Pope Francis

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/03/angelus_pope_marks_advent_and_recalls_papal_journey/1352678

Angelus: Pope marks Advent and recalls Papal journey
03/12/2017 13:05

Pope Francis during the Angelus on Sunday - ANSA
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis was back in St Peter’s Square for the traditional recitation of the Angelus on Sunday following his return from a journey to Myanmar and Bangladesh. From the window of his studio the Holy Father thanked all those who accompanied him there in prayer.

He told all those gathered in the square that he was impressed by the many noble and smiling faces he witnessed despite their hardships and he expressed his closeness to them.

The Pope also remembered in his prayers the nation of Honduras which has witnessed violent protests as a result of a disputed Presidential election. Pope Francis said, “I remember especially the people of Honduras, and pray they can overcome the current moment of difficulty in a peaceful way.”
 
https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-address-on-the-meaning-of-advent/
Angelus Address: On the Meaning of Advent 
December 3, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OR8vBcSqd0
2017.12.03 - Angelus Domini

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/04/pope_francis_world_day_of_vocations_message_2018/1352797

Pope Francis releases message for 2018 World Day of Vocations
04/12/2017 13:39

Thirteen newly-ordinated priests lie on the floor as Pope Francis leads their ordination mass, on the 2014 World Day of Prayer for Vocations - ANSA
(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis on Monday released his message for the 2018 World Day of Prayer for Vocations, reflecting on the three aspects of every vocation: listening, discerning, and living.

The 55th recurrence of the Day for Vocations is to be commemorated next year on 22 April.

Listening, discerning, and living: these lie at the heart of Pope Francis’ message for next year’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

The Holy Father said 2018 is a special year for vocations, because the Synod of Bishops will reflect on young people, especially “the relationship between young people, faith, and vocation”.

Pope Francis reminded Christians that God never ceases to call men and women to follow Him.
 

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Video and English text at the link

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/04/pope_francis_prayer_intention_for_december/1352744

Pope Francis' prayer intention for December: 'For the elderly'
04/12/2017 10:55

Pope Francis' intention this December is "For the elderly." - ANSA
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday released a video message accompanying his prayer intention for the month of December, which this month is “For the elderly.”

"Let us keep in mind our elders, so that sustained by families and institutions, may with their wisdom and experience collaborate in the education of new generations."

It has become the custom of Pope Francis to release a video message detailing his new prayer intention each month.

The monthly videos are promoted by the “Worldwide Prayer Network of the Apostleship of Prayer,” an organisation dedicated to spreading the Pope’s prayer intentions concerning the challenges facing humanity.
 

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https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pope-upgrades-guidelines-allowing-communion-for-adulterers-to-authentic-mag

Mon Dec 4, 2017 - 1:44 pm EST
Confusion explodes as Pope Francis throws magisterial weight behind communion for adulterers

Rome, December 4, 2017 (LifeSiteNews) – Retired Catholic Bishop of Corpus Christi TX, Rene Henry Gracida said on his blog over the weekend, “Francis’ heterodoxy is now official.” England’s internet-famed Deacon Nick Donnelly wondered on Twitter, “Has Francis deposed himself as the successor of St Peter by attempting to make the heretical interpretation of AL Authentic Magisterium?"

The comments come in response to Pope Francis' elevation of a controversial private letter of his to the status of an 'apostolic letter' and calling it "authentic Magisterium." His private letter to the Argentine bishops approving their guidelines for giving communion to civilly-divorced-and-remarried Catholics living in adultery was originally thought to be fake news because of its departure from Catholic teaching. But, it was later confirmed.

Last week the controversial letter was published officially by the Vatican in an elevated status as part of the Acta Apostolicae Sedis, or Acts of the Holy See, at the request of the Pope.

Radio Spada, the Italian media outlet which broke the story, posted photographs of the newly published Acta Apostolicae Sedis (AAS) for October 2016 on its Facebook page. The photographs show that Pope Francis’ private letter telling the Argentine bishops that “there is no other interpretation” of Amoris Laetitia (AL) beyond their guidelines has been published in the official register of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Buenos Aires guidelines were also published along with the Pope’s letter and accompanied by a “rescript” (response to a command) by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, stating:

“The Supreme Pontiff decreed that the two proceeding documents be promulgated through publication on the Vatican website and in Acta Apostolicae Sedis, as authentic Magisterium."

The Buenos Aires guidelines contradict Familiaris Consortio by allowing sexually active adulterous couples facing “complex circumstances” to "access the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist” after taking a “journey of discernment.”
 
http://www.catholicworldreport.com/2017/12/04/pope-francis-letter-to-the-argentine-bishops-is-in-the-acta-apostolicae-sedis-now-what/
Pope Francis’ letter to the Argentine bishops is in the Acta Apostolicae Sedis. Now what?
December 4, 2017 Edward N. Peters

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/05/pope_mass_santa_marta_humility_humiliation_holy_spirit_gifts/1352979

Pope at Mass: being humble means accepting humiliation like Christ
05/12/2017 12:50

In the life of a Christian, humility is an indispensable quality that is needed in order to allow the gifts of the Holy Spirit to grow.  This was the reflection of Pope Francis in his homily at Mass, Tuesday morning, in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta residence in the Vatican.  Drawing inspiration from the Prophet Isaiah, the Pope said that every Christian is like "a small shoot on which the Spirit of the Lord rests, the spirit of wisdom and intelligence, the spirit of counsel and fortitude, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord ". "These,” the Pope said, “are the gifts of the Holy Spirit which grow from the smallness of the bud to the fullness of the Spirit. This is the promise, this is the Kingdom of God” and "the life of the Christian," he stressed.

Humility

The Pope said that the task of a Christian is to be aware that each of us is a “sprout of that root which must grow with the power of the Holy Spirit, to the fullness of the Holy Spirit in us.” And our task, he said is to safeguard this sprout, this growth which is the Spirit."  The Holy Father said this is done by adopting a lifestyle of a Christian that resembles Christ, which is the path of humility. 
 

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http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2017/pope-appoints-washington-auxiliary-bishop-to-head-richmond-diocese.cfm

Pope appoints Washington auxiliary bishop to head Richmond Diocese
By Catholic News Service
12.5.2017 12:30 PM ET

CNS photo/Jaclyn Lippelmann, Cat
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Francis has named Washington Auxiliary Bishop Barry C. Knestout, 55, as the 13th bishop of Richmond, Virginia.

He succeeds Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo, who was Richmond's bishop from 2004 until his death in August at age 75.

The appointment was announced in Washington Dec. 5 by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Bishop Knestout's installation Mass will be celebrated Jan. 12 at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/06/pope_francis_greets_palestinian_delegation/1353156

Pope Francis greets Palestinian delegation
06/12/2017 10:43

Pope Francis arrives for a weekly general audience at the Paul VI hall after greeting Palestinian delegation - AFP
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis before his General Audience on Wednesday, greeted a Palestinian delegation hosted by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

Speaking to those gathered, the Pope told them that it was his hope “that your consultations may help to open a space of sincere dialogue for the benefit of all the members of Palestinian society, and the Christian community in particular, given its small numbers and the challenges it faces, especially with regard to emigration.”

The Holy Father emphasized that, “for the Catholic Church, it is always a joy to build bridges of dialogue with communities, individuals and organizations,  adding that it was a particular joy to do so with Palestinian religious and intellectual leaders.”
 
https://zenit.org/articles/pope-cites-creation-of-vatican-palestinian-working-group/
Pope Cites Creation of Vatican-Palestinian Working Group 
December 6, 2017

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/06/apostolic_journey_myanmar_bangladesh_general_audience/1353249

Pope: pastoral visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh a sign of hope for Asia
06/12/2017 15:05

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday reflected on his just-ended apostolic journey to Myanmar and Bangladesh highlighting the value of interreligious dialogue undertaken in the first leg of the journey, and expressing solidarity with Bangladesh’s efforts to provide relief to the Rohingya refugees flooding into the nation during the second leg of his visit.

The Pope was addressing pilgrims gathered in the Paul VI Hall for the weekly General Audience.

Journey to Myanmar and Bangladesh gift from God

Interrupting briefly his series of catechetical reflections on the Sacraments, Pope Francis told those present that he wished to speak of the apostolic journey that took him to Myanmar and Bangladesh in the past days describing it as a great gift from God.

Noting that for the first time ever the successor of Peter was able to set foot on Myanmar soil, he spoke of witnessing a nation that is gradually moving towards a new experience of freedom and peace.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/rohingyas-one-who-doesnt-suffer-with-those-suffering-must-question-himself-on-his-humanity/
Rohingyas: One Who Doesn’t Suffer with Those Suffering, Must Question Himself on His Humanity 
The Pope’s Greetings to Visitors form Jordan, the Holy Land, and the Middle East.
December 6, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw4i4My-p2I
2017.12.06 - General Audience

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/06/pope_francis_general_audience_appeal_jerusalem/1353163

Pope appeals for wisdom and prudence to prevail over Jerusalem
06/12/2017 11:03

Pope Francis during his weekly General Audience - AFP
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has appealed for respect for Jerusalem’s status quo according to the pertinent United Nations Resolutions regarding the city.

Speaking after his catechesis to the crowds in the Paul VI Hall during the weekly General Audience, the Pope said “my thoughts go to Jerusalem and I cannot keep silent my deep concern for the situation that has been created in the past days”.

“At the same time, he continued, I would like to make a heartfelt appeal for everyone’s commitment to respect the city’s status quo, in conformity with the pertinent United Nations Resolutions”.

The Pope’s words of concern came on Wednesday ahead of an expected announcement by US President Trump to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.  Arab leaders have warned the move will create turmoil and trigger violence. 

Describing Jerusalem as unique city which is “Holy for Jews, Christians and Muslims, who venerate the Holy Sites of their respective religions”, the Pope said it has a special vocation for peace. 
 
“I pray to the Lord that its identity is preserved and strengthened for the benefit of the Holy Land, the Middle East and the whole world and that wisdom and prudence prevail to prevent new elements of tension from being added to a global context already convulsed by so many cruel conflicts” he said.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-its-good-for-young-people-to-study-latin-96788

Pope Francis: It's good for young people to study Latin

Vatican City, Dec 6, 2017 / 10:08 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a message to the Pontifical Academies on Tuesday, Pope Francis praised the study of Latin, especially for young people, and encouraged scholars and teachers to promote its study as a positive guide for students as they navigate life.

Addressing academics and Latin teachers, the Pope said Dec. 5 that they should “know how to speak to the hearts of the young, know how to treasure the very rich heritage of the Latin tradition to educate them in the path of life, and accompany them along paths rich in hope and confidence…”

Pope Francis’ message was read at the 22nd Solemn Public Session of the Pontifical Academies, which had as its theme, “In interiore homine. Research paths in the Latin tradition.”

The Pope praised “the theme of interiority, of the heart, of consciousness and self-awareness” which he said is found “in every culture as well as in the different religious traditions.”
 
The 2017 Prize of the Pontifical Academies was sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Culture and the Pontifical Academy for Latin, or Pontificia Acadamia Latinitatis, which was founded by Benedict XVI in 2012 through the motu proprio Latina Lingua.

Organized every year by the Pontifical Council for Culture, the 2017 Prize of the Pontifical Academies was on two themes: Methodological proposals for teaching Latin today, and the reception of ancient Christian Latin between the medieval and modern eras.

The first topic was “reserved to institutions (academies, schools, associations, foundations, research groups etc.) that are engaged in formative activity among the youth,” the Prize’s press release stated.

The second was for scholars between the ages of 25 and 40 who have produced doctoral theses or publications on the theme in the last five years.

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/07/pope_meets_new_president_of_lutheran_world_federation/1353433

Pope Francis meets new president of Lutheran World Federation
07/12/2017 11:58

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met on Thursday with the new president of the Lutheran World Federation, Nigerian Archbishop Musa Panti Filibus, focusing on common prayer as the key to Christian unity.

Recalling his own visit to the Swedish cities of Lund and Malmo last year for the shared commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, the pope said praying together purifies, strengthens and lights our way forward. Prayer, he insisted, is the fuel for our ecumenical journey.

Through prayer, the pope continued, we are able to see the painful divisions of past ceneturies in a new light, abandoning our prejudices, purifying our memories and looking to the future with confidence. Through prayer, he said, we are called to recognize the gifts of our different traditions and receive them as our shared Christian heritage.

Reformation anniversary 'a turning point'

In his words to Pope Francis, Archbishop Musa also gave thanks for the past 50 years of progress ‘from conflict to communion’, acknowledging in a special way the importance of praying together to commemorate the Reformation anniversary.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/07/pope_francis_taiwan_council_of_churches/1353412

Pope encourages Taiwan's Christian leaders to pursue unity
07/12/2017 11:20

Pope Francis in the Vatican's Consistory Hall
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has urged members of the National Council of Churches of Taiwan to continue in their work to educate young generations “in the art of dialogue, so that they can become protagonists of a much-needed culture of harmony and reconciliation”.

The Pope was addressing a Delegation of the Council whom he received in audience in the Vatican.

The Council

The ecumenical Council, founded in 1991, aims to achieve full Christian unity by strengthening the relationship of churches, promoting cooperation, charitable works and education as well as proclaiming the Christian message, and participating in the common mission of the church to the world.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/07/pope_speaks_at_end_of_mass_for_card_sodanos_90th_birthday/1353568

Pope speaks at end of Mass for Card Sodano's 90th birthday
07/12/2017 15:45

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis offered greetings to Cardinal Angelo Sodano on Thursday morning, following a Mass celebrated in honour of the Cardinal’s 90th birthday.

In off-the-cuff remarks, the Holy Father said we should always give thanks to God for the gifts we have received – but this duty of thanksgiving is felt more strongly on significant anniversaries.

Pope Francis said that although everyone’s life is different, it is always God Who is leading us “by the hand.” This, he said, “is the gift we have received, and we give the gift of the witness of a life.”
 
The Mass for Cardinal Sodano was celebrated in the Pauline chapel in the Apostolic Palace. Cardinal Sodano, whose birthday was November 23, served the Church as Secretary of State from 1991-2006. He is currently Dean of the College of Cardinals.

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https://zenit.org/articles/pope-thanks-donors-of-tree-and-nativity/

Pope Thanks Donors of Tree and Nativity 
Displays for Christmas in St. Peter’s Square
December 7, 2017

Crèche Et Sapin De Noël Place Saint-Pierre
Pope Francis on December 7, 2017, thanked those who donated the Christmas Tree and Nativity Display in St. Peter’s Square.  He received in Paul VI Hall the Delegations from Poland and the Abbey of Montevergine.

“Every year the Nativity display and Christmas tree speak to us with their symbolic language,” the Holy Father said. “They make more visible what we grasp in the experience of the birth of the Son of God.”

Address of the Holy Father

Dear brothers and sisters,

It is a joy for me to welcome you in this circumstance, and to address to you my thanks for the gift of the nativity display and the Christmas tree in Saint Peter’s Square. I offer a heartfelt greeting to you all, starting with the authorities and representatives of the Institutions that organized this initiative. I greet the Abbot of Montevergine, for the gift of the Nativity display; the archbishop of Warmia and the bishop of Elk in Poland, from where the tree comes, with the Directorate of Bialystok State Forests. In addition, I greet the children treated in the oncological wards of various Italian hospitals and in the areas of Central Italy affected by earthquakes, coordinated by the “Contessa Lele Thun” Foundation, who made the decorations.
 
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2017/11/23/towering-christmas-tree-arrives-vatican-poland/
Towering Christmas tree arrives at Vatican from Poland
Nov 23, 2017

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https://twitter.com/Cindy_Wooden

Cindy Wooden‏Verified account @Cindy_Wooden · 8h8 hours ago 
#PopeFrancis: A Christmas tree is reminder of "how beautiful and joyful it is to be immersed in the light of Christ"


Cindy Wooden‏Verified account @Cindy_Wooden · 8h8 hours ago 
Vatican Christmas. First they light the Nativity scene.

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https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-address-on-the-feast-of-the-immaculate-conception/

Angelus Address: On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception 
December 8, 2017

CTV Screenshot
VATICAN CITY, DECEMBER 8, 2017 (Zenit.org).- Here is a ZENIT translation of the address Pope Francis gave today before and after praying the midday Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
* * *
Before the Angelus

Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning and happy feast!

Today we contemplate the beauty of Mary Immaculate. The Gospel, which narrates the Annunciation, helps us to understand what we are celebrating, especially through the greeting of the Angel. He addresses Mary with a word that is not easy to translate, which means “filled with grace,” “created by grace,” “full of grace” (Luke 1:28). Before calling her Mary, he calls her full of grace, and he thus reveals the new name that God has given her, which fits her more than the name given to her by her parents. We also call her thus, with every Hail Mary.
 
This afternoon I will go to Piazza di Spagna to renew the traditional act of homage and prayer at the feet of the monument of the Immaculate. I ask that you join me spiritually in this gesture, which expresses our filial devotion to our heavenly Mother – all together, with the spirit, before Our Lady.

I wish you all a happy feast and a good Advent journey. Please, don’t forget to pray for me. Have a good lunch and goodbye!

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/08/pope_francis_celebrates_the_immaculate_conception/1353744

Pope Francis celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
08/12/2017 16:16

Pope Francis prays in front of the statue of the Virgin Mary during the annual feast of the Immaculate Conception at Piazza di Spagna in Rome - AFP
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis left the Vatican on Friday afternoon, headed for Rome’s central Piazza di Spagna in order to pay homage to the statue of the Immaculate Conception there.

Surrounded by crowds of pilgrims, tourists and local Roman residents, the Pope recited a specially-composed Prayer to Our Lady in which he asked her, among other things, to help us “rid ourselves of all pride and arrogance and to recognize ourselves for what we really are: small and poor sinners” – but always Mary’s children.

The Pope’s visit to the memorial column dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, included the traditional blessing of a garland of flowers which Roman firemen placed on the statue of Our Lady which dominates the summit of the ancient marble column.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-says-our-father-is-poorly-translated-38348

Pope Francis says Our Father is poorly translated

Vatican City, Dec 8, 2017 / 10:40 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a video series for Italian television network TV2000, Pope Francis said that “lead us not into temptation” is a poorly translated line of the Our Father.

“This is not a good translation,” the Pope said in the video, published Dec. 6. “I am the one who falls, it's not (God) who pushes me toward temptation to see how I fall. A father doesn't do this, a father helps us to get up right away.”

He noted that this line was recently re-translated in the French version of the prayer to read “do not let me fall into temptation.”

The Latin version of the prayer, the authoritative version in the Catholic Church, reads “ne nos inducas in tentationem.”

The Pope said that the one who leads people into temptation “is Satan; that is the work of Satan.” He said that the essence of that line in the prayer is like telling God: “when Satan leads me into temptation, please, give me your hand. Give me your hand.”
 

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http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/8225/0/vatican-must-start-prosecuting-money-laundering-cases-says-financial-watchdog-

Vatican must start prosecuting money laundering cases, says financial watchdog
08 December 2017 | by Christopher Lamb   

Moneyval noted that that while 'considerable amounts of money' have been frozen not a single money laundering case had been brought to court

A European financial watchdog has praised the Vatican for freezing suspicious transactions but stressed the Holy See must do more to prosecute those accused of laundering money.

Moneyval, an anti-money laundering agency part of the Council of Europe, today issued a 209-page report into the Holy See’s attempts to prevent money laundering arguing that processes are “working efficiently.”

But they noted that that while “considerable amounts of money” have been frozen not a single money laundering case had been brought to court nor had potentially laundered funds been confiscated.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/12/09/pope_meets_sisters_of_congregation_founded_by_mother_cabrini/1353887

Pope meets Sisters of Congregation founded by Mother Cabrini
09/12/2017 14:36

Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini is an Italian-born saint who dedicated her life to helping thousands of Italian immigrants living in the United States during the late 19th century. She died in Chicago exactly one hundred years ago.

On Saturday morning in the Vatican, Pope Francis met members of the religious congregation she founded, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The congregation is present today on 6 continents and in 15 countries around the world.

During his discourse in Italian, the Pope recalled the holiness of their Foundress and praised her tireless work with migrants and the poor. He held her up as an example for today, adding that the reality of migrants has evolved and is now “more current than ever”. Migrants, said the Pope, “need good laws, programs of development and organization but, above all, they always need love, friendship, human closeness; they need to be heard, looked in the eye, accompanied”. They need God, he said, “encountered in love that is freely given”. We must do as Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini does, concluded Pope Francis: “be capable of responding to the signs of our time, reading them in the light of the Word of God and living them in such a way as to provide an answer that can reach the heart of every person”.

Here is our English translation of the Pope’s address