Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-03/pope-francis-latin-america-pontifical-commission.html#.XH1Vk3J4PuU.twitter

Pope Francis: The future of Latin America has a female face
04 March 2019, 16:07

Pope Francis meets with members of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America  (ANSA)
Pope Francis addresses the Pontifical Commission for Latin America after their intensive training seminar on the theme of "Social Doctrine of the Church and Political Commitment in Latin America - For a New Generation of Latin American Catholics in Politics".
By Francesca Merlo

Pope Francis begins his address to the Pontifical Commission for Latican America by stating that politics is a vocation in favour of the Common good. The Christian vocation, and in particular that of politicians stems from community. The first sign of a community, continues the Pope is the friendship that grows amongst the members. These friends find each other through the incarnation of Christ, who, the Pope says has taught us to transform a fearsome and at times selfish “I” into a “we”.

Pope Francis specifies that being a Catholic involved in politics does not mean being part of a group or of an organization. It means being part of a community.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-03/pope-francis-vatican-secret-archives-pius-xii.html

Pope Francis: Pius XII archives to open next year
04 March 2019, 14:56

Ven Pope Pius XII among the people following the bombing of Rome during World War II
The announcement was made during an audience for managers and staff of the Vatican Secret Archives, which took place on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the election of Pius XII as Bishop of Rome.
By Christopher Wells

Reflecting on the reign of “the Servant of God Pius XII, of venerable memory”, Pope Francis said that he “guided the Barque of Peter in one of the saddest and darkest moments of the twentieth century”. The figure of Pius XII, he said, “has already been investigated and studied”, and widely discussed and even criticized – at times in a prejudiced or exaggerated manner. Today, he said, the pontificate of Pius XII is being re-evaluated, in the hopes that a more balanced historical judgement might emerge.
 
The Photo Gallery and website to "Instructions for conducting research in the Vatican Secret Archives" at the link...
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2019-03/bishop-pagano-opening-vatican-archives-pope-pius-xii.html
Bishop Pagano: Opening the Archives will reveal the greatness of Pius XII
04 March 2019, 13:20

The "Vatican-provided text of the Pope’s address to those present" at the link below--
https://zenit.org/articles/announcement-pope-to-open-archives-on-pope-pius-xii-on-march-2-2020/
ANNOUNCEMENT: Pope Francis to Open Archives on Pope Pius XII on March 2, 2020 
March 04, 2019 14:49•Deborah Castellano Lubov

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Video at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-03/pope-francis-prayer-intention-march-2019.html#play

Pope's March prayer intention: Recognition of the Right of Christian Communities
05 March 2019, 12:05

Pope Francis on Tuesday released a video message accompanying his prayer intention for March, which this month is " Recognition of the Right of Christian Communities".

In his prayer intention for the month of March 2019, Pope Francis calls us to pray that Christian communities, especially those who are persecuted, feel that they are close to Christ and have their rights respected.
 
The full text of his intention is below:

It might be hard for us to believe, but there are more martyrs today than in the first centuries.
They are persecuted because they speak the truth and proclaim Jesus Christ to this society.
This happens particularly where religious freedom is not yet guaranteed.
However, it also happens in countries where, in theory and on paper, they protect freedom and human rights.
Let us pray that Christian communities, especially those who are persecuted, feel that they are close to Christ and have their rights respected.
 
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/03/05/pope-dedicates-march-prayer-intention-to-new-christian-martyrs/
Pope dedicates March prayer intention to new Christian martyrs
Inés San Martín   Mar 5, 2019

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-appoints-bishops-of-memphis-fresno-names-new-auxiliary-for-la-89445

Pope Francis appoints bishops of Memphis, Fresno, names new auxiliary for LA

Bishop David Prescott Talley was named bishop of Memphis March 5, 2019. Credit: Michael Alexander/Archdiocese of Atlanta.
Vatican City, Mar 5, 2019 / 08:26 am (CNA).- Pope Francis appointed new bishops Tuesday to lead the dioceses of Memphis and Fresno, also naming a new auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles.

In the announcement, made March 5, Francis named Bishop David Prescott Talley, 68, to head the Diocese of Memphis, which has been vacant since October of last year.

Talley has served in the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana since November 2016, first as coadjutor bishop and then as bishop after the retirement of Bishop Ronald Herzog in February 2017.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-03/pope-francis-lent-mass.html

Pope Francis marks the beginning of Lent
06 March 2019, 15:57

Ash Wednesday Ceremony  (ANSA)
Following a tradition almost as old as the Church in Rome herself, Pope Francis goes to the Basilica of Santa Sabina to mark the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday.
By Joachim Teigen

Lent is a season of penance, fasting and prayer, and as millions of faithful come to churches around the world to receive the cross of ashes, the Pope takes part in a tradition that goes all the way back to the early centuries of the Church.

On the afternoon of Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis leads a penitential procession from the Basilica of San Anselmo to the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome. After a prayer in San Anselmo, the procession begins accompanied by the singing of the Litany of Saints, invoking the assistance of all the martyrs and saints for the 40 days ahead.

Arriving at Santa Sabina, the Pope celebrates Mass there, thus marking the beginning of Lent with a visit to the first of the several “station churches”.
 

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Photo Gallery at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-03/pope-francis-general-audience-our-father.html

Pope at Audience urges Christians to open their hearts
06 March 2019, 12:54

Pope Francis at the General Audience  (Vatican Media )
During the weekly General Audience Pope Francis continued his catechesis dedicated to the “Our Father”.
By Linda Bordoni 

Pope Francis on Wednesday urged Christians to open their hearts pointing out that Christ’s victory has not yet been fully achieved.

To the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the General Audience, the Pope said Jesus has come, and there are multiple signs of the kingdom, yet the world is still marked by sin and the hearts of many remain closed, which compels us to implore the Lord: “your kingdom come”!  The world, he said, continues to be populated by so many people who suffer, by people who do not reconcile and do not forgive, by wars and by many forms of exploitation: “Let's think, for example of the trafficking of children”.

All of these facts, he said, are proof that many men and women still live with their hearts closed.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/general-audience-pope-reflects-on-thy-kingdom-come-full-text/
General Audience: Pope Reflects on ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ (Full Text) 
March 06, 2019 15:01•Virginia Forrester

Video at the link below--
Pope Francis - General Audience 2019-03-06
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-03/pope-ash-wednesday-mass-homily.html

Pope at Ash Wednesday Mass: ‘focus on what is essential’
06 March 2019, 17:36

Pope Francis celebrates Ash Wednesday Mass at the Basilica of Santa Sabina  (Vatican Media)
Pope Francis is urging Christians to slow down, focus on what is essential: “wake up to the message of the Lord”.
By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis summoned Christians to slow down in a fast-paced and often directionless life and fast from the unnecessary things that distract us, to heed Lent that he described as "a wake-up call for the soul".

The Pope’s words came during the homily at Holy Mass on Ash Wednesday with the blessing and imposition of the ashes that took place, as per tradition, in the Basilica of Saint Sabina on the Aventine Hill. He noted that this wake-up call is accompanied by the message that the Lord proclaims through the lips of the prophet: “Return to me.”

If we have to return, the Pope said, it means that we have wandered off. 
 
Video at the link below--
Pope Francis - Penitential Procession and Holy Mass 2019-03-06
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-03/pope-francis-telegram-alabama-tornado.html

Pope Francis prays for victims of Alabama tornado
06 March 2019, 15:16

Debris lays outside a house devastated after two deadly back-to-back tornadoes, in Beauregard, Alabama
Pope Francis expresses his condolences to victims of a tornado, which struck Alabama in the United States.
 By Francesca Merlo
 
In his telegram, addressed to Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi of Mobile, Alabama, the Pope expresses his “heartfelt solidarity to all those affected” by the natural disaster. The Pope prays “that Almighty God may grant eternal rest to the dead, especially the children, and healing and consolation to the injured and those who grieve”.

The tornado, which struck the small community of Beauregard, Alabama, on Sunday, claimed the lives of at least 23 people between the ages of 6 and 89, and left several others injured.

Below please find the full text of the telegram sent by the Vatican Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin on behalf of Pope Francis:

The Most Reverend Thomas J. Rodi
 Archbishop of Mobile

Deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of life and the injuries caused by the tornado which struck Alabama in recent days, His Holiness Pope Francis expresses heartfelt solidarity with all affected by this natural disaster. He prays that Almighty God may grant eternal rest to the dead, especially the children, and healing and consolation to the injured and those who grieve. Upon all who are suffering the effects of this calamity, the Holy Father invokes the Lord’s blessings of peace and strength.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin
 Secretary of State

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2019-03/deadly-tornadoes-strike-united-states.html
Deadly tornadoes strike United States
05 March 2019, 14:17

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/appeals-court-says-fulton-sheens-body-should-go-to-peoria-71875

Appeals court says Fulton Sheen's body should go to Peoria

Archbishop Fulton Sheen
New York City, N.Y., Mar 5, 2019 / 04:26 pm (CNA).- A New York appeals court has unanimously ruled that the earthly remains of Venerable Fulton Sheen should be moved to Peoria, Illinois – a ruling that could pave the way for the archbishop’s beatification unless there is another appeal.

A statement from the Diocese of Peoria on Tuesday welcomed the decision and called on the Archdiocese of New York “to end their failed legal contestation, which has only resulted in three rulings against them.”

“Further appeal is not only unprecedented but extremely costly to all the parties involved…Now is the time to end the legal tug-of-war and begin the final stages of the Cause of Beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen,” the Peoria statement said.

Joe Zwilling, spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York, said the Trustees of St. Patrick’s Cathedral disagree with the court decision and are considering their next steps, the Peoria Journal Star reported.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/cardinal-pells-appeal-process-to-begin-in-june-22944

Cardinal Pell's appeal process to begin in June

Cardinal George Pell outside the Hotel Quirinale in Rome, March 3, 2016. Credit: Alexey Gotovskiy/CNA.
Melbourne, Australia, Mar 6, 2019 / 11:25 am (CNA).- An Australian court announced Wednesday that Cardinal George Pell's application for leave to appeal his conviction of sexual abuse will be heard June 5-6.

Pell, 77, was convicted in December on five counts of sexual abuse stemming from charges that he sexually assaulted two choirboys while serving as Archbishop of Melbourne in 1996. He has maintained his innocence.

It was the cardinal's second trial, as a jury in an earlier trial had failed to reach a unanimous verdict. The first jury were deadlocked 10-2 in Pell's favor.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pell-lawyer-will-remain-on-legal-team-despite-report-he-would-quit-57430
Pell lawyer will remain on legal team, despite report he would quit

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta/2019-03/pope-francis-homily-mass-casa-santa-marta-preserve-memory.html

Pope at Mass: Preserve the memory of what the Lord has done
07 March 2019, 12:43

Mass at the Casa Santa Marta  (Vatican Media)
Preserving the memory of the history of salvation: When you “turn away” your heart, you risk having a “heart without a compass”. That was the message of Pope Francis at the morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta.
By Debora Donnini

Pope Francis’ homily focused on three key expressions from the day’s first Reading, taken from the book of Deuteronomy. To prepare them to enter the Promised Land, Moses places before them a challenge, which is also a choice between life and death. “It is an appeal to our liberty”, Pope Francis explained, as he focused on three key expressions used by Moses: “if you turn away your hearts”; if you “will not listen”; and “are led astray and adore and serve other gods”:
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/africa/news/2019-03/pope-president.html

Pope and CAR President satisfied for Framework Agreement between their states
06 March 2019, 13:21

Pope Francis meets President Faustin Touadéra of the Central African Republic  (Vatican Media)
Pope Francis on Tuesday afternoon received in private audience, the president of the Central African Republic, Mr. Faustin Archange Touadéra.
By Godfrey Kampamba

During their encounter, the Holy Father and Mr. Touadera focused their discussion on the existing good bilateral relations between the Holy See and the Central African Republic. Apart from looking at issues regarding the current situation in the country, the two leaders also expressed their satisfaction about the ratification of the Framework Agreement between the two states, underscoring the importance of the contribution of the Catholic Church in the construction of the Central African Republic, and acknowledged the role of Catholic institutions in the fields of education and healthcare.

The meeting between the pope and Mr. Touadera came just two days after the inauguration of the Bangui Pediatric Hospital, constructed with the sponsorship of Pope Francis, for which president Touadera expressed his and the gratitude of the people of his country.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-abuse-revelations-are-purifying-the-church-22276

Pope Francis: Abuse revelations are purifying the Church
By Hannah Brockhaus

Rome, Italy, Mar 7, 2019 / 03:01 pm (CNA).- God is purifying his Church through the painful revelations of the abuse scandals, so do not be discouraged, Pope Francis said Thursday in a meeting with the priests of the Diocese of Rome.

“Sin disfigures us, and we experience with pain the humiliating experience of when we ourselves or one of our brother priests or bishops falls into the bottomless pits of vice, corruption or, worse still, of the crime that destroys the lives of others,” he said March 7.

Speaking in the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, Francis told the priests of the Rome diocese that he feels with them “the unbearable pain and suffering that the wave of scandals – which the whole world’s newspapers are now full of – causes in us and in the whole ecclesial body.”
 

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https://zenit.org/articles/popes-program-for-bulgaria-and-north-macedonia-in-may-2019/

Pope’s Program for Bulgaria and North Macedonia in May 2019 
Stops in Skopje, Sofia, and Rakovsky
March 07, 2019 16:01•Deborah Castellano Lubov 

The Vatican on March 7, 2019, released the program for the Holy Fathers’ May 5-7, 2019, Apostolic Visit to Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia. Here is the full Vatican-provided program:

Sunday 5 May 2019

ROME-SOFIA
 
07:00 Departure by air from Rome-Fiumicino International Airport to Sofia 

10:00 Arrival at Sofia International Airport
 
 OFFICIAL WELCOME 
 MEETING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER in the Governmental Lounge of the Airport 
 WELCOME CEREMONY in the square adjacent to the Presidential Palace 
 COURTESY VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC in the Presidential Palace
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2019-03/cardinal-barbarin-suspended-sentence-lyon-abuse-vatiab.html

France: Card. Barbarin sentenced to six months suspended sentence
07 March 2019, 14:51

Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, Archbishop of Lyon, arrives to attend his trial at the courthouse in Lyon
A French court on Thursday convicted a French cardinal for failing to report to authorities allegations of sexual abuse of minors by a priest.
By Vatican News

The Lyon court handed Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, Archbishop of Lyon, a six-month suspended prison sentence for not reporting the cases in the period between July 2014 and June 2015.

The 68-year old cardinal was not present in the Lyon court on Thursday to hear his conviction. His lawyer, Jean-Felix Luciani, said he will appeal: “The court’s reasons do not convince me. We will therefore contest this decision,” the lawyer said, adding that the court had been under pressure as a result of documentaries and a film about the case.

At the end of the trial in January the prosecutor had not sought punishment for the cardinal or the five other church officials accused alongside him.

Barbarin to hand resignation to Pope Francis

In a short speech to the press at the Bishop’s House in Lyon, Card. Barbarin announced he would be going to Rome in the coming days to hand in his resignation to Pope Francis.
 

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https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/bishop-schneider-extracts-clarification-on-diversity-of-religions-from-pope-francis-brands-abuse-summit-a-failure

Mar 7, 2019 - 5:55 pm EST
EXCLUSIVE: Bishop Schneider wins clarification on “diversity of religions” from Pope Francis, brands abuse summit a “failure”
Diane Montagna

ROME, March 7, 2019 (LifeSiteNews) — In their recent ad limina visit to Rome, the bishops of Kazakhstan and Central Asia raised a number of concerns which have been widely shared in the Church over the last several years, concerning perceived ambiguities in the magisterium of Pope Francis.

Bishop Athanasius Schneider also obtained from Pope Francis a clarification that God only permits but does not positively will a “diversity of religions.”

In an exclusive interview with LifeSite, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, auxiliary of Astana, said the concerns raised during the two hour meeting with the Holy Father included “Communion for divorced and civilly ‘remarried’ Catholics, the issue of Communion for Protestant spouses in mixed marriages, and the issue of the practical spread of homosexuality in the Church.”

In a direct exchange between Pope Francis and Bishop Schneider, the claim that the “diversity of religions” is “willed by God” was also discussed. The expression, contained in a joint statement that Pope Francis signed last month with a Grand Imam in Abu Dhabi, has incited considerable controversy.

Pope Francis explicitly stated that Bishop Schneider could share the contents of their exchange on this point. “You can say that the phrase in question on the diversity of religions means the permissive will of God,” he said.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/church-in-oceania/2019/03/07/man-lodges-lawsuit-in-australian-court-against-cardinal-pell/

Man lodges lawsuit in Australian court against Cardinal Pell
Associated Press   Mar 7, 2019

MELBOURNE, Australia  - A man who alleges he was sexually molested by George Pell as a boy in the 1970s sued the disgraced cardinal in an Australian court Thursday.

The 50-year-old alleges in the filing lodged in the Victoria state Supreme Court that he was a victim of physical and sexual abuse while in the care of St. Joseph’s Boys Home in Pell’s hometown of Ballarat between 1974 and 1978.

The suit names Pell, the trustees of the Sisters of Nazareth, the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and Victoria state.
 
The man suing Pell was originally to be a complainant in Pell’s second trial. But prosecutors last year dropped the charges related to the man’s accusations over a lack of evidence.

The man also alleges physical abuse by others at the boys home and is suing for medical expenses and loss of earning capacity. He has not specified an amount of money.

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta/2019-03/pope-francis-mass-homily-santa-marta.html

Pope at Mass: Lent is an opportunity to be simple and true
08 March 2019, 13:13

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Casa Santa Marta  (ANSA)
Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the Casa Santa Marta on Friday highlighting the need for believers to be true Christians and shun appearances.
By Linda Bordoni

Taking his cue from the Book of the prophet Isaiah, Pope Francis condemned all forms of hypocrisy and explained the difference there is between objective and formal reality.

Formal reality, the Pope said, is an expression of objective reality, but the two must proceed together, or else we end up living an existence of “appearances”, a life “without truth”. 
 

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Photo Gallery at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-03/pope-development-goals-rooted-in-ethics-not-economics.html
Pope: Sustainable development rooted in ethical values
08 March 2019, 13:46

Pope Francis addresses participants of an international conference entitled, “Religions and the Sustainable Development Goals   (Vatican Media)
Pope Francis on Friday meets with participants in an international conference entitled, “Religions and the Sustainable Development Goals
By Lydia O'Kane

In 2015 Pope Francis addressed the UN General Assembly in New York shortly before member states unanimously adopted Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Fast forward to 2019 and the Pope was in the Vatican on Friday where he greeted participants taking part in a two day international conference entitled, “Religions and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Listening to the cry of the earth and of the poor”.
 

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Photo Gallery at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-03/pope-francis-american-jews-women-antisemitism-indifference-dialo.html#.XIKPmQg57N0.twitter
Pope on Women’s Day: women build world with peace, love
08 March 2019, 14:24

Pope Francis meeting a delegation of the American Jewish Committee.  (Vatican Media)
During a meeting a delegation of the American Jewish Committee on March 8, Pope Francis recalled women’s contribution to peace and love in “making humanity a family”. He also spoke about anti-Semitism, indifference and dialogue.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis on Friday marked International Women’s Day, stressing the “irreplaceable contribution of women in building a world that can be a home for all,” through their efforts toward peace and love.  “Women make the world beautiful, they protect it and keep it alive.”  “They bring the grace of renewal, the embrace of inclusion, and the courage to give of oneself,” he told some 40 representatives of the American Jewish Committee who met him in the Vatican.