereports.com/2017/05/23/trump-visits-the-pope-wednesday-and-will-see-the-sistine-chapel-and-st-peter-s-basilica

Trump visits the pope Wednesday
2017-05-23

The face-to-face between Pope Francis and Trump will be brief but surely intense. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m., and Pope Francis is then expected to hold the General Audience at St. Peter's Square at 9:30 a.m.

In fact, to make as little changes to the weekly schedule as possible, Trump will not enter the Vatican through St. Peter's Square. Instead, he could arrive by helicopter or by car through a lateral access, at the the door of the "Perugino.”

Donald Trump will be accompanied by First Lady Melania. After his meeting with Pope Francis, he will speak with Secretary of State Pietro Parolin. Afterwards, they will visit the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-and-trump-discuss-peace-dialogue-support-for

Pope and Trump discuss peace, dialogue, support for immigrants
2017-05-24 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis and U.S. President Donald Trump met in the Vatican on Wednesday, discussing issues of peace, interfaith dialogue and religious freedom, as well as the role of the American Church in education, healthcare and support for immigrants.

The American leader spent half an hour in conversation with the Pope behind closed doors in the Apostolic Palace, before meeting with Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States or foreign minister.

Press office statement

A statement from the Vatican press office said during the course of the cordial encounter, the two men discussed the good bilateral relations that exist between the U.S. and the Holy See. They also spoke of their “joint commitment in favour of life, religious liberty and freedom of conscience”.

The statement expressed the hope for a “serene cooperation between the State and the Catholic Church in the United States", which is engaged in service to people "in the fields of health care, education and assistance to immigrants".

Dialogue and negotiations

It said the Pope and the President also exchanged views on international affairs and on the promotion of peace through political negotiations and interfaith dialogue, mentioning especially the situation in the Middle East and the protection of Christian communities.

Trump, who was accompanied by his wife Melania, as well as his daughter and son-in-law, is on the third leg of a nine day presidential tour that has already taken him to Saudi Arabia, Israel and Palestine.

Sistine chapel visit

After the papal audience, Trump was taken on a tour of St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, before meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and with Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni.

Melania Trump, meanwhile, visited Rome’s 'Bambin Gesù' Children’s Hospital, while the president's daughter, Ivanka, was scheduled to meet with victims of trafficking together with members of Rome's Sant’Egidio lay Catholic community.

Please find below the full statement from the Holy See press office:
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1V6Yqmabzc
2017.05.24 Pope Francis receives the President of the USA, in audience 
The Vatican
Streamed live 15 hours ago
WITH COMMENTARY - 2017.05.24 - Pope Francis receives the President of the USA, Mr. Donald Trump, in audience

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http://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/Vatican.php?id=15637

Pope Francis, Trump hold landmark first meeting
Vatican City, May 24, 2017 / 03:48 am (EWTN News/CNA)

Pope Francis meets with President Donald Trump in the Apostolic Palace May 24, 2017. Credit: L'Osservatore Romano.

After months of anticipation, Pope Francis and U.S. President Donald Trump finally met at the Vatican Wednesday in a friendly encounter which included an emphasis on protection of life and freedom of conscience.

According to a May 24 Vatican communique, Pope Francis and Trump expressed satisfaction "for the good existing bilateral relations between the Holy See and the United States of America, as well as the joint commitment in favor of life, and freedom of worship and conscience."

The Pope and Trump met at the Vatican May 24, at 8:30 a.m., immediately before the weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square.

Trump arrived to Italy May 23 after stopping in both Saudi Arabia and Israel as part of his first international trip. He is also set to attend a NATO meeting in Brussels on May 25 and a G7 summit in Sicily on May 26 before returning to the U.S.

President Trump arrived to the Vatican via the side entrance by Casa Santa Marta around 8:15 a.m. and was greeted by a group of Swiss Guards in the San Damaso courtyard. After stepping out of the car, Trump and First Lady Melania greeted Archbishop Georg Ganswein and other Vatican dignitaries before entering the Apostolic Palace.
 
After their formal conversation, gifts were exchanged between Francis and Trump. There were 12 people in the president's entourage, including his wife Melania and his daughter and son-in-law, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, both of whom are advisors in his administration.

Also present for the meeting with Pope Francis were U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs H.R. McMaster, and Louis Bono, American Chargé d'Affaires ad interim to the Holy See until Calista Gingrich us officially approved as ambassador. 

Pope Francis gave Trump a copy of his environmental encyclical Laudato Si, as well as copies of his 2015 Apostolic Exhortation on the family “Amoris Laetitia” and his 2013 exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium.”

In addition to the customary gift of these three documents, Francis also gave President Trump a copy of his message for the 2017 World Day of Peace, saying: “I signed it personally for you.” Trump responded that he would be reading them.

The Pope also gifted the U.S. president with a medallion he said symbolized peace and unity, which, after the translator explained in English, he added in Spanish: “Have it so that you become an instrument of peace.” In response, Trump said that “we can use peace.”

On his part, President Trump gifted Pope Francis a set of books by Martin Luther King, Jr., saying: “I think you’ll enjoy them, I hope you do."
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOa3edTdklk
EWTN Video of Pope Francis Presenting Gifts to President Trump 
Edward Pentin

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-general-audience-english-language-summary

Pope General Audience: English-language summary
2017-05-24 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday focused once again on the theme of Christian Hope at his General Audience.

The Holy Father based his reflections on the Gospel account of the two disciples who met the Risen Lord on the way to Emmaus:
Luke 24:28-32: As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight.

Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?”

Below please find the English-language summary of the Pope’s catechesis at the Wednesday General Audience:
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1skUYRLsLj0
2017.05.24 - General Audience

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-makes-surprise-telephone-call-to-sick-childre

Pope makes surprise telephone call to sick children in Genoa
2017-05-25 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) On Saturday, May 27th, Pope Francis will travel to the northern Italian city of Genoa for a one-day apostolic visit.

One of the highlights of the day will undoubtedly be represented by his meeting with sick children and their families in the “Giannina Gaslini” Paediatric Hospital.

Awaiting Francis’ visit, many of the little patients have been busy preparing small gifts and messages, but meanwhile,  the Pope himself decided to surprise them ahead of time with a personal greeting.

Linking-up live via telephone to a parish radio in Genoa that broadcasts a Wednesday weekly programme especially dedicated to the children’s hospital, Pope Francis told the little patients that it is with joy that he is preparing to be with them.

“Dear children of the Gaslini Hospital in Genoa, I greet you all with affection” he said.

The Pope said he is coming to be close to them, to listen to them, and to bring the caress of Jesus.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/popes-program-for-visit-to-genoa/
Vatican Publishes Pope’s Program for Visit to Genoa
May 15, 2017

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-the-christians-gaze-is-on-heaven-his-feet-on

Pope: The Christian's gaze is on heaven, his feet on earth
2017-05-26 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The Christian’s place is in the world, in order to proclaim Jesus; but his gaze is turned to heaven in order to be united to Him: that was the message of Pope Francis at the morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta on Friday.

Galilee, the place of the first encounter with Jesus

The Scriptures, Pope Francis said in his homily, give us three words, three points of reference for the Christian journey. The first word is “memory.” The risen Jesus tells the disciples to go before Him to Galilee, and this was the first encounter with the Lord. Each one of us “has his own ‘Galilee,’” where Jesus shows Himself for the first time, where we have known Him and have had “this joy, this enthusiasm for following Him.” In order “to be a good Christian it is necessary to always have this memory of the first encounter with Jesus, or of subsequent encounters.” It is “the grace of memory” which in “the moment of trial gives me certainty.”
 

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https://zenit.org/articles/popes-program-for-visit-to-genoa/

Vatican Publishes Pope’s Program for Visit to Genoa
May 15, 2017

 
***
Saturday 27 May 2017:

07.00: Departure by car from Domus Santa Marta

07.30: Take-off from Rome-Ciampino airport

08.15: Landing at Genoa airport

08.30: ENCOUNTER WITH THE WORLD OF WORK AT THE ILVA FACTORY
 Holy Father to answer four questions

10.00: ENCOUNTER WITH THE BISHOPS OF LIGURIA, CLERGY, SEMINARIANS AND RELIGIOUS OF THE REGION, LAY COLLABORATORS WITH THE CURIA, REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER CONFESSIONS IN THE SAN LORENZO CATHEDRAL
 Holy Father to answer four questions
 Greetings from Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco

12.15: ENCOUNTER WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE DIOCESAN MISSION IN THE SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF THE GUARD
 Holy Father to answer questions
 Detainees of the prison of Genoa will follow the encounter with the young by TV link up
 Brief greeting to detainees

13.00: LUNCH WITH THE POOR, REFUGEES, HOMELESS AND DETAINEES IN THE HALL OF THE FIREPLACE OF THE SHRINE

15.15: ENCOUNTER WITH CHILDREN OF THE VARIOUS WARDS IN THE “GIANNINA GASLINI”

16.30: Transfer by car to Piazzale Kennedy

17.00: EUCHARISTIC CONCELEBRATION in PIAZZALE KENNEDY
 Homily of the Holy Father
 Greetings from Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco

18.30: Transfer to the airport
 Before ascending the steps to enter the aircraft: blessing of a statue of Our Lady of Loreto

18.45: Take-off from Genoa

19.30: Landing at Rome Ciampino

Transfer by car to the Vatican.
[Vatican-provided program]
***
 

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Videos:  Pope Francis visit to Genoa, May 27, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9960h663-8
2017.05.27 Pope Francis in Genoa - Meeting with the World of Labour
Streamed live 12 hours ago
INTERNATIONAL SOUND Pope Francis meets the World of Labour at the beginning of his pastoral visit to Genoa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eVE_B65g20
2017.05.27 Pope Francis in Genoa - Meeting with the Church of the Liguria and other religions
Streamed live 11 hours ago
INTERNATIONAL SOUND Pope Francis meets the bishops, priests, religious and laity of the Church of the Liguria region, with representatives of other religious confessions, in the course of his pastoral visit to Genoa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qJqbIIbstM
2017.05.27 Pope Francis in Genoa - Meeting with youth of the Diocesan Mission
Streamed live 9 hours ago
INTERNATIONAL SOUND Pope Francis meets the youth of the Diocesan Mission during the course of his pastoral visit to Genoa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB2DEzq5HOQ
2017.05.27 Pope Francis in Genoa - Meeting with the children of the Gaslini Hospital
Streamed live 5 hours ago
INTERNATIONAL SOUND Pope Francis meets the children hospitalized in the various divisions of the Pediatric "Giannina Gaslini" Hospital, in the course of his pastoral visit to the capital of the Liguria region

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xcyqzBz0nM
2017.05.27 Pope Francis in Genoa - Eucharistic Concelebration
Streamed live 4 hours ago
INTERNATIONAL SOUND Pope Francis presides at the Eucharistic Concelebration with the people of Genoa, at the conclusion of his pastoral visit to the city.

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-condolences-for-murder-of-coptic-chri

Pope Francis: condolences for murder of Coptic Christians
2017-05-27 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a telegram to Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, expressing condolences over the murder of dozens of Coptic Christians in Egypt, and condemning the killings as "[a] senseless act of hatred."
 
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His Excellency Abdel Fattah Al Sisi
President of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Cairo

Deeply saddened to learn of the barbaric attack in central Egypt and of the tragic loss of life and injury caused by this senseless act of hatred, Pope Francis expresses his heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by this violent outrage.  Mindful in a particular way of those children who have lost their lives, His Holiness commends the souls of the deceased to the mercy of the Almighty.  He assures their grieving families and all who have been injured of his ardent prayers, and he pledges his continued intercession for peace and reconciliation throughout the nation.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-in-genoa-work-essential-to-human-flou

Pope Francis in Genoa: Work essential to human flourishing
2017-05-27 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis began an intense day-long pastoral visit to Genoa on Saturday morning, with a meeting with workers, management, industrialists, union leaders and representatives of unemployed persons at the ILVA steel works in the city.

World of Labour

Pope Francis’ meeting with the world of labour included four questions regarding the issues ranging from the challenges of ossified and unresponsive bureaucracy to the dehumanizing effects of technology and large forces on the workplace and the labour market: one each from a worker, an entrepreneur, a business-owner, and a union representative.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-to-genovese-clergy-creative-fidelity-key-to-m

Pope to Genovese clergy: creative fidelity key to mission
2017-05-27 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met with the bishops, priests, religious and seminarians of the Archdiocese of Genoa and the whole region of Liguria on Saturday, during the course of a one-day pastoral visit.

The questions from clergy and religious came from two secular priests, Don Andrea Carcasole and Don Pasquale Revello: the President of the Italian Union of Women Religious Superiors for the Liguria Region; and  Fr. Andrea Caruso, O.F.M. Cap.

Their queries focused on the search for ways to maintain hope and nourish the interior life of faith in today’s frenetic world – and the Holy Father’s responses centered on the imitation of Christ, the fostering of a sense of fraternity among the clergy and of genuine diocesan ecclesial unity, and the cultivation of a rich, mission-focused interior life of prayer.

“What we want,” said Pope Francis, “is pastoral conversion, missionary conversion.”
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-visits-genoas-giannina-gaslini-pediat

Pope Francis visits Genoa's Giannina Gaslini Pediatric Hospital
2017-05-27 Vatican Radio

“Faith works primarily through charity and without it, it is dead. So I encourage you to carry out your delicate work motivated by charity", said Pope Francis  to the staff members of  “Giannini Gaslini” Pediatric Hospital during his day long visit to the Italian city of Genoa on Saturday. 

The Pope said that he couldn’t miss this visit where children are cared for, because the suffering of children is certainly something very difficult to accept. And added that  it is there that the Lord called him to be,  though briefly, close to the children and their relatives.  "Often and again I ask myself: 'Why do children suffer?', and I don't find any explantion," the Pope said.  "I only look at the crucifix and stand still there."
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/the-power-of-christians-lies-in-prayer-and-preachi

The power of Christians lies in prayer and preaching – Pope in Genoa
2017-05-27 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis wrapped up an intense 1-day apostolic visit to the Italian port city of Genoa with the celebration of Mass.

To the faithful present for the open-air ceremony in Genoa’s Kennedy Square, the Pope said Christians must never tire of working for the common good, they must never fear going out into the world with Christ’s message of peace and hope…

“Christian prayer is not a way of being a little bit at peace with oneself or finding some interior harmony; we pray in order to bring all to God, to entrust the world to Him,” Pope Francis said on Saturday.  He was delivering a homily at an evening Mass in the Italian port city of Genoa.  The Mass at the Kennedy Square seafront was the final event of his day-long visit to the city, during which he met the clergy and religious, youth, prisoners, children and staff of a pediatric hospital and lunched with the poor and the marginalized.   

Prayer – God's power and strength

Commenting on the scripture readings of Sunday, the Pope explained that in Christ’s Ascensio n “the power of Jesus, the strength of God” is revealed that has “linked earth with heaven for us”.  And this power continues even today and will last forever in Christ’s unceasing prayers and intercession for us before the Father, every moment….especially at every Mass.  And  “Jesus has gifted this capacity to intercede also to us, to his Church, that has the power and also the duty to intercede and pray for all.”