Pope Francis

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http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-excommunicates-dissident-priest-in-australia/

Pope Francis excommunicates dissident priest in Australia

Melbourne, Australia, Sep 25, 2013 / 02:06 am (CNA).- Pope Francis has ordered the excommunication of a Catholic priest in Australia who illicitly said Mass, taught that women should be ordained priests and advocated for “gay marriage.”

An Archdiocese of Melbourne spokesman said the Pope had ordered the excommunication of Father Greg Reynolds, who has also been dismissed from the clerical state, the Australian Associated Press reports.

Australian newspaper The Age reported that Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne said the excommunication was due to the priest’s public celebration of Mass without faculties to do so, and his preaching contrary to the teachings of the Church.

The letter announcing the penalty, written in Latin, was dated May 31.

Excommunication is a canonical penalty intended to warn and correct those who commit grave offenses against the Church. Priests who are excommunicated may not receive or celebrate the sacraments.

Reynolds said he expected to be dismissed from the clerical state, but not excommunicated. He said he was told that Archbishop Hart did not apply for dismissal from the clerical state, but that someone else contacted the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Reynolds had resigned as a parish priest in the Archdiocese of Melbourne in 2011. He founded a group called “Inclusive Catholics” the following year, and has indicated he will continue his work with the group.

In August 2012, a visitor to the group’s woman-led religious service reportedly fed “consecrated bread” to his dog. Media reports at the time were unclear whether the bread was in fact the Holy Eucharist, as the priest’s involvement in the service was minimal. However, the reports led Archbishop Hart to say such a sacrilege of the Blessed Sacrament would be an “abomination.”
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/09/26/pope_francis_at_thursday_mass:_the_languages_of_knowing_jesus/en1-731891

2013-09-26 11:45:54
Pope Francis at Thursday Mass: the languages of knowing Jesus

(Vatican Radio)To know Jesus, you have to get involved with Him, as pointed out by Pope Francis at Mass this morning in the Casa Santa Marta. The Pope said that Jesus is to be encountered in everyday life. He indicated the three languages needed to know Jesus: that of the mind, that of the heart, and that of action. Listen to our report: RealAudioMP3

Who is He? where does He come from? In remarks after the readings at Mass on Thursday morning in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae residence in the Vatican, Pope Francis focused on the question that Herod posed about Jesus – a question that all those who encounter Jesus eventually ask. The Pope said that the question is one, which, “one can ask out of curiosity,” or “that one might ask for safety.” He noted that, reading the Gospel, we see that “some people begin to feel afraid of this man, because he could have led them to a political conflict with the Romans.” One wonders, “Who is this man, who makes so many problems?” Because, the Pope said, “Jesus [really does cause trouble]”:

“You cannot know Jesus without having problems. And I dare say, ‘But if you want to have a problem, go to the street to know Jesus – you’ll end up having not one, but many!’ But that is the way to get to know Jesus! You cannot know Jesus in first class! One gets to know Jesus in going out [into] every day [life]. You cannot get to know Jesus in peace and quiet, nor even in the library: Know Jesus.”
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/09/26/celebrating_the_vision_of_pacem_in_terris_today/en1-732027

2013-09-26 15:32:48
Celebrating the vision of Pacem in Terris today



(Vatican Radio) Pope John XXIII’s famous encyclical letter on peace in the world will be celebrated, half a century on, at a conference here in Rome organised by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. The three-day conference, which opens on Wednesday, will focus on the current challenges of working for peace and reconciliation, in light of the prophetic vision outlined in ‘Pacem in Terris’.

Listen to Philippa Hitchen's report: RealAudioMP3

From the Cuban missile crisis to the conflict in Syria today, from the threat of the Cold War to the current challenge posed by international terrorist networks - just how has the task of being a peacemaker in today’s world changed over the 50 years since Pope John penned his appeal for a new vision of unity and respect for the inalienable rights of each individual human being?

This conference brings together religious and political representatives from across the five continents, including speakers from the UN, the Council of Europe, the African Union, and the Organisation of American States.

Day One will look at the role of Catholic education in forming young people capable of implementing the Church’s rich tradition of justice and peace within the complex and cut-throat world of politics and economics.

Day Two, which includes an audience with the Pope, will focus on the relevance of Pacem in Terris to the ongoing process of reforming international organisations, in order to promote a more peaceful coexistence between peoples and nations.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/09/27/pope_francis:_a_true_christian_has_to_endure_humiliations_with_joy/en1-732269

2013-09-27 13:27:58
Pope Francis: A true Christian has to endure humiliations with joy and patience

Pope Francis said on Friday the proof of whether we are true Christians is shown by our ability to endure humiliations with joy and patience. Speaking at his morning mass in the Vatican’s Santa Marta guesthouse, the Pope stressed this need for sacrifice in the Christian’s life of faith.

Listen to the report by Susy Hodges: RealAudioMP3

In his homily at the mass, the Pope began with the Gospel account from St. Luke where Jesus asked his disciples who they thought he was to illustrate his reflections on what is demanded of a Christian who follows the Lord. It was after this question and Peter’s correct answer, the Pope continued, that Jesus revealed to the disciples his Passion, his death and his resurrection and he recalled Peter’s horrified reaction to this news in the gospel account from St. Matthew. He said “Peter was frightened and scandalized just like many Christians” who declare “this will never happen to you, I will follow you up to this point.”

Pope Francis said “this is the temptation of a spiritual wellbeing.” Like the young rich man in the gospel “who wanted to follow Jesus but only up to a certain point.” He said “the scandal of the Cross continues to block many Christians” who rather than following this path of the Cross complain about the wrongs and insults they’ve had to ensure.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/09/27/orthodox_patriarch_of_antioch_shares_pain_of_syrian_people_with_pope/en1-732303

2013-09-27 14:31:02
Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch shares pain of Syrian people with Pope



(Vatican Radio) The pain and suffering of Christians in Syria was at the heart of a meeting that Pope Francis had on Friday with Patriarch Youhanna X Yazigi, head of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East. On Sunday the Patriarch will attend Mass in St Peter’s Square, celebrated by the Pope to mark the Day of Catechists. He’s also due to meet with Italy’s foreign minister and attend the St Egidio international, interfaith conference which opens at the weekend.

In his encounter with the Holy Father, the Patriarch spoke about the difficulties facing the Christian community in Syria and the surrounding region. He also talked about the plight of his own brother who was kidnapped last April, together with the Syriac Orthodox Bishop of Aleppo. The two leaders also shared their hopes for progress on the journey towards full Christian unity.

After their encounter, the Patriarch came to Vatican Radio and talked to Philippa Hitchen about his hopes for an end to the conflict in his country…
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/09/27/pope_francis:_catechists_pillar_for_education_in_faith/en1-732418

2013-09-27 17:43:58
Pope Francis: Catechists "pillar" for education in faith

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday evening met with participants of the International Conference on Catechesis, organized for the Year of Faith, which is meeting under the theme “Catechist: A Witness of Faith”. Speaking to two thousand catechists, Pope Francis them for their service to the Church, called them a “pillar” for education in the faith. The Holy Father reminded them that he, too, is a catechist, and being a catechist “begins with Christ.”

“The first thing, for a disciple, is to be with the Master: to listen to and learn from Him,” said Pope Francis. "This is always the case, and it is a way that lasts a lifetime!"

Pope Francis said such moments can be difficult to find, especially for those who are married and have children, but emphasized there are a variety of forms of spirituality, and the important thing is to find a suitable way to be with the Lord.

Pope Francis also said catechists must imitate Christ in reaching out to others.
 

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/pope-francis-to-announce-date-when-popes-john-xxiii-and-john-paul-ii-will-be-made-saints/2013/09/26/36617622-26e2-11e3-ad0d-b7c8d2a594b9_story.html

Pope Francis to announce date when John XXIII, John Paul II will be made saints
Published: September 26

Pope Francis is expected Monday to announce the date when he will make saints of two of contemporary Catholicism’s most important figures — Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II. Together, the men ushered the church into modern times by, respectively, calling and then enacting the modernizing Second Vatican Council.

The announcement of the date in Rome on Monday, after a special meeting of cardinals, will set in place what experts predict will be a massive event, probably around Easter. John Paul II, who died in 2005 after 27 years as pope, was a towering global figure, credited with helping bring down communism in Europe. He is beloved especially by Catholic conservatives for affirming traditional church teachings on sexuality and gender, including prohibitions on female priests and contraception.

John XXIII, who died in 1963, is a hero to Catholic liberals for launching the dramatic council that reached out to other faiths and raised the status of laypeople.
 

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http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=19185

8-cardinal commission is advisory, Vatican reminds press
September 27, 2013

The Vatican has issued a reminder that 8 cardinals appointed by Pope Francis to provide him with advice form an advisory group rather than a decision-making body.

In a statement released September 27, the Vatican press office told reporters that the commission of 8 cardinals ‘is constituted to offer advice to the Pope and not to make autonomous decision.” The 8 cardinals will meet with the Pope next week. The Vatican statement indicated that other meetings would follow, but the discussions would be confidential.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/vatican-council-for-laity-to-hold-seminar-on-mulie

Vatican Council for Laity to hold Seminar on Mulieris Dignitatem
2013-09-24 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The Pontifical Council for the Laity has announced it will be organizing a study seminar with the theme “God entrusts the human being to the Woman” drawn from Blessed Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter Mulieris dignitatem. The Seminar, organized by the Council’s Women’s Section, will take place in Rome on October 10-11 coincides with the 25th anniversary of this document which highlights the central role and the dignity and vocation of women in the Church and society.
We publish the following from their announcement:
“God entrusts the human being to a woman” (cf. MD,30):
 
We hope that the seminar can respond to the invitation Pope Francis made at the start of his pontificate to all men and women to be “protectors of creation, protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment” (Homily at the Mass for the inauguration of the pontificate, 19 March 2013). He was asking us not to allow signs of destruction and death to be in the world. The seminar will be a time of deep reflection on the specific role of women in safeguarding the humanum and, with God’s help, will allow each one to be even more committed to giving their contribution in the various areas discussed.
For more information regarding the October 10-11 seminar go to: www.laici.va
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The link for the information about the seminar, in English, from The Pontifical Council for the Laity:
http://www.laici.va/content/laici/en/sezioni/donna/notizie/seminario-di-studio-organizzato-dalla-sezione-donna.html

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/09/28/pope_francis:_saturday_morning_mass_in_santa_marta/en1-732598

2013-09-28 13:45:28
Pope Francis: Saturday morning Mass in Santa Marta

(Vatican Radio) Ask for the grace you need in order not to flee the Cross: this was the message of Pope Francis to the faithful at Mass on Saturday morning in the Domus Sanctae Marthae chapel in the Vatican. His remarks following the daily readings focused on the Gospel passage of the day, in which Jesus announces His Passion to the disciples. Listen to our report: RealAudioMP3

“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” Pope Francis said that these words of Jesus were chilling to the disciples, who expected a triumphal journey. They were words that, “remained for [the disciples] so mysterious that they did not grasp their meaning.” The Pope said, “[The disciples] were afraid to ask him about the matter.” For them, it was “better not to talk about it,” it was, “better not to understand, than to understand the truth,” that Jesus had proclaimed:

“They were afraid of the Cross – they were afraid of the Cross. Peter himself, after that solemn confession in the region of Caesarea Philippi, when Jesus again said the same thing, reproaches the Lord: ‘No, Lord! Never! Not this!” [said Peter]. He was afraid of the Cross. Not only the disciples, however, not only Peter: Jesus Himself was afraid of the Cross! He could not fool Himself, He knew. So great was Jesus’ own fear that, on that Thursday evening He did sweat blood. So great was Jesus’ fear that He almost said the same as Peter – almost: ‘Father, take this chalice from me. Thy will be done!’ This was the difference.”
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/09/28/pope_to_gendarmes:_be_on_guard_against_hidden_danger_of_gossip/en1-732592

2013-09-28 13:25:31
Pope to Gendarmes: be on guard against hidden danger of gossip

(Vatican Radio) Gossip is a “forbidden language” in the Vatican, because it is a language that generates evil. This was a main focus of Pope Francis’ homily at a special Mass celebrated in the Lourdes Grotto of the Vatican Gardens on Saturday morning for the Vatican’s Corps of Gendarmes – the police force tasked with maintaining order and security within the walls of Vatican City. Listen to our report: RealAudioMP3

Pope Francis said, “I ask you not only to defend [the gates], the doors, the windows of the Vatican,” - a necessary and important work as well - but to defend “as your patron saint Saint Michael,” the doors of the hearts of those who work in the Vatican , where temptation “enters” exactly as elsewhere :

“There is a temptation – I would like to say it is thus for everyone , even for me , for everyone – a temptation that the devil likes very much: that against unity, when hidden dangers work directly against the unity of those who live and work in the Vatican – and the devil tries to create internal war, a kind of civil war and spiritual, is it not? It is a war that is not waged with the weapons that we recognize: it is a war waged with the tongue.”
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/09/27/remembering_pope_john_paul_i_on_the_35th_anniversary_of_his_passing/en1-732407

2013-09-28 08:48:04
Remembering Pope John Paul I on the 35th anniversary of his passing



(Vatican Radio) September 28th marks 35 years since the sudden death of Pope John Paul I, just 33 days after his election. During his brief papacy, Pope John Paul I quickly won over the crowds with his personal warmth and became known as the smiling Pope.

Given that he was only in his mid-sixties, it came as a huge shock to everybody when the news broke on the morning of September 28th ,1978 that he had passed away. One of those who reacted with disbelief at first was the U.S. Cardinal William Baum who told us how he learnt of the new Pope’s untimely death.
 
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http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/debunking-four-myths-about-john-paul-i-smiling-pope
Debunking four myths about John Paul I, the 'Smiling Pope'
by John L. Allen Jr.     |  Nov. 2, 2012

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Speaking of angels... 

http://saltandlighttv.org/blog/category/fr-thomas-rosica

Angelic Blitz: A Reflection on God’s Messengers of the Major and Minor Leagues
September 27, 2013 by Fr. Thomas Rosica

On September 29, the Church commemorates the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael – angels in the big leagues! Michael is the captain of the heavenly host; Gabriel foretold the coming of the Messiah; Raphael brings prayers before God. Since 1670, the Catholic Church has commemorated the angels of the minor leagues, Guardian Angels on October 2. 

In recent years we have seen that angels are certainly not the sole possession of the Catholic Church! In fact, heavenly times for angels now seem to be over, as angels are being transformed into consumer products and advertising gimmicks.  People wear them as lapel pins; they cover our coffee mugs, greeting cards, T-shirts, wedding invitations, picture books, bus shelters, and I fear, far too many other things.
 
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http://www.catholic.org/saints/angels/angelchoir.php
The Nine Choirs of Angels

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Just a reminder that Vatican City State was consecrated to St. Michael the Archangel on July 5, 2013.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/kathyschiffer/2013/07/two-popes-consecrate-the-vatican-to-st-michael-the-archangel/

Two Popes Consecrate the Vatican to St. Michael the Archangel
July 5, 2013

 
So it was a treat for Vatican City State workers when Benedict joined his successor, Pope Francis, in the gardens on Friday, July 5, for the blessing of a statue of St. Michael the Archangel.  At the same time, Pope Francis consecrated the Vatican to the Archangel’s protection.

Pope Francis, in his remarks following the brief ceremony, noted that St. Michael defends the People of God from its enemy par excellence, the devil.  Even if the devil attempts to disfigure the face of the Archangel, the Pope said, and thus the face of humanity, St Michael wins, because God acts in him and is stronger.



POPE FRANCIS:   “We’ve gathered here today in the Vatican Gardens to unveil a sculpture of Saint Michael Archangel, the patron of Vatican City. It is something that had been planned a long time ago and that was approved by Pope Benedict XVI, whom we address with all our affection and thanksgiving. We also want to express to him our great joy in having him here today among us. Thank you so much.”

The statue is made of bronze and is about 16 feet high.

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/09/29/pope_francis:_homily_at_mass_for_catechists/en1-732802

2013-09-29 11:55:24
Pope Francis: homily at Mass for Catechists

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis celebrated Mass on Sunday morning in St Peter's Square to mark the International Day for Catechists organised by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation in the context of the Year of Faith. The dangers of complacency and the need for catechists to have the core and essence of the Gospel at the centre of their lives and work were the themes of the Holy Father's remarks. Below, please find the official English translation of the Holy Father's homily. Listen to our report: RealAudioMP3
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1. “Woe to the complacent in Zion, to those who feel secure … lying upon beds of ivory!” (Am 6:1,4). They eat, they drink, they sing, they play and they care nothing about other people’s troubles.
These are harsh words which the prophet Amos speaks, yet they warn us about a danger that all of us face. What is it that this messenger of God denounces; what does he want his contemporaries, and ourselves, to realize? The danger of complacency, comfort, worldliness in our lifestyles and in our hearts, of making our well-being the most important thing in our lives. This was the case of the rich man in the Gospel, who dressed in fine garments and daily indulged in sumptuous banquets; this was what was important for him. And the poor man at his doorstep who had nothing to relieve his hunger? That was none of his business, it didn’t concern him. Whenever material things, money, worldliness, become the centre of our lives, they take hold of us, they possess us; we lose our very identity as human beings. The rich man in the Gospel has no name, he is simply “a rich man”. Material things, his possessions, are his face; he has nothing else.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/09/29/pope_francis:_angelus_greetings_to_faithful,_catechists,_orthodox/en1-732808

2013-09-29 12:14:51
Pope Francis: Angelus greetings to faithful, catechists, Orthodox Patriarch

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis prayed the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square at the end of Mass to mark the worldwide Day for Catechists, organised by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation. In his brief remarks, the Holy Father thanked the scores of thousands of catechists who came from all around the world to participate in the two-day catechetical conference sponsored by the same Pontifical Council, and make pilgrimage to the tombs of the Apostles. Pope Francis also had special greetings for His Beatitude, Youhanna X, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East. The Pope said that the Patriarch’s presence offers an invitation to all the Christian faithful everywhere to renew their prayers for peace in Syria and throughout the entire Mideast region. Below, please find Vatican Radio’s translation of the Holy Father’s remarks before the Angelus prayer.
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Dear brothers and sisters,

Before concluding this celebration, I would like to greet you all and thank you for your participation, especially the catechists come from so many parts of the world.

A special greeting to my brother, His Beatitude Youhanna X, greek orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East. His presence invites us to pray once again for peace in Syria and the Middle East.
 

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Video at the link

http://www.romereports.com/palio/preparations-finalized-for-meeting-between-pope-francis-and-eight-cardinal-commission-english-11158.html#.UkhzXb4o7IU

Preparations finalized for meeting between Pope Francis and eight Cardinal commission
2013-09-29 14:00:00

September 29, 2013. (Romereports.com) Six months after Pope Francis' election, his approach and the focus of his pontificate are becoming clearer. One of the most significant events will be the first meeting between the Pope and the eight Cardinals that will advise him on changes to the governance of the Church and the Roman Curia.   

In the past few months leading to this meeting, each Cardinal has been gathering information from the bishops in their region. Between October 1st and 3rd, they will meet inside the Vatican. And on October 4th, the Cardinals will travel with Pope Francis for his firs visit to Assisi. 

But who are these eight Cardinals? 

Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, is the group's coordinator. He speaks various languages and has worked numerous times with Pope Francis, most tellingly, when they drafted the Aparecida Document in 2007. 

The same goes for Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz, from Chile. He just turned 80 years old, and has extensive experience leading the Church in Latin America. 

Indian Cardinal Oswald Gracias will represent Catholics in Asia. He is 68 years old and serves as the Archbishop of Bombay. 

Europe will be represented by German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Munich. At 61 years old, he is the youngest of the group. 

Speaking for the Church in Africa during these meetings will be Congolese Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya.

Another of the Cardinals present at the meeting will be the Archbishop of Syndey, Cardinal George Pell. 

From North America, the Capuchin Cardinal Sean Patrick O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston, will also attend. 

And lastly, the meeting will also include Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, the only Italian that the Pope chose to help define the work they do. 

Though he's not a Cardinal, Archbishop of Albano Marcelo Semenaro will join the group as the secretary for their meetings.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/09/30/pope:_peace_and_joy,_not_perfect_organization,_signs_of_god’s/en1-733108

2013-09-30 15:04:06
Pope: peace and joy, not perfect organization, signs of God’s presence in Church

(Vatican Radio) “Peace and joy” are the true signs of God’s presence in the Church – not perfection in its organization and planning. That’s what Pope Francis told the faithful gathered early Monday for the private daily mass in the Vatican guest house Santa Marta.
Tracey McClure reports… RealAudioMP3

The disciples were enthusiastic, making plans for the future and discussing how the new-born Church should be organized. They debated who was the greatest amongst them and restricted to themselves the number of people wishing to do good in Jesus’ name. But Jesus, explains the Pope, surprises them – turning the focus of the discussion from “organization” to “children:” “He in fact, who is the smallest among all of you…is great!”

Drawing on the reading from the Prophet Zecharia, the Pope spoke in his homily of the signs of God’s presence: not in “fine organization” nor in “ a government that moves ahead, all clean and perfect,” but in the elderly sitting in the squares and in children playing .

“The future of a people is right here…in the elderly and in the children,” he said. “A people who does not take care of the elderly and children has no future because it will have no memory and it will have no promise! The elderly and children are the future of a people!”

Pope Francis warned that it is all too easy to shoo a child away or make them calm down with a candy or a game – or to tune out the elderly and ignore their advice with the excuse that “they’re old, poor people.”

And the disciples didn’t understand this either, stressed the Pope.

“The disciples wanted efficacy; they wanted the Church to go forward without problems and this can become a temptation for the Church: the Church of functionalism! The well-organized Church! Everything in its place, but without memory and without promise! This Church, in this way, cannot move ahead. It will be the Church of the fight for power; it will be the Church of jealousies between the baptized and many other things that occur when there is no memory and no promise.”

The “vitality of the Church,” then, does not come through documents and planning meetings- these are necessary, yes, but they are not “the sign of God’s presence.”
 

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"The day on which the Church celebrates the Second Sunday of Easter and Divine Mercy"!   

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/09/30/canonization_date_announced_for_blessed_popes_john_paul_ii_and_john/en1-732952

2013-09-30 11:09:51
Canonization date announced for Blessed Popes John Paul II and John XXIII



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday morning held the Public Ordinary Consistory for the forthcoming Canonization of Blessed Pope John XXIII and Blessed Pope John Paul II. During the course of the Consistory in the Vatican's Consistory Hall, the Pope decreed that his two predecessors will be raised to Sainthood on April 27, 2014, 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/09/30/pope_francis:_we_must_never_resign_ourselves_to_the_pain_caused_by_war/en1-733090

2013-09-30 14:31:53
Pope Francis: we must never resign ourselves to the pain caused by war

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday addressed participants of the International Meeting for Peace in the spirit of Assisi organised by the Rome-based Community of Saint Egidio.

The meeting, held from September 29 to October 1 sees the participation of religious leaders of all denominations and of men and women who are committed to building peace in the world.

Listen to Linda Bordoni's report... RealAudioMP3

In his address, the Pope referred to the theme of this year’s event which is “The Courage to Hope” and noted that it follows in the steps of the historic 1986 meeting in Assisi that the Blessed John Paul II convened, inviting religious leaders of different Churches to pray together for peace. And he thanked the St. Egidio Community for continuing in this path, increasing the momentum, engaging in and promoting meaningful dialogue between personalities and representatives of all religions and secular humanists.