Pope Francis

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-clericalism-distorts-the-church

Pope Francis: Clericalism distorts the Church
2016-04-26 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis said Tuesday that the clergy should serve lay people and not make use of them and spoke out against clericalism, calling it one of the greatest distortions affecting the Church in Latin America. His comments came in a wide-ranging letter reflecting on the role of the laity that was addressed to Cardinal Marc Ouellet, President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.  The Pope’s letter was a follow-up to the commission’s recent Plenary Assembly whose theme was “the indispensable role of the lay faithful in the public life of Latin American countries.” In his letter, Pope Francis explained that he wished to follow-up the discussions and reflections that emerged during the Plenary Assembly in order to prevent them "from not bearing fruit."

He urged the clergy to look closely at the people and lives of the lay faithful and avoid falling into the trap of adopting certain slogans on their behalf that seem well-meaning but in practice don't succeed in supporting the lives of our communities. Pointing to the example of a famous phrase “it’s time for the laity,” he noted that in this particular case, that clock has ground to a halt.

We must remember, he said, that as clergy we all began our lives as lay people and that “we’d do well to recall that the Church is not an elite of priests, of consecrated people, of bishops but all of us make up the faithful and Holy People of God.”
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-love-thy-neighbour-like-the-good-sama

Pope Francis: Love thy neighbour like the Good Samaritan
2016-04-27 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio)  The story of the Good Samaritan and its lesson of “love thy neighbour” were at the heart of Pope Francis’ catechesis during the General Audience on Wednesday 27 April.

Let us never forget:  we cannot stand by as onlookers when we see so many people worn out by hunger, violence and injustice:  that’s Pope Francis’s call to Christians to become Good Samaritans in their everyday lives.  “To ignore man’s suffering means to ignore God,” says the Pope who recalls how, in the parable, the Levite and the priest walk by the man who had been attacked by thieves and lay moribund on the side of the road.

Both men of the temple cult, their inaction was contrary to the Law of the Lord, Pope Francis says.  The Law obliges us to stop and help anyone in distress.  And here, the parable offers us a lesson:  that it’s not a given “that those who frequent the house of God and are aware of His mercy know how to love the other.”
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/vatican-media-reform-must-open-windows

Vatican media reform must 'open windows'
2016-04-27 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The head of the Vatican’s Secretariat for Communications, Mgr Dario Viganò spoke about the ongoing reform of the Holy See’s media operations on Wednesday at a seminar for Catholic communicators which is taking place this week at the ‘Holy Cross’ Pontifical University.

Beyond simply reforming structures, Mgr Viganò stressed the need to renew the process of bringing the Good News of the Gospel to all people. Every euro spent in this field, he said, must be used to ensure that the Gospel and the teaching of the Pope reaches the hearts of all people. The goal, he said, is not to substitute for local churches but to support those communities that have the greatest needs.

Mgr. Viganò spoke of the reform ‘timeline’, which focuses this year on a closer integration of Vatican Radio and the Vatican Television Centre, of which he is the former director. The reform process, he stressed, must go beyond a mere makeover and a change of names.  Instead it must lead to a greater efficiency and interactivity through the use of new technologies, yet without forgetting those facing serious communications challenges.
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/04/27/vatileaks_2_trial_continues_at_vatican/1225745

Vatileaks 2 trial continues at Vatican
27/04/2016 08:46

(Vatican Radio) The trial of five individuals accused of leaking confidential information continued Tuesday in Vatican City. Four of the five defendants were present, while the fifth was represented by his attorney.

In a statement, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, said the day’s hearing was dedicated to witness testimony. The court heard from Dr Stefano Fralleoni, who at the time of the events in question served as the accountant (Ragioniere Generale) for the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See. Dr Fralleoni was questioned by the Judges, the Promoter of Justice, and by the advocates for the defendants.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-there-is-always-resistance-in-the-church-to-s

Pope: There is always resistance in the Church to surprises of the Spirit
2016-04-28 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) There is always resistance to the surprises of the Spirit, but it’s the Spirit who continues to lead the Church forward. That was Pope Francis’ message at Mass on Thursday at the Santa Marta chapel as he reflected on the reading about division and resistance within the early Church in Jerusalem.

Commenting on today’s reading from Acts about the Council of Jerusalem, Pope Francis said the protagonist in the Church is always the Holy Spirit. It’s the Spirit who, from the very beginning, gives strength to the apostles to proclaim the Gospel and it’s the Spirit who carries the Church forward despite its problems.

Even when there is an outbreak of persecution, the Pope said, it’s the Spirit who gives believers the strength to stand firm in the faith, even if they face resistance and anger from the doctors of the law. In the passage from Acts, the Pope noted, there was a double resistance to the Spirit, from those who believed that Jesus came only for the chosen people and from those who wanted to impose the law of Moses, including the practice of circumcision, on those who had converted.
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/04/26/anglicans_and_catholics_discuss_recognition_of_ministry_/1225707

Anglicans and Catholics discuss recognition of ministry
26/04/2016 18:03

(Vatican Radio) Catholic and Anglican theologians have been meeting together near Rome to discuss ordination rites within the two communions, as well as the significant ecumenical implications of Pope Francis’ recent document ‘Amoris Laetitia’.

A meeting of the Malines Conversation group took place from April 17th to 22nd at Rocca di Papa, south of Rome, culminating in an ecumenical evensong celebrated by Archbishop Arthur Roche of the Congregation for Divine Worship.

A communique issued after the encounter said the theologians from seven different countries discussed “contemporary and historic ordination rites” and the developments that have taken place in both communions since Pope Leo XIII declared Anglican orders to be “null and void”.

To find out more about the conversation and about prospects for progress in the dialogue, Philippa Hitchen spoke to one of the Catholic participants, Fr Tony Currer of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-no-to-double-lives-christians-are-people-of-l

Pope: No to Double lives: Christians are people of light
2016-04-29 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis warned Christians against having double lives, displaying an outer facade of light but having darkness in their hearts. He urged them to walk in the light and not tread dark paths, saying God’s truth cannot be found there. The Pope’s remarks came during his homily at Mass celebrated on Friday morning in the Santa Marta residence.

Taking his cue from the reading of St John’s First Letter, Pope Francis reflected on the eternal struggle against sin, saying we must be pure like the Father but even if we sin we can count on his pardon and his tenderness. He stressed the Apostle’s warning to believers to tell the truth and not have double lives, saying one thing but doing another.   
 

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2016/ethics-must-guide-medical-research-protect-human-dignity-pope-says.cfm

Ethics must guide medical research, protect human dignity, pope says
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service
4.29.2016 10:47 AM ET

CNS/Paul Haring
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden gestures as he meets Pope Francis after both leaders spoke at a conference on adult stem cell research at the Vatican April 29. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) See POPE-BIDEN-CANCER April 29, 2016

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Moral and ethical concerns must guide medical research so it will always be at the service of protecting human life and dignity, Pope Francis said.

In that way, education and research can strive "to serve higher values, such as solidarity, generosity, magnanimity, sharing of knowledge, respect for human life, and fraternal and selfless love," he said April 29, during an audience with people taking part in a conference on adult stem cell research.

"Research, whether in academia or industry," he said, "requires unwavering attention to moral issues if it is to be an instrument which safeguards human life and the dignity of the person."

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden was in attendance and had addressed the conference with a 29-minute speech on the need to invest in prevention, access and affordability in the fight against cancer.
 

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-addresses-conference-on-regenerative-medicine
Pope addresses conference on regenerative medicine
2016-04-29 Vatican Radio

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/financial-information-authority-presents-annual-re

Financial Information Authority presents Annual Report
2016-04-28 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) A press briefing was held on Thursday morning, in the John Paul II Hall of the Press Office of the Holy See, for the presentation of the Annual Report of the Autorità di Informazione Finanziaria (the Financial Information Authority, AIF), on the activities of financial reporting and supervision, both with regard to prudential decisions and for the prevention and combatting of money laundering and the financing of terrorism during Year IV, 2015.

Present at the briefing, in addition to the Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, were the President of the AIF, Dr René Brülhart, and the Director of the AIF, Dr Tommaso Di Ruzza.

Below, please find the official Press Release regarding the 2015 Annual Report of the Autorità di Informazione Finanziaria:
 

[grace-land]

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/04/29/vatileaks_trial_day_11/1226272

"Vatileaks" trial day 11
29/04/2016 08:26

(Vatican Radio) It was a busy Thursday afternoon as two witnesses were questioned in the ongoing so-called Vatileaks trial in which confidential documents were released to the press without authorization.

Paola Monaco and Paola Pellegrino described how relationships in the office of COSEA, the commission which regulates the Vatican, suffered from a climate of division and tension. Monaco and Pellegrino described a breakdown in relations with Monsignor Vallejo Balda which at first were cordial but descended into a relationship characterized as continuously critical and verbally abusive, including accusations of incompetence.

Neither witness stated explicitly that confidential documents were misappropriated but that they expected this would happen.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/annuario-2016-and-annuarium-statisticum-ecclesiae

‘Annuario 2016’ and ‘Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae 2014’ are in bookstores-The living Church in a changing world
2016-04-29 L’Osservatore Romano

The Annuario 2016 and the Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae 2014, edited by the Central Statistics Office, is has become available in book stores. Both volumes are printed by the Vatican Printing Press.

The data reveal several new aspects that emerged between 15 February and 31 December 2015 in the life of the Catholic Church in the world. During that period one eparchy was elevated to metropolitan status, three new dioceses, three eparchies and two apostolic exarchates were created, and one apostolic exarchate was elevated to eparchy.

The statistics presented in the Annuarium Statisticum, relevant to the year 2014, provide a brief analysis of the chief dynamics regarding the Catholic Church in the 2,998 ecclesiastic circumscriptions throughout the world.

Over the past nine years the number of baptized Catholics worldwide grew by 14.1%, exceeding the growth rate of the world’s population for the same period (10.8%). The presence of Catholics in the world, therefore, increased to 17.8% in 2014, from 17.3% in 2005. In absolute terms this amounts to approximately 1.272 billion Catholics in 2014 as compared to 1.115 billion in 2005. Since the statistics varied considerably in the various geographical areas, this explains the heterogeneous overall figure.
 

[grace-land]

https://cnstopstories.com/2016/04/29/suspects-arrested-in-alleged-plot-against-vatican-israeli-embassy/

Suspects arrested in alleged plot against Vatican, Israeli embassy
Posted on April 29, 2016

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Italian authorities arrested six suspects who allegedly received orders from the Islamic State terrorist group to attack the Vatican and the Israeli embassy in Rome.

The arrests made in Lombardy and Piedmont April 28 were the result of a joint operation coordinated by the district attorney of Milan and the Italian anti-terrorism agency.

According to the Italian news agency ANSA, authorities arrested Abderrahim Moutaharrik and his wife, Salma Bencharki; Abderrahmane Khachia, and three people who have maintained contact with a couple that left Italy to join the Islamic State in Syria. All of the suspects are of Moroccan origin.
 
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, expressed his confidence in the current security measures in place for the Holy Year.

“The preventative security measures in place to protect pilgrims during the jubilee year are serious and functioning properly, as everyone can see and have witnessed. Therefore, there appears to be no need to modify them,” he told Catholic News Service April 29.

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-at-jubilee-audience-be-reconciled-to-god

Pope at Jubilee Audience: ‘Be reconciled to God’
2016-04-30 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Saturday held an extraordinary Jubilee Audience in St. Peter’s Square for thousands of eager pilgrims. The Audience also celebrated the Jubilee for members of the police and armed forces.

The Holy Father focused in his catechesis on a very important point of mercy: reconciliation, taking the apostle St. Paul’s words in the second letter to the Corinthians 5:20-21 as his guide: “So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.”
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-to-greet-rotary-members-at-special-jubilee-au

Pope greets Rotary members at special Jubilee Audience
2016-04-30 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Nearly 9,000 Rotary members attended the Jubilee Audience in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday at the invitation of Pope Francis. A delegation greeted the Pope at the end of the Audience.

Rotary, which brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian issues, kicked off the Rotarian Jubilee on Friday afternoon, with a conference on the challenges refugees are facing worldwide.

The conference organized by the Jesuit Refugee Service - in partnership with Rotary, UNHCR and WFP -  and entitled “Helping Refugees to Start Over”, focused on the work that can be done to give millions of refugees dignity and quality education – the best possible tool for them to be able to shape their lives, not lose hope, dream of a future.
 

[grace-land]

More photos at the link

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/pope-francis-handed-hundreds-of-letters-from-alberta-first-nations-people-1.3557709

Pope Francis handed hundreds of letters from Alberta First Nations people
Posted: Apr 29, 2016 4:00 AM MT| Last Updated: Apr 29, 2016 4:00 AM MT

Treaty 6 Grand Chief Tony Alexis presented the Pope with a painted drum made by Alberta artist Eugene Alexis. (Vatican Radio Facebook)

Hundreds of young people from Alberta First Nations, including many who've lost loved ones to suicide, had their personal letters delivered this week to Pope Francis in Rome.

Treaty 6 Grand Chief Tony Alexis delivered the letters himself during a meeting in St. Peter's Square on Wednesday.

"It was a very beautiful day for us," said Alexis, who is also chief at the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, northwest of Edmonton.

Alexis said it was a special feeling, handing over letters that mean so much to the young people, who wanted him to ask for the Pope's prayers to help them heal.

"Our young people are committing suicide," he said. "And anything that we can do to encourage and instill hope, and share and inspire, we're working towards that."

Alexis said the young people seeking prayers also asked him to get a hug from the Pope for them.

"There was a request that came from the young people, that when you're out there and you visit with him, ask for a hug for us. And we mentioned that to him, and he gave a hug."
 

[grace-land]

https://twitter.com/FatherRosica

Thomas Rosica Retweeted
 Ines San Martin ‏@inesanma  · 13h  13 hours ago 

Trevi Fountain lit in red to honor today’s Christian martyrs http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2016/04/30/trevi-fountain-lit-in-red-to-honor-todays-christian-martyrs/ … via @Crux

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-we-are-never-alone-jesus-is-with-us

Pope Francis: 'We are never alone, Jesus is with us'
2016-05-01 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Before praying the Regina Coeli in St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis’ catechesis on Sunday drew inspiration from the Gospel reading that speaks of the Last Supper and of Jesus’ promise to the Apostles.

He tells them, the Pope said, that their mission was to take the Gospel message into the world and that they would not be alone:  "The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you: teach and remember”.

The Pope explained that the Spirit would remember the teachings of Jesus in various concrete circumstances of life, so as to be able to put them into practice.

That, he said, is precisely what is happening in the Church today, a Church that is guided by the light and by the strength of the Holy Spirit so that the Lord can bring the gift of salvation to everyone, the love and the mercy of God.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-appeals-for-peace-in-syria-and-for-protection

Pope appeals for peace in Syria and for protection of minors
2016-05-01 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday reiterated his plea for peace in Syria appealing to all parties involved in the conflict to respect the cessation of hostilities and commit to dialogue.

Speaking after the Regina Coeli prayer in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope said he is deeply pained by the dramatic news of the spiral of violence in Syria which, he said, “continues to aggravate the already desperate humanitarian situation in the country”.

He referred in particular to the situation in the city of Aleppo which continues to “claim innocent victims, even amongst children, sick people and those who, at the cost of great sacrifice, are bringing aid to those in need”. 

And Francis had words of encouragement for an Italian association that fights all forms of abuse against minors: “This is a tragedy! We must not tolerate the abuse of minors! We must defend minors and severely punish those who abuse them” he said, thanking the “Associazione Meter” for its dedicated work.

And marking May 1st, International Labour Day, the Pope also mentioned an International Conference which opens on Monday in Rome on the theme: “Sustainable Development and the most Vulnerable Forms of Work” which takes place within the context of the Jubilee of Mercy.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-sends-easter-greetings-to-the-faithfu

Pope Francis sends Easter Greetings to the faithful of the Eastern Churches
2016-05-01 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent his greetings to the faithful of the Eastern Churches who are celebrating Holy Easter on Sunday, May 1 according to the Julian calendar.

Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Regina Coeli prayer he said: “May the Risen Lord bring to our brothers of the Eastern Churches all the gifts of His light and His peace. Christos anesti!”

Earlier, in a tweet launched through his @Pontifex account, the Pope said “I address a cordial greeting to the faithful of the Eastern Churches who are celebrating Holy Pascha today. Χριστὸς ἀνέστη!”
 
Meanwhile during negotiations in Minsk, on the occasion of the Eastern Orthodox Easter, it was agreed that Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed separatists were to observe a comprehensive cease-fire in the south-east of Ukraine where the festivity is observed both by the Orthodox and by Greek Catholics.

The armistice was supposed to go into effect at midnight Saturday, but according to Ukrainian government sources a soldier was killed and several wounded on Sunday in the country’s east in what appears to be a violation of the armistice.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-to-receive-6-thousand-homeless-pilgri

Pope Francis to receive 6 thousand homeless pilgrims
2016-05-02 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is to receive 6 thousand homeless people from all over Europe, who will be making a pilgrimage to Rome from November 11th to 13th, at the close of the Year of Mercy.

Organized by the FRATELLO Association – an initiative born in the wake of the 2014 pilgrimage of 150 people then living on the streets in France – the 2016 pilgrimage is one in which organizations throughout Europe aiding the poorest and most vulnerable brothers and sisters in society are invited to participate.