Pope Francis

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Pope Francis' trip to Panama, World Youth Day, January 23-27

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-01/pope-francis-panama-wyd-2019-volunteers-thanks.html

WYD Panama: Pope Francis thanks volunteers for their generosity
27 January 2019, 22:59

Pope Francis hugs a WYD volunteer
Pope Francis thanks the thousands of young WYD volunteers for their generosity, and invites them to bear witness to their experience with simple, ordinary gestures.
By Devin Watkins

Their bright yellow shirts lit up the streets of Panama, and their bright smiles lightened many a pilgrim’s burden. And on Sunday, Pope Francis gave them his heartfelt thanks for their hard work.

The 20,000 local Panamanians and 2,200-plus international volunteers spent the week lending a helping hand to the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims present for World Youth Day.

To express his gratitude, Pope Francis held a special meeting with around 15,000 of them in Rommel Fernandez Stadium.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-01/pope-francis-panama-wyd-2019-volunteers-full-text.html
Pope's speech to WYD volunteers: Full text
27 January 2019, 23:02

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

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Pope Francis' trip to Panama, World Youth Day, January 23-27

https://twitter.com/FatherRosica
Thomas Rosica‏ @FatherRosica · 30m 30 minutes ago 

After 5 moving days in Panama, the plane with @Pontifex aboard took off at 18.25 local time from Toucumen International airport of Panama. The arrival at Rome-Ciampino airport is scheduled for 11:50 Rome time on Monday January  28. What an incredible week! Gracias Panama!
_____________

https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican
Pope Francis - Panama - Farewell Ceremony 2019-01-28
Published on Jan 27, 2019
From Panama, Farewell Ceremony at Tocumen International Airport

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Pope Francis' trip to Panama, World Youth Day, January 23-27

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/full-text-of-pope-francis-in-flight-press-conference-from-panama-27002
Full text of Pope Francis' in-flight press conference from Panama

Aboard the papal plane, Jan 28, 2019 / 07:52 am (CNA).- Please read below for CNA's full transcript of the Pope's July 28 in-flight press conference from Panama City to Rome:

Alessandro Gisotti, interim director of the Holy See Press Office: Good evening! Holy Father, we can still hear in our ears the cry of “La Juventud del Papa” [Ed. note: a chant in Spanish translated to “The Young People of the Pope”], the Youth of Jesus Christ, as Monsignor Ulloa said, this great joy, these intense days, which nevertheless gave you so much energy. And, I believe that we have all seen in your face so much joy, the joy of this meeting, as well as the joy of the youth.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-01/pope-francis-roman-rota-fidelity-in-marriage.html#.XFA977meFUN.twitter

Pope to Roman Rota: ‘Marriage requires generous unity, faithful love’
29 January 2019, 12:34

Pope Francis greets members of the Roman Rota  (Vatican Media)
Pope Francis meets Tuesday with members of the Apostolic Tribunal of the Roman Rota, and highlights the importance of unity and fidelity in the Sacrament of Matrimony.
By Devin Watkins

“Fidelity is possible, because it is a gift, both for spouses and for priests.”

In his address on Tuesday, Pope Francis praised the virtues of unity and fidelity, which he said members of the Roman Rota frequently experience in their service.

The Roman Rota tribunal is the Catholic Church’s highest court, and primarily hears cases regarding the nullity of matrimony, though its jurisdiction extends to any type of judicial and non-administrative case related to Canon Law.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-01/pope-francis-message-conference-havana-world-balance.html

Pope urges fraternal civilization for authentic human promotion
29 January 2019, 18:30

Pope Francis sent a message to a 3-day international conference on world balance in Havana, Cuba.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis is urging people of good will to come together in dialogue in a framework of plurality in order to build a fraternal civilization for authentic human promotion.

He made the call in a message to the 4th International Conference for World Balance that kicked off on Monday in Havana, Cuba.

The January 28-31 meeting organized by the José Martí Project of International Solidarity intends to sensitize humanity and stimulate the construction of a better, balanced, sustainable, fairer and more peaceful world through broad democratic debates.

José Martí, the  19th century  Cuban revolutionary, poet, and journalist who organized Cuba's struggle for independence, is a national hero and an important figure in Latin America.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2019-01/pope-francis-papal-charities-universal-judgement-show-poor.html

Pope treats poor people to Rome's "Universal Judgement" show
29 January 2019, 16:34

A scene of the "Universal Judgement" show of Rome.
Pope Francis on Jan. 28 treated a group of poor people, the homeless, refugees, prisoners and needy families to Rome’s permanent show, the "Universal Judgement", on Michelangelo’s famed masterpiece in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis had all the 1,300 seats of the Auditorium Conciliazione hall, near the Vatican, reserved on Monday evening for the poor of Rome at the city’s permanent show called the “Giudizio Universale”, or the “Universal Judgement”, on Michelangelo’s famed frescos in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel.

Organized by the Office of Papal Charities, the Auditorium Conciliazione was made available by the show organizers.

Entitled, “Universal Judgement – Michelangelo and the Secrets of the Sistine Chapel,” the live show that debuted on March 15, is the brainchild of Marco Balich, who has directed several Olympic Games opening and closing ceremonies. The hour-long 4-part show that debuted on March 15, is the first production of Balich’s “Artainment” company that combines art and entertainment to educate and amuse.
 
The trailer and photo gallery at the link below--
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2018-03/giudizio-universale-universal-judgment-michelangelo-.html
"Universal Judgment": New immersive show focuses on Michelangelo and Sistine Chapel
12 March 2018, 13:54

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2019-01/accused-priest-hermann-geissler-resigns-from-cdf.html

Fr. Geissler resigns from Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith
29 January 2019, 13:51

A priest accused of improper behavior with a religious sister resigns from his position at the Vatican's CDF.
By Vatican News

The Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Luis Ladaria Ferrer, accepted the resignation of Father Hermann Geissler on Monday, 28 January.

In a press release on Tuesday, the CDF said Fr. Geissler “decided to take this step to limit the damage already done to the Congregation and to his Community.”

Fr. Geissler is a member of the Opus spiritualis Familia religious community.

Doris Wagner, a former member of the same community, has accused Fr. Geissler of improper conduct that allegedly took place in 2009.
 
http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/cdf-priest-steps-down-following-accusations-of-sexual-harassment-in-confess
Vatican |  Jan. 29, 2019
CDF Priest Steps Down Following Accusations of Sexual Harassment in Confession
An Austrian priest and theologian has resigned from his position but maintains his innocence.
Hannah Brockhaus/CNA/EWTN News

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-01/pope-francis-general-audience-wyd-feast-for-panama.html#.XFGbjmfZUQ0.twitter

Pope at General Audience: ‘WYD was joyful feast for Panama’
30 January 2019, 13:08

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at the weekly General Audience  (Vatican Media)
In the catechesis portion of his weekly General Audience, Pope Francis thanks God and all those who helped make World Youth Day in Panama a success.
By Devin Watkins

Fresh from his Apostolic Journey to Panama, Pope Francis relived World Youth Day with the pilgrims present at the Wednesday General Audience.

One of the things that really struck him during the trip, the Pope said, was how parents lifted their children in the air when the Popemobile passed by.

“The pride of that family are its children. Children are security for the future,” he said.

Pope Francis said there was much dignity in the act of parents holding their children aloft, and that it speaks volumes “about the demographic winter that we are living in Europe!” “The demographic winter – without children – is difficult, right?”, he said.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/pope-francis-recalls-trip-to-panama-during-general-audience-full-text/
Pope Francis Recalls Trip to Panama During General Audience (Full Text) 
•January 30, 2019 14:54•Virginia Forrester

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

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta/2019-01/pope-francis-homily-daily-mass-john-bosco-priests-joy.html

Pope at Mass: Priests should be joyful, like St John Bosco
31 January 2019, 13:31

Pope Francis preaches during the Mass at Casa Santa Marta
Pope Francis reflects on St John Bosco for the Saint’s feast day. Priests, he says, should have the courage to see people with the human eyes and with the eyes of God.
By Debora Donnini

Priests should be joyful and see things from both a human and a divine perspective, as St John Bosco did. That was Pope Francis’ message during Thursday’s Mass at the Casa Santa Marta. He encouraged priests to imitate Don Bosco, who looked upon reality with the heart of a father and of a teacher, as we read in the opening prayer. It was a perspective that showed him the way forward: he was moved at the sight of the poor young boys in the streets, and looked for ways to help them grow. He walked with them, and he wept with them.
 

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Video at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-01/pope-francis-uae-videomessage-before-visit.html#.XFLTam1WVyI.twitter

Pope Francis sends greetings ahead of UAE visit
31 January 2019, 06:00

In a video message sent on Thursday, Pope Francis greets the people of the United Arab Emirates, and looks forward to marking a new step in the history of interreligious relations.
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis travels to Abu Dhabi from 3 to 5 February to participate in an interreligious meeting and to celebrate Mass.

In his video message, the Pope said he is looking forward to visiting the UAE, calling it “a land that seeks to be a model of coexistence, human brotherhood, and encounter between different civilizations and cultures”.

In the UAE, the Holy Father said, many people “find a safe place to work and live freely, while respecting diversity.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-12/pope-trip-to-united-arab-emirates-official-program-announced.html

Pope trip to United Arab Emirates: official program announced
12 December 2018, 14:15

Logo for the Pope's visit to the United Arab Emirates
The Holy See Press Office publishes the official program of Pope Francis’ February 3rd to 5th trip to the United Arab Emirates.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis will become the first Pope in history to visit the Arabian Peninsula when he makes an apostolic journey to the United Arab Emirates next year.

Highlights of the trip include an interreligious meeting, an official visit to the Crown Prince, the meeting in the Great Mosque of Sheikh Zayed, and the celebration of Mass in Abu Dhabi.

Program details

The Pope will depart from Rome on Sunday, February 3rd at 1pm (Rome time) and is scheduled to arrive at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport at 10pm (local time).

The program starts on Monday February 4th at 12 noon with the welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace, followed by the official visit to the Crown Prince. At 5pm in the evening, the Pope will meet privately with members of the Muslim Council of Elders in the Grand Mosque of Sheikh Zayed. From there, around 6pm, Pope Francis will proceed to the Founder’s Memorial where he will speak at the interreligious meeting.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-12/uae-christians-pope-francis-apostolic-journey-visit-enthusiastic.html#.XFLTf-z1zLg.twitter
UAE Christians ‘enthusiastic’ about Pope Francis’ visit
13 December 2018, 13:11

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https://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2019/pope-names-long-island-auxiliary-as-bishop-of-columbus.cfm

Update: Pope names Long Island auxiliary as bishop of Columbus
By Catholic News Service
1.31.2019 12:25 PM ET

CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Francis has appointed Auxiliary Bishop Robert J. Brennan of Rockville Centre, New York, to be the new bishop of Columbus, Ohio.

The pope also accepted the resignation of Columbus Bishop Frederick F. Campbell, who had led the diocese since 2004. He is 75, the age at which canon law requires bishops to turn in their resignation to the pope.

The changes were announced Jan. 31 in Washington by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Bishop Brennan's installation is scheduled for March 29 in St. Joseph Cathedral in Columbus.
 

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https://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2019/wikileaks-releases-documents-on-knights-of-malta-controversy.cfm

WikiLeaks releases documents on Knights of Malta controversy
By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service
1.31.2019 9:05 AM ET

CNS/Paul Haring
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Internal documents relating to the public crisis that led to the resignation of the grand master of the Knights of Malta in 2017 were released by WikiLeaks.

Among the cache of dossiers, memos and documents released by the organization Jan. 30 were confidential letters signed by Pope Francis and Cardinal Raymond L. Burke, patron of the Knights of Malta, prior to the crisis that engulfed the order in early 2017.

While the leaked dossiers do not reveal much new information, they add some context to the events leading up to the controversial removal of Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager, the order's grand chancellor, by Fra' Matthew Festing, the former grand master.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta/2019-02/pope-francis-mass-casa-santa-marta-perseverance-memory-hope.html

Pope at Mass: perseverance with memory and hope in moments of desolation
01 February 2019, 13:21

Pope Francis at Holy Mass at Casa Santa Marta, Feb. 1, 2019.  (ANSA)
Celebrating his morning Mass on Feb. 1 in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis urged Christians not to give up and retreat in moments of suffering and desolation but to persevere with hope and memories of good times.
By Robin Gomes

It is when desolation and dark moments make one lose the meaning of things that Christians must persevere in order to reach the promise of the Lord without falling down or retreating.

This was the reflection of Pope Francis in his homily at Mass, Friday morning, in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican.  He was referring to the Letter to the Hebrews, whose author addressed Christians passing through a dark moment of persecution, just as every individual goes through, including Jesus who experienced moments of desolation.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-02/pope-listen-to-the-voice-of-the-needy-like-st-john-of-god.html

Pope: Listen to the voice of the needy like St John of God
01 February 2019, 12:11

Pope Francis meets the members of the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God who are participating in their 69th General Chapter.  (Vatican Media)
Pope Francis meets the members of the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God who are participating in their 69th General Chapter.
By Lydia O'Kane

The Hospitaller Order of the Brothers of Saint John of God was founded in 1572. They are also known as the Fatebenefratelli, meaning the Brothers of Mercy, and carry out a wide range of health and social service activities in 389 centres in 46 countries. Greeting the Order in the Vatican on Friday on the occasion of its 69th General Chapter, Pope Francis focused on three themes: Discernment, closeness-hospitality and shared mission.
 

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Links provided in the article below:  The full text of Pope Francis' address and more about the dialogue

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-02/pope-thanks-god-for-catholic-oriental-orthodox-dialogue.html

Pope thanks God for dialogue with Oriental Orthodox Churches
01 February 2019, 13:51

(Vatican Media)
Pope Francis meets with members of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and Oriental Orthodox Churches.
By Seán-Patrick Lovett

Pope Francis quoted the Second Vatican Council document, Unitatis Redintegratio, when he affirmed that this dialogue expresses well how, between East and West, the “various theological expressions are to be considered often as mutually complementary rather than conflicting”. At the conclusion of this sixteenth session of the Commission’s work, he said, “we can together thank the Lord for the fruits already gathered along the way”.
 
The full text of Pope Francis' address can be found on the Holy See website.

To learn more about the dialogue with the Oriental Orthodox Churches, click here.

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-02/pope-francis-pro-life-movement-politicians-defend-life.html#.XFWKJfP8EQg.twitter

Pope to Pro-Life Movement: ‘Politicians should place defense of life first'
02 February 2019, 12:25

Pope Francis meets with Italy's Pro-Life Movement  (Vatican Media)
Pope Francis appeals to politicians to defend the lives of unborn babies as the cornerstone of promoting the common good, in remarks to Italy’s Pro-Life Movement on Saturday.
By Devin Watkins

Italy’s Pro-Life Movement is a network that helps women with crisis pregnancy counseling and adoption services.

Pope Francis addressed the Movement’s Board of Directors on Saturday, ahead of the 41st National Day for Life, which is celebrated on 3 February under the theme: “It’s life; it’s the future”.

“Ahead of tomorrow’s Day for Life, I take this opportunity to appeal to all politicians, regardless of their faith convictions, to treat the defense of the lives of those who are about to be born and enter into society as the cornerstone of the common good”.

A newborn child, said the Pope, brings “newness, future, and life” to society.

“Voluntarily extinguishing life in its blossoming is, in every case, a betrayal of our vocation, as well as of the pact that binds generations together, which allows us to look forward with hope,” he said.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/holy-father-praises-work-of-italian-pro-life-movement/
Holy Father Praises Work of Italian Pro-Life Movement 
41st National Pro-Life Day in Italy, to be held Sunday, February 3, 2019, in all Dioceses, on the Theme ‘It’s Life, It’s Future’
February 02, 2019 22:52

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-02/pope-francis-monaco-common-good-human-dignity-environment-future.html

Pope urges Monaco to continue working for the common good
02 February 2019, 14:06

Pope Francis meeting the delegation of the National Council of the Principality of Monaco.  (Vatican Media)
Pope Francis on Jan. 2 met some 40 members of the National Council of the Principality of Monaco.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis on Saturday encouraged the Principality of Monaco to continue working for the common good of the human community, by promoting a future for every citizen in the fundamental respect for the dignity of persons and of every human life.

He made the exhortation to some 40 members of a delegation of the National Council of the Principality of Monaco, which is the parliament of the tiny sovereign city-state on the French Riviera.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-02/pope-francis-mass-consecrated-religious.html

Pope celebrates Mass on World Day of Consecrated Life
02 February 2019, 19:15

Pope Francis celebrates Mass on Saturday evening to mark the 23rd World Day of Consecrated Life, and invites consecrated religious to turn their encounter with Jesus into prophetic vision for the Church.
By Devin Watkins

Religious men and women are called to a twofold obedience, Pope Francis said in his homily at Mass marking the World Day of Consecrated Life.

He said those two aspects are obedience to the law, “in the sense of what gives order to our lives”, and to the Spirit, “who does new things in our lives”. “The Spirit reveals the Lord, but to welcome him we need to persevere every day,” he said.

The Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica also marked the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. So Pope Francis reflected on the day’s Gospel (Lk 2:22-40), in which Jesus is presented in the Temple 40 days after his birth.

The Holy Father said the Liturgy shows “Jesus who goes out to meet his people”, calling it the feast day of encounter. “The newness of the Child encounters the tradition of the Temple; the promise finds fulfillment; young Mary and Joseph encounter the elderly Simeon and Anna.”
 
https://zenit.org/articles/holy-fathers-homily-on-23rd-world-day-for-consecrated-life-full-text/
Holy Father’s Homily on 23rd World Day for Consecrated Life (Full Text) 
February 02, 2019 18:08

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

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https://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2019/arabian-peninsula-has-ancient-christian-heritage.cfm

Arabian Peninsula has ancient Christian heritage
By Dale Gavlak Catholic News Service
2.1.2019 3:15 PM ET

CNS photo/Dale Gavlak
JUBAIL, Saudi Arabia (CNS) -- As Pope Francis embarks on the first-ever papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula, few may realize that the predominantly Muslim region carries an ancient Christian heritage.

Christians worshiping there today have their antecedents in churches and monasteries hailing from the earliest times of Christianity. St. Paul ministered in Arabia, as recorded in the New Testament.

When Pope Francis visits Abu Dhabi, one of seven emirates composing the United Arab Emirates, he will be walking in the well-trod footsteps of Christians in centuries past.

The UAE boasts the historical Christian monastery on Sir Bani Yas Island built about A.D. 600. The church there contained private cabins for monks and prayer rooms. Archaeologists found nearly 15 kinds of pottery and glassware, some of which was used in religious ceremonies, according to the UAE's former minister of state for tolerance, Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi.