Pope Francis

[grace-land]

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-01/pope-receives-credential-letters-of-uruguays-new-ambassador.html

Pope receives credential letters of Uruguay’s new ambassador
04 January 2018, 15:54 

Mr. Mario Juan Bosco Zappettini presents his credential letters to Pope Francis  (Vatican Media @L'Osservatore Romano)
Pope Francis received the credential letters of Mario Juan Bosco Cayota Zappettini, the new ambassador of Uruguay to the Holy See.

The meeting took place on Thursday in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace.

Below is a brief biography of the new ambassador, provided by the Holy See Press Office
 

[grace-land]

https://zenit.org/articles/popes-january-prayer-intentions-religious-minorities-in-asia/

Pope’s January Prayer Intentions: Religious Minorities in Asia 
January 2, 2018

“That Christians, and other religious minorities in Asian countries, may be able to practice,” is the prayer intention of Pope Francis for January 2018, promoted throughout the world by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network.

The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network addresses the challenges facing humanity and assists the mission of the Church. We pray and work to meet the challenges of the world identified by the Pope in his monthly intentions, while walking a spiritual path called the “Way of the Heart.”
 

[grace-land]

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-01/pope-francis-sends-condolences-for-peru-coach-crash.html

Pope Francis sends condolences for Peru coach crash
04 January 2018, 15:43
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis on Thursday sent his condolences for the victims of a deadly bus crash along a coastal road in Peru.

The Holy Father said he is “deeply saddened at the tragic news of the road traffic accident which occurred in Pasamayo”.

He also offered “prayers for the eternal repose of the souls of the deceased”.

His words of comfort came in the telegramme signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and sent through the Apostolic Nunciature in Peru.
 
Pope Francis is scheduled to make an Apostolic Journey to Peru on 18-22 January.

Please find below the official English translation of the telegramme:
 

[grace-land]

https://zenit.org/articles/chile-looks-forward-to-pope-francis-visit/

Chile Looks Forward to Pope Francis’ Visit 
January 4, 20

© Radio Vaticano
Pope Francis’ first international trip of the New Year will take place in less than two weeks. From January 15-18 the Holy Father will visit Chile, first stage of his itinerary, before going on to Peru, until the 22nd.

To reduce the costs of the trip, Pope Francis requested that useless expenses be avoided, using recycled materials and goods, said the Executive Director of Pope Francis’ visit, Javier Peralta, to the Chilean newspaper T13.

Therefore, the Pope’s request has been followed up, predisposing installations, such as altars, which can be used in other circumstances. According to T13, the altars alone will occupy a surface of 4,500 square meters; 600,000 hosts will be prepared for the faithful’s Communion.

The costs of the visit will be shared between the Catholic Church and the Chilean State, which will be in charge of the financial burdens for the Holy Father’s safety and the Pontiff’s meetings with the Authorities.

T13 reported that the total expenses foreseen will amount to four million pesos, 42% for the events in Santiago, 28% for the Mass at Iquique, 22% for the visit to Temuco, 5% for stipends and 3% for structural costs. Eventual surpluses will be donated to non-profit organizations that aid immigrants. Caritas-Chile and the Vatican selected the beneficiaries.
* * *
Apostolic Trip of the Holy Father

The program of the upcoming apostolic trip of His Holiness Francis was published on 13 November. The following is the updated version:
 

[grace-land]

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-01/pope-francis-lebanese-ambassador-andary-credentials.html

Pope Francis welcomes new Ambassador of Lebanon
05 January 2018, 13:00 


Mr. Antonio Raymond Andary, new Ambassador of Lebanon to the Holy See, meets with Pope Francis  (Vatican Media)
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis on Friday welcomed Lebanon’s new ambassador to the Holy See, Antonio Raymond Andary.  At a formal ceremony in the Vatican, the 63-year old diplomat presented his credentials to the Pope at the start of his mission.

A father of three, Mr. Andary was born at Knaywer on 9 April 1954.  After attending primary and secondary school with the Carmelite Fathers of Tripoli in northern Lebanon, he graduated in political science (University of Texas–Pan American, Edinburg, US, 1981).  He then obtained a Master’s degree in international relations (American University, Washington D.C., US, 1985).

Mr. Andary has held numerous conferences at cultural, university and social institutions on Lebanon, its culture and political system, and Christians of the East.

He knows Arabic, French, English and Spanish
 

[grace-land]

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-01/pope-to-primary-school-teachers--create-culture-of-encounter.html

Pope to primary school teachers: create culture of encounter
05 January 2018, 13:51

Pope Francis urges primary school teachers to promote respect for others and for the environment

Pope Francis met in the Vatican on Friday with the Association of Italian Primary School Teachers, highlighting the importance of educating young children to be open and caring towards others and to the environment

By Philippa Hitchen

The Pope began by urging all teachers to promote a culture of encounter, whether they work in Catholic schools or within the state system. The challenge, he said, is to educate children to be open and interested in other people, respecting their different histories, their strengths and weaknesses, their resources and limitations.

Combat bullying culture

Rather than becoming school bullies, he insisted, children must learn to be free of the prejudices stemming from a culture that is competitive and aggressive towards others, especially foreigners or anyone seen as an obstacle to personal achievement.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-01/pope-visits-children-at-vatican-s-bambino-gesu-hospital.html

Pope visits children at Vatican's Bambino Gesu Hospital
05 January 2018, 15:49 

Pope Francis visits the Bambino Gesu hospital near Rome  (Vatican Media)
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis paid a visit to a children's hospital outside Rome Friday ‎afternoon, as part of his "Friday of Mercy" initiative.  During his visit to the Bambino Gesu Children’s Hospital in the seaside town of Palidoro some 26 kms north-west of Rome,  the Pope visited the various wards and greeted the ‎hospitalized children along with their families. ‎

The Palidoro Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, a 120-bed facility, is one of the three branches of the main hospital in ‎Rome, close to the Vatican.  The other hospitals are in St. Paul Outside the walls in Rome and at Santa ‎Marinella, on the seaside, further up north beyond Palidoro.   
 

[grace-land]

https://zenit.org/articles/popes-schedule-for-epiphany-lords-baptism/

Pope’s Schedule for Epiphany & Lord’s Baptism  
Will Baptize More Babies in the Sistine Chapel This Weekend
January 5, 2018

CTV Screenshot - Pope baptizing 28 babies in Sistine Chapel
Vatican: January 6 and 7 Celebrations
The Lord’s Epiphany, January 6, and the Lord’s Baptism, January 7

January 6:

From 10:00 am to 11:30 am Holy Mass on the Solemnity of the Lord’s Epiphany, in the Vatican Basilica;

From 12:00 am to about 12:20 pm Angelus, in St. Peter’s Square

January 7:

From 9:30 am to about 11:00 am Holy Mass with the Rite of Children’s Baptism in the Sistine Chapel 34 Newborns will be baptized, of which 18 are girls and 16 boys);
 

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-01/ephiphany-sunday-reflections.html
Reflections for the feast of Epiphany
04 January 2018, 17:21 

Epiphany celebrates Jesus’ first appearance to the Gentiles, as represented by the Magi, while the Eastern Churches commemorate the Baptism of Christ, where the Father and the Holy Spirit give combined testimony to Jesus’ identity as the Son of God.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-01/pope-francis-epiphany-mass-homily-full-text-6-january.html#.WlC9dvqUU38.twitter

Pope on Epiphany: look up to Jesus, dare to set out and give freely
06 January 2018, 08:57

Pope Francis at Mass in Rome's St. Peter's Basilica on the feast of the Epiphany, 6 January 2018..   (AFP or licensors)
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis on Saturday held out the Magi as models, urging Christians to dare and look up to the star and “set out”, shaking off their comforts, to “give freely” and “do good” to “the least” of the “brothers and sisters” of Jesus.  The Pope’s exhortation came in his homily at a morning Mass in Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica on the solemn feast of the Epiphany.

The Jan. 6th feast of the Epiphany, a holiday in the Vatican and Italy, commemorates the visit of the ‎Three Magi, or Wise Men from the East, who followed a star to find the Baby Jesus ‎in Bethlehem, an ‎event that symbolizes the manifestation of God, made man, to the people of the world outside the ‎chosen ‎people of Israel.
 
http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-01/pope-francis-epiphany-mass-homily-full-text-6-january0.html
Pope’s homily at Epiphany Mass: Full text‎
06 January 2018, 13:48 

Pope at Mass on Epiphany Day in St. Peter's Basilica, 6 January 2918.   (AFP or licensors)

Video at the link below--
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

[grace-land]

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-01/pope-angelus-epiphany-magi.html#.WlDW2UueBik.twitter

Pope’s Angelus for Epiphany: search for Jesus like the Magi
06 January 2018, 13:29 

Pope at Angelus in St. Peter's Square on Epiphany Day, 6 January 2018.  (AFP or licensors)     
 By Seàn-Patrick Lovett

Taking his cue from St Matthew’s description of the Magi and how they followed the star in search of the newborn king, Pope Francis focused on three attitudes which characterize the Epiphany, or “manifestation” of Jesus: “careful searching, indifference, fear”.

The Magi, the Scribes and Herod

It is the Magi who, even after their long journey, continue their “careful search” for the Messiah. The scribes and chief priests, who know perfectly well where Jesus has been born, are “indifferent” to that birth and stay within their comfort zones. Herod, according to Pope Francis, has the worst reaction of all: “fear”. He is afraid the Child will usurp his authority and pretends to want to pay Him homage only because he wants to eliminate Him. “See how fear generates hypocrisy”, added Pope Francis in an off-script remark.
 
http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-01/pope_s-angelus-of-6-january-2018--full-text.html
Pope’s Angelus of 6 January 2018: Full text‎
06 January 2018, 13:10

Video at the link below--
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

[grace-land]

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-01/pope_s-mass-with-baptisms-in-sistine-chapel--transmit-the-faith-.html#.WlH4JKu9398.twitter

Pope’s Mass with Baptisms in Sistine Chapel: “Transmit the Faith with language of the Family”
07 January 2018, 11:01 

Mass with Baptisms in Sistine Chapel  (Vatican Media)
By Seàn-Patrick Lovett

It was a celebration of contrasts: the stern gaze of Michelangelo’s “Last Judgment” staring down at the bustle of babies that on Sunday morning transformed the Sistine Chapel into a make-shift nursery. And then the somber voices of the Pontifical Choir chanting in counterpoint to the gurgles and cries of the infants.

Pope’s off the cuff homily

Pope Francis appeared to enjoy every minute of it, blessing each of the 18 baby girls and 16 boys in turn, and personally administering the Sacrament of Baptism on all of them.  This Sunday marks the feast day that recalls Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan. Instead of delivering a scripted homily, the Pope chose to speak briefly off the cuff. In Italian, he used the word “dialect” to describe the “language” that needs to be used to guarantee the transmission of the Faith within the Family.
 
http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-01/pope_s-homily-at-mass-with-baptisms-in-sistine-chapel--full-text.html#.WlH4Nl8bazM.twitter
Pope’s Homily at Mass with Baptisms in Sistine Chapel: Full text
07 January 2018, 10:44

Video at the link below--
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

[grace-land]

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-01/pope-angelus-date-of-baptism.html

Pope tells Christians to celebrate the date of their Baptism
07 January 2018, 12:58 

Pope Francis greets the crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square for the Angelus prayer  (Vatican Media)
By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis has invited all Christians to mark the date of their Baptism and to celebrate it as the day when the Lord gave them the Holy Spirit to guide them in their lives.

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

The Pope was addressing the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Sunday Angelus immediately after having baptized 34 babies in the Sistine Chapel, an annual event that marks the feast day of Jesus’ Baptism in the River Jordan.

Reminding those present that today’s celebration of the Baptism of the Lord concludes the time of Christmas, the Pope said it invites us to think about our own Baptism.

All Christians should take note of the date of their own Baptism.
 
http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-01/pope-angelus-7-december-full-text.html#.WlIGnRERy44.twitter
Pope’s Angelus of Sunday 7 January 2018: Full text
07 January 2018, 11:40

Video at the link below--
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

[grace-land]

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta/2018-01/pope-at-mass--_contempt-for-the-weak-is-work-of-satan.html#.WlNmHvsHRy4.twitter

Pope at Mass: ‘Contempt for the weak is work of Satan’
08 January 2018, 13:12 

What is it within ourselves that makes us mock and belittle the weakest among us? That was the question Pope Francis posed during his homily at the morning Mass on Monday in the Casa Santa Marta.

By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis at Monday morning’s Mass reflected on the many Biblical stories that tell of a powerful person humiliating someone weaker and more vulnerable. The devil is behind this type of attitude, the Pope said, because there is no compassion in him.

The Holy Father took his cue from the First Reading, taken from the First Book of Samuel, about Samuel’s parents, Elkanah and Hannah. His father, Elkanah, had two wives: Hannah, who was barren, and Peninnah, who had borne him several children. Instead of consoling Hannah, Peninnah scorned and humiliated her on account of her infertility.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2018/pope-to-diplomats-world-peace-depends-on-right-to-life-disarmament.cfm

Pope to diplomats: World peace depends on right to life, disarmament
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service
1.8.2018 5:59 AM ET

CNS/Paul Haring
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Because everyone has a right to life, liberty and personal security, nations must find nonviolent solutions to conflict and difficulties, Pope Francis said.

A culture of peace "calls for unremitting efforts in favor of disarmament and the reduction of recourse to the use of armed force in the handling of international affairs," he said Jan. 8 in his annual address to diplomats accredited to the Vatican.

Given the urgent need to favor dialogue and diplomacy in conflict resolution and to end the stockpiling of weapons, "I would therefore like to encourage a serene and wide-ranging debate on the subject, one that avoids polarizing the international community on such a sensitive issue," the pope said.

At the start of a new year, the pope dedicated his speech to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which will celebrate the 70th anniversary of its adoption by the U.N. General Assembly in December.

The declaration was an attempt to help the world's nations base their relations on "truth, justice, willing cooperation and freedom" by upholding the fundamental rights of all human beings, he said. The very foundation of freedom, justice and world peace, he said, quoting the document, is built on recognizing and respecting these rights.

However, in his nearly 50-minute speech to the diplomats, the pope cautioned that there has been a movement to create "new rights" that often not only conflict with each other, but can be at odds with the traditional values and cultures of many countries, while neglecting the real needs they have to face.

"Somewhat paradoxically, there is a risk that, in the very name of human rights, we will see the rise of modern forms of ideological colonization by the stronger and the wealthier, to the detriment of the poorer and the most vulnerable," he said.

Seven decades after the creation of the universal declaration, Pope Francis said, "it is painful to see how many fundamental rights continue to be violated today. First among all of these is the right of every human person to life, liberty and personal security."

War, violence and abortion all infringe on these rights, he said.
 

CNS/Paul Haring
Callista Gingrich, U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, accompanied by her husband, Newt, walks away after greeting Pope Francis during the annual meeting with diplomats accredited to the Holy See at the Vatican Jan. 8. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) See POPE-DIPLOMATS-HUMAN-RIGHTS Jan. 8, 2018

[grace-land]

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-01/pope-calendar-january-february-2018.html

Pope’s schedule for January and February
08 January 2018, 13:39 

The Pope’s calendar for January and February, after he returns from an Apostolic Visit to Chile and ‎Peru.‎

The conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January and the start of Lent in February are among the major celebrations of Pope Francis in Rome after he returns from his Apostolic Journey to Chile and Peru this month.

Monsignor Guido Marini, the Master of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff on Monday released the Pope’s schedule for January and February.  Pope Francis is visiting Chile and Peru from 15 to 22 January 2018.

Below is the calendar of celebrations of the Pope (January – February)

25 January, Thursday

Solemnity of the Conversion of Saint Paul

51st Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls: Celebration of Second Vespers

 
28 January, Sunday

4th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Basilica of Saint Mary Major: Holy Mass on the occasion of the Feast of the Translation of the icon of the “Salus Populi Romani”
 

[grace-land]

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta/2018-01/pope-francis-mass-santa-marta-.html#.WlTKXr4akQ4.twitter

Pope at Mass: Pastor’s authority comes from closeness to God and people ‎
09 January 2018, 14:27

Pope Francis delivering his homily at Mass in Santa Marta chapel, on 9 January, 2018.  (Vatican Media)
In his homily at Mass, Pope Francis compares the authority of Jesus with that of the Scribes and doctors ‎of the law who were far from God and the people. ‎

By Robin Gomes

Emotion, closeness and consistency are what characterize the authority of Jesus the pastor. Pope Francis made the point in his homily at Mass, Tuesday morning, in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican, where he reflected on Mark’s Gospel where Jesus teaches with authority in the synagogue of Capernaum and drives an unclean spirit out of a man.
 

[grace-land]

Various links of Vatican News on social media provided in the article

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2018-01/vatican-news-community-exceeds-4-million-users-on-social-media.html

Vatican News community exceeds 4 million users on social media
09 January 2018, 08:34

Infographic of Vatican News social media community
The Vatican Secretariat for Communication releases a communiqué detailing recent restructuring efforts on social media channels under the recently-presented Vatican News logo.

Vatican Secretariat for Communication:

Vatican News community exceeds 4 million users on social media following recent restructuring of platforms

A community that exceeds 4 million users on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. This is the latest result of the reorganization of the social media channels of the Vatican Secretariat for Communication, unified under the recently presented Vatican News logo.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-01/peru-journey-pope-amazon-indigenous-puerto-maldonado.html

The indigenous peoples of the Amazon await Pope Francis
08 January 2018, 15:35 

A Yagua tribeman demonstrating the use of blowgun, at one of the Amazonian islands near Iquitos, Peru
One of the highlights of Pope Francis' upcoming apostolic visit to Peru is represented by a meeting with indigenous peoples of the Amazon rainforest in the city of Maldonado.

By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to the Peruvian city of Puerto Maldonado will undoubtedly give visibility and voice to the indigenous people of the Amazon.

In an interview published by the Pan-Amazonian Church Network – Repam – Fr Manuel Jesus Romero of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Maldonado said the Amazon’s indigenous people have an urgent need to make their rights known as they are increasingly pushed from their ancestral lands.   

Indigenous people of the Amazon increasingly at risk

“Their territory is increasingly being invaded, their space is becoming smaller and smaller; the livelihoods with which they have survived for so many centuries are being destroyed: fishing, hunting, trees and rivers are more and more in danger. Therefore their lives are in danger” he said.

Pope Francis’ arrival in the city of Puerto Maldonado, a symbol of Peru's Amazon indigenous communities, is scheduled to take place on 19 January. Here the Pope will receive representatives of different Amazon communities who will be able to voice their concerns and listen to the Pope’s message of hope and encouragement.
 
http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-01/chile-peru-journey--pope-video-message-for-apostolic-journey.html#.WlTaEbTXfxo.twitter
Pope Francis' video message to Chile, Peru ahead of Apostolic Visit
09 January 2018, 15:00

[grace-land]

https://zenit.org/articles/general-audience-on-the-gloria-collect-full-text/

GENERAL AUDIENCE : On the Gloria & Collect (FULL TEXT) 
‘May the liturgy be able to become for all of us a true school of prayer’
January 10, 2018

This morning’s General Audience was held at 9:25 in Paul VI Hall, where the Holy Father Francis met with groups of pilgrims and faithful from Italy and from all over the world.

Continuing with the series of catecheses on the Holy Mass, in his address in Italian the Pope focused his meditation on the song of the “Gloria” and the Collect Prayer.

After summarizing his catechesis in several languages, the Holy Father expressed special greetings to groups of faithful present.

The General Audience ended with the singing of the Pater Noster and the Apostolic Blessing.
* * *
The Holy Father’s Catechesis

Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning!
 

Video at the link below--
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

[grace-land]

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2018-01/pope-francis-gives-joy-of-circus-to-romes-poor.html

Pope Francis gives joy of circus to Rome’s poor
10 January 2018, 14:31

Medrano Circus in Rome's Saxa Rubra district
Pope Francis offers the joy of a night at the circus to Rome's poor through the Papal Almoner, taking the opportunity to provide the services of health care professionals to those in need.

Those who live on the existential peripheries of Rome are to be treated to a special “Circus of Solidarity”, thanks to the generosity of Pope Francis.

The Holy Father is offering a ticket for a fun-filled evening to more than 2,000 of Rome’s poor or homeless people, several refugees, a group of prisoners, and many families in great need.

The event will take place on the evening of Thursday, 11 January at the Medrano Circus in Rome’s northern Saxa Rubra district.

The Papal Almoner released a press statement on Wednesday containing details of the event.

Not content with offering just an evening of fun, Archbishop Konrad Krajewski said Pope Francis’ generosity is also providing a “sack supper” and medical personnel.