Pope Francis

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/12/09/pope_launches_appeal_to_end_global_hunger/en1-754292

2013-12-09 21:02:31
Pope launches appeal to end global hunger



(Vatican Radio) In an unprecedented video message, Pope Francis has appealed to people throughout the world to support a new campaign by Caritas Internationalis to wipe out global hunger.

The campaign is set to begin on Tuesday, 10 December, with a “wave of prayer to end hunger” which begins at noon in Samoa and will travel around the world.

Below you can find the full text of Pope Francis’ appeal:
Message from Pope Francis for the launch of
One Human Family, Food for All
Dear brothers and dear sisters,
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/12/09/aif_director:_holy_see_on_the_right_track/en1-754311

2013-12-09 20:00:24
AIF Director: Holy See on the right track

(Vatican Radio) Following the presentation on Monday of MONEYVAL’s Progress Report on the Holy See’s financial reform efforts, Vatican Radio’s Mario Galgano spoke with René Bruelhart, the director of the Vatican’s Financial Information Authority (AIF). Mr Brülhart said the adoption of the Progress Report “is a clear indication that the international community takes note of the progress the Vatican has made, and confirms that the Holy See is on the right track.”
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/12/09/decrees_of_the_congregation_for_the_causes_of_saints/en1-754105

2013-12-09 12:39:04
Decrees of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints

(Vatican Radio) On Monday during a private audience with Cardinal Angelo Amato S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Pope Francis authorised the Congregation to promulgate the following decrees:

MIRACLES

Venerable Servant of God Giovannina Franks, founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Nurses , born in Como ( Italy ) June 24, 1807, died February 23, 1872 ;

MARTYRDOM

Servants of God, Mario Vergara, professed priest of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions ,and Isidore Ngei Ko Lat, and Lay Catechist , killed in hatred of the faith in Shadaw (Burma , now Myanmar) May 24, 1950 :

HEROIC VIRTUES
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/12/09/pope_receives_the_president_of_the_republic_of_congo/en1-754160

2013-12-09 14:11:06
Pope receives the President of the Republic of Congo



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis received the President of the Republic of Congo, (Congo Brazzaville) Denis Sassou N’Guesso Monday in the Vatican.

A statement released from the Holy See Press Office said the cordial talks touched on the positive contribution that the Catholic Church makes to Congolese society , particularly in the fields of healthcare and education .
 

[grace-land]

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/billykangas/2013/12/pope-francis-calls-on-all-churches-to-raise-their-voices-in-a-roar-to-shake-the-world-campaign-against-hunger.html

Pope Francis calls on all people to raise voices in a “Roar” against hunger that will “shake the world”
December 9, 2013

One hour ago Pope Francis launched a global prayer wave, and a year long campaign to end hunger. Each one of us has been called to lift up our voices. Christians all over the world will gathering together at noon tomorrow in prayer giving voice to the millions who still suffer from lack of proper nutrition.

In his presentation the Pope called the hunger situation in the world today an “emergency” and exhorted all people to lift up their voice as one human family in a  ”roar” to “shake the world” and establish food as a “human right” which should be honored in all places.

I will be meeting with the several members of Congress at noon along with a number of other church leaders at noon to join the holy father in prayer. I encourage you all to join as well wherever you are! Find a local parish, church or group and get together at noon to lift up this crisis in our world. If you can’t find a group organize one yourself!
 
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-sY_Olwkio

Pope Francis Announces Global Campaign Against Hunger
Published on Dec 9, 2013 

On December 10, 2014, Pope Francis endorsed and helped to launch the Caritas Internationalis global campaign against hunger.

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/12/10/pope_francis:_the_door_of_the_lord_is_always_open/en1-754432

2013-12-10 12:38:32
Pope Francis: the door of the Lord is always open

(Vatican Radio) When Jesus approaches us, He always opens the doors and gives us hope. That was the message of Pope Francis this morning during Mass at the Casa Santa Marta. The Pope said we must never fear the consolation of the Lord, but rather must ask for and seek that consolation that makes us feel the tenderness of God.

“Comfort, give comfort to my people.” Pope Francis began his homily by reflecting on the reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah, the book of the consolation of Israel. The Lord, he noted, approaches His people to comfort them, “to give them peace.” And this “work of consolation” is so strong that it “draws all things.” The Lord accomplishes a true re-creation:
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/12/11/pope_francis:_hunger_is_a_scandal/en1-754697

2013-12-11 11:28:07
Pope Francis: hunger is a scandal

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday spoke out against the scourge of hunger saying that “the scandal that millions of people suffer from hunger must not paralyze us, but push each and every one of us to act: singles, families, communities, institutions, governments, to eliminate this injustice”.
Listen to Linda Bordoni's report... RealAudioMP3

Speaking at the end of his General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope mentioned the global Caritas Internationalis campaign, “One Human Family, Food for All”, to end hunger and food waste. He had immediately put his full support behind the campaign when it was launched this week with a video message in which he noted that nearly one billion people still suffer from hunger worldwide today, and said: "We cannot look the other way and pretend this does not exist".

And to those present in the Square on Wednesday Pope Francis said the Gospel shows us the way: trust in the Lord’s providence - he said - and share our daily bread without wasting it.
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/12/11/pope_francis_sends_message_to_the_americas/en1-754682

2013-12-11 11:06:29
Pope Francis sends Message to the Americas



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a Message to the Americas to mark the Dec. 12th Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who is venerated as Patroness of the American continent. The Holy Father delivered the Message during the course of his weekly General Audience on Wednesday, the eve of the feast. Below, please find the official English translation of the full text of the Message. Listen: RealAudioMP3
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MESSAGE TO THE AMERICASfor the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Tomorrow is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of the Americas. I would like to greet all my brothers and sisters on that continent, and I do so thinking of the Virgin of Tepeyac.
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/12/11/pope_francis:_person_of_the_year/en1-754795

2013-12-11 14:30:50
Pope Francis: 'Person of the Year'



(Vatican Radio ) Pope Francis has been named Time Magazine's ‘Person of the Year’ for 2013. He is the third Roman Pontiff to receive this honour after John XXIII in 1962 and John Paul II in 1994.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-proclaimed-times-2013-person-of-the-year/

Pope Francis proclaimed TIME's 2013 'Person of the Year'

New York City, N.Y., Dec 11, 2013 / 09:18 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On this morning's episode of “Today Show” Time Magazine announced their choice of Pope Francis for the 2013 “Person of the Year,” stating that he is changing the “tone and perception” of the Church.

Reacting to the news, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi issued a comment Dec. 11, calling it “unsurprising considering the resonance and very widespread attention given to the election of Pope Francis and the beginning of his pontificate.”

“It is a positive sign that one of the most prestigious acknowledgements in the field of the international press has been attributed to one who proclaims spiritual, religious and moral values in the world,” he said, and “who speaks effectively in favor of peace and greater justice.”

The Pope, Fr. Lombardi stressed, “does not seek fame and success, since he carries out his service for the proclamation of the Gospel and the love of God for all.”

However, noted the spokesman, “If this attracts men and women and gives them hope, the Pope is content.”

 “If this nomination as 'Person of the Year' means that many have understood this message, at least implicitly, he will certainly be glad.”
 

[Sister]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/12/11/pope_francis:_person_of_the_year/en1-754795

2013-12-11 14:30:50
Pope Francis: 'Person of the Year'



(Vatican Radio ) Pope Francis has been named Time Magazine's ‘Person of the Year’ for 2013. He is the third Roman Pontiff to receive this honour after John XXIII in 1962 and John Paul II in 1994.
 

so glad to see a worthy person on the cover!

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/12/11/pope_francis:_person_of_the_year/en1-754795

2013-12-11 14:30:50
Pope Francis: 'Person of the Year'



(Vatican Radio ) Pope Francis has been named Time Magazine's ‘Person of the Year’ for 2013. He is the third Roman Pontiff to receive this honour after John XXIII in 1962 and John Paul II in 1994.
 

so glad to see a worthy person on the cover!

    

[seahorse]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/12/11/pope_francis:_person_of_the_year/en1-754795

2013-12-11 14:30:50
Pope Francis: 'Person of the Year'



(Vatican Radio ) Pope Francis has been named Time Magazine's ‘Person of the Year’ for 2013. He is the third Roman Pontiff to receive this honour after John XXIII in 1962 and John Paul II in 1994.
 

so glad to see a worthy person on the cover!

    

  This gives me a sense of peace. 

[seahorse]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/12/11/pope_francis_sends_message_to_the_americas/en1-754682

2013-12-11 11:06:29
Pope Francis sends Message to the Americas



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a Message to the Americas to mark the Dec. 12th Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who is venerated as Patroness of the American continent. The Holy Father delivered the Message during the course of his weekly General Audience on Wednesday, the eve of the feast. Below, please find the official English translation of the full text of the Message. Listen: RealAudioMP3
**********************************************
MESSAGE TO THE AMERICASfor the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Tomorrow is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of the Americas. I would like to greet all my brothers and sisters on that continent, and I do so thinking of the Virgin of Tepeyac.
 

 

[seahorse]

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/53807628#.Uqnb_CdYKry

I apologize if this is off topic, but since it is the Feast of the our Lady, I thought it is perfect. 

[grace-land]

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/53807628#.Uqnb_CdYKry

I apologize if this is off topic, but since it is the Feast of the our Lady, I thought it is perfect. 

I don't think it is off topic, seahorse. 

It seems that it is a win-win situation--Walmart made a good business decision by pleasing the Catholic community, and the community is comforted by the decision to restore, reframe and reattach the plaque of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  A wonderful Christmas gift to the community!  imo 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/12/12/pope_francis:_be_silent,_so_we_can_hear_the_tenderness_of_god/en1-755064

2013-12-12 12:52:27
Pope Francis: Be silent, so we can hear the tenderness of God

(Vatican Radio) Preparing for Christmas, we would do well to take a moment of silence to listed to God who speaks to us with the tenderness of a father and of a mother. That was the message of Pope Francis at the morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta, on the second Thursday of Advent.

Beginning with the reading from the Prophet Isaiah, the Pope emphasized not only “what the Lord says” but “how He says it.” God speaks to as a father or a mother speaks to their children:

“When the child has a bad dream, he wakes up, cries . . . the father goes and says, ‘Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, I’m here.’ That’s how the Lord speaks to us. ‘Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you maggot Israel’ (Isaiah 41,13). The Lord has this way of speaking to us: He is near . . . When we look at a father or a mother who speaks to their little child, we see that they become little and speak with a voice of a child and with the manners of children. Someone looking in from the outside think, ‘This is ridiculous!’ They become smaller, right there, no? Because the love of a father and a mother needs to be close. I say this word: to lower themselves to the world of the child. . . . If the father and mother spoke to them normally, the child would still understand; but they want to take up the manner of speaking of the child. They come close, they become children. And so it is with the Lord.”

The Greek theologians, Pope Francis recalled, explained this attitude of God with a somewhat difficult word: “synkatábasi” or “the humble and accommodating disposition [condiscendenza] of God who lowers Himself to make Himself one of us.”

“And so, the father and the mother also say ridiculous things to the child: ‘Ah, my love, my toy . . .’ and all these things. And the Lord says this too, ‘you worm Jacob,’ ‘you are like a worm to me, a tiny little thing, but I love you so much.’ This is the language of the Lord, the language of the love of a father, of a mother. The word of the Lord? Yes, we understand what He tells us. But we also see how He says it. And we must do what the Lord does, do what He says and do it as He says it: with love, with tenderness, with that condescension towards the brethren.”
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/12/12/popes_peace_day_message_focuses_on_true_fraternity/en1-755216

2013-12-12 18:26:00
Pope's Peace Day Message focuses on true fraternity



(Vatican Radio) At a press conference in the Vatican on Thursday, Pope Francis’ Message for the 2014 World Day of Peace was unveiled, focused on the theme ‘Fraternity: the Foundation and Pathway to Peace’. The Church’s annual Day of Peace is celebrated on January 1st and this year’s message contains many of the themes that the Holy Father has been developing over the past nine months of his pontificate.

Listen to Philippa Hitchen's report and read the full text of the World Peace Day Message below:
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/12/12/pope_to_ambassadors:_work_to_end_human_trafficking/en1-755007

2013-12-12 11:02:39
Pope to Ambassadors: work to end human trafficking

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis received a group of non-resident Ambassadors to the Holy See on Thursday in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican. The diplomats represent Algeria, Iceland, Denmark, Lesotho, Palestine, Sierra Leone, Cape Verde, Burundi, Malta, Sweden, Pakistan, Zambia, Norway, Kuwait, Burkina Faso, Uganda and Jordan. The Holy Father focused his remarks to his guests on the scourge of human trafficking, denouncing the practice as a “real form of slavery” and calling for renewed and concerted efforts to end the inhuman trade.

Pope Francis said that the trafficking of persons is an evil that involves every country – even the most developed – and harms the weakest and most vulnerable members of society, especially women and girls, children, the disabled, the poorest of the poor, and anyone affected by a disintegration of family or social life. “In these,” he said, “we Christians see the face of Jesus Christ, who identified himself with the least and the most needy.” Calling the persistence of the trade in human persons, “shameful,” Pope Francis said, “Every person of goodwill, whether he professes religion or not, cannot allow these women, these men, these children to be treated as objects: cheated, raped, often sold several times, for different purposes, and eventually killed, or at least, ruined in body and mind, and finally discarded and abandoned.”
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/12/12/moneyval_report_a_positive_sign/en1-755015

2013-12-12 11:22:24
Moneyval Report a "positive sign"

(Vatican Radio) European evaluators have highlighted the progress made in the past year by the financial institutions of the Holy See in a progress report published Thursday. The Council of Europe’s Moneyval published the report as a follow-up to its original 2012 report, which named several areas that needed updating to meet international standards. Since that time, several new laws have been passed by the Holy See and Vatican City State to better implement the suggestions.

The Director of the Vatican's Financial Information Authority, René Brülhart, spoke to the head of Vatican Radio’s German section, Father Bernd Hagenkord about this latest report…Listen: RealAudioMP3

You have just returned from Strasburg [from meetings with Moneyval]. Are you happy with these discussions and this report.

The report has been fully adopted, so yes I think it is a very positive sign and the resolve you see is a very good one.