Pope Francis

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/10/pope_angelus_catechesis_advent/1354025

Pope at Angelus tells the faithful to prepare for the coming of the Lord
10/12/2017 14:22

Pope Francis addresses the pilgrims in St. Peter's Square on the Second Sunday of Advent - AFP
Pope Francis on Sunday told the faithful that Advent is a time to make space for the coming Jesus in our lives.

Speaking to the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis reflected on the reading of the day in which the prophet Isaiah said: “A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord.”

As we look into ourselves and recognize our sins, in particular those of omission, Advent he said is a good time to pray with more intensly and fill the voids we see.

For example, the Pope continued, we are called to be more attentive to the needs of others, and in this way, just like John the Baptist, we can open paths of hope in the arid hearts of so many people.

The Pope also invited the faithful to prepare for the coming of the Lord as we would prepare for the arrival of a loved one: “with care and joy”.

“In the same way we must prepare for Jesus: waiting for him with care and expectation so we can be filled with his grace when he arrives” he said.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-address-on-the-theme-of-the-second-sunday-of-advent/
Angelus Address: On the Theme of the Second Sunday of Advent 
December 10, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgZzMGq2JtA
2017.12.10 - Angelus Domini

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/10/pope_angelus_appeal_fishermen_nuclear_climate_change/1354022

Pope Francis appeals for nuclear disarmament and climate change action
10/12/2017 14:04

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday said he is close to the Indian communities of Tamil Nadu and Kerala States in the wake of Cyclone Okhi, and in particular to the families of the many fisherman who have gone missing since the cyclone swept those coastal areas.

Cyclone Okhi

Over 500 fisherman are missing and feared dead since the cyclone struck on November 29th.  The Catholic Archdiocese of Trivandrum and Tamil Nadu’s Kottar Diocese told Vatican Radio they are  “very much engaged in the rescue operation and relief work” in collaboration with the state and central governments, and are appealing to draw attention to the emergency which has not received the attention of the international and national media.

The Pope’s words of closeness and concern came after the recitation of the Angelus Prayer in St. Peter’s Square.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/10/pope_jerusalem_middle_east_vatican_press_office/1354029

Pope renews appeal for wisdom and prudence over Jerusalem
10/12/2017 14:30

(Vatican Radio) The Holy See is following with great attention the developing situation in the Middle East, with special reference to Jerusalem, a city sacred to Christians, Jews and Muslims all over the world.

In a press statement released on Sunday, the Holy See Press Office reiterated the Pope's concerns regarding the volatile situation in and around Jerusalem.

In expressing sorrow for the clashes of the past few days that have left people dead, the Holy Father renews his appeal for wisdom and prudence and prays earnestly that leaders of Nations, in this moment of particular gravity, may do everything to avert a new spiral of violence, and may respond, with words and deeds, to the longing for peace, justice and security felt by the people of that suffering land.

Concerns about peace prospects in the region are the subject of various initiatives over these days, including urgent meetings convened by the Arab League and the Organization for Islamic Cooperation. The Holy See is sensitive to these concerns and, recalling the heartfelt words of Pope Francis, reiterates its well-known position regarding the unique nature of the Holy City and the indispensability of respecting the status quo, in accordance with the agreements of the international community and repeated requests of the hierarchies of the Churches and Christian communities of the Holy Land.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/11/pope_at_mass_have_courage_to_let_go_of_grudges,_complaints/1354137

Pope at Mass: have courage to let go of grudges and complaints
11/12/2017 13:11

(Vatican Radio) At his morning Mass at Santa Marta on Monday, Pope Francis said we must learn to let ourselves be consoled by the Lord, leaving behind our grudges and complaints.

Reflecting on the day’s first reading from the prophet Isaiah, he said the Lord has come to console us. Just as the first disciples could hardly believe the joy of the Resurrection, we often find it hard to let ourselves be consoled by the miracles that God performs in our lives.

It is easier for us to console others, than to let ourselves be consoled, the pope said. So often, we are attached to the negative sins and scars in our hearts and we prefer to remain there on our sick bed, like the paralised man in St Luke’s Gospel, not wanting to hear Jesus telling us to ‘Get up and walk!’
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/11/pope_francis_message__26th_world_day_of_the_sick/1354126

Pope reminds Church of her “maternal vocation” to the needy and sick
11/12/2017 11:49

Pope Francis meeting the sick in a Mother Teresa's home in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Dec. 2, 2017. - ANSA
Pope Francis is urging Catholics worldwide to bring to the sick and needy “the ‎Lord’s own gaze, full of tenderness and compassion,” reminding the Church of her  “maternal vocation” to them.  The exhortation came in his message for next year’s World Day of the Sick of the Catholic Church that is traditionally observed on February 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Released by the Vatican on Monday, the message for the 26th World Day of the Sick has as its theme: Mater Ecclesiae: “Behold, your son... Behold, your mother. And from that hour the disciple took her into his home” (Jn 19:26-27).   Instituted by St. Pope John Paul II on May 13, 1992, the annual observance intends to draw attention to the sick and their caregivers
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/11/pope_twitter_account_marks_5_years/1354080

Pope’s Twitter account marks 5 years: ‘Useful for evangelization’
11/12/2017 09:53

In this file photo from 12 December 2012, Pope Benedict XVI posts the first papal Tweet, flanked by Archbishop Angelo Becciu (R) - RV
(Vatican Radio)  Five years have passed since Pope Benedict XVI posted the first Tweet on the official papal Twitter account: @Pontifex.

That historic Tweet read: "Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart."

Pope Francis in turn took up the prophetic mission of evangelizing through social media upon his election, and the papal Twitter handle currently counts more than 40 million followers in 9 languages.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/12/pope_guadalupe_latin_america_caribbean/1354414

Pope urges defence and promotion of Latin American and the Caribbean richness, diversity
12/12/2017 18:04

Pope Francis celebrating Mass on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in St. Peter's Basilica, Dec. 12, 2017. - AP
by Robin Gomes

The mother of God is a figure of the Church from whom we want to learn ‎to be a Church that embraces all the richness and cultural diversity of the people of Latin America and the Caribbean, where no one  feels ashamed or small. Pope Francis’ exhortation came in his homily at an evening Mass on Tuesday to commemorate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose image is enshrined in Mexico City and is venerated all over the world, especially in the Americas.     

Elizabeth's sterility

Reflecting on the Gospel episode of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth after the Annunciation, the Pope drew attention to the sterility and fertility of Elizabeth.  In her sterility, the Pope explained, she felt stigmatized and belittled by a mentality that considered her condition as a punishment for her or her husband’s sins.
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqML-LwCrHQ
2017.12.12 - Mass for Latin America
Streamed live 7 hours ago
INTERNATIONAL SOUND - Pope Francis celebrates the Mass of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of Latin America, preceded by the recitation of the Rosary, and an Advent prayer.

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/13/pope_tells_christians_that_mass_gives_meaning_to_sundays/1354522

Pope tells Christians that Mass gives meaning to Sundays
13/12/2017 12:54

Pope Francis arrives at the Paul VI Hall for the weekly General Audience - AFP
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis told the faithful on Wednesday that missing out on Mass on Sundays means missing out an encounter with the Lord.

Speaking to those present in the Paul VI Hall for the weekly General Audience, the Pope reflected on the question: “why go to Mass on Sunday?"

Continuing his catechesis on the Eucharist Pope Francis reminded Christians that we go to Mass on Sunday to meet the resurrected Lord – or better still – “to let ourselves be welcomed by Him, to hear His word, eat at His table, and by his grace fulfil our mission as members of the Mystical Body of the Church.”     

Sunday is a holy day

He said Sunday is a holy day for Christians, and it is rendered holy by the celebration of the eucharist which is the living presence of the Lord amongst us.

“Thus, it is the Mass that defines Sunday for Christians” he said: “what sort of Sunday can it be if it is lacking an encounter with the Lord?”.

The Pope turned his thoughts to persecuted Christian communities are not able to celebrate Mass every Sunday and who do their best to gather in prayer on this holy day.

He also mentioned some swarthes of secularized society “that have lost that Christian sense of Sunday that is illuminated by the Eucharist: ‘this is a real shame’  he said reflecting on the need to recuperate this need.

2nd Vatican Council

He recalled how the Second Vatican Council asked us to celebrate the Lord’s Day as a day of joy and rest from servile work as a sign of our dignity as children of God.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECKYJZMJ_M
2017.12.13 - General Audience

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/13/c9_cardinals_updated_on_the_ongoing_curial_reform/1354549

C9 Cardinals updated on the ongoing Curial reform
13/12/2017 14:56

Greg Burke, head of the Vatican Press Office - ANSA
(Vatican Radio) The Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Greg Burke, briefed reporters at the Sala Stampa on Wednesday, regarding the work of the “C9” small council of Cardinals studying the reform of the Roman Curia. The members met for three days this week, starting Monday, to discuss specific issues related to the ongoing process of Curial reform.

Vatican Media reform

At the center of the meetings were topics including the imminent launch of the new VaticanNews multimedia portal, which the Prefect of the Secretariat for Communication of the Holy See, Msgr. Dario Edoardo Viganò, presented to the council members during the course of the three days of working sessions.

Following the briefing, Press Office Director Greg Burke told Vatican Media this latest round of meetings was essentially a look at the progress of the work accomplished, and a chance to make any adjustments needed. “The C9 meeting these three days has been, in a way, a kind of ‘check up’ – the kind of thing you do with a car: you check up after 10 thousand miles, or 20 thousand miles,” Burke explained.

Curia: instrument of evangelization and service
 

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2017/12/13/new-vatican-news-site-ready-launch-multimedia-plan-explained/

New Vatican news site ready to launch; multimedia plan explained
Cindy Wooden   Dec 13, 2017
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

ROME - Before Christmas, the Vatican plans to launch its new multimedia communications website, although the Vatican Radio and Vatican Television Center sites will stay accessible as archives.

Monsignor Dario Vigano, prefect of the Secretariat for Communication, announced Dec. 13 that the new site - vaticannews.va - would be launched in beta form “in the coming days.”

The public announcement came the day after Vigano presented the site to Pope Francis and his international Council of Cardinals and explained to the council the progress made in unifying the various Vatican media.

“The cornerstone of the system, fruit of a process of consolidation on an economic and technical level, is represented by the Editorial Multimedia Center,” which will be a single structure responsible for producing audio, text, video and graphics in several languages and for use on a variety of platforms, including the new website and social media.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/14/pope_at_mass_the_tenderness_of_god_is_father_and_mother/1354759

Pope at Mass: The tenderness of God is father and mother
14/12/2017 13:53

(Vatican Radio) The tenderness of God, as his defining trait, was at the heart of the Pope’s homily this morning  at Mass at the Casa Santa Marta. The theme was taken from the first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah and the psalm where God says of himself: "... his tenderness expands over all creatures".

The image presented by Isaiah is that of a God who speaks to us as a father with his child, imitating his voice to make it as similar as possible to his. And first of all he reassures him by caressing him: "Do not be afraid, I will come to your aid".

“It seems that our God wants to sing us a lullaby. Our God is gifted at this. His tenderness is this: he is a father and a mother. Many times he said: "But if a mother forgets her son, I will not forget you. He carries us in his deep within. He is the God who with this dialogue makes himself small to make us understand, to make us trust in him and we can tell him with the courage of Paul who changes the word and says: ", Abba Father". Father ... It's the tenderness of God.”
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/14/pope_new_ambassadors/1354704

Pope urges new ambassadors to Holy See to foster dialogue
14/12/2017 10:58

Pope Francis greets new non-resident ambassadors accredited to the Holy See - ANSA
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has received a group of new Ambassadors accredited to the Holy See encouraging them to foster dialogue and cooperation in our increasingly globalized society.

To the Non-Resident Ambassadors of  Yemen, New Zealand, Swaziland, Azerbaijan, Chad, Liechtenstein and India, the Pope said this cooperation is necessary to assist “the progress of that solidarity which is the condition for the growth of justice and due respect for the dignity, rights and aspirations of all” and he reminded them that they are all charged with the pursuit of the common good.

Please find below the full text of Pope Francis’ address to the new Non-Resident Ambassadors:
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/14/pope_meets_evangelical_leaders_to_discuss_religious_freedom/1354831

Pope meets Evangelical leaders to discuss religious freedom
14/12/2017 16:30

A woman at a Presbyterian church in Juba, South Sudan, takes part in a prayer session for justice and peace. - AFP
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met on Thursday with leaders of the World Evangelical Alliance who were in Rome to discuss closer cooperation with the Catholic Church, especially regarding issues of religious freedom.

The WEA is a network of Protestant Churches in 129 nations representing more than 600 million evangelical Christians worldwide. Its secretary general, Bishop Efraim Tendero, was leading the delegation to the papal audience and for talks with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

He talked to Philippa Hitchen about his hopes for strengthening practical cooperation with Catholics in countries around the globe..

Bishop Efraim said he is bringing to the Pope a “call for closer partnership” in protecting religious freedom, promoting the distribution of bibles and addressing social justice issues. “We want to see this world to be a place where peace, justice and righteousness reign”, he says, “where everyone has a decent standard of living, and where Jesus Christ is recognised as Lord of all.”
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/15/pope_francis_christmas_concert/1354981

Pope greets artists of Christmas Concert in the Vatican
15/12/2017 14:41

by Robin Gomes

“Christmas is a feast that is heart-felt, participatory and capable of warming the coldest of hearts, that removes barriers of indifference towards neighbours and encourages openness towards others and free giving.”  “This is why we need even today to spread the message of peace and brotherhood of Christmas,” Pope Francis said on Friday.  He was speaking to some 180 artistes of “Christmas Concert” who will be performing in the Vatican, Saturday evening.

Concert for children

The charity concert is marking its 25 years this year.  Funds raised by the concert in the Vatican will support two children’s projects: the Pontifical Foundation Scholas Occurrentes, headquartered in Argentina and a programme to free children enslaved in the coltan mines of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Sensitive to the needy

The Pope thanked the promoters, artists and those who will be attending the concert, manifesting their sensitiveness to the most needy and those in difficulty who call for our help and solidarity.  Explaining that art is a formidable means to open the doors of the mind and heart to the true meaning of Christmas, the Holy Father said “the creativity and genius of artists, with their work, music and singing are able to reach the innermost depths of the conscience.”
 

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https://zenit.org/articles/papal-preachers-first-advent-sermon-2017/

Papal Preacher’s First Advent Sermon 2017 
‘All Things Were Created Through Him and for Him’
December 15, 2017

Father Raniero Cantalamessa ofmcap, gave the first of two scheduled reflections to the Pope and Roman Curia on December 15, 2017. The text follows:

Father Raniero Cantalamessa ofmcap

First Advent Sermon 2017

“All things were created through him and for him”

Christ and Creation
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/15/vatican,_wcc_plan_world_conference_on_combating_xenophobia/1355044

Vatican and WCC plan world conference on combating xenophobia
15/12/2017 16:44

Gen. Sec. of World Council of Churches, Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit (right) with Mgr Bruno-Marie Duffé, Secretary of Vatican's office for Integral Human Development. Photo credit: WCC/Marianne Ejdersten - RV
(Vatican Radio) The Vatican and the World Council of Churches on Friday concluded a three day meeting exploring ways of combating xenophobia that is often provoked and exploited by populist policies.

A recent UNHCR report spoke of responses to the global migration and refugee crisis as marked by “toxic” fear rooted in xenophobia and encouraged by populist politics.

The Rome meeting was jointly hosted by the WCC and the Vatican’s office for Integral Human Development, in collaboration with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Among its goals was the planning of a world conference on these issues, to be held from May 21st to 24th next year.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/15/cardinal_arborelius_swede_of_the_year/1354952

Cardinal Arborelius named 'Swede of the year'
15/12/2017 13:41

Cardinal Anders Arborelius, Bishop of Stockholm named 'Swede of the Year' - AFP
(Vatican Radio) Cardinal Anders Arborelius has been named “Swede of the Year”, the first ever Catholic prelate to receive the prestigious accolade.

“Swede of the Year” is a title given annually, since 1984, to a person who during the year has distinguished her or himself in a way that has changed Sweden for the better.

An independent jury set up by the nation’s leading news magazine Fokus revealed on Thursday evening that Cardinal Arborelius, Bishop of Stockholm came out tops on its list of candidates who are “interesting and challenging: not simply well-known.”

This is the motivation of the jury:

"Nineteen years ago, the Swede of the year stepped into a role that no Swede had played since the 16th century. This year he became the first Swede ever to wear the red biretta. The Swede of the year has already made history, but he is also a person who, ever since his appointment in 1998, has been part of Swedish public debate. To represent the Catholic Church in a country, whose identity is mainly secular and otherwise Lutheran, requires a fearless attitude. As bishop of the diocese of Stockholm the Swede of the year also plays an essential role in bringing native Swedes and immigrant Swedes together. The Swede of the year is Anders Arborelius, bishop and cardinal."
 

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http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/8252/0/australia-abuse-report-blames-catastrophic-failure-of-catholic-church-leadership

Australia abuse report blames ‘catastrophic failure’ of Catholic Church leadership
15 December 2017 | by Mark Brolly   

Church in Australia criticised for 'catastrophic failures of leadership'

Justice Peter McClellan, head of Australia’s Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, today handed the Commission’s 17-volume report to Governor-General Peter Cosgrove.

The report is based on 57 public hearings and 8,000 private sessions that took place over five years, after the commission was set up by then Prime Minister Julia Gillard. About 4,000 institutions were reported to the royal commission, which heard from 1,200 witnesses.

Of all the survivors who reported abuse in religious institutions, more than 60 per cent said it had happened at the hands of the Catholic Church. The report said the Church had demonstrated “catastrophic failures of leadership”, particularly before the 1990s. The average age of abuse victims at Catholic institutions was 11 years old.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/catholic-church-in-australia-commits-to-ensuring-justice-for-sex-abuse-victims-58971

Catholic Church in Australia commits to ensuring justice for sex abuse victims

Canberra, Australia, Dec 15, 2017 / 02:12 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- In a wide-ranging report released Friday, Australia’s royal commission found serious failings in the protection of children from abuse in the Catholic Church and other major institutions.

The commission recommended Dec. 15 that priests should be legally obligated to disclose details of sexual abuse revealed in the confessional and that priestly celibacy should be made optional.

The Vatican responded by saying the report should be “studied seriously”, reiterating its commitment to hearing and accompanying victims of child sex abuse in the pursuit of healing and justice.

Church officials in Australia apologized for the suffering caused and pledged their commitment to ensuring justice, while also noting the impossibility of violating the secrecy of sacramental confession.

The report was the result of an investigation in which the commission reviewed thousands of accounts of child abuse from figures in major institutions. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was established in 2013 to investigate the handling of child sex abuse allegations by religious groups, schools, government organizations, and sporting associations.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/16/pope_francis_ecuador_president_moreno/1355225

Pope meets Ecuadoran president
16/12/2017 15:26

Pope Francis meeting Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno at the Vatican, Dec. 16, 2017. - AP
Pope Francis, Saturday morning, received in the Vatican President ‎Lenín Boltaire Moreno Garcés of Ecuador, who later held talks with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.

In a brief communique, the Holy See’s Press Office said that “during the cordial discussions, the special role of Christianity in the formation of the identity of the country was evoked, and appreciation was expressed for the contribution of the Church.” The Holy See and Ecuador highlighted the “importance of dialogue in facing the fundamental challenges of society.”