Pope Francis

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-francis-homily-consistory-new-cardinals.html
Pope urges new cardinals to stay on the Lord’s road
28 November 2020, 16:52

Pope Francis urged new cardinals he created on Saturday not to stray away from “journeying on God’s road”. The red colour of the cardinals’ attire, which symbolizes blood, he warned, “can, for a worldly spirit, become the colour of a secular ‘eminence’”.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis on Saturday held the 7th ordinary public consistory of his pontificate to create 13 new cardinals who come from 8 nations of the world.  He shared a reflection before bestowing on them the cardinal’s birretta (red hat), the ring and the title.

He commented on a passage from Mark’s Gospel where Jesus speaks about his humiliation, passion, death and resurrection while approaching Jerusalem.  Meanwhile, James and John urge Jesus for a place of privilege when He is in glory.  But Jesus tells the two brothers they must first be ready to suffer and be a servant of others like the Son of Man.   

The Pope said that the road to Jerusalem is the road of life and salvation, which is travelled with Christ and which leads to the paschal mystery of Jesus.  “The cross and the resurrection are part of our history; they are our “today” but also and always the goal of our journey.”  Jesus, who is not indifferent to the amazement and fear of his disciples, prepares them for the trials to come so that they could always be with Him on His road. 
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-11/vatican-new-cardinals-biography-consistory.html
The Church’s new cardinals – who’s who?
28 November 2020, 16:50

https://zenit.org/2020/11/28/pope-at-consistory-our-hearts-must-stay-always-with-christ-no-becoming-a-secular-eminence-full-homily/
Pope at Consistory: Our Hearts Must Stay Always With Christ; No Becoming a ‘Secular Eminence’ (Full Homily)
NOVEMBER 28, 2020 15:55  DEBORAH CASTELLANO LUBOV

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-emeritus-news-cardinals-visit-consistory.html

The Pope and the new Cardinals visit Benedict XVI
28 November 2020, 19:30

Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, greeted and blessed the 13 new Cardinals whom he met in the chapel of the “Mater Ecclesiae” monastery in the Vatican after the consistory.

Following the celebration of Saturday afternoon’s Ordinary Public Consistory, which took place in St. Peter's Basilica, "the Holy Father and the 11 new cardinals present in Rome visited Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI.”

According to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office, the meeting took place in the chapel of the Mater Ecclesiae monastery inside the Vatican "in an atmosphere of affection”, during which the cardinals were introduced individually to the Pope Emeritus.

The statement also said that Benedict XVI expressed his joy for the visit and, after the recitation of the “Salve Regina” blessed them.
 
Video at the link below--
https://twitter.com/EWTNVatican
EWTN Vatican@EWTNVatican·5h

📹VIDEO | Pope Francis and new cardinals visited Benedict XVI at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican today after a cardinal-creating consistory in St Peter’s Basilica. Images: Vatican Media

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2020/11/pope-tells-13-new-cardinals-that-red-hat-is-not-a-career-advancement/

Pope tells 13 new cardinals that red hat is not a career advancement
Elise Ann AllenNov 28, 2020
 
Noting that this Gospel passage is often used during consistories, Pope Francis cautioned that while everyone getting the red had loves Jesus and wants to follow him, “we must always be careful to remain on the road. For our bodies can be with him, but our hearts can wander far afield and so lead us off the road.”

Saying there are many temptations to corruption in the life of a priest, Francis said “the scarlet of a Cardinal’s robes, which is the color of blood,” can also be a source of this temptation. For “a worldly spirit,” he said, it can become “the color of a secular “‘eminence.’”

Deviating from his prepared text, the pope said that when this happens, the person donning the cardinal’s red is “no longer a priest close to the people, but just ‘your eminence.’”

“Will you also feel this way?” he asked the new red hat recipients, adding that if they do, “You will be off the road.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-mass-advent-cardinals-homily.html

Pope at Mass: ‘Faith is a love story for people in love!”
29 November 2020, 10:27

Pope Francis and the new Cardinals created during Saturday’s Consistory concelebrate Mass on the First Sunday of Advent inviting the faithful to get close to the Lord and to serve their neighbours.
By Linda Bordoni

Celebrating Holy Mass on the First Sunday of Advent together with 11 new Cardinals who received their red hats from him just hours earlier, Pope Francis invited the faithful to ask the Lord to awaken within them the desire to pray and the need to love.

The celebration came on the heels of a Consistory on Saturday afternoon during which the Pope created 13 new cardinals from different continents. Two of them, Cardinal Cornelius Sim from Brunei and Jose Advincula from the Philippines, were unable to attend in person because of covid-related travel restrictions.

At the heart of the Pope’s homily was the plea to God “to rouse us from the slumber of mediocrity” and “awaken us from the darkness of indifference.”
 
https://zenit.org/2020/11/29/advent-is-a-call-to-hope-faith-is-a-love-story-pope-francis-ushers-in-new-liturgical-season-in-the-vatican-full-homily-and-angelus/
‘Advent Is a Call to Hope; Faith Is a Love Story’ — Pope Francis Ushers in New Liturgical Season in the Vatican (Full Homily)
NOVEMBER 29, 2020 14:38  DEBORAH CASTELLANO LUBOV

Video at the link below--
29 November 2020, Holy Mass, Pope Francis
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-at-angelus-advent-is-a-continuous-call-to-hope.html

Pope at Angelus: Advent is a continuous call to hope
29 November 2020, 12:20

Following Mass with new Cardinals in St Peter’s Basilica on the First Sunday of Advent, Pope Francis during the Angelus told the faithful that this season is one of expectation and hope.
By Vatican News staff writer

During his Angelus from St Peter’s Square, the Pope pointed out that this first Sunday of Advent also marks the beginning of a new liturgical year.

He noted that in it, “the Church marks the passage of time with the celebration of the main events in the life of Jesus and in the history of salvation.” In so doing, as Mother, “she illuminates the path of our existence, supports us in our daily occupations and guides us towards the final encounter with Christ.”
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-francis-prays-for-central-america-hit-by-natural-disasters.html
Pope Francis prays for Central America hit by natural disasters
29 November 2020, 13:15

Video, with English commentary, at the link
https://zenit.org/2020/11/29/pope-reminds-faithful-that-advent-is-time-of-expectation-and-hope/
Pope Reminds Faithful that Advent is Time of Expectation and Hope
Full Text of Sunday Angelus Address
NOVEMBER 29, 2020 14:16  JIM FAIR

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Video, with English text, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-francis-judges-social-rights-justice.html
Pope to social rights judges: justice is truly just when it makes people happy
30 November 2020, 20:30

Pope Francis sends a video message to judges from the Committee of Social Rights of Africa and America, urging them to promote justice, dignity and equality.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis, on Monday, sent a message to participants at the virtual meeting of judges who are members of the Committee for Social Rights of Africa and America.

“Dear Judges, (men and women), of Africa and America,” said the Pope. “I rejoice to be able to address these words to you before you begin the beautiful work you have proposed. I congratulate you on this initiative of thinking, decoding and building the “new” social justice.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-francis-video-message-social-rights-judges.html
Pope spells out six points on which to build social rights
30 November 2020, 20:30

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-francis-charity-of-st-andrew-encouragement-in-difficult-ti.html

Pope Francis: Charity of St Andrew, encouragement in difficult times
30 November 2020, 12:42

Pope Francis sends a message to his Holiness, Patriarch Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople, on the feast of the Apostle Andrew, patron saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Vatican News staff writer

In the message to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Pope Francis calls to mind “the charity, apostolic zeal and perseverance" of Saint Andrew, which he says “is a source of encouragement in these difficult and critical times.”

The Pope emphasizes, “Giving glory to God also strengthens our faith and hope in the one who welcomed into eternal life the holy martyr Andrew, whose faith endured in time of trial.”

Pope Francis also recalls with great joy the presence of the Patriarch at the international meeting for peace that was in held in Rome on 20 October this year, along with other religious leaders.
 
https://zenit.org/2020/11/30/message-of-pope-francis-to-his-holiness-bartholomew-i-ecumenical-patriarch-for-feast-of-saint-andrew/
Message of Pope Francis to His Holiness Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch, for Feast of Saint Andrew
NOVEMBER 30, 2020 15:55  JIM FAIR

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-11/pope-will-not-be-in-piazza-di-spagna-for-immaculate-conception.html

Pope will not be in Piazza di Spagna for Immaculate Conception
30 November 2020, 14:07

Due to the ongoing health emergency, Pope Francis will not be going to Piazza di Spagna for the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Instead, the Holy Father will entrust the city of Rome, its inhabitants, and the many sick people throughout the world to the Blessed Virgin Mary in a private act of devotion.
By Vatican News staff reporter

For this year’s celebration of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis will be entrusting the city of Rome and its inhabitants, as well as the many sick people throughout the world, to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The act of devotion will be undertaken privately, according to a statement issued on Monday by the Director of the Holy See Press Office.

In his statement, Matteo Bruni explained that the decision not to go to Piazza di Spagna on the afternoon of the feast was due to the ongoing health emergency, “and is intended to avoid all risk of contagion caused by gatherings.”
 

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Video, with English text, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-s-december-prayer-intention-for-a-life-of-prayer.html
Pope’s December prayer intention: For a life of prayer
01 December 2020, 17:00

In a video message for his December prayer intention, Pope Francis speaks about the power of prayer to change reality and our hearts, and prays that, through a life of prayer, we may nourish our relationship with Jesus Christ.
By Vatican News staff writer

The Pope Video for December, the last one in 2020, has just been released with the prayer intention that Pope Francis is entrusting to all the Catholic Church through the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (which includes the Eucharistic Youth Movement – EYM).

In a year marked by the global Covid-19 pandemic, the Holy Father shares with us the secret of Jesus’ life, “the key for us to be able to enter into dialogue with the Father”: prayer.

Through a life of prayer, it is possible to have a personal and profound relationship with Jesus Christ and to change our hearts. Prayer—listening to Jesus, contemplating Jesus, speaking with Him as with a friend—transforms our lives. It is the path to drawing closer to the Father.
 

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Video, with English text, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-congolese-rite-roman-missal-rita-kongo.html
Pope Francis upholds testimony of the Zairean Rite in video message
01 December 2020, 15:30

Pope Francis releases a video message to coincide with the publication of "Pope Francis and the Roman Missal for the Dioceses of Zaire" by the Vatican Publishing House.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis, on Tuesday, sent a video message on the occasion of the presentation of a book titled “Papa Francesco e il Messale Romano per le diocesi dello Zaire”, loosely translated as "Pope Francis and the Roman Missal for the Dioceses of Zaïre.”

“I rejoice to be able to connect with you on this very important event for the Church in Africa. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to join this event of the presentation of the book on the Congolese rite of celebrating Mass,” the Pope said.  The book, prefaced by the Holy Father and edited by Sister Rita Mboshu Kongo, is published by the Vatican Publishing House - Libreria Editrice Vaticana (LEV).
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-francis-zairean-rite-preface-book-amazon.html
Pope Francis: The Zairean Rite is a “promising model” for the Amazon
01 December 2020, 14:26

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-appoints-new-bishop-for-buffalo-usa.html

Pope appoints new Bishop for Buffalo, USA
01 December 2020, 10:18

Bishop Michael William Fisher has been named as the fifteenth Bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo, New York, USA.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis on Tuesday named Bishop Michael William Fisher, who currently serves as an auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., as Bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo, USA.
 

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https://www.ncregister.com/blog/let-us-dream-collaboration

New Papal Book Is ‘Collaboration’ Between Francis and Austen Ivereigh
Edward Pentin  Blogs  November 30, 2020

ROME — A new book in which Pope Francis discusses the challenges and opportunities deriving from the coronavirus crisis will be formally published on Tuesday.

The 150-page book, called Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future, was written by the Holy Father “in collaboration” with Catholic writer Austen Ivereigh, according to its publisher, Simon & Schuster.

Ivereigh is the author of the 2015 biography of the Pope, The Great Reformer: Francis and the Making of a Radical Pope and more recently, Wounded Shepherd: Pope Francis and His Struggle to Convert the Catholic Church.

Let Us Dream is an unusual book in that, although it says it is the fruit of interviews made during the COVID-19 crisis between the Pope and Ivereigh, no questions appear in the text. Instead, only the Pope’s voice is heard, except for a postscript by Ivereigh at the end.
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-francis-general-audience-prayer-blessing.html
Pope at Audience: God blesses us despite our sins
02 December 2020, 10:12

Reflecting on blessing as an essential dimension of prayer, Pope Francis in his General Audience says that our response to the God who blesses is also by blessing. We do it through the prayer of praise, adoration and thanksgiving.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis begins his general audience catechesis by citing a few instances from the Book of Genesis to point out that blessing is an essential dimension of prayer. 

God “speaks well” of creation
While God creates, He “continually blesses life”, such as the animals, man and woman, and the Sabbath. Even men and women give blessings, aware that "blessing possesses a special power that accompanies the person who receives it throughout his or her entire life."  It opens up the person’s heart to allow God to change it.

The Holy Father explains the meaning of the word ‘bless’ by going to the Italian word “benedire” which means “speaks well”.  Therefore, “there is a God who speaks well”. God sees every work of His hands as good and beautiful, when He creates man and woman, His creation is complete and is “very good”.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-francis-appeal-nigeria-farmworkers-killed-boko-haram.html
Pope prays for Nigeria after terror attack on farmworkers
02 December 2020, 10:42

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-francis-general-audience-prayer-el-salvador-martyrs.html
Pope prays for El Salvador Martyrs 40 years after their death
02 December 2020, 10:03

https://zenit.org/2020/12/02/pope-god-continually-blesses-life-always-we-must-respond-to-gods-blessings-full-text/
Pope: God Continually Blesses Life, Always; We Must Respond to God’s Blessings (FULL TEXT)
DECEMBER 02, 2020 15:49  DEBORAH CASTELLANO LUBOV

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/council-of-cardinals-reflects-on-life-of-church-in-pandemic.html

Council of Cardinals reflects on life of the Church in midst of pandemic
02 December 2020, 10:15

The Council of Cardinals gathered virtually on Tuesday afternoon for their regularly scheduled meeting.
By Vatican News

Due to the current health situation, the regularly scheduled meeting of the Council of Cardinals was held online on Tuesday afternoon. Cardinals Óscar A. Rodríguez Maradiaga, Reinhard Marx, Sean Patrick O'Malley, Oswald Gracias, and Fridolin Ambongo Besungu took part in the meeting from their respective countries, while Cardinals Pietro Parolin and Giuseppe Bertello and the Secretary of the Council, Bishop Marco Mellino, were connected from the Vatican. The Holy Father also participated in the meeting, connecting from Casa Santa Marta. The Holy See Press Office announced the meeting in a statement Tuesday evening.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/council-of-cardinals-studies-suggestions-regarding-new-vatican-constitution-11690
Council of Cardinals studies suggested amendments to draft of Vatican constitution

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-establishes-worldwide-prayer-network-as-vatican-entity.html

Pope establishes Worldwide Prayer Network as Vatican entity
03 December 2020, 12:00

Pope Francis establishes the Worldwide Prayer Network as a papal institution with its headquarters in the Vatican.
By Vatican News staff writer

The Vatican announced on Thursday that Pope Francis has established the Worldwide Prayer Network Foundation as an entity with canonical and Vatican juridical identity.

Formerly known as the “Apostleship of Prayer,” the Worldwide Prayer Network works “to coordinate and animate the vast spiritual movement, always very dear to the Pope, that receives and communicates the Pope’s monthly prayer intentions for the Church.”

On its international website, the Network describes its objective: “to encourage prayer and action for the challenges facing humanity and the mission of the Church, expressed in the Pope’s prayer intentions.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-francis-frailty-is-part-of-everybody-s-life.html

Pope Francis: Frailty is part of everybody’s life
03 December 2020, 12:59

Pope Francis, in a message to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, highlights the importance of inclusion and active participation for those with disabilities. He also denounces the throwaway culture, which affects the most vulnerable.
By Vatican News

The theme of this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is observed this 3 December, is “Building Back Better: Toward a Disability-inclusive, Accessible and Sustainable post-COVID-19 World.”

With that in mind, Pope Francis, in a message to mark the occasion, said this World Day afforded him the opportunity to express his closeness to those “experiencing situations of particular difficulty during the crisis caused by the pandemic.”

“All of us are in the same boat in the midst of a turbulent sea that can frighten us. Yet in this same boat, some of us are struggling more; among them are persons with serious disabilities,” he said.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-francis-henri-tessier-telegram-condolences.html

Pope expresses condolences for the death of Archbishop Tessier
03 December 2020, 13:14

Pope Francis remembers Archbishop Henri Tessier, who died on Tuesday, as a “generous pastor” who worked with “courage and an evangelical spirit” in service of the Church in Algeria.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis expressed his condolences in a telegram on Tuesday, having learnt “with sadness” of the death of Archbishop Henri Tessier, the Archbishop emeritus of Algiers.

The message, signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, conveys the Pope’s closeness and blessings to those affected by the Archbishop’s death, including his family and friends, as well as the Bishops and the faithful of Oran and Algiers. 

Pope Francis remembered Archbishop Tessier as a generous pastor who was able to go through the trying times experienced by the Church of Algeria “with courage and an evangelical spirit” as well as a “man of dialogue and peace” who worked for a “respectful and fraternal unity between the Algerian people.”
 
He is regarded as one of the authoritative representatives of ecumenism and interreligious dialogue between Christianity and Islam.

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-francis-argentina-pastoral-care-social-friendship.html

Pope urges Argentine Church to promote social friendship
03 December 2020, 22:30

As the Church in Argentina marks its 23rd Day of Social and Pastoral Care, Pope Francis urges Catholic leaders to instill a sense of social friendship in every aspect of society.
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis turned his attention on Thursday to the theme of social friendship, in a video message released to coincide with a conference held in Argentina.

The local Church was commemorating its 23rd Day of Social and Pastoral Care, held under the theme “Toward a culture of encounter, a nation for all: Fraternity and social friendship”.

The annual recurrence began in 1998 in the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires when Pope Francis—then Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio—headed up the Archdiocese.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-to-new-ambassadors-work-for-a-more-just-and-fraternal-worl.html

Pope to new Ambassadors: Work for a more just and fraternal world
04 December 2020, 11:27

Pope Francis addresses a group of non-resident Ambassadors to the Holy See on Friday presenting their Credentials, saying that more than ever, the world needs sincere and respectful dialogue and cooperation capable of unity in confronting the grave threats facing the planet.
By Vatican News

The new non-resident Ambassadors to the Holy See whom Pope Francis received in the Vatican on Friday come from Jordan, Kazakhstan, Zambia, Mauritania, Uzbekistan, Madagascar, Estonia, Rwanda, Denmark and India.

They form part of a corps which represents some 183 States that currently have diplomatic relations with the Holy See.
 
https://zenit.org/2020/12/04/pope-receives-credentials-from-several-new-ambassadors/
Pope Receives Credentials from Several New Ambassadors
DECEMBER 04, 2020 14:59

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-12/vatican-publishes-ecumenical-guide-for-bishops.html

Vatican publishes guide to assist Bishops in promoting Christian unity
04 December 2020, 11:47

The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity publishes a guidebook to encourage and assist Catholic Bishops in fulfilling their ecumenical responsibilities.
By Christopher Wells

At a press conference on Friday morning, Cardinal Kurt Koch, the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, presented an ecumenical “vademecum” – or guidebook – addressed to Bishops and intended to encourage and assist them in the work of ecumenism in their ministry.
 
https://zenit.org/2020/12/04/the-bishop-and-christian-unity-an-ecumenical-vademecum-full-text/
THE BISHOP AND CHRISTIAN UNITY: AN ECUMENICAL VADEMECUM (FULL TEXT)
DECEMBER 04, 2020 14:18