Pope Francis

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Saint John XXIII       Saint John Paul II    
 
http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/04/27/pope_francis:_popes_of_20th_century_witness,_teach_of_gods_mercy/en1-794258

2014-04-27 11:12:13
Pope Francis: 'popes of 20th century' witness, teach of God's mercy



(Vatican Radio) The Catholic Church's two newest saints were "popes of the twentieth century" and "were not afraid to look upon the wounds of Christ," said Pope Francis on Sunday.

"They lived through the tragic events of that century, but they were not overwhelmed by them," Pope Francis said in his homily (offered below). "For them, God was more powerful; faith was more powerful -- faith in Jesus Christ the Redeemer of man and the Lord of history."

Earlier in the Mass, also attended by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Pope Francis read the formal proclamation of sainthood during the canonization rite. The crowd roared with applause upon hearing their names read in Latin in the official proclamation.

Hundreds of thousands of people from around the world have gathered in and around St Peter's Square for the canonization Mass for Saints John XXIII and John Paul II. Thousands more pilgrims gathered in squares around the city to watch the Mass on big screens. Some 100 heads of state and governments were also in attendance.

Pope Francis described Saint John XXIII as "the pope of openness to the Spirit" and Saint John Paul II as "the pope of the family", each description followed by applause.

Pope Francis also underlined the deep faith of his two predecessors: "These were two men of courage, filled with the parrhesia of the Holy Spirit, and they bore witness before the Church and the world to God’s goodness and mercy."

The two new saints "teach us to enter ever more deeply into the mystery of divine mercy," he concluded.

At the time of publication, the Mass was ongoing. Updates to follow.

Read the full text of Pope Francis' homily below:

Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis
Mass of Canonization, 27 April 2014
 

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoftCRiuPCY

Canonization of John XXIII and John Paul II
Streamed live on Apr 27, 2014 

On the Second Esater Sunday Pope Francis presides over the Holy Mass for the Canonization of the Blessed John XXIII and John Paul II, St. Peter's Square.

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/04/27/saints_john_xxiii_and__john_paul_ii:_men_of_courage/en1-794306

2014-04-27 12:34:54
Saints John XXIII and John Paul II: men of courage

(Vatican Radio) It was the day of the four Successors of Peter. The first to appear on the dais of Saint Peters’ Basilica was the Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Dressed in white he passed beneath the banners of the two Saints to be canonised during Holy Mass on this morning of April 27, Divine Mercy Sunday. Banners which hung proud on the façade of the Basilica. It was he who had called for the beatification of the Polish Pontiff.

But clearly in the first place there was Pope Francis who in turn had called for the canonisation of these two predecessors of his, John XXIII and John Paul II on the same day.And it was he who proclaimed the words of the canonisation rite in Latin.

Listen: RealAudioMP3

The crowds cheered, wildly happy to hear the Church has two new saints: Saint John XXIII and Saint John Paul II. The first who died fifty years ago and the second only nine.

Following the canonisation their relics were brought up to Pope Francis in elaborate silver plated bronze reliquaries. For John XXIII by members of his family and for John Paul II by Ms Floribeth Mora Diaz who through his intercession has been miraculously healed.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/04/27/pope_francis_thanks_pilgrims,_urges_them_to_follow_teachings_of_new/en1-794276

2014-04-27 12:12:44
Pope Francis thanks pilgrims, urges them to follow teachings of new saints



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis issued a message of thanks on Sunday during his Regina Coeli address, following the canonization Mass of Saints John XXIII and John Paul II.

The Pope thanked all of the pilgrims and the official delegates who traveled to Rome for the occasion. He also thanked the Italian authorities for their generous work and collaboration in preparing for this event.

He greeted the pilgrims from the home dioceses of the new saints—Bergamo and Krakow—exhorting them to “honour the memory of these two holy Popes by following their teachings faithfully”.

He also issued a special greeting “for the sick and the aged, to whom the new saints were particularly close.”

Read the full text of the Pope’s address below:

Dear brothers and sisters,

Before concluding this celebration of faith, I wish to greet and thank all of you!
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/04/27/cheering_crowds_reach_out_to_pope_francis_as_he_rides_through_the_sea/en1-794381

2014-04-27 14:08:18
Cheering crowds reach out to Pope Francis as he rides through the sea of people



(Vatican Radio) To the delight of the crowds packing St. Peter’s Square and the adjoining Via della Conciliazione, Pope Francis concluded Sunday morning celebrations with a slow ride right to the end of the avenue and up a side street in his pope-mobile, smiling and reaching out to all.

After greeting the many official delegations present for the canonization ceremony, the Pope invited Rome Mayor, Ignazio Marino, to jump onto the pope-mobile for a few minutes for a quick embrace and a thank you to the city of Rome for doing so much to host the event.
 

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http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/597661/benedict-xvi-arrives-for-sainthood-mass-in-vatican

Benedict XVI arrives for sainthood mass in Vatican
Agence France-Presse
3:58 pm | Sunday, April 27th, 2014


Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, center, arrives in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Sunday, April 27, 2014. AP

VATICAN CITY — Pope emeritus Benedict XVI made a rare public appearance on Sunday for a mass with Pope Francis to confer sainthood on popes John Paul II and John XXIII.

Benedict XVI, who last year became the first pontiff to resign since the Middle Ages, wore his papal white cassock and mitre and smiled and waved to the crowd.

The historic event has been billed by Italian media as “four popes Sunday” and is the first time that a living pope and a surviving former pope co-celebrate mass.
 
“The pope emeritus is not a statue in a museum. He is an institution,” Francis said in an interview with the Corriere della Sera daily earlier this year.

“His wisdom is a gift from God,” he said.

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Photos at the link

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2614241/One-million-people-Vatican-Francis-Benedict-XVI-canonise-John-XXIII-John-Paul-II.html

Unprecedented scenes as one million people fill St Peter's Square to witness Pope Francis and retired Benedict XVI make saints of John XXIII and John Paul II
Published: 02:37 EST, 27 April 2014  | Updated: 13:04 EST, 27 April 2014

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Video at the link

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/04/27/pope-catholic-canonization-saints/8257537/

Popes John XXIII, John Paul II join ranks of saints
6:06 p.m. EDT April 27, 2014

Pope Francis canonized into sainthood two 20th Century popes at a Mass on Sunday celebrated before hundreds of thousands of people at the Vatican's St. Peter's Square, lauding his predecessors as "men of courage."

The crowd roared when Pope Francis read the formal proclamation of sainthood for Saint John XXIII and Saint John Paul II. The event drew scores of global leaders as well as Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, whose decision to step down last year made Francis the leader of the world's 1.1 billion Roman Catholics.

"They lived through the tragic events of that century, but they were not overwhelmed by them," Francis said of the newest saints. "For them, God was more powerful; faith was more powerful — faith in Jesus Christ the Redeemer of man and the Lord of history."

Pope Francis described Saint John XXIII as "the pope of openness to the Spirit" and Saint John Paul II as "the pope of the family." Francis emphasized their faith, saying they were filled with the Holy Spirit and "bore witness before the Church and the world to God's goodness and mercy."
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/04/28/masses_of_thanksgiving_for_saints_john_xxiii_and_john_paul_ii/en1-794671

2014-04-28 14:40:48
Masses of thanksgiving for Saints John XXIII and John Paul II



(Vatican Radio) Two Masses of thanksgiving took place on Monday morning for the two new saints who were canonised by Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square on Sunday.

In the same square in front of St Peter’s Basilica, thousands of mainly Polish pilgrims gathered for Mass celebrated by the Archpriest of the Basilica, Cardinal Angelo Comastri, to give thanks for the life and lengthy pontificate of Pope John Paul II.

In his homily Cardinal Comastri said the new saint John Paul II had the courage to proclaim openly his faith in Christ at a moment in history when people were living as if God did not exist. Noting that as his body became weaker, his witness became stronger, Cardinal Comastri described the faith of Karol Wojtyla as “authentic and free from fear or compromise”. In particular he noted the former pope’s courageous defense of the family and the dignity of human life, but also his opposition to the two Gulf wars and his tireless struggle for peace among peoples and nation. Finally the Cardinal spoke of the Polish pope’s special attention to young people and his total dedication to Mary, into whose loving hands he entrusted his whole life.

Meanwhile at the central Rome church of San Carlo al Corso, the Bishop of Bergamo Francesco Beschi led a Mass of thanksgiving for the life and legacy of Saint John XXIII. In the same church where Pope John received his episcopal ordination, Bishop Beschi responded to the letter which Pope Francis had sent to the local diocesan newspaper on the eve of the canonisation.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/04/28/pope_francis_meets_king_of_spain/en1-794701

2014-04-28 15:22:04
Pope Francis meets King of Spain



(VIS) This morning, in the study adjacent to Paul VI Hall, Pope Francis received King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain, who then went on to meet with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial discussions the Parties remarked on the good relations between the Holy See and Spain, which have been increasingly consolidated in the spirit of the 1979 Agreements. In this context, mention was made of some current issues regarding the Church’s mission in society and the situation of the country.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/04/28/council_of_cardinals_meets_for_fourth_time/en1-794747

2014-04-28 16:16:25
Council of Cardinals meets for fourth time

(Vatican Radio) The fourth meeting of the Council of Cardinals with the Holy Father began on Monday morning, and will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Council of Cardinals was instituted by Pope Francis to help him in the governance of the universal Church and to draw up a project for the revision of the apostolic constitution “Pastor Bonus” on the Roman Curia. Meanwhile, the Supervisory Commission of Cardinals of the Institute for the Works of Religion (the Vatican Bank) met in order to draft guidelines for their action. 

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/catholicnews/2014/04/council-of-cardinals-meeting-this-week-for-fourth-time/
Council of Cardinals meeting this week for fourth time
April 28, 2014

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/04/28/pope_to_argentinian_youth:_the_church_is_your_church/en1-794617

2014-04-28 12:44:22
Pope to Argentinian youth: The Church is your Church



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has urged young people in his native Argentina to “be Church” and trust in God’s mercy. In a video message broadcast in Buenos Aires on April 26nd, for the National Youth Day, the Pope reflected on the Gospel stories of the young Apostles, the prodigal son and the widow of Nain.

“Who are you?” – Pope Francis asked the young men and women gathered at the Planetarium in the capital’s Palermo district. The Pope asked them whether they were like the first Apostles, enthusiastic fans at the outset but unable to really follow Christ because too weighed down by their attachment to worldly things? Or like the prodigal son who – after having wasted his father’s inheritance – comes back to feel his father’s embrace of mercy? Or dead like the widow’s son? “If you are dead” Pope Francis said “know that Mother Church is crying for you” like the widow and that “Jesus Christ can bring you back to life”.

Repeatedly Pope Francis spoke of God’s mercy and encouraged the young people to trust in God’s forgiveness. “Even the Apostles faltered, Peter denied him Judas betrayed him”, but it is then – he said - that we can truly encounter the Lord in the midst of our sin.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/04/29/pope_at_mass:_the_measure_of_a_christian_community_/en1-794898

2014-04-29 12:10:10   
Pope at Mass: The measure of a Christian community

(Vatican Radio) The Christian community should be capable of full agreement within, able to bare witness to Christ to the outside world, to prevent any of its members from suffering and misery. These according to Pope Francis are the "three characteristics of a people reborn". In his homily at Mass Tuesday morning, the Pope focused on what the Church brought to light during the Octave of Easter: our "rebirth from on high”, in the Holy Spirit , who gave life to the first group of "new Christians" when "they still didn’t have that name".

"'They had one heart and mind'. Peace. A community in peace. This means that in this community there was no room for gossip, envy, calumnies, defamation. Peace. Forgiveness: 'Love covered everything' . To qualify a Christian community on this, we have to ask about the attitude of the Christians. Are they meek, humble? Do they vie for power between each other in that community? Are there envious quarrels? Is there gossip? They are not on the path of Jesus Christ. This feature is so important, so important, because the devil always tries to divide us. He is the father of division".
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/04/29/council_of_cardinals_meets_in_vatican_/en1-795012

2014-04-29 15:58:21
Council of Cardinals meets in Vatican

(Vatican Radio) The Council of Cardinals met yesterday, Monday 28 April, for the first sessions of its fourth Meeting. The Holy Father participated most of the time, except when he had other commitments of particular importance, such as the audiences with the King and Queen of Spain on Monday morning and with the president of Paraguay on Tuesday morning, and the Wednesday morning general audience.

Alongside the eight cardinal members of the Council, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin participated regularly.

On Monday afternoon, the Council heard a report from the president of the Pontifical Commission for Reference on the Organisation of the Economic-Administrative Structures of the Holy See (COSEA), Joseph F.X. Zahra, in relation to some of the areas of activity within its remit.

Following its review in previous Meetings of the Congregations of the Roman Curia, the Council is now focusing on the Pontifical Councils, first in terms of general considerations, followed by an individual appraisal of each one. The Council is expected to complete a first report of its considerations regarding the Pontifical Councils during this Meeting.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/04/30/statement_released_at_conclusion_of_council_of_8_cardinals_meetings/en1-795351

2014-04-30 18:43:41
Statement released at conclusion of Council of 8 Cardinals meetings

(Vatican Radio) The Vatican released a statement on Wednesday saying the Council of 8 Cardinals, which met for 3 days this week, has completed a first review of the Pontifical Councils. Part of the time was dedicated to planning the work to be completed between this week’s session and the next session, scheduled for the beginning of July. The 8 cardinals were appointed by the Pope shortly after his election to serve as advisers to him on the governance of the Church and on planned reforms of the Roman Curia.

It was also announced that the new Council for the Economy will meet for the first time on Friday, May 2nd and Pope Francis will greet the participants. The main focus of the meeting will be the Statutes of the Council itself and the planning of its work.

And the new Commission for the Protection of Minors will have its first meeting later this week, from Thursday May 1st to Saturday the 3rd , at the Santa Marta residence.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/04/30/pope_at_general_audience:_the_gift_of_understanding_/en1-795152

2014-04-30 11:04:22
Pope at General Audience: The gift of understanding

(Vatican Radio) Under clear blue skies Wednesday, tens of thousands attended Pope Francis general audience, the first since the great canonization of the two Pope Saints on Sunday, the second in his series on the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

After touring at length through the throngs in his open top jeep, the Holy Father took to the raised dias before St Peter’s basilica for his catechesis, this week focusing on the second of these gifts: Understanding.
Emer McCarthy reports: RealAudioMP3

Below please find a Vatican Radio transcript and translation of the Holy Father’s full catechesis

Dear Brothers and Sisters Buongiorno,

After reflecting on wisdom, as the first of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, today I would like to focus attention on the second gift, that of understanding. It is not a question of human intelligence, the intellectual capacity with which we can be gifted to a greater or lesser degree. Instead, it is a grace that only the Holy Spirit can infuse and which awakens in the Christian the ability to go beyond the outward appearance of reality and scrutinize the depths of God’s thoughts and His plan of salvation.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/05/01/pope_francis:_labour_day_appeal_to_politicians_to_remember_human/en1-795539

2014-05-01 15:37:32
Pope Francis: Labour Day appeal to politicians to remember human dignity and the common good

(Vatican Radio) on the day in which the Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Joseph the worker, the day when nations across the world celebrate International Workers Day, Pope Francis reached out with this tweet: “I ask everyone with political responsibility to remember two things: human dignity and the common good”.

In a world in which over 202 million people are unemployed and daily news reports bear witness to the dramatic reality of so many people who are bearing the brunt of the global economic crisis, since the very beginning of his pontificate Pope Francis has reiterated his concern and expressed his strong position regarding the dignity of labour.

Here are some excerpts from some of Pope Francis’ discourses and speeches to workers and to those in position of responsibility in this field.
 
In his address during the General Audience in St. Peter’s Square on 1 May, 2013:

“I wish to extend an invitation to solidarity to everyone, and I would like to encourage those in public office to make every effort to give new impetus to employment, this means caring for the dignity of the person” (…) “I would like to add a word about another particular work situation that concerns me: I am referring to what we could define as “slave labour”, work that enslaves. How many people worldwide are victims of this type of slavery, when the person is at the service of his or her work, while work should offer a service to people so they may have dignity. I ask my brothers and sisters in the faith and all men and women of good will for a decisive choice to combat the trafficking in persons, in which “slave labour” exists”.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/05/02/pope_francis_at_mass:_i_weep_for_christians_still_crucified_today/en1-795698

2014-05-02 11:47:25
Pope Francis at Mass: I weep for Christians still crucified today

(Vatican Radio) In his homily at morning Mass in Casa Santa Martha Friday, Pope Francis lamented that in today’s world there are still "masters of conscience" [thought police – ed] and in some countries you can still go to jail for possessing a Gospel or wearing a Crucifix. He also confessed to those present that he has wept at the news that some Christians were crucified, because still today there are people who kill others in God’s name. Emer McCarthy reports: RealAudioMP3
 
Then Pope Francis confessed: “I cried when I saw reports on the news of Christians crucified in a certain country, that is not Christian. Still today - he pointed out – there are these people who kill and persecute, in the name of God. Still today, "we see many who" like the apostles “rejoice that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor in Christ’s name". This - he said - "is the third icon today. The Joy of witness".

"First icon: Jesus with people, his love, the path that He has taught us, which we should follow. The second icon: the hypocrisy of these religious leaders of the people, who had people imprisoned with these many commandments, with this cold, hard legality, and who also paid to hide the truth. Third icon: the joy of the Christian martyrs, the joy of so many of our brothers and sisters who have felt this joy in history, this joy that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Christ’s name. And today there are still so many! Just think that in some countries, you can go to jail for just carrying a Gospel. You may not wear a crucifix or you will be fined. But the heart rejoices. The three icons: let us look at them today. This is part of our history of salvation".

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/05/02/pope_francis_meets_president_of_angola/en1-795852

2014-05-02 15:50:09
Pope Francis meets president of Angola



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met on Friday with the President of the Republic of Angola, José Eduardo dos Santos to discuss relations between his country and the Holy See.
A statement from the Vatican press office said the two leaders discussed a planned bilateral agreement regarding the legal state of the Catholic Church in the country and noted the important contribution the Church makes to education and healthcare in the southern African nation.
During the audience the Pope and the President also spoke of broader national and regional challenges such as the fight against poverty and social inequality, as well as the promotion of justice, peace and reconciliation on the African continent.

Please find below the full English language translation of the statement from the Holy See press office:
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/05/02/pope_francis:__holy_see_needs_a_new_mentality_of_evangelical_service/en1-79576

2014-05-02 13:26:56
Pope Francis: Holy See needs a new mentality of evangelical service

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday met members of the newly-formed Council for the Economy, telling them that their important mission will not be easy and requires courage and determination. The Council and the Secretariat for the Economy were set up by the Pope with a Motu Proprio in February and he reminded them that their responsibility was to oversee and manage the Church’s assets with transparency and efficiency in the light of the gospel and with special consideration for the needy.

Pope Francis said the Holy See feels called to put into practice this mission, especially in view of its responsibility towards the universal Church. These changes, he went on, reflect the desire to carry out a necessary reform of the Roman Curia in order to better serve the Church. Describing this as a significant challenge, the Pope warned the members that their mission will require courage and determination. He said a new mentality of evangelical service needs to take root in the various administrations of the Holy See