Pope Francis

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/11/04/fr_lombardi_responds_to_details_of_book_publications/1184415

Fr. Lombardi responds to details of book publications
04/11/2015 17:03

(Vatican Radio) The director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, commented on Wednesday on the forthcoming publication of two new books based on confidential Vatican documents.

Noting that some of the information in these two volumes has already been made public, Fr. Lombardi stressed that much of the content contains details from leaked private documents and is therefore the result of illegal activities which will be investigated by the competent Vatican authorities.

Furthermore, Fr. Lombardi said, it was Pope Francis himself who requested the gathering of this information in order to help him with the process of reforming the financial and administrative running of the Vatican and of the Holy See.

In particular, he noted that the COSEA commission, from whose archives much of the information is drawn, was established by the Pope on July 18th 2013 and then dissolved once it had completed its mandate.

Fr. Lombardi also noted that there are many different interpretations of the facts and figures that have been leaked; for example he noted that the pension fund has been described as both a worrying black ‘hole’ and a reassuring situation.

Regarding the use of the large amount of property belonging to the Vatican, Fr. Lombardi noted that the income is used for the long-term management of the huge network of services connected to the Holy See and other institutions, both in Rome and in other parts of the world.

Details regarding the origin and history of these properties are readily available; for example, in the financial accords between Italy and the Holy See in the context of the Lateran pacts.

Responding to questions about St Peter’s Pence, Fr. Lombardi noted that the money given by the faithful is used for a variety of different causes, at the Pope’s discretion.

While charity and assistance to the poor are two of the main destinations of that money, they may also include funding for the Roman Curia, initiatives outside of the Diocese of Rome, communicating the Papal Magisterium to different parts of the globe and supporting the 180 diplomatic missions of the Holy See which support the local churches.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/papal-audience-importance-of-family-as-place-of-fo

Papal audience: importance of family as place of forgiveness
2015-11-04 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held his weekly general audience in St Peter's Square on Wednesday morning. In his catechisis, he continued to reflect on the importance of family as a place where we learn the values of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Dear Brothers and Sisters:  Following the recent Assembly of the Synod of Bishops which reflected on the vocation and mission of the family, today we reflect on the importance of the family as the place where we learn the value of forgiveness.  Each day, in the words of the Our Father, we ask God to forgive us and to grant us the grace to forgive others.  As difficult as forgiveness may be, it is essential for our personal growth, our capacity to acknowledge our failures and to mend broken relationships.  It is a virtue we learn first in the family. 
 
http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/full-text-on-giving-and-receiving-forgiveness-in-the-family
FULL TEXT: On Giving and Receiving Forgiveness in the Family
Nov 04

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-help-persecuted-christians-in-the-mid

Pope Francis: Help persecuted Christians in the Middle East
2015-11-04 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday gave his support to the work of Aid to the Church in Need, which offers help to persecuted Christians around the world.

The Church in Poland is marking on Sunday a “Day of Solidarity with the Persecuted Church”, which is promoted by Aid to the Church in Need in collaboration with the Polish Bishops’ Conference. This year, the Day for Solidarity will be used to offer spiritual and material assistance in particular to Christians in Syria.

“Your work of prayer and solidarity brings relief and support to our brothers and sisters who suffer for Christ in the Middle East and around the world,” Pope Francis said while greeting Polish pilgrims at his weekly general audience.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-the-christian-includes-pharisees-excl

Pope Francis: The Christian includes; Pharisees exclude
2015-11-05 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The Christian includes, he does not close the door to anyone, even if this provokes resistance. He who excludes, because he believes himself to be better, generates conflicts and divisions, and does not consider the fact that “we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.” That was the message of Pope Francis during Thursday morning’s Mass at Casa Santa Marta.

The attitude of Christ is to include

In the Letter to the Romans, Saint Paul exhorts us not to judge and not to despise our brothers, because, the Pope said, this leads to excluding them from “our little group,” to being selective, and this is not Christian.” Christ, in fact, “with His sacrifice on Calvary” unites and includes “all men in salvation.” In the Gospel, publicans and sinners draw near to Jesus – “that is, the excluded, all those that were outside,” – and “the Pharisees and the scribes complained”:
 

[grace-land]

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/cardinal-pells-office-new-books-contain-false-and-misleading-claims

Cardinal Pell's Office: New Books Contain 'False and Misleading Claims'
by Edward Pentin  11/05/2015

Cardinal George Pell    – CNA

The Vatican Secretariat for the Economy has said two new books, each containing leaked Vatican financial information, have “included false and misleading claims” regarding ”management of expenditure” and “expenditure incurred” by Cardinal George Pell, the Secretariat’s prefect.

In a statement issued this evening, the Secretariat has sought to correct the allegations made in the two newly-published books, Avarice: The Papers That Reveal Wealth, Scandals and Secrets in the Church of Francis and Via Crucis, by Italian journalists Emiliano Fittipaldi and Gianluigi Nuzzi.

The statement says that the Secretariat for the Economy completed the year "well below its 2014 Budget and was one of the very few entities to propose a reduction in total expenditure in its 2015 Budget submission."

Here below is full text of the Secretariat’s statement:
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-church-is-called-to-serve-not-to-be-served

Pope: Church is called to serve, not to be served
2015-11-06 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) In his homily during Mass on Friday morning, Pope Francis said the Church is called to serve, not to be concerned solely with business affairs; and that Bishops and priests must overcome the temptation to live a “double life.” He warned, too, about “climbers,” those who are attached to money.

Pope Francis developed his homily based on two images of servants presented in the readings from the day’s liturgy. First, he presented the figure of Saint Paul “who gave himself completely to service, always” such that he ended up in Rome betrayed by those who were close to him, and “condemned.” Where did this greatness of the Apostles come from? the Pope asked. It came from Jesus Christ, and Saint Paul “boasts of serving Him, of being chosen, of having the strength of the Holy Spirit.”

The Christian is called to serve, not to be served

He was the servant who served, the Pope said, “he ministered, laying the foundation, that is, announcing Jesus Christ” and “he never stopped to take advantage of his position, of his authority, of being served. He was a minister, a servant in order to serve, not to be served.”
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-meets-pro-life-movement-supporters

Pope Francis meets Pro-Life Movement supporters
2015-11-06 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis urged pro-life supporters on Friday (6th November) to continue their important work of defending human life at all stages whilst also taking into account the difficult situations that many of our brothers and sisters have to face or endure. He was speaking to participants at a national conference organized by the Italian Pro-Life Movement (Movimento per la Vita).

The Pope said in the existential dynamics, everything is interrelated and we need to nurture personal and social sensitivity, both towards welcoming a new life and towards those situations of poverty and exploitation that affect the weakest and most disadvantaged.

Quoting from his encyclical Laudato Si, Pope Francis asked how can we genuinely teach the importance of concern for other vulnerable human beings, if we fail to protect a human embryo? As disciples of Christ, helping a wounded human life means reaching out to all people in need, putting ourselves by their side and sharing their fragility and their pain. How many families and old and young people, he said, are vulnerable because of poverty, sickness, the lack of a job or a home.
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/11/06/pope_receives_the_governor_general_of_grenada/1184911

Pope receives the Governor General of Grenada
06/11/2015 14:00

Pope Francis with Cecile Ellen Fleurette La Grenade, Governor General of Grenada

(Vatican Radio/VIS) Pope Francis on Friday morning received in audience the governor general of Grenada, Cecile Ellen Fleurette La Grenade in the Vatican Apostolic Palace.

La Grenade subsequently met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial discussions, emphasis was placed on the good bilateral relations between the Holy See and Grenada, as well as the important contribution of the Catholic Church to the development of the country, especially with reference to social challenges and the education of the young.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-gives-interview-to-dutch-paper-published-by-homeless

Pope Gives Interview to Dutch Paper Published by Homeless
Rome,  November 06, 2015

The Dutch newspaper “Straatnieuws”, published by the homeless, today published an interview granted by Pope Francis on 27 October. The article is also present in other dailies of the same type associated with the International Network of Street Papers (INSP), which has 113 members. This type of publication is sold directly by the homeless, thus providing them with a source of income.

The following are extensive extracts from the interview, especially with the theme of poverty.

* * *
Interviewer: What is the Church's message for the homeless? What does Christian solidarity mean for them in practice?

Pope Francis: “Two things come to mind. Jesus came to the world homeless, and made Himself poor. Then, the Church wishes to embrace all and to say that it is a right to have a roof over your head. In popular movements they work according to the three Spanish 't's: trabajo (work), techo (casa) and tierra (earth). The Church teaches that every person has a right to all three”.

Interviewer: You often ask for attention to the poor and refugees. Do you not fear that in this way a sort of weariness in relation to this theme may be generated in the mass media or in society in general?

Pope Francis: “When we return to a theme that is not pleasant, because it is disagreeable to talk about it, we are all tempted to say. 'That's enough, I am tired of this'. I feel that this weariness exists, but I am not afraid of it. I must continue to speak the truth and say how these things are”.
 
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-explains-why-he-wont-sell-the-churchs-treasures-14546/
Pope Francis explains why he won't sell the Church's 'treasures'

[grace-land]

http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/2812/0/moderate-named-new-head-of-catholic-church-in-belgium

Moderate named new head of Catholic Church in Belgium
06 November 2015 14:13

Pope Francis today named Jozef De Kesel as the new Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels and de facto leader of the Catholic Church in Belgium.

Currently Bishop of Bruges, he is seen as a moderate in comparison to his conservative predecessor, Archbishop André-Joseph Léonard, whose offer of retirement aged 75 has been promptly accepted by the Pope.

Bishop De Kesel, 68, has called for a relaxation of mandatory celibacy for priests and said that women’s ordination is “negotiable.”

At a press conference announcing his appointment in Brussels today, he is reported to have stressed his “respect” for gay people adding that respect for each person, regardless of their sexual orientation, “is a value that the Gospel shares with modern culture."
 
http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2015/11/amid-new-vatileaks-popes-deepens-his.html
Friday, November 06, 2015
Amid Vatileaks Frenzy, Francis Deepens His Eurostamp

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-support-workers-and-their-needs

Pope Francis: Support workers and their needs
2015-11-07 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Saturday greeted employees of Italian National Social Security Institute in St Peter’s Square, where he stressed the importance of supporting the dignity of work and workers.

In his prepared remarks to the estimated 23 thousand employees and executives of the Italian National Social Security Institute or INPS, gathered in St Peter’s Square on Saturday, Pope Francis told them that they had an important role in society in that they have been entrusted with, what the Holy Father defined at the right to rest.

The Pope was referring not only to benefits of which every employee is entitled but also to spiritual rest such as on a Sunday, the rest God wanted on the seventh day
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-meets-with-2015-nobel-peace-prize-win

Pope Francis meets with 2015 Nobel Peace Prize winners from Tunisia
2015-11-07 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met privately with the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize winners on Saturday, calling them “architects of peace.”

The 2015 Prize went to Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, for what the Nobel Committee  called "its decisive contribution to the building of a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution of 2011."

Pope Francis met for 15 minutes with Mohamed Fadhel Mahfoudh, Abdessatar Ben Moussa, Wided Bouchamaoui, and Houcine Abbassi on Saturday morning.

The four represented the Tunisian General Labour Union; the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts; the Tunisian Human Rights League, and the Tunisian Order of Lawyers. The four organizations helped to establish a new constitution and presidential elections last year after a series of political assassinations in 2013.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.lancasterdiocese.org.uk/read-bishop-campbells-english-working-translation-for-synod15-final-relatio-document-in-full-here/

Read Bishop Campbell’s English Working Translation for #Synod15 Final Relatio document in full here
 
____________________
http://www.lancasterdiocese.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Final-Relatio15-Final.pdf

SYNOD15 - FINAL RELATIO OF THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS TO
THE HOLY FATHER, FRANCIS, 24TH OCTOBER, 2015
(A Working English Translation from the Orginial Italian - by Bishop
Michael G Campbell OSA of the Catholic Diocese of Lancaster, England
on 7 November 2015).

The following is the text of the final Relatio of the Synod of Bishops presented to the
Holy Father, Pope Francis, at the close of the 14th ordinary general assembly (4th –
25th October 2015) on the theme of “The vocation and mission of the family in the
Church and in the modern world.”
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-recent-leaking-of-documents-was-a-crime

Pope: recent stealing of documents was a crime
2015-11-08 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis said on Sunday (8th November) that the recent stealing and leaking of the Holy See’s confidential documents was “a crime” and “deplorable act that does not help.” But at the same time he said this “sad event” definitely does not in any way deter him from pressing ahead with his planned reforms of the Roman Curia with the help of his advisers. The Pope’s remarks came at the end of his Sunday Angelus address.

Please find below a translation into English of the Pope's remarks about the leaking of the Holy See's documents:

"Dear brothers and Sisters,

I know that many of you have been upset by the news circulating in recent days concerning the Holy See’s confidential documents that were taken and published.

For this reason I want to tell you, first of all, that stealing those documents was a crime. It’s a deplorable act that does not help. I personally had asked for that study to be carried out and both I and my advisers were well acquainted with (the contents of) those documents and steps have been taken that have started to bear fruit, some of them even visible.

Therefore I wish to reassure you that this sad event certainly does not deter me from the reform project that we are carrying out, together  with my advisers and with the support of all of you. Yes, with the support of the whole Church because the Church renews itself with prayer and the daily holiness of each baptized person.

I therefore thank you and ask you to continue to pray for the Pope and the Church, without getting upset or troubled but proceeding with faith and hope."
 
http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/angelus-address-on-the-poor-widow-s-offering
Angelus Address: On the Poor Widow's Offering
Rome,  November 08, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NB6vRajAVM
Angelus Domini 2015.11.08

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-meets-with-president-of-poland

Pope Francis meets with President of Poland
2015-11-09 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday received the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, who subsequently met with the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Msgr. Antoine Camilleri, under-secretary for Relations with States.

A statement from the Holy See Press Office called the discussions “cordial”, adding the Church’s positive contribution to Polish society was emphasised, also in view of the Holy Father’s planned visit to Kraków next year for World Youth Day.

The also spoke on various themes of mutual interest, such as the promotion of the family, support for social groups most in need, and the welcome of migrants.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-offers-dominicans-indulgence-for-jubi

Pope Francis offers Dominicans indulgence for Jubilee
2015-11-09 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has granted the possibility of receiving a plenary indulgence for all the faithful taking part in the Jubilee marking the 800th anniversary of the Order of Preachers, better known as the Dominican Order. This includes those participating in celebrations both internationally and in each Dominican province.

The terms and conditions to receive the indulgence are described in the document sent by the Apostolic Penitentiary. Pope Francis has also encouraged all the priests of the Dominican Order to make themselves available to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance in all Jubilee places and frequently administer the Holy Communion to the infirm.
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/11/09/pope_ordains_bishop_during_mass_at_st_john_lateran/1185537

Pope ordains Bishop during Mass at St John Lateran
09/11/2015 17:34

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the Archbasilica of St John Lateran on Monday evening in a ceremony that included the ordination of a new auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Rome.

Pope Francis travelled across Rome to celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of St John Lateran – the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Rome, known as the “mother and head of all the Churches of Rome and of the whole world.”

During the Liturgy, the Holy Father ordained Monsignor Angelo De Donatis to the episcopate. Bishop De Donatis had been serving as pastor of the parish of Saint Mark the Evangelist in Rome, and will now take up the duties of an auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese.

Pope Francis’ homily was based on the text prescribed in the Roman Pontifical for the ordination of a Bishop. The homily focuses on the role of a Bishop: “In the person of the bishop, with his priests around him, Jesus Christ, the Lord, who became High Priest for ever, is present among you.  Through the ministry of the bishop, Christ himself continues to proclaim the Gospel and to confer the mysteries of faith on those who believe.  Through the fatherly action of the bishop, Christ adds new members to his body.  Through the bishop's wisdom and prudence, Christ guides you in your earthly pilgrimage toward eternal happiness.”
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVXgiLVnvds
Holy Mass with episcopal consecration - 2015.11.09

[grace-land]

Currently, local time in New York is 6 hours behind Rome.

https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/travels/2015/inside/documents/papa-francesco-prato-firenze_2015.html

PASTORAL VISIT OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
 TO PRATO AND FLORENCE
 on the occasion of the Fifth National Convention
of the Italian Catholic Church

10 NOVEMBER 2015
 
7:00 Departure by helicopter from the Vatican   
8:00 Landing on the municipal sports field of Prato   
8:15 Visit to the Cathedral of Prato   
  Meeting with the world of labour in the square in front of the Cathedral
[Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish]   
9:00 Departure for Florence
 

[grace-land]

Currently, local time in New York is 6 hours behind Rome -- If Rome is 8:00 a.m. then New York is 2:00 a.m.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH7bZm_ROew
Francis in Prato: Meeting with the world of labor - 2015.11.10
Scheduled for Nov 10, 2015
Starts at 08.00 am. Pope Francis makes a pastoral visit to Prato and Florence (Tuscany, Italy). In Prato he meets the world of labor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGwSO0HZlTA
Pope Francis' arrival in Florence - 2015.11.10
Scheduled for Nov 10, 2015
Pope Francis arrives in Florence for a pastoral visit in the occasion of the Fifth National (Italian) Ecclesial Convention

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIscJnJd4xM
Francis in Florence meets participants at Italian Church Convention -2015.11.10
Scheduled for Nov 10, 2015
Starts at 09.45 am. Pope Francis on a pastoral visit to Florence meets the participants at the Fifth National Ecclesial Convention on the theme "In Jesus Christ the New Humanism" (Florence November 9 - 13, 2015)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL5Ao5KkozA
Francis in Florence: Holy Mass - 2015.11.10 
Scheduled for Nov 10, 2015
Starts at 3.00 pm. In the course of his pastoral visit to Florence, Pope Francis presides at Holy Mass in the Artemio Franchi Stadium

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-in-prato-combat-cancer-of-corruption

Pope in Prato: Combat cancer of corruption
2015-11-10 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis Tuesday commenced his visit to the Tuscan cities of Prato and Florence with a call to be ready to journey with Christ, and an appeal against the exploitation of workers.

“The life of every community demands that we combat the cancer of corruption, the cancer of human and labour exploitation and the poison of illegality,” the Pope said, kicking off his  visit to the region to mark the Fifth National Convention of the Italian Catholic Church.

Before meeting with labourers and labour representatives, the Pope venerated the “Girdle of Thomas” housed in Prato’s main cathedral, a relic which legend holds was the cord or belt dropped from Mary during her Assumption into Heaven.

Speaking on the symbolism of this relic, the Pope noted how in scripture the girding of one’s loins means “being ready, prepared to depart, to go out on a journey.”
 
http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-address-to-people-of-prato-italy
Pope’s Address to People of Prato, Italy
Italy,  November 10, 2015