Pope Francis

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta/2018-02/pope-francis-mass-casa-santa-marta.html#.WnwxbLwgDKU.twitter

Pope Francis: sinners can become saints, but the corrupt cannot
08 February 2018, 11:52

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Casa Santa Marta on Thursday.  (Vatican Media)
Be watchful, every day, so that you don’t end up far from the Lord. That was the invitation of Pope Francis during his homily at the morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta on Thursday. The Pope spoke of the risk, to which we are all exposed, of weakness of the heart.

David is a saint, even if he was a sinner; the great and wise Solomon, on the other hand, was rejected by the Lord because he was corrupt. Pope Francis focused on this apparent paradox in his homily at the daily Mass at the Casa Santa Marta. The first Reading in the day’s liturgy, taken from the First Book of Kings, speaks about Solomon and his disobedience. “We have heard about something a bit strange,” the Pope said. “The heart of Solomon was not entirely with the Lord, his God, as the heart of David, his father, had been.”
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-santa-marta-group-human-trafficking.html

Pope decries "modern-day scourge" of human trafficking
09 February 2018, 12:48

On Friday Pope Francis received members of the Santa Marta Group, an organization dedicated to eradicating human trafficking and modern day slavery.
By Christopher Wells

Human trafficking is a “modern-day scourge, which continues to cause untold human suffering,” Pope Francis said on Friday.

The Holy Father was speaking to members of the Santa Marta Group, “an alliance of international police chiefs and bishops from around the world working together with civil society in a process endorsed by Pope Francis, to eradicate human trafficking and modern day slavery.” The Group, which this week held its Fifth Conference in Rome,” was developed by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference for England and Wales (CBCEW).

In his address to participants in the Conference, Pope Francis said, “It is my hope that these days of reflection and shared experiences have brought into clearer light the interplay between the global and local aspects of human trafficking.” He noted, “to our scandal and shame,” that human trafficking is far more widespread than was previously acknowledged, especially in more prosperous societies.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2018/02/09/francis-estonian-prime-minister-meet-ahead-possible-papal-visit/

Francis, Estonian Prime Minister meet ahead of possible papal visit
Hannah Brockhaus   Feb 9, 2018
CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY

Pope Francis walks with Juri Ratas, prime minister of Estonia, during a private audience at the Vatican Feb. 9. (Credit: Paul Haring/CNS.)
ROME - With a papal visit to Estonia likely on the horizon, Pope Francis on Friday met the country’s Prime Minister, Jüri Ratas, at the Vatican, discussing their good diplomatic ties and the contributions of the Catholic Church in Estonian society, despite its small minority.

According to a Feb. 9 Vatican communique, the “cordial discussions” included appreciation for the good diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Estonia, as well as “the positive contribution of the Church to Estonian society.”

Catholics make up less than one percent of the country’s population of over 1.3 million.

During their 20-minute private meeting, attention was also paid to “themes of mutual interest at a regional and supranational level, including the protection of the environment, and migration,” the communique states. They also spoke about the commitment of the international community to conflict resolution.
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-angelus-catechesis-healing-reconciliation.html#.WoBMxqgwsZo.twitter

Pope Francis: Contemplate Jesus on the World Day of the Sick
11 February 2018, 13:38

Pope greets pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square  (AFP or licensors)
Pope Francis reflects on the Gospel of the Day, contemplating Jesus the true physician of body and soul.
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

“Jesus feels compassion” sums up the Pope’s reflection on the healing of the leper from the Gospel of Mark. Pope Francis explained the stigma of leprosy at Jesus’ time. “It was considered a serious impurity.” A leper’s “condition was particularly painful, because the mentality of the time made him feel impure before God and other people,” the Pope said. This is why the leper uses the words “If you want to, you can purify me!"
 
http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-world-youth-day-post-angelus.html
Pope Francis registers for World Youth Day in Panama 2019
11 February 2018, 15:15

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-angelus-11-february-full-text0.html
Pope’s Angelus of Sunday 11 February 2018: Full text
11 February 2018, 11:26

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

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Patience is focus of Pope's homily at the daily Mass at Casa Santa Marta
12 February 2018, 12:32

Patience is focus of Pope's homily at the daily Mass at Casa Santa Marta

Pope Francis reflected on the virtue of patience in his homily during Mass at the Casa Santa Marta on Monday.

“The testing of your faith produces patience”: Pope Francis based his homily for Monday’s morning Mass on this text from the First Reading, taken from the Letter of St James.

Patience does not mean resignation – or defeat
 
But what does patience mean in life and in the face of trials? It’s certainly not easy to understand, the Pope said. Christian patience is neither “resignation” nor an attitude of “defeat,” he continued. Rather, it is a virtue of those who are “on the journey,” those who are moving forward, rather than stopping and becoming closed off.
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-francis-greek-melkite-synod-middle-east.html

Pope Francis meets members of Greek Melkite Synod
12 February 2018, 10:46

The new Greek Melchite Patriarch Youssef Absi
In his words to the Eastern-rite bishops, led by Patriarch Youssef Asib, the Pope spoke about the suffering of Christians in the Middle East

Pope Francis met on Monday with members of the Greek Melkite Synod, led by their new Patriarch of Antioch Youssef Absi.

Elected on June 21st last year, Patriarch Absi took over from his predecessor Patriarch Gregorios III Laham, who retired at the age of 83. In a letter, sent to the new leader the following day, Pope Francis granted ‘Ecclesiastical Communion’, putting his seal of approval on the election.

In his meeting with the Greek Melkite bishops, Pope Francis spoke of the difficult situation facing the Christian communities throughout the Middle East. He said he hoped that Church leaders, through the witness of their own lives, could encourage their people to remain in those lands, despite the many challenges they face.
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-francis-bangladesh-prime-minister-audience-rohingya.html

Pope thanks Prime Minister of Bangladesh for reception of Rohingya refugees
12 February 2018, 17:14

Pope Francis exchanges gifts with Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina  (ANSA)
Pope Francis received in private audience the Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh with whom he discussed a series of issues of mutual concern.

Pope Francis has received in audience the Prime Minister of Bangladesh whom he thanked for the nation’s reception of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar’s Rakhine State.

The meeting on Monday morning between the Pope and Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh took place in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace.

A statement released by the Holy See Press Office described the discussions between the two leaders as cordial, and said the two leaders evoked the good bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction for the Pope’s recent apostolic journey to Bangladesh and for “the keen participation in the event on the part of the population including many non-Catholics”.
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-world-day-trafficking-young-people.html

Pope Francis: Human trafficking is a crime against humanity
12 February 2018, 16:00

Saint Josephine Bakhita, Patron of the victims of human trafficking
On Monday, in the Clementine Hall in the Vatican, Pope Francis met with participants in the World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking.
By Sr. Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

For the first time in the history of the event, Pope Francis met with approximately 110 persons representing survivors, young people, and members of the committee organizing the International Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking.  The theme for this year focused on the role of young people in view of the upcoming Synod of Bishops.

Pope fields questions

Pope Francis fielded four questions from young people. Two came from victims and two came from young people who participated in events prepared for them by the organizational team. The questions from the victims prompted the Pope to point out the problems in society which make modern-day slavery possible: ignorance, unwillingness to admit the issue, and hypocrisy.
 

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https://zenit.org/articles/pope-and-patriarch-together-at-santa-marta-mass/

Pope and Patriarch, Together at Santa Marta Mass 
Youssef Absi, Patriarch of the Church of Antioch of the Greek-Melkites, concelebrated with the Pope.
February 13, 2018

© Vatican Media
This morning, as usual, the Holy Father Francis celebrated Holy Mass at Saint Martha’s House. Today the Pope didn’t give a homily but pronounced brief words to explain the meaning of today’s celebration. Youssef Absi, Patriarch of the Church of Antioch of the Greek-Melkites, concelebrated with the Pope. At the end of the Holy Mass, the Patriarch thanked the Holy Father in French and, on the Pope’s invitation, they imparted the final blessing together.

Here is a ZENIT translation of the brief words the Holy Father spoke in the course of the Mass, and of the Patriarch’s words of gratitude to the Pontiff.
* * *
The Holy Father’s Words

This Mass with our Brother, Patriarch Youssef, will effect the apostolica communio: he is Father of a Church, of a very ancient Church and he comes to embrace Peter, to say “I am in communion with Peter.” This is what today’s ceremony means: the embrace of the Father of a Church with Peter. A rich Church, with its own theology within Catholic theology, with its own wonderful liturgy and with a people – at this moment, a great part of this people is crucified, like Jesus. This Mass is offered for the people, for the suffering people, for persecuted Christians in the Middle East, who give their life, give their goods, their properties because they are driven out. And we also offer the Mass for the ministry of our Brother Youssef.
 

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The Vatican and the Knights of Malta

http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/8550/knights-of-malta-to-reform-governance-structure-

12 February 2018 | by Christopher Lamb   
Knights of Malta to reform governance structure

The reform plans come as a power struggle is taking place inside the 11th century organisation

The Order of Malta are planning to make substantial reforms to their governance structure just over a year after their leader stood down following a public stand off with Pope Francis.

Following a high level meeting of Knights from the 8 to 11 February in Rome, the order say that they are aiming to change their constitution to expand their “decision making base”, appoint more women to leadership roles and improve training for those in senior positions.

But the reform plans come as a power struggle is taking place inside the 11th century organisation. Earlier this month The Tablet reported that an elite group of knights had written to the Pope asking him to give them greater control of the order. He turned them down.

In a statement released on Monday the knights’ interim leader, Fra’ Giacomo dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto, spelt out the challenge: “After the constitutional crisis that we experienced between the end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017, the need to tackle a process of reform of our fundamental laws became evident.”
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/general-audience-pope-francis-14-february-2018.html

Faithful have "spiritual right" to receive the treasure of the Word of God
14 February 2018, 12:33

Pope Francis at the General Audience  (Vatican Media)
Pope Francis continues his catechesis on the Mass in his reflections at the General Audience on 14 February 2018.
By Christopher Wells

“If the soul is always joyful, it is a good day.” The weather was “a little ugly,” as Pope Francis said Wednesday, but the Holy Father found a way to brighten everyone’s spirit at the weekly General Audience in St Peter’s Square.

Meeting with the sick
 
The Pope began his audience with a small group of sick people gathered in the Paul VI Hall. He then ventured out into the wind and rain, where he delivered his catechesis to a small crowd of pilgrims who braved the inclement Roman winter weather.

The right to hear the Word of God
 
The teaching at Wednesday’s General Audience was focused once again on the Mass, as Pope Francis reflected on the end of the Liturgy of the Word. Hearing the Word of God, with the explanation in the homily that follows, is a right, “the spiritual right of the people of God to receive the treasure of the Word of God in abundance.” Everyone who goes to Mass, the Pope said, “has the right to receive abundantly the Word of God, read well, proclaimed well, and then explained well in the homily. It’s a right!”
 
https://zenit.org/articles/general-audience-on-creed-and-the-universal-prayer/
GENERAL AUDIENCE: On the Creed and Universal Prayer 
February 14, 2018

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

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-ash-wednesday-celebration-homily--pause-see-return.html

Pope invites the faithful to "Pause", "See" and "Return" to the tenderness of God during Lent
14 February 2018, 16:16

2018.02.14 Papa Francesco Chiesa di Sant'Anselmo all'Aventino: Stazione quaresimale e processione
Pope Francis celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass in the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome. As per tradition the ceremony started at the Basilica of St. Anselm where the Pope led a penitential procession to the nearby St. Sabina, marking the beginning Lent, the time of preparation for Holy Week.

Pope Francis urged believers to unmask the demons that deaden and paralyze the soul to allow their hearts to beat in tune with the vibrant heart of Jesus.

The Pope was speaking during the homily as he celebrated Holy Mass for Ash Wednesday at the Basilica of Santa Sabina on the Aventine hill in Rome.

During the homily which resounded with the invitation to “Pause” in order to look and contemplate, to “See” the real face of Jesus and to “Return” without fear, to experience the healing and reconciling tenderness of God, the Pope said the season of Lent is a time “to remedy the dissonant chords of our Christian life.”

Please find below the full text of Pope Francis’ homily:
 

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

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Motu Proprio: Learning How To Resign
15 February 2018, 12:17

On 12 February, 2018, Pope Francis signed an Apostolic Letter in the form of a Motu Proprio called “Learning How To Resign.”
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

“The conclusion of an ecclesiastical office needs to be considered an integral part of that service, inasmuch as it requires a new form of availability,” Pope Francis writes in the introduction of his Motu Proprio on the theme of resigning from ecclesiastical positions in the Church.

Interior Attitudes

The Pope offers a reflection on certain interior attitudes which are necessary for those who face resignation due to age, as well as for those whose office may be prolonged due to a variety of realities. He invites those preparing to step down from positions of leadership to “discern through prayer how to live the period about to begin, drawing up a new project of life.” To those who may be requested to serve beyond the age of retirement (75 years), Pope Francis says that this “pontifical decision is not automatic, but it is an act of governing, and as a consequence requires the virtue of prudence which will help…to make the appropriate decision.”

While upholding the contents of the Rescriptum ex audientia of 3 November 2014, Pope Francis says that he wants to establish some modifications to article 2 of that document which states: “Resignation from the above-mentioned pastoral offices is effective only from the moment in which it is accepted by the legitimate authority.”
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-francis-sends-condolences-to-miami-shooting-victims.html#.WoV4Ovhq9Og.twitter

Pope Francis sends condolences to Miami shooting victims
15 February 2018, 12:39

Sheriff vehicles are seen at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Miami  (AFP or licensors)
Pope Francis has sent a message of condolence to the Archbishop of Miami, Florida, Thomas Wenski, expressing his deep sadness over the mass shooting that took place at a high school in the US state on Wednesday.

In the communication signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Pope conveys his spiritual closeness to all those affected by the attack.

He also prays that “Almighty God may grant eternal rest to the dead and healing and consolation to the wounded and those who grieve.”

At least 17 people were killed and others wounded after a 19-year-old former student at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida opened fire at the campus.

It was the sixth school shooting in 2018 that has either injured or killed students in the US.

Please find the full message below:
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-clerical-sex-abuse.html

Greg Burke: Pope Francis regularly meets with victims of clerical sex abuse
15 February 2018, 17:11

Greg Burke, Director of the Holy See Press Office
The Vatican has revealed that Pope Francis meets frequently with victims of sexual abuse, both in private with individual victims or in groups several times a month to “listen to them and try to help them to heal their serious wounds”.

The Director of the Holy See Press Office,  Greg Burke,  released a statement on Thursday and answered questions by journalists about conversations Pope Francis reportedly had with his Jesuit brothers during his apostolic journey to Peru, during which he revealed he engaged in regular meetings with clerical sex abuse victims.

“Pope Francis, said Burke, listens to the victims and tries to help them heal the grave wounds created by the abuse they have undergone. The meetings take place in total respect for the victims and their suffering.”
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-says-he-prays-for-those-who-call-him-a-heretic-53851

Pope says he prays for those who call him a heretic

Vatican City, Feb 15, 2018 / 12:50 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis told Jesuits in Chile last month that he’s willing to have discussions with people who disagree with him, but that when people just shout ‘heretic’, he prays for them instead.

“When I perceive resistance, I try to dialogue, when dialogue is possible; but some resistance comes from people who believe they have the true doctrine and they accuse you of being a heretic.”

“When in these people, for what they say or write, I do not find spiritual goodness, I simply pray for them. I feel sorry, but I do not dwell on this feeling…” the Pope said in a conversation with Jesuits in Chile, published in the Jesuit journal La Civilta’ Cattolica Feb. 15.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-denies-rumors-that-benedict-xvi-has-degenerative-nerve-disorder-35183

Vatican denies rumors that Benedict XVI has degenerative nerve disorder

Vatican City, Feb 15, 2018 / 01:33 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- After rumors spread in German media that Benedict XVI has a paralyzing nerve disease, the Vatican debunked the story, saying the retired Pope is experiencing nothing more than the normal aches and pains of aging.

“The recent news of a paralyzing or degenerative illness are false,” the Vatican said Feb. 15.

The statement was in response to a story published in German tabloid Neue Post Feb. 14, which quoted Benedict’s older brother Georg Ratzinger as saying that the Pope Emeritus had a degenerative nerve disease which left him increasingly in need of a wheelchair.

Benedict XVI recently sent a letter to Italian daily Corriere della Sera saying he is in the last phase of his life, and that while his physical strength might be waning, he is surrounded by love and consolation.
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta/2018-02/pope-francis-homily-santa-marta-lent-fasting.html

Pope Francis warns against 'fake fasting' during Lent
16 February 2018, 15:07

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at Casa Santa Marta  (Vatican Media)
Pope Francis has reminded the faithful to give up something for Lent only if it demonstrates compassion and enriches others.
By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis'  words of warning against what he called “fake fasting” came during the homily on Friday at morning Mass in the Casa Santa Marta.

When fasting, Pope Francis said, a true Christian must be consistent, not putting himself on show, never despising others or engaging in quarrels or disagreements.

Warning against behavior that is inconsistent with the Lenten spirit, the Pope invited those present to ask themselves how they interact with others.

He reflected on the First Reading of the day that highlights how the fasting that is acceptable to the Lord aims to “release those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke”.
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-to-maronite-clge--be-a-light-for-the-people-of-your-region.html#.WobLtLepB88.twitter

Pope to Maronite Clge: Be a light for the people of your region
16 February 2018, 12:28

Pope Francis meets with the Pontifical Maronite College
Pope Francis on Friday received staff and students from the Pontifical Maronite College here in Rome, telling them that these years of training were the foundation stone of their future as pastors in Lebanon and the whole of the Middle East.

Greeting seminarians and staff on Friday, Pope Francis began by reflecting on the figure of St Maron and invited them to follow the example of this Saint’s qualities of faith and love which, he said, were pure sources for today’s spiritually thirsty people.

Importance of formation

In his discourse to the seminarians gathered, the Pope warned against “the risk of being absorbed by the culture of the provisional and appearance. He added that these years of study were an opportunity to absorb "the antibodies against worldliness and mediocrity".

The Pontiff also remarked that these years of formation were like a "Roman gym", where, he said there was the help of God and staff to accompany them.
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2018-02/synod-bishops-young-people-social-media-.html

Young People Participate in Synodal Process
16 February 2018, 14:15

300 young people will participate in a first-ever of its kind Pre-Synodal Meeting which will take place from 19-24 March in preparation for the XV Synod of Bishops on Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

300 young people from around the world have been chosen to come to Rome in preparation for the XV Synod of Bishops to take place in October 2018. Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, General Secretary of the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops explained at a press conference on Friday that for the first time in the history of the Synod of Bishops, a pre-synodal meeting is planned for the 19-24 of March. The young people attending this meeting were chosen by Conferences of Bishops, religious congregations, and other Vatican dicasteries. They represent young people from various ethnic, and religious backgrounds, walks of life, and lived experience—including some who have experienced human trafficking.

This meeting is being held to assure that the voice of the very audience the Synod is addressing will be heard first-hand. The input from this meeting will be presented to Pope Francis on 25 March. It will also be included in the Instrumentum laboris which will be used by the Synod Fathers as they focus this theme.