Pope Francis

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-03/vatican-releases-pope-francis--scheudle-for-holy-week.html

Vatican releases Pope Francis' schedule for Holy Week
21 March 2018, 15:04
Vatican News will be broadcasting the papal liturgies throughout Holy Week, with live English commentary.
By Christopher Wells

The Vatican is preparing for Holy Week with a full schedule of celebrations scheduled for the holiest portion of the Church year.
 
Good Friday
 
The following day, Good Friday, Pope Francis will preside at the solemn liturgical Celebration of the Lord’s Passion. The service on Good Friday is not a Mass, as the Holy Eucharist is not confected. The ritual consists in the Liturgy of the Word; the Adoration of the Cross; and the Rite of Communion, where Hosts consecrated on Holy Thursday are distributed to priests and faithful.

Following the Liturgy, Pope Francis will travel across town to the Colosseum, where he will officiate at the Via Crucis, the Way of the Cross. The Holy Father will offer a reflection at the conclusion of the service, followed by his Apostolic Blessing.
 
Here is the full schedule for the papal events during Holy Week 2018 (all times local Roman time):
 
Good Friday – 30 March

Basilica of St Peter
17.00 Celebration of the Passion of the Lord

Colosseum
21.15 Via Crucis (Way of the Cross)
 

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Booklet for the The Way of the Cross

http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/2018/documents/ns_lit_doc_20180330_via-crucis-meditazioni_en.html

OFFICE FOR THE LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS
OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF 

GOOD FRIDAY
THE PASSION OF THE LORD

THE   WAY OF THE CROSS
LED BY HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS

COLOSSEUM
ROME, 30 MARCH 2018
 

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Photo gallery at the link

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Fr Cantalamessa on Good Friday: ‘young people can rescue human love’
30 March 2018, 18:00

Celebration of the Passion of the Lord  (Vatican Media)
One of the eyewitnesses to the death of Jesus on the cross is “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” This phrase of John’s Gospel proclaimed during the Celebration of the Lord’s passion forms the basis for Fr Cantalamessa’s homily.
By Sr Bernadete Mary Reis, fsp

The Preacher of the Pontifical household focused on the eyewitness John who wrote an account of what he witnessed. John not only saw what everyone else saw. “He also saw the meaning of what happened,” Fr Cantalamessa says. He saw the sacrificial Lamb of God, the fulfillment of the Passover, the “new temple of God from whose side (…) flowed the water of life.” John witnessed the release of the Spirit of God who as, in the beginning, “transformed the chaos in the cosmos.”

What does the cross reveal?

Fr Cantalamessa explains that John understood that Jesus on the cross was revealing God “as he really is, in his most intimate and truest reality.” Later John would express this understanding as “God is love” (1 Jn 4:10), meaning that it is an oblative love, a love that consists in self-giving.” It is only on the cross that God manifests just how far his love will go: “He loved them to the end” (Jn 13:1).
 
https://zenit.org/articles/fr-cantalamessa-homily-at-celebration-of-lords-passion-full-text/
Fr. Cantalamessa: Homily at Celebration of Lord’s Passion (FULL TEXT) 
March 30, 2018

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

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Photo gallery at the link

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-03/pope-francis-way-of-the-cross-colosseum-via-crucis.html

Pope prays with “shame, repentance, and hope” at the Way of the Cross
30 March 2018, 20:24

Pope Francis presides over the Via Crucis in the Colosseum  (Vatican Media)
Pope Francis’ concluding prayer during the Way of the Cross at Rome’s Colosseum fo-cusses on three key words, and the same number of requests for grace. (Photos below)
By Seàn-Patrick Lovett

The tradition of the Via Crucis, or Way of the Cross, being held at Rome’s Colosseum on Good Friday, is one that dates back to Pope Benedict XIV in the 18th century. It was revived by Pope Paul VI in 1964 and has been celebrated by successive Popes ever since. 

The Pope’s Prayer

Meditations for the 14 Stations of the Cross were composed this year by a group of young people as part of preparations for the October Synod of Bishops. Themes ranged from migration to communicating Jesus on the internet. But the Way of the Cross in Rome traditionally concludes with a prayer, recited by the Pope and especially written for the occasion, often by the Holy Father himself. This year, Pope Francis chose to focus his prayer on three key words: “shame, repentance, and hope”.
 

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

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-03/vatican-releases-pope-francis--scheudle-for-holy-week.html

Vatican releases Pope Francis' schedule for Holy Week
21 March 2018, 15:04
Vatican News will be broadcasting the papal liturgies throughout Holy Week, with live English commentary.
By Christopher Wells

The Vatican is preparing for Holy Week with a full schedule of celebrations scheduled for the holiest portion of the Church year.
 
The Paschal Vigil and Easter Sunday
 
The rites of Holy Week reach their climax during the Easter Vigil of Holy Saturday, the “Mother of all Vigils.” The ceremony begins with the lighting of the new fire, which will take place in the atrium of St Peter’s Basilica. Then, with the Paschal Candle, the ministers will process to the sanctuary, where Pope Francis will preside at the Solemn Mass. The Mass is notable for the chanting of the Exultet, the solemn proclamation of the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead; and for the Baptismal liturgy which takes place after the Liturgy of the Word.

Finally, on the morning of Easter Sunday, Pope Francis will celebrate the Solemn Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord in Saint Peter’s Square. Following the Mass, the Holy Father will give his Blessing Urbi et Orbi – to the City [of Rome], and to the world.”
 
Here is the full schedule for the papal events during Holy Week 2018 (all times local Roman time):
 
Holy Saturday – 31 March

Basilica of St Peter
 20.30 The Easter Vigil – Solemn Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord

Easter Sunday – 1 April

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Photo gallery at the link

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-03/pope-francis-easter-vigil-homily-.html

Pope at Easter Vigil Mass: Break Silence. Overcome Fear.
31 March 2018, 16:06

Easter Vigil Mass  (Vatican Media)
During his Easter Vigil homily, Pope Francis challenges us not to stand speechless before the events of Holy Week, but to overcome our fears and to share in Jesus’ mission and message. (Photos below)
By Seàn-Patrick Lovett

Also known as the “night of nights”, the Easter Vigil is really the climax of the Triduum celebrations. It is on this night that we commemorate, through poignant words and powerful symbols, the death and Resurrection of Jesus. True to that symbolism, the ceremony begins outside the church, in darkness – and in silence.

Speechless before the Cross

This silence is one with which we can all identify, said Pope Francis in his homily. In the same way as Jesus’ disciples stood “speechless before the Cross”, incapable of “speaking out on behalf of their Master”, so too do we stand “speechless in the face of situations we cannot control” – believing that “nothing can be done to reverse all the injustices that our brothers and sisters are experiencing in the flesh”.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/he-is-risen-popes-homily-at-easter-vigil-full-text/
He is Risen! Pope’s Homily at Easter Vigil (FULL TEXT)
March 31, 2018

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

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-03/tawadros-pope--francis-easter-greetings-5-years-pontificate.html

Pope Tawadros II greets Pope Francis for Easter
31 March 2018, 11:08

Pope Francis and Pope Tawadros II during the Roman Pontiff's visit to Egypt, 13 May, 2017
The head of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church has sent double greetings to Pope Francis for Easter and for 5 years of his pontificate.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Tawadros II, the head of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church has sent greetings to Pope Francis on the occasion of Easter which Orthodox Christians will celebrate a week later on April 8, according to the Julian calendar.

"To his Holiness pope Francis, Christ is risen.  He is truly risen! I send you greetings of Happy Easter.  It is the feast in which we rejoice because Jesus Christ is risen and has conquered death, and after defeating death he has made the Cross the Cross of life,” Pope Tawadros said in a video message speaking in Arabic.

The Italian bishops’ news agency SIR recorded the video message in Saint Mark's Cathedral in Cairo, the seat of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
 

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Pope Francis on Easter Sunday: ‘Let's respond immediately to God’s surprises!’
01 April 2018, 11:05

Pope Francis during the Easter Sunday liturgy in St Peter's Square
Speaking off the cuff the Pope said that he was moved to say three things inspired by the Gospel proclamation.

In his homily during the Easter Sunday liturgy in St Peter's Square, Pope Francis says that God surprises the women with a proclamation which became a greeting in the early Church: "The Lord is risen!"

God surprises us

The women had gone to anoint the Lord’s body and instead found themselves standing before a surprise. When God announces something it is always a surprise because God is a God of surprises, Pope Francis said.

It has been that way from the beginning of the story of salvation with Abraham: one surprise after another. God does not know how to make an announcement without surprising us. Surprise moves our hearts and touches us where we do not expect.
 

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

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-04/pope-francis-easter-urbi-et-orbi.html

Pope Francis’ Urbi et Orbi message: 'The last word is the resurrection'
01 April 2018, 11:55

Central Loggia of St Peter's Basilica where Pope Francis delivers the "Urbi et Orbi" message and blessing
Pope Francis delivers his Easter Urbi et Orbi message saying that Jesus’ resurrection contains the power of a grain of wheat.
By Sr Bernadette M Reis, fsp

Beginning his customary "Urbi et Orbi" message, Pope Francis greeted the faithful with “Jesus is risen from the dead!”

He then said that Jesus used of the image of the grain of wheat that falls to the earth and dies to prophesy his own death and resurrection.

Jesus, God’s grain of wheat
 
http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-04/pope-frrancis-urbi-et-orbi-prayer-for-peace.html
Pope Francis' Urbi et Orbi Message: 'We implore gifts of peace'
01 April 2018, 12:26

Central Loggia of St Peter's Basilica where Pope Francis delivers the “Urbi et Orbi” message and blessing

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

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-04/pope-francis-regina-coeli-easter-monday-fraternity-sharing-.html

Regina Coeli: Pope urges Christians to fraternity and sharing
02 April 2018, 13:25

Pope Francis during the midday "Regina Coeli" prayer, April 2, 2018.   (ANSA)
Pope Francis on Easter Monday urged Christians to commit themselves to fraternity in order to build an authentic ecclesial or civil community.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis on Monday urged Christians to build fraternity, saying only fraternity can guarantee lasting peace, defeat poverty, extinguish tensions and wars, and eradicate corruption and crime.

Speaking to thousands of pilgrims and faithful gathered in in St. Peter’s Square for the midday “Regina Coeli” prayer, the Pope said fraternity lived by the first Christians is also needed today.

“He is risen” - shocking

Easter Monday, which is celebrated as ‘Pasquetta’ or ‘Little Easter’ holiday in Italy, is also called “Monday of the Angel”, after the Gospel episode of the angel in the empty tomb of Jesus.  The Pope said that the words “He is risen” spoken by the angel to the women, could be uttered only by “a superior being to communicate a reality so shocking, so incredible, that perhaps no man would dare to pronounce it.”  The community of disciples later began to repeat it.
 
Video at the link below--
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

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Pope St John Paul died on April 2, 2005.
Video at the link

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-04/john-paul-ii-death-anniversary.html

Thirteenth death anniversary of Pope John Paul II
02 April 2018, 15:43

We bring you glimpses of the emotions in and around St. Peter’s Square as faithful and pilgrims from across the world reacted to the passing away of Pope John Paul II on April 2, 2015

Today is the 13th anniversary of the death of Pope Saint John Paul II.

Elected in 1978, John Paul II’s 27-year papacy was the second longest in history.

John Paul II is credited with helping bring an end to communist rule. He played a significant role in improving the Catholic Church’s relations with Judaism, Islam, the Eastern Orthodox Churches and the Anglican Communion.

Pope St John Paul was a staunch defender of the Catholic Church’s position on a number of matters, but most especially on the value of life and the family.
 
John Paul II was canonized in 2014, just 9 years after his death. His feast is celebrated on October 22 which is the day on which he was elected Pope.

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The Paschal celebration continues during the General Audience of Easter Week
04 April 2018, 11:19

Pope Francis concludes the cycle of catecheses on the Mass at the General Audience on Easter Wednesday.
By Christopher Wells

Joy was the prevailing theme of Pope Francis’ catechesis for the General Audience for Wednesday in Easter Week. The Holy Father reminded pilgrims that the Easter flowers speak to us of joy and gladness – the joy we feel in the flourishing of the Risen Christ, the flourishing of our justification, the flourishing of the holiness of the Church.

"Happy Easter!"
 
The celebration continues throughout the Paschal season, but especially during this week, when every day is celebrated like Easter Sunday. The Pope called on the crowd to greet one another with a joyful “Happy Easter,” and led them in extending Easter greetings to our “beloved Pope Benedict,” who, he said, was following the Easter celebrations on television.

Wednesday’s catechesis focused on the concluding rites of the Mass, the blessing and dismissal that follow the concluding prayer. With the blessing, which always follows a Trinitarian formula, the Mass concludes as it begins, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/general-audience-pope-concludes-catecheses-on-the-holy-mass-full-text/
General Audience: Pope Concludes Catecheses on the Holy Mass (Full Text) 
April 4, 2018

Video at the link below--
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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2018-04/vatican-50th-anniversary-martin-luther-king-jr--death.html

Vatican recalls 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s death
03 April 2018, 17:27

On the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., the Vatican’s representative to the United Nations says Pope Francis and Dr. King share a belief in the importance of non-violence and the need for global solidarity.
By Devin Watkins

Wednesday, April 4th marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The American Baptist minister and civil rights activist was assassinated in 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee, while fighting poverty and racism.

He was talking with friends on the balcony of Lorraine Motel on April 4, 1968, when he was struck down by a bullet.

Following Dr. King’s death, Pope Paul VI at an Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square expressed his sorrow for the killing “of a Christian prophet for racial integration”.

Pope Francis, in his address to the U.S. Congress on September 24, 2015, said Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream continues to inspire Christians around the world.
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-04/pope-meets-with-armenian-leaders.html

Pope Francis meets with Armenian leaders
05 April 2018, 15:09

Pope Francis receives Armenian President Serzh Sargsayan  (Vatican Media)
Pope Francis on Thursday met with religious and political leaders of the Republic of Armenia.

Pope Francis received Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia in the Vatican on Thursday morning before meeting with the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, and with Aram I, the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.

Following the meetings, the Pope and the Armenian delegation participated in an inauguration ceremony and blessing of a statue of Saint Gregory of Narek in the Vatican gardens.  A Holy See Press Office communiqué said that during the cordial discussions that took place between the Pope and the President, keen satisfaction was expressed for the good relations that exist between the Holy See and Armenia.
 
http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-04/pope-francis-armenian-patriarchs-st-gregory-narek-vatican-garden.html
Pope Francis and Armenian Patriarchs bless a bronze statue of St Gregory of Narek
05 April 2018, 12:16

St Gregory of Narek in the Vatican Gardens

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-04/pope-francis-videomessage-spanish-religious.html

Pope sends videomessage to Spanish religious
05 April 2018, 17:51

Pope Francis says, we must avoid “electoral campaigning” or “advertising campaigns” because “God’s call does not work through marketing models”.
By Philippa Hitchen

Pope Francis has sent a video message to hundreds of Spanish men and women religious who are taking part in a meeting in the capital Madrid.

The encounter, organized by the national theological institute for religious life, opened on Thursday and runs through Sunday April 8th, focusing on the theme of young people discerning vocations to consecrated life.

Young people losing their roots

In the message sent to the head of the theological institute, Fr Carlos Martìnez Oliveras, Pope Francis says he fears that young people are losing sight of their roots. He notes that the background to the meeting is the lack of vocations to religious life in Spain today.

But the Pope adds: “we cannot limit ourselves to complaining” or simply surround ourselves with “regrets for past glories, when the Lord tells us to look ahead and see what we have to do”.
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2018-04/gaudete-exsultate-apostolic-exhortation-pope-francis-presentatio.html

Pope’s Apostolic Exhortation on holiness to be presented on Monday
05 April 2018, 13:26

Holy See Press Office
Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation “Gaudete et Exsultate” will be presented at the Holy See Press office in the Vatican on Monday, 9 April.

A statement released by the Holy See Press Office on Thursday said a Press Conference to launch and present Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation “Gaudete et Exsultate” (Rejoice and be glad), and subtitled “On the call to holiness in the contemporary world” will take place on 9 April at noon.

An Apostolic Exhortation is considered the second-highest form of papal teaching, after an Encyclical Letter.

Since his election as Pope, Francis has issued two other Exhortations: “Evangelii Gaudium” in 2013 and “Amoris Laetitia” in 2016.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-to-issue-apostolic-exhortation-on-holiness-19527
Pope Francis to issue apostolic exhortation on holiness

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-04/pope-francis-appoints-auxiliary-bishop-los-angeles-united-states.html

Pope Francis appoints a new Auxiliary Bishop for Los Angeles, California
05 April 2018, 12:00

Bishop-elect Marc Trudeau with Archbishop José Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles, CA
Msgr Marc Trudeau has been appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, CA.

A native of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Msgr Marc Trudeau was born in Hollywood, CA in 1957. He graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) with a Bachelor in Science in Biological Sciences degree. Subsequently, he pursued studies at the same University’s School of Dentistry.

After studying at Los Angeles’ St John’s Seminary, Msgr Trudeau was ordained for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1991. He served as Parochial Vicar at St James the Less parish in La Crescenta, CA (1991-1995), a member of the Presbyteral Council (1993-1999), administrator of St Philip the Apostle parish in Pasadena, CA (1995-2001), and pastor of St Pius X Parish in Santa Fe Springs, CA (2001-2004).

From 2004-2010 Msgr Trudeau served Cardinal Roger Mahony as his secretary.
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-04/pope-francis-prayer-intention-april-economic-responsibility.html#play

Pope's prayer intention for April: ‘For Those who have Responsibility in Economic Matters’
06 April 2018, 10:54

Pope Francis on Friday released a video message accompanying his prayer intention for April which is “For Those who have Responsibility in Economic matters”.

In his prayer intention for the month of April, Pope Francis said: “Let us raise our voices together, asking that economists may have the courage to reject an economy of exclusion and know how to open new paths”.

It has become the custom of Pope Francis to release a video message detailing his new prayer intention each month.

The full text of the message is below:

The economy cannot attempt only to increase profits by reducing the work force and thereby adding to the ranks of the excluded.

It must follow the path marked out by business leaders, politicians, thinkers, and leaders in society who place the human person in first place, and do everything possible to ensure that there are opportunities of dignified work.

Let us raise our voices together, asking that economists may have the courage to reject an economy of exclusion and know how to open new paths.
 

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http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-04/pope-francis-message-korea-70-anniversary-jeju-uprising.html

Pope’s message for commemoration of Korea's bloody Jeju Uprising
05 April 2018, 17:21

Pope Francis hopes that the 70th anniversary of the massacre will be an occasion to promote healing and reconciliation.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis has sent a message of healing and reconciliation to Koreans commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Jeju Uprising and the massacres that followed that resulted in the deaths of more than 10,000 civilians.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, sent a message on behalf of Pope Francis to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea (CBCK), saying that the Holy Father hopes the commemoration will be an occasion to promote healing and reconciliation.

Hundreds of people gathered on April 3 in the South Korean capital of Seoul to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the rebellion in the island of Jeju. 

In the message posted on the CBCK website, Card. Parolin said the Pope also hopes that through this event, all men and women will be willing to invest in building a world based on brotherly solidarity and peace.

While entrusting the Korean people to the intercession of Mary, Queen of Peace, the Pope assured them of his prayers that they may persevere in hope.
 

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Video at the link

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2018-04/good-morning-vatican-museums-dawn-tours.html

Vatican Museums offer new dawn tours
06 April 2018, 15:04

The 'Cortile della Pigna' in the Vatican Museums, where visitors can have breakfast after a dawn tour
The initiative offers exclusive, early morning tours and breakfast with breathtaking views over the dome of St Peter's Basilica
By Philippa Hitchen

“Good Morning Vatican Museums” is the name of a new initiative offering visitors an exclusive dawn tour of one of the world’s most famous art collections.

Each year, some six million people visit the Vatican Museums, which are currently managed by their first female director, Barbara Jatta.

This new initiative offers the public the opportunity to enter the museums at 6am and witness the solemn ceremony of opening up the various exhibition rooms.

Visitors enter the building in the dark, watching as staff unlock the doors and switch on the lights to illuminate artistic treasures such as the Raphael rooms, the Maps gallery and the Sistine Chapel.