Pope Francis

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-corruption-is-blasphemy-which-leads-to-worshi

Pope: Corruption is blasphemy which leads to worship of money
2016-11-24 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis said on Thursday that corruption is a form of blasphemy which leads to the worship of money and the exploitation of others. His words came during the homily at his regular Santa Marta Mass for this last week of the Church’s liturgical year.

Reflecting on the readings for the day which speak of the end of the world, of judgement and redemption for God’s faithful people, Pope Francis talked about corruption which led to the downfall of the great city of Babylon.

Corruption is a blasphemous way of living, the Pope warned, it’s the language of Babylon and worldly living. Corruption is a form of blasphemy where there is no God, he went on, but only the gods of money and wellbeing through the exploitation of others.

Yet this worldliness which seduces the powerful will be torn down, the Pope said, just as we hear the victory cry of the angel, in the reading from Revelation, announcing the fall of Babylon with its empire of vanity, pride and evil.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/11/24/pope_francis_on_the_importance_of_being_amongst_people_/1274594

Pope Francis on the importance of being 'Amongst People'
24/11/2016 16:16

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has invited all people to rejoice in sharing and in getting close to others, building relationships that inevitably result in us receiving more than we give.   

His words of encouragement came in a video message to the participants in the Sixth  Festival of the Social Doctrine of the Church, celebrated in Verona from 24 to 27 November.

The theme of the festival this year is “In Mezzo alla Gente” – “Amongst People” -  which highlights the multiple richness of people as an expression of personal talents and warns against despotic regimes which increase poverty and inequality.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/11/25/pope_eternal_damnation_is_distance_from_god/1274750

Pope: Eternal damnation is not a torture chamber but distance from God
25/11/2016 12:22

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis said eternal damnation is not a torture chamber but distance from God and warned Christians never to converse with the devil, calling him a seducer who ruins lives. His words came during his Mass celebrated on Friday morning in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence.

Continuing his reflections on the end of the world, the Pope’s homily focused on the day’s reading from the Book of Revelation that describes how the angel seizes the serpent, chains it up and throws it into the abyss which is then locked and sealed. He said the serpent or devil is thrown into the abyss “so that it would no longer lead the nations astray” because it is the seducer.

“He is a liar and what’s more is the father of lies, he generates lies and is a trickster. He makes you believe that if you eat this apple you will be like a God. He sells it to you like this and you buy it and in the end he tricks you, deceives you and ruins your life. ‘But father, what can we do to avoid being deceived by the devil?’ Jesus teaches us: never converse with the devil. One does not converse with him. What did Jesus do with the devil?  He chased him away, he asked his name but did not hold a dialogue with him.”
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/11/25/vatican_commission_on_female_diaconate_holds_first_meeting/1274887

Vatican commission on female diaconate holds first meeting
25/11/2016 16:53

(Vatican Radio) The Vatican announced on Friday that the newly established commission for the study of the female diaconate was holding its first meeting at the offices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

The two day meeting brings together the 12 members of the commission, under the presidency of Jesuit Archbishop Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferrer, who also serves as Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

During the morning and afternoon sessions, members will study the situation of women deacons in the early centuries of Church history.

Pope Francis announced the setting up of the new commission on August 2nd this year, following a May 12th meeting with participants at a plenary assembly of female religious superiors, who asked him about the possibility of restoring the permanent diaconate for women.

The commission includes six men and six women from eight different countries, with a wide variety of theological perspectives. Five of the members teach at pontifical universities in Rome, while four are members of the International Theological Commission.

The full list of commission members includes:
 
Prof. Phyllis Zagano, Professor at Hofstra University, New York.

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https://zenit.org/articles/commission-on-women-deacons-has-1st-meeting/

Commission on Women Deacons Has 1st Meeting 
Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith chairing study group
November 25, 2016

 
The new commission is set to do further work on the theme, which was discussed in a 2002 document (part iv) of the International Theological Commission.

In June, the Pope spoke of the commission on his return flight from Armenia, in an in-flight press conference. On that occasion, he said he had been “a little annoyed” with the press for how they had handled the news of the commission.

He explained that after he had acknowledged the issue could be studied and that he would “‘tell the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to set up this commission’. The next day [the headlines read]: ‘Church opens the door to women deacons!’

“To tell the truth, I was a little annoyed with the media because this is not telling people the whole truth.”

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https://zenit.org/articles/knowing-god-is-here-is-consolation-pope-finds-at-end-of-each-day/

Knowing ‘God Is Here’ Is Consolation Pope Finds at End of Each Day 
In q-and-a with Jesuits, Francis discusses his ‘best antidepressant’ as well as ‘sterilizing’ the Church, and what Ignatius can teach us all about poverty
November 25, 2016  Kathleen Naab

When he does his nightly examen, Pope Francis says he feels consolation in seeing how God has been leading him, even as he asks forgiveness for the times he’s been an obstacle to the Spirit’s bidding.

The Pope shared this personal detail because, as he said, he was “with family,” during an Oct. 24 question-and-answer session held with the General Congregation of his religious order, the Society of Jesus.

On Thursday, La Civiltà Cattolica released a transcription and translation of the Holy Father’s conversation with the Jesuits, saying the “text reproduces the Pontiff’s answers in their entirety,” preserving “the tone and meaning of the oral conversation.”

Read the full text here: http://www.laciviltacattolica.it/articoli_download/extra/DIALOGOPAPA_ENG.pdf
 

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http://www.americamagazine.org/issue/francis-preacher

Francis the Preacher
December 5-12, 2016 Issue
Gerard O'Connell

Pope Francis responded to several questions in the fascinating conversation with Antonio Spadaro, S.J., that introduces the new 1,000-page book Nei Tuoi Occhi È La Mia Parola, comprising his principal homilies and talks as archbishop of Buenos Aires. Two relate to the liturgy: how he prepares his homily, and why he says it is “an error” to speak of “the reform of the reform” of the liturgy. I will focus on the first here and the second next week.

In his programmatic document “The Joy of the Gospel,” Francis devotes several pages to the homily. Describing it as an “important ministry,” he labels it as “the touchstone for judging a pastor’s closeness and ability to communicate to his people.” The faithful “attach great importance to it,” he writes, but “both they and their ordained ministers suffer because of homilies: the laity from having to listen to them and the clergy from having to preach them!” (No. 135).
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/11/26/pope_addresses_2016_ratzinger_prize_winners/1275024

Pope addresses 2016 Ratzinger Prize winners
26/11/2016 13:12

Pope Francis and Pope emeritus Benedict XVI together at the Vatican 19 Nov 2016.

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Saturday morning addressed the winners of the 2016 Ratzinger Prize, Msgr Inos Biffi and Ioannis Kourempeles, in the Vatican’s Clementine Hall.

Awarded by the Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation, the Ratzinger Prize is given as a sign of the Church’s gratitude to scholars and professors who have stood out for their scientific research in the theological field.

Msgr Biffi, a professor, and internationally renowned theologian and liturgist, was awarded the prize for his Opera Omnia, a collection of his writings, most of which are on theology and medieval philosophy.

The other winner, Prof Kourempeles is a member of the Orthodox Church, is associate professor in the Department of Theology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.

In his address to the winners, Pope Francis began by expressing “great affection” and “gratitude” for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, as he “continues to accompany us even now in his prayer.”
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/telegram-for-the-death-of-fidel-castro

Telegram for the death of Fidel Castro
2016-11-26 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has expressed his condolences for the death of the former President of the State Council and of the Government of the Republic of Cuba, Fidel Castro.
 
Here is the full text of the telegram from Pope Francis:

On receiving the sad news of the death of your dear brother, His Excellency Mister Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, former president of the State Council and of the Government of the Republic of Cuba, I express my sentiments of sorrow to Your Excellency and other family members of the deceased dignitary, as well as to the people of this beloved nation. At the same time, I offer prayers to the Lord for his rest and I entrust the whole Cuban people to the maternal intercession of our Lady of the Charity of El Cobre, patroness of that country.

Francisco, PP.

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-advent-calls-us-to-enlarge-our-horizo

Pope Francis: Advent calls us to enlarge our horizons
2016-11-27 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis marked the beginning of the new liturgical year at the Angelus for the First Sunday of Advent.

On this Sunday, he said, the Gospel introduces us to one of the most “evocative” themes of the Advent season: the visit of the Lord to humanity. Pope Francis pointed out three visits of the Lord: the first, in the past, with the Incarnation, and Birth of Jesus at Christmas; the second, in the present, as Jesus visits us continually, every day; and the final visit, in the future, when Jesus “will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.”

Advent encourages us to reflect on the contrast between our daily routine and the unexpected coming of the Lord. The Gospel, the Pope said, is not trying to frighten us, but “to open our horizons” to further dimensions, giving meaning even to everyday occurrences.
 
http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-prays-for-communities-struck-by-natural-disas
Pope prays for communities struck by natural disasters
2016-11-27 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) At the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis prayed for the people of Central America, especially those of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, which have been hit by hurricane Otto. In recent days, Nicaragua has also felt the effects of a strong earthquake.

Pope Francis also offered prayers for the northern Italy, where heavy rains have led to flooding in a number of communities.
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpJPEUlY7ak
Angelus Domini

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-to-meet-jesus-we-must-go-on-the-journey

Pope: To meet Jesus, we must go on the journey
2016-11-28 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The Christian faith is not a theory or a philosophy – it is the encounter with Jesus. That was the message of Pope Francis at the morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta at the beginning of Advent. The Pope emphasized that in order to truly encounter Jesus we undertake the journey with three attitudes: vigilant in prayer, industrious in charity, exultant in praise.

Encountering Jesus: this is “the grace that we desire in Advent.” Pope Francis centred the homily for the Holy Mass on the theme of the encounter with the Lord. He noted first that in this period of the year, the Liturgy shows us many encounters with Jesus: with His Mother in the womb, with Saint John the Baptist, with the Shepherds, with the Magi. All this, he said, shows us that Advent is “a time for journeying and going forth to meet the Lord, that is, a time to not stand still."

Prayer, charity, and praise: how we encounter the Lord

And so we must ask ourselves how we can go forth to meet Jesus. “What are the attitudes that I must have in order to encounter the Lord?” How, the Pope asks, “must I prepare my heart for the encounter with the Lord?”
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-receives-taoiseach-enda-kenny

Pope Receives Taoiseach Enda Kenny
2016-11-28 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis received the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland, Enda Kenny, on Monday.

A communiqué from the Press Office of the Holy See reports that the Pope and Taoiseach held cordial discussions, in which they evoked the historical ties between the Holy See and Ireland, and underlined the continued contribution ensured by the Catholic Church in the fields of education and social service.

The Communiqué goes on to say the men also spoke of the importance of the role of Christians in the public sphere, especially in promoting respect for the dignity of every person, beginning with the weakest and most defenseless.
 
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/6444/0/irish-prime-minister-confirms-pope-francis-will-visit-ireland-in-2018-for-world-meeting-of-families-in-dublin-
Irish prime minister confirms Pope Francis will visit Ireland in 2018 for World Meeting of Families in Dublin
28 November 2016 | by Christopher Lamb

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http://www.news.va/en/news/stephen-hawking-present-for-audience-with-pope-fra

Stephen Hawking present for audience with Pope Francis
2016-11-28 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The eminent physicist Stephen Hawking was among those present at an audience with Pope Francis for the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

The Academy is meeting in Rome for its plenary session, on “Science and Sustainability: Impacts of Scientific Knowledge and Technology on Human Society and its Environment.” On Saturday, Dr Hawking gave a presentation on his No-Boundary proposal concerning the beginnings of the universe.
 

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/11/28/pope_francis_address_to_pontifical_academy_of_sciences/1275273
Pope Francis: address to Pontifical Academy of Sciences
28/11/2016 11:03

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http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2016/as-vatican-christmas-tree-goes-up-popes-christmas-schedule-released.cfm

As Vatican Christmas tree goes up, pope's Christmas schedule released
By Catholic News Service
11.28.2016 9:37 AM ET

CNS/Reuters
 
-- Pope Francis will celebrate an evening Mass Dec. 12, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Mass will include ancient liturgical hymns composed in indigenous languages, including Nahuatl, Quechua, Mapuche and Guarani. The Sistine Chapel Choir be will joined the Latin American Choir under the direction of conductor Eduardo Notrica.

-- The pope will celebrate Christmas Mass at 9:30 p.m. Dec. 24 in St. Peter's Basilica.

-- Pope Francis will give his Christmas blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) at noon Dec. 25 from the central balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square.

-- Dec. 31 in St. Peter's Basilica, the pope will preside over evening prayer and the singing of the "Te Deum" in thanksgiving for the year that is ending.

-- The pope will celebrate a Morning Mass in St. Peter's Basilica Jan. 1, the World Day of Prayer for Peace and the feast of Mary, Mother of God.

-- On Jan. 6, the feast of the Epiphany, Pope Francis will celebrate Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.

-- On the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Jan. 8, the pope will celebrate Mass in the Sistine Chapel and baptize several babies.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-christian-humility-is-the-virtue-of-the-child

Pope: Christian humility is the virtue of “the childlike”
2016-11-29 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis said on Tuesday that true Christian humility is the virtue of the childlike and is never a theatrical humility. His words came at his morning Mass celebrated in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence.

Taking his inspiration from the day’s readings the Pope’s homily was a reflection on how God reveals himself to the humble and childlike rather than the wise and learned as recounted in the gospel of Luke. He noted that the day’s first reading from the book of Isaiah is also full of references to little things such as the small shoot that “shall sprout from the stump of Jesse” rather than an army that will bring about liberation. Pope Francis went on to explain how in the Christmas story too the leading figures are the small and the humble.

“Then at Christmas, we see this smallness, this little thing: a baby, a stable, a mother, a father… little ones.  (They have) big hearts but the attitude of a child.  And the Spirit of the Lord, the Holy Spirit comes to rest on this shoot and this small shoot will have the virtue of the childlike and the fear of the Lord.  He will walk in the fear of the Lord. Fear of the Lord is not terror: no, it is putting into practice God’s commandment that he gave to our father Abram: ‘Live in my presence, be perfect,’ Humble – this is humility, fear of the Lord is humility.”
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/11/30/pope_meets_film_director_martin_scorsese_in_vatican/1275887

Pope meets film director Martin Scorsese in Vatican
30/11/2016 14:34

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday met the Italo-American movie director Martin Scorsese whose latest film “Silence” recounts the persecution of a group of Jesuit missionaries in 17th century Japan. Scorsese was accompanied at the audience in the Vatican by his wife, his two daughters, the producer of the “Silence” film and the Prefect of the Secretariat for Communications Monsignor Dario Viganò.  A Vatican statement said the meeting was very cordial and lasted 15 minutes.

Pope Francis told those present that he had read the novel on which the film “Silence” was based, written by the late Japanese author Shusaku Endo.
 
The audience in the Vatican came after a special screening of “Silence” in Rome on Tuesday night for more than 300 Jesuit priests. The movie is due to premiere in the United States this December.

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/11/30/film_director_martin_scorsese_speaks_about_his_latest_movie/1275970
Film director Martin Scorsese speaks to Vatican about his latest movie
30/11/2016 16:43

http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2016/11/silence-antithesis-of-man-for-all.html
"Silence" = the antithesis of "A Man for All Seasons"

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/11/30/the_pope_invites_all_to_continue_to_walk_the_path_of_mercy_/1275902

The Pope invites all to continue to walk the path of mercy
30/11/2016 14:51

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has encouraged all believers to pray for each other, and to pray the Lord when we are in need and when we have reason to thank Him.

Concluding his cycle of catecheses dedicated to the corporal works of mercy, the Pope addressed the faithful gathered in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican for the weekly General Audience and reminded them that although the cycle has reached conclusion, we must continue to practice mercy in our lives.

Speaking of the corporal work of mercy which invites us to bury the dead,  Pope Francis said it could appear a strange request. In fact it is sadly meaningful in the present day – he said - when we think of the many people who risk their lives in order to give decent burial to the victims of war who live in fear under constant fire and bombardment. 

And for us Christians, he said, burial is an act of great faith because when we lower the bodies of our loved ones into the tomb, we do so in the hope of their resurrection.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/general-audience-on-burying-the-dead/
General Audience: On Burying the Dead
November 30, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAuKvz9JJAg
2016.11.30 General Audience

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/11/30/pope_to_french_politicians_remember_immigrants/1275870

Pope to French politicians: remember immigrants
30/11/2016 13:59

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has called on French politicians to not forget immigrants who have fled war, poverty, and violence.

The Holy Father was speaking to a group of politicians from the Rhône -Alpes region of France in the Clementine Hall shortly before his weekly General Audience. They were accompanied by Cardinal Philippe Barbarin of Lyon.

“In the current international context, marked by frustrations and fears, and heightened by the attacks and blind violence that have so deeply torn your country, it is all the more important to try and develop a sense of the common good and the public interest,” Pope Francis said, referencing the terrorist attacks France has experienced over the past  year.

“Undeniably, French society is rich in potential  and diversity, from which should give way to opportunities, provided that the republican values of liberty, equality and fraternity are not just bandied about in an illusory manner, but are explored and understood in relation to their true foundation, which is transcendent,” – the Pope continued – “There is underway a genuine debate over values and orientations commonly recognized by all involved. In this debate, Christians are called to share with believers of all religions and all men of good will, even non-believers, in order to promote the building of a better world.”
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-message-to-ecumenical-patriarch-for-feast-of

Pope: Message to Ecumenical Patriarch for feast of St Andrew
2016-11-30 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) At the end of his General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis greeted the church of Constantinople, and the “beloved Patriarch Bartholomew” on the occasion of the Feast of the Apostle St Andrew, traditionally held to be the founder of the See of Byzantium, which later became the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Pope Francis expressed his desire to be united to the Patriarch and to the church of Constantinople, offering them his “best wishes for all possible goods, for all the blessings of the Lord, and a warm embrace.”

A delegation from the Holy See, bearing a message from Pope Francis, is in Istanbul for a visit to the Patriarchate on the Apostle’s feast day. The customary visit is reciprocated each year on the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul in Rome.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/2017-message-for-world-day-of-prayer-for-vocations
2017 message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations released
2016-11-30 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The 2017 message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations was released Wednesday entitled, “Led by the Spirit for Mission”.
 

http://www.news.va/en/news/world-aids-day-pope-calls-for-solidarity-and-treat
World Aids Day: Pope calls for solidarity and treatment for all
2016-11-30 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has appealed to all persons to act in a responsible manner to prevent the spread of HIV-Aids.

Speaking during the weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall, the Pope recalled that on Thursday, 1st December, we mark World Aids Day which is promoted by the United Nations.
 

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-sends-condolences-following-columbia
Pope Francis sends condolences following Columbia plane crash
2016-11-30 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a telegramme of condolence to the Cardinal Archbishop of Brasilia in Brazil following a plane crash which killed 71 people including members of the Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense. They were on their way to a South American cup final in Colombia when the accident happened.