Pope Francis

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/11/16/pope_francis_makes_surprise_visit_field_hospital/1349376

Pope Francis makes surprise visit field hospital in St. Peter's Square
16/11/2017 16:18

Pope Francis greets volunteers and poor people in St. Peter's Square along with Archbishop Rino Fisichella - RV
(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis made a surprise visit on Thursday afternoon to a small "field hospital" set up in front of St. Peter's Square to provide medical care for Rome's poor.

During the short visit, the Pope greeted volunteers and poor people waiting to receive care ahead of the first World Day of the Poor, taking place on Sunday, November 19.

He was accompanied by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelisation.

The healthcare structure is an initiative connected to that Day and announced by the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelisation.
 

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https://zenit.org/articles/pope-to-clergy-follow-the-good-shepherd/

Pope to Clergy: Follow the Good Shepherd 
November 16, 2017

© L'Osservatore Romano
“Today as in the past the saints are the most effective evangelizers, and all the baptized are called to reach towards the highest measure of Christian life, namely, holiness,” Pope Francis said on November 16, 2017. “To achieve this ideal of holiness, every ordained minister is called to follow the example of the Good Shepherd, who gave His life for His sheep.”

The Holy Father’s remarks came in the Consistory Hall of the Apostolic Palace, where he received in audience the participants in the International Assembly of the Confederation Apostolic Union of Clergy.

The Pope reminded listeners that expertise in spirituality of communion comes from “conversion to Christ, to the docile opening to the action of the Spirit, and by welcoming one’s brothers.” He went on to say that apostolic fruitfulness depends not only on activity and organization efforts, “but firstly on divine action.”

Pope Francis noted that the linked closely to the “path of spirituality” is “action in the service of the people of God.” He said this is seen in the “concreteness of the local Church.”

“Pastors are called to be wise and faithful servants who imitate the Lord, who don the apron of service and bend to the lives of their communities, to understand their history and to live the joys and sufferings, expectations and hopes of the flock entrusted to them.”

Address of the Holy Father
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/11/16/pope_addresses_end-of-life_issues_/1349287

Pope addresses end-of-life issues
16/11/2017 13:18

(Vatican Radio) When faced with the new challenges that arise with regard to “end-of-life” issues, “the categorical imperative is to never abandon the sick.” In a letter to participants in the European Regional Meeting of the World Medical Association on end-of-life issues, Pope Francis said:

“The anguish associated with conditions that bring us to the threshold of human mortality, and the difficulty of the decision we have to make, may tempt us to step back from the patient.  Yet this is where, more than anything else, we are called to show love and closeness, recognizing the limit that we all share and showing our solidarity.”

In his message, the Holy Father called for “greater wisdom” in striking a balance between medical efforts to prolong life, and the responsible decision to withhold treatment when death becomes inevitable. “It is clear that not adopting, or else suspending, disproportionate measures, means avoiding overzealous treatment,” the Pope said. “From an ethical standpoint, it is completely different from euthanasia, which is always wrong, in that the intent of euthanasia is to end life and cause death.”

Pope Francis acknowledged that it is often difficult to determine the proper course of action in increasingly complex cases. “There needs to be a careful discernment of the moral object, the attending circumstances, and the intentions of those involved,” he said, pointing to the traditional criteria of moral theology for evaluating human actions. But in this process, he insisted “the patient has the primary role.”

The Holy Father also raised the issue of “a systemic tendency toward growing inequality in health care,” both globally – especially between different continents – and within individual, especially wealthy countries, where options for health care often depend more on “economic resources,” than the “actual need for treatment.”

It is important, Pope Francis said, to find agreed solutions to “these sensitive issues.” He emphasized the need to recognize different world views and ethical systems, but also noted the duty of the state to protect the dignity of every human person, especially the most vulnerable.

Below, please find the full text of Pope Francis’ letter:

To My Venerable Brother
 Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia
 President of the Pontifical Academy for Life
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/11/16/pope_francis_sends_letter_to_cop23_climate_conference_in_bon/1349337

Pope Francis sends letter to COP23 climate conference in Bonn
16/11/2017 14:14

World leaders are pictured at the COP23 climate change event in Bonn, Germany - REUTERS
(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis has sent a letter to participants in the COP-23 UN Convention on climate change, taking place in Bonn, Germany on 6-17 November.

The letter was sent to Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama of the Fiji Islands, which is officially hosting the event, and was read out to COP-23 participants.

Pope Francis congratulated the world leaders present at the COP-23 event and invited them "to maintain a high level of cooperation".

He renewed his "urgent call" for renewed dialogue "on how we are building the future of the planet."

"We need an exchange that unites us all," he said, "because the environmental challenge we are experiencing, and its human roots, regards us all, and affects us all."

The Pope warned participants not to fall into "four perverse attitudes" regarding the future of the planet: "denial, indifference, resignation and trust in inadequate solutions."

Finally, Pope Francis sent his well-wishes that the COP-23 would be "inspired by the same collaborative and prophetic spirit manifested during the COP-21" event at which the historic Paris agreement was signed.

Please find below the official translation of the Pope's message:
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/11/17/pope_at_mass_take_time_to_think_about_death/1349553

Pope at Mass: Take time to think about death
17/11/2017 13:37

(Vatican Radio) With today’s readings, the Church invites us to reflect on the end of the world, but also on the end of our own lives. Pope Francis based his homily on the Gospel reading, where the Lord speaks about the daily lives of men and women in the days before the great Flood, or in the days of Lot – they lived normal lives, eating and drinking, doing business, marrying. But the “day of the manifestation of the Lord” came – and things changed.

The Church, our Mother, wants us to take time to consider our own death, the Pope said. We are all used to the routine of daily life. We think things will never change. But, Pope Francis continued, the day will come when we will be called by the Lord. For some it will be unexpected; for others it might come after a long illness – but the call will come. And then, the Pope said, there will be another surprise from the Lord: eternal life.
 

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Video at the link

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/11/17/pope_francis_sends_video_message_to_myanmar_ahead_of_visit/1349490

Pope Francis sends video message to Myanmar ahead of visit
17/11/2017 12:00

Pope Francis - RV
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a video message to the people of Myanmar, saying his upcoming trip to the country is meant “to confirm the faith of Myanmar’s Catholic community”.

The Holy Father makes his Apostolic Journey to Myanmar on 27-30 November 2017.

“I am coming to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, a message of reconciliation, forgiveness, and peace,” Pope Francis said.

Announcing his intention of confirming the faith and Gospel witness of the people of Myanmar, Pope Francis struck a warm tone in his video message sent ahead of his upcoming trip.
 

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/11/15/myanmars_cardinal_bo_meets_pope_to_discuss_upcoming_visit/1349138
Myanmar's Cardinal Bo meets Pope to discuss upcoming visit
15/11/2017 16:53

Cardinal Charles Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, meets with Pope Francis on Saturday to discuss the forthcoming papal journey to his country - RV

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http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2017/new-museum-tells-the-story-of-the-bible-chapter-and-verse.cfm

New museum tells the story of the Bible -- chapter and verse
11.16.2017 4:35 PM ET

CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn
The Museum of the Bible is seen in Washington Nov. 15. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn) See MUSEUM-BIBLE Nov. 16, 2017

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Hey, Smithsonian, there's a new kid on the block.

It's the Museum of the Bible, just a few blocks from the National Mall in Washington. With its opening to the public Nov. 18, it will tell visitors how the Bible -- both Old Testament and New Testament -- has intersected society and at times even transformed it.

The people behind the museum say that if visitors were to read the card behind every artwork, saw every video, heard every song and took part in every interactive experience -- including a Broadway-style musical called "Amazing Grace" about the song's writer, John Newton, and the biblical inspiration behind the abolitionist movement -- it would take them 72 hours to do it all.

But visitors can take their time, because there is no admission charge to the museum.
 

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https://zenit.org/articles/pope-francis-confers-ratzinger-awards/

Pope Francis Confers 2017 Ratzinger Awards 
‘Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation’
November 18, 2017

© L'Osservatore Romano
Pope Francis on November 18, 2017, presented the 2017 Ratzinger Prize awards to the three recipients.  The presentation took place at an audience in the Clementine Hall of the Vatican Apostolic Palace.  The audience included the members of the “Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation” for the seventh edition of the awards.

After greetings from Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., president of the Foundation, His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and member of the Scientific Committee of the same Foundation presented the profile of the three prize winners of this edition. Pope Francis then presented the awards.

The winners this year are: Professor Theodor Dieter, German Lutheran theologian; Professor Karl-Heinz Menke, German theologian and Catholic priest; and Maestro Arvo Pärt, Estonian musical composer and Orthodox Christian.

At the end, the Holy Father gave an address followed by the musical performance of the “Pater Noster” by Maestro Arvo Pärt, who played the piano belonging to the Pope emeritus.

Address of the Holy Father

Dear brothers and sisters,

I am pleased to meet you at this annual event for the award of the prizes to the illustrious figures who have been presented to me by the Joseph Ratzinger – Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation and its Scientific Committee. First of all, I greet the priests, the members, and friends of the Foundation, and I thank Cardinal Kurt Koch and Father Lombardi, who have introduced us to the significance of this key event among your activities, aimed at promoting theological research and cultural engagement animated by faith and the impetus of the soul towards God.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/11/18/pope_francis_council_for_culture_science_technology_ethics_/1349802

Pope calls for common good, ethical responsibility in science, technology
18/11/2017 15:05

Pope Francis meeting participants in the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for Culture, on Nov. 18, 2017‎
"Science, like any other human activity, has its limits which should be observed for the ‎good of ‎humanity itself, and requires a sense of ethical responsibility,” Pope Francis said on Saturday.  “The true measure of progress, as ‎Blessed ‎Paul VI recalled, is that which is aimed at the good of each man and the whole man,” the Pope told some 83 participants in the plenary assembly of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture.  The participants met the Pope at the conclusion of their Nov.15-18 assembly which discussed the theme, “The Future of Humanity: New Challenges to Anthropology.”

Incredible advances

The Pope said, the Church wants to give the correct direction to man at the dawn of a new era marked by incredible advances in medicine, genetics, neuroscience and “autonomous” machines.  Speaking about the incredible advances in genetics, he noted that diseases that were considered incurable until recently have been eradicated, and new possibilities have opened up to “programme” human beings with certain “qualities”.

Not all the answers

The Pope said that "science and technology have helped us to further the boundaries of knowledge of nature, especially of the human being,” but they alone are not enough to give all the answers. ‎“Today,” he explained, “we ‎increasingly realize that it is necessary to draw from the treasures of wisdom of ‎religious ‎traditions, popular wisdom, literature and the arts that touch the depths of the mystery of ‎human ‎existence, without forgetting, but rather by rediscovering those contained in philosophy and ‎theology.‎”
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/11/16/pope_francis_to_lead_prayer_for_peace_in_south_sudan_and_drc/1349372

Pope Francis to lead Prayer for Peace in South Sudan and DRC
16/11/2017 16:17

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is to preside over a Prayer for Peace in South Sudan and in the Democratic Republic of Congo on November 23rd in St. Peter’s Basilica at 5.30pm Rome time.

“Solidarity with South Sudan” in association with the Justice and Peace office of religious organizations worldwide, has organized the Prayer and confirmed that when Pope Francis heard of the initiative he made it known that he wanted to be personally involved.

Christians across the world are invited to pray together on that day and time for Peace in the world, and above all in South Sudan and in DRC, two conflict ravaged nations in which millions of displaced people are suffering the effects of terrible humanitarian crises.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/11/18/pope__‘compassion’__effective__addressing_inequalities/1349782

Pope Francis: ‘Compassion’ is more effective in addressing inequalities
18/11/2017 14:09

Pope Francis on Saturday sent a letter to the participants of the 32nd International Conference on the theme ‘Addressing Global Health Inequalities’.  The event  organized by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the International Confederation of Catholic Health Care Institutions is taking  place in the New Synod Hall of the Vatican from 16 to 18 November.

The  letter addressed to Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development,  the Holy Father stressed that apart from having well-structured organization for providing necessary services and the best possible attention to human needs,  the healthcare workers should be attuned to the importance of listening, accompanying and supporting the person for whom they care. For Pope Francis ‘compassion’ is  vital to be efficient and capable of addressing inequalities.  

The Pope concluded the letter exhorting the representatives of the pharmaceutical companies invited to address the issue of access to antiretroviral therapies by paediatric patients. Quoting a passage from the New Charter for Healthcare Workers, Pope Francis called them  to make available essential drugs in adequate quantities, in usable forms of guaranteed quality, along with correct information, and at costs that are affordable by individuals and communities.    

Please find below the official translation of the Pope's letter:
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/11/18/pope_prays_for_sailors_aboard_missing_submarine/1349788

Pope prays for sailors aboard missing submarine
18/11/2017 14:41

Photo of the submarine ARA San Juan, released by the Argentinian Navy. On Saturday, the Vatican released the text of telegram noting the Pope's prayers for the sailors. - AFP
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is offering his “fervent prayers” for 44 Argentinian sailors aboard a submarine that has been missing since Wednesday.

In a telegram sent addressed to the Bishop Santiago Olivera, the head Military Ordinariate of Argentina, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin noted the Pope’s concern for the sailors and expressed the Pope’s spiritual closeness to the families of the sailors, and to the military and civil authorities of the nation. He also noted the Holy Father’s encouragement for the efforts being made to find the vessel.
 

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http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2017/blessed-solanus-lived-out-faith-hope-charity-every-day-says-cardinal.cfm

Blessed Solanus lived out faith, hope, charity every day, says cardinal
11.18.2017 7:28 PM ET

CNS
Blessed Solanus Casey was beatified during a Mass Nov. 18 at Ford Field in Detroit. The Capuchin Franciscan friar is pictured in an undated photo. (CNS) See SOLANUS-CASEY-BEATIFICATION Nov. 18, 2017

DETROIT (CNS) -- Blessed Solanus Casey always said that "as long as there is a spark of faith," there can be no discouragement or sorrow, said Cardinal Angelo Amato, head of the Vatican's Congregation for Saints' Causes.

His words were accompanied by "the concrete practice of faith, hope and charity in his everyday life," said the cardinal in his homily during the Nov. 18 beatification Mass for the beloved Capuchin Franciscan friar who was known for his cures and wise counsel.

"He came from an Irish family of profound Catholic convictions. Faith for him was a very precious inheritance for facing the difficulties of life," Cardinal Amato said. "When the young Bernard (his given name) Casey, entered the Capuchins, he passed from one community of faith to another."

Blessed Solanus "focused on the poor, the sick, the marginated and the hopeless," Cardinal Amato said. "He always fasted in order to give others their lunch. For hours upon hours, he patiently received, listened and counseled the ever-growing number of people who came to him."

The friar saw people "as human beings, images of God. He didn't pay attention to race, color or religious creed," the cardinal said.

A congregation of 66,000 people filled Ford Field, home of the NFL's Detroit Lions, which was transformed for the Mass. The altar, placed at midfield, was created originally for St. John Paul II's visit to the Pontiac Silverdome in 1987. To the right of the altar was a large painting of Blessed Solanus. It was unveiled after the beatification rite, which took place at the beginning of the Mass.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2017/11/18/pope-francis-sends-official-blessings-museum-bible-opening/

Pope Francis sends official blessings for Museum of the Bible opening
Christopher White   Nov 18, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Pope Francis sent his blessings to those gathered for the dedication ceremony of the Museum of the Bible on Friday, one of the most highly anticipated museums to open in the nation’s capital in decades.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who visited Washington earlier this week, sent the pope’s blessings, which were delivered by Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington.

“It is his fervent hope that this significant cultural institution through its extensive collections and exhibits will promote a better understanding not only of the rich and complex history of the biblical texts, but also the enduring power of its message to inspire and shape the lives of individuals of peoples of every time and place,” wrote Parolin.

“He is confident that those who revere the sacred scriptures as the word of God will here find nourishment for their faith, while many others will be introduced to a fascinating and vital chapter in the spiritual history of the human family,” he continued.

“Pope Francis likewise entrusts that the museum’s engagement with scholars of various traditions will help to advance interreligious understanding and cooperation in communicating the Bible’s teaching of every man and woman made in God’s image and called to join in shaping a more just and reconciled world,” Parolin wrote.

After reading Parolin’s message, Wuerl offered the ceremony’s opening prayer.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/11/19/world_day_of_the_poor_they_open_for_us_the_way_to_heaven/1349922

Pope on World Day of the Poor: they open for us the way to heaven
19/11/2017 14:52

Pope Francis is offered bread as he leads a special Mass to mark the new World Day of the Poor in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, November 19, 2017 - REUTERS
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis celebrated Mass on Sunday – the XXXIII Sunday in Ordinary Time and the first-ever World Day of the Poor – in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Holy Father announced the World Day of the Poor during the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, and entrusted its organization and promotion to the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization.

There were some 4 thousand needy people in the congregation for the Mass, after which Pope Francis offered Sunday lunch in the Paul VI Hall.

Speaking off the cuff to guests at the luncheon, the Holy Father said, “We pray that the Lord bless us, bless this meal, bless those who have prepared it, bless us all, bless our hearts, our families, our desires, our lives and give us health and strength.” The Holy Father went on to ask God's blessing on all those eating and serving in soup kitchens throughout the city. “Rome,” he said, “is full of this [charity and good will] today.”
 
http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/11/19/pope_francis_homily_for_world_day_of_the_poor_/1349912
Pope Francis: homily for World Day of the Poor
19/11/2017 13:55

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV0GyXx6xjg
2017.11.19 - Holy Mass on the occasion of World Day of the Poor 
Streamed live 12 hours ago
WITH COMMENTARY - Pope Francis presides at the celebration of Holy Mass for the occasion of World Day of the Poor

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https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-address-on-the-parable-of-the-talents-and-the-importance-of-a-true-idea-of-god/

Angelus Address: On the Parable of the Talents and the Importance of a True Idea of God 
A “Mistaken Image of God” Makes Us “Live in Fear,” “Paralyzes Us” and Is “Self-Destructive”
November 19, 2017

Here is a ZENIT translation of the address Pope Francis gave today, before and after praying the midday Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

* * *
Before the Angelus:

Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning!

In this penultimate Sunday of the Liturgical Year, the Gospel presents the parable of the talents (Cf. Matthew 25:14-30). Before leaving on a journey, a man gave his servants talents, which at the time were coins of notable value: to one servant five talents, to another two, and to another one, according to each one’s ability. The servant that received five talents was entrepreneurial and made them yield, earning another five. The servant who received two behaved in the same way, and earned another two. Instead, the servant that received one dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s coin.
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uULHwyG7WYk
2017.11.19 ANGELUS DOMINI 

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https://cnstopstories.com/2017/11/19/invest-in-love-pope-says-on-first-world-day-of-the-poor/

‘Invest in love,’ pope says on first World Day of the Poor
Posted on November 19, 2017

Pope Francis eats lunch with the poor in the Paul VI hall after celebrating Mass marking the first World Day of the Poor at the Vatican Nov. 19. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — People have a basic choice in the way they live: either striving to build up treasures on earth or giving to others in order to gain heaven, Pope Francis said.

“What we invest in love remains, the rest vanishes,” the pope said in his homily Nov. 19, the first World Day of the Poor.

Between 6,000 and 7,000 poor people attended the Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica as special guests, the Vatican said. While almost all of them live in Europe, they include migrants and refugees from all over the world.

Among the altar servers were young men who are either poor, migrants or homeless. The first reader at the Mass, Tony Battah, is a refugee from Syria. Those presenting the gifts at the offertory were led by the Zambardi family from Turin, whom the Vatican described as living in a “precarious condition” and whose 1-year-old daughter has cystic fibrosis.

In addition to the bread and wine that were consecrated at the Mass, the offertory included a large basket of bread and rolls that were blessed to be shared at the lunch the pope was offering after Mass. Some 1,500 poor people joined the pope in the Vatican’s audience hall for the meal, while the other special guests were served at the Pontifical North American College — the U.S. seminary in Rome — and other seminaries and Catholic-run soup kitchens nearby.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/curia-reform-pope-francis-reorganizes-vatican-secretariat-of-state-68988

Curia reform: Pope Francis reorganizes Vatican Secretariat of State

Vatican City, Nov 20, 2017 / 01:00 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis has established a third section, or department, of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, which reportedly began its operations Nov. 9. The new section is named “Section for the Diplomatic Staff,” and is tasked with overseeing the Holy See’s diplomatic corps, stationed around the world.
 
Archbishop Jan Romeo Pawlowski has been appointed to helm the third section. Previously the apostolic nuncio to Gabon, in 2015 Archbishop Pawlowski was appointed head of the Office for Pontifical Representations, a sort of “human resources office” within the Secretariat of State.
 
That office has been now elevated into an independent department, alongside the two sections that already constitute the Vatican’s Secretariat of State.
 
The First Section of the Secretariat of State oversees the general affairs of the Roman Curia, and is led by the Secretariat’s “substitute,” currently Archbishop Giovanni Angelo Becciu.
 
The second section, the “Section for the Relations with States”, is entrusted with the diplomatic activity of the Holy See. At the helm of the office is the Secretary for Relations with States, often described as the Vatican “foreign minister.”  Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, of Great Britain, holds the post.
 
The Pope established the third section via a letter sent in October to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, and delivered to the Apostolic Nunciatures, the embassies of the Holy See, around over the world.
 

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https://zenit.org/articles/conference-to-view-work-and-worker-movement/

Conference to View Work and Worker Movement 
November 23-24, 2017, in the Vatican, New Synod Hall
November 20, 2017

Work and the movement of workers at the center of integral, sustainable and fraternal human development,” will be the topic November 23-24, 2017, at the International Conference “From Populorum Progressio to Laudato si’.  The event is organized by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and will take place in the Vatican in the New Synod Hall.

“Why does the world of work continue to be the key to development in the global world?” This is a key question that will be addressed, according to a statement on November 20, 2017, by the Dicastery.

The conference aims to open up an area of debate and reflection on the world of work and on issues related to professional activities in existing social structures, thanks to the contribution to further study made by the various trade union movements present. At the heart of the conference will be the patrimony of the Social Doctrine of the Church on the subject of work and the perspectives this indicates, the analysis of emerging social realities; the recovery and presentation of positive experiences; and the proposals for joint initiatives in favor of the construction of society placing the person and his dignity at the heart of the social agenda, public policy and an integral human development genuinely driven by both material and spiritual aspects. The conference also proposes further study of the teaching of the Church on the theme, from Blessed Paul VI’s Encyclical Letter Populorum Progressio, fifty years after its publication, to Pope Francis’ Laudato si’, in which the Holy Father writes: “Work is a necessity, part of the meaning of life on this earth, a path to growth, human development and personal fulfilment” (128).
 
The meeting with the Holy Father is scheduled for the afternoon of Friday 24 November, at the end of the proceedings.

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/11/20/pope_writes_preface_for_diaconate_book_/1350140

Pope writes preface for diaconate book
20/11/2017 17:34

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has written the preface to a new book that contains his various pronouncements on the vocation to the diaconate which he says is “primarily realized in the service of the poor.”

The book by the Reverend Enzo Petrolino, a deacon from the diocese of Reggio Calabria-Bova in Italy, brings together the Pope’s statements about the permanent diaconate from his time as archbishop of Buenos Aires with his most recent ones as Bishop of Rome

In his preface to the book entitled “The Diaconate in the thought of Pope Francis: A Poor Church for the Poor”, the Pontiff acknowledges that the roots of the permanent diaconate have been rediscovered in the period following the Second Vatican Council.

Writing in the forward, Pope Francis says: “The Church finds in the permanent diaconate the expression and at the same time the impulse to become itself a visible sign of the diaconia of Christ the Servant in the history of mankind.”

“Diakonia” is a Greek term in the Gospels which refers to the exercise of charity towards the poor.

The Pope writes: “The sensitivity to the formation of a ‘diaconal conscience’ can be considered the basic motive that must permeate Christian communities.”

He adds that all diaconia in the Church “has its beating heart in the Eucharistic Ministry and is primarily realized in the service of the poor who bear in themselves the face of the suffering Christ.”

The Pope recalls the moment when he was elected in the conclave and Cardinal Claudio Hummes turned to him saying: “Do not forget the poor.” It was then that in his heart he heard the name Saint Francis of Assisi, who tradition tells us was a deacon.