Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-communicate-by-encountering-people-where-they-are.html

Pope Francis: Communicate by encountering people as they are
23 January 2021, 11:19

In his message for the 55th World Communications Day, Pope Francis says Jesus’ invitation to “Come and see” is the way by which the Christian faith is communicated.
By Vatican News staff reporter

“The call to ‘come and see’… is the method for every authentic human communication,” says Pope Francis in his Message for the the 55th World Communications Day. The Vatican released the text of the Pope’s Message on Saturday, the eve of the feast of St Francis de Sales, the patron saint of journalists.

"This year," says Pope Francis, "I would like to devote this Message to the invitation to 'come and see', which can serve as an inspiration for all communication that strives to be clear and honest, in the press, on the internet, in the Church’s daily preaching and in political or social communication." This theme recalls the Gospel account of the first disciples’ initial encounters with Jesus, who invited them to “Come and see,” to enter into relationship with Him. Later, one of those disciples, St Philip, speaking to his friend Nathaniel, invited him to “Come and see” the Messiah whom he had found.

“That is how Christian faith begins, and how it is communicated: as direct knowledge, born of experience, and not of hearsay. says Pope Francis. He explains that seeing something for oneself is the best way of getting at the truth of things, and “the most honest test of every message, because, in order to know, we need to encounter, to let the person in front of me speak, to let his or her testimony reach me.”
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-world-communications-day-message-witness-to-the-truth-by-exposing-fake-news-99921
Pope Francis: Witness to the truth by exposing ‘fake news’

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-suffering-from-sciatica-cancels-appointments.html

Pope will not preside over upcoming celebrations due to sciatica
23 January 2021, 19:12

The Holy See Press Office announces that Pope Francis will be unable to preside over a series of appointments on Sunday and Monday, due to a recurrence of sciatica.
By Vatican News staff reporter

Pope Francis will not preside at several celebrations on Sunday and Monday, according to a statement released by Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office.

These include the Mass for the Sunday of the Word of God in St. Peter’s Basilica, which will be presided over instead by Archbishop Rino Fisichella.

He will however lead the Angelus prayer in the Library of the Apostolic Palace on Sunday at noon, as scheduled.

On Monday, the Pope was due to meet with the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, but the meeting has been postponed.

He also will not preside over Vespers for the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at the Basilica of St. Paul. The event will go ahead as planned, and will be presided over by Cardinal Kurt Koch, the president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-god-s-word-a-love-letter-from-the-one-who-knows-us.html
Pope at Mass: God’s Word a love letter from the One who knows us best
24 January 2021, 10:31

In his homily at Mass for the Sunday of the Word of God, read by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pope Francis invites Christians to make time for Sacred Scripture, and emphasizes that God’s Word is one of consolation but also a call to conversion.
By Lydia O’Kane

Holy Mass for the 2nd Sunday of the Word of God was celebrated by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation, standing in for Pope Francis who is suffering from a painful attack of sciatica.

In his homily, which was read by Archbishop Fisichella, Pope Francis focused his attention on what Jesus says and to whom He says it, as He proclaims the Kingdom of God.
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-angelus-time-salvation-conversion.html
Pope at Angelus: God calls us to conversion at every stage of life
24 January 2021, 12:10

At the Angelus address on Sunday, Pope Francis reminds Christians that every moment is the right time to convert our hearts toward love of God and neighbor.
By Devin Watkins

In his catechesis ahead of the Angelus prayer on Sunday, Pope Francis took his cue from the day’s Gospel (Mk 1:14-20), in which Jesus begins his public ministry after the arrest of John the Baptist.

Jesus’ preaching, said the Pope, can be summed up in these words: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

He said two key themes emerge from this message: “time and conversion”.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-word-god-sunday-carry-read-bible-appeal.html
Pope recalls Word of God Sunday, urges all to read Bible
24 January 2021, 13:04

Video, with English text, at the link
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-prays-nigerian-homeless-man-died-rome.html
Pope prays for Nigerian homeless man found dead near St. Peter’s
24 January 2021, 12:49

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-video-message-latin-america-assembly.html

Pope Francis urges Church to be near to all in Latin America
24 January 2021, 16:54

Pope Francis sends a video message to the first Ecclesial Assembly of the Church in Latin America and the Caribbean, and urges Church leaders to listen to the faithful and to be united in prayer.
By Devin Watkins

The Catholic Church in Latin America and the Caribbean has begun the journey toward its first-ever Ecclesial Assembly.

The event, originally scheduled for Spring 2021, will instead take place on 21-28 November of this year, and will focus on the theme: “We are all missionary disciples on the move.”

On Sunday, Church leaders from the region—along with lay faithful, clergy, and religious men and women—met in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Mexico City.
 
Video at the link below--
VIDEO MENSAJE DEL PAPA EN LA PRESENTACIÓN DE LA ASAMBLEA ECLESIAL DE AMERICA LATINA Y EL CARIBE
Jan 24, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R8LuhCsy6I

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-we-bear-fruit-only-if-we-remain-united-in-jesus.html
Pope Francis: We can bear fruit only if we remain united in Jesus
25 January 2021, 19:33

As the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity draws to a close, Pope Francis reflects on the “indispensable unity” that comes from abiding in Jesus, in a homily read by Cardinal Kurt Koch.
By Christopher Wells

On Monday, the feast of the Conversion of St Paul, an ecumenical Vespers service concluded the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The annual event took place, as usual, in the Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Walls, where the great Apostle is buried. This year, however, Pope Francis, who would normally preside over the liturgy, was unable to attend due to a painful attack of sciatica. In his place, Cardinal Kurt Koch, the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, led the service of evening prayer, accompanied by leaders from various other Christian churches and ecclesial communities.

Although physically absent, Pope Francis was present in spirit and in word, through a homily read by Cardinal Koch. In his prepared remarks, Pope Francis reflects on Jesus’ words from the Gospel of St John: “Abide in me,” the theme of this year’s Week of Prayer. Beginning with the image of the vine and the branches, the Pope insists that “we can grow and bear fruit only if we remain united to Jesus.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-funeral-personal-doctor-fabrizio-soccorsi-vatican.html

Pope Francis attends funeral of his personal doctor
26 January 2021, 19:30

Pope Francis attends the funeral of Fabrizio Soccorsi, his personal doctor who died on 9 February. The funeral Mass was celebrated by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis on Tuesday attended the funeral of his personal doctor, Fabrizio Soccorsi, who died of Covid-related causes on 9 January.

A statement released by the Holy See Press Office said that during the afternoon, the Holy Father went to the Church of Santa Maria Regina della Famiglia in the Vatican’s Governorate, to attend the funeral of Professor Soccorsi. The funeral Mass was celebrated by his Eminence Cardinal Parolin.

78-year old Doctor Fabrizio Soccorsi, died of complications caused by Covid-19.

He had been admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on 26 December because of cancer, but died because of “pulmonary complications” caused by the new coronavirus.

Soccorsi had been the Pope’s personal physician since 2015. He had also served as an adviser for the Vatican’s health services department and a consultant-physician to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-at-audience-the-bible-the-place-where-god-meets-man.html
Pope at Audience: The Bible, the place where God meets man
27 January 2021, 10:29

Continuing his catechesis on prayer at the Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis reflects on the importance of the Sacred Scriptures in the life of prayer, saying it was written for each one of us.
By Lydia O'Kane

“The words of the Sacred Scripture were not written to remain imprisoned on papyrus, parchment or paper, but to be received by a person who prays, making them blossom in his or her heart.” Those were Pope Francis’ words during his Catechesis at his Wednesday General Audience.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-international-holocaust-remembrance-day.html
On Holocaust Remembrance Day, Pope says remembering is an expression of humanity
27 January 2021, 11:40

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-on-international-holocaust-remembrance-day-these-things-can-happen-again-62999
Pope Francis on Holocaust Remembrance Day: ‘These things can happen again’

The general audience address be Pope Francis at the link
http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2021/documents/papa-francesco_20210127_udienza-generale.html

POPE FRANCIS
GENERAL AUDIENCE
Library of the Apostolic Palace
Wednesday, 27 January 2021

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-meets-world-food-program-head-as-agency-warns-about-child-hunger-95248

Pope Francis meets World Food Program head as agency warns about child hunger
By Hannah Brockhaus

Rome Newsroom, Jan 28, 2021 / 01:00 pm MT (CNA).- Pope Francis met on Thursday with the head of the World Food Program, as the organization issued a warning that more than 300 million children are going hungry amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The pope met David Beasley at the Vatican on Jan. 28. The 40-minute meeting took place as the WFP and UNICEF released a joint research report on the impact of school closures on children’s nutrition.

The report said that around the world more than 39 billion in-school meals have been missed due to school closures since the start of the pandemic.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-grants-plenary-indulgence-for-participants-in-virtual-march-for-life

Pope Francis grants plenary indulgence for participants in virtual March For Life

CNA Staff, Jan 28, 2021 / 09:47 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis has granted a plenary indulgence for those who take part in this year’s March for Life, an annual peaceful protest against abortion, which is set to take place virtually Jan. 29.

An indulgence is the remission of the temporal punishment due to sins which have already been forgiven.

The usual conditions for a plenary indulgence, which must be met, are that the individual be in the state of grace by the completion of the acts, have complete detachment from sin, and pray for the Pope's intentions.

The person must also sacramentally confess their sins and receive Communion, up to about twenty days before or after the indulgenced act.

The organizers of the March for Life— which normally attracts hundreds of thousands of pro-life protestors to Washington D.C.— announced Jan. 15 that the 48th annual demonstration would be virtual due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and risk of unrest in the nation’s capital.

Organizers said participants will be able to follow the march and participate virtually on its website.
 
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/catholics-attending-watching-march-for-life-2021-online-can-gain-a-plenary-indulgence
Catholics attending or watching March for Life 2021 online can gain a plenary indulgence

In a letter sent to bishops across America, Cardinal Gregory wrote: 'This year’s plenary indulgence provides for those pilgrims who will attend events in person and for those pilgrims who will attend events virtually due to the ongoing pandemic.'
Thu Jan 28, 2021 - 1:30 pm EST

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Links provided below--

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/live-coverage-2021-march-for-life
LIVE COVERAGE: 2021 March for Life
Follow our live-blog here for instant updates.
Fri Jan 29, 2021 - 10:17 am EST

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 29, 2021 (LifeSiteNews) – Today is the 2021 March for Life, which will be different from all past marches because organizers asked pro-lifers to stay home and participate virtually, with only a “small group of pro-life leaders” invited to demonstrate in person.

However, a number of pro-life Masses and events are still happening in the nation’s capital, and LifeSite’s videographers on the ground report that a number of marchers have shown up anyway and plan to spend the day protesting abortion. The virtual March for Life rally and speeches from pro-life leaders will be livestreamed here.

LifeSiteNews will provide complete coverage of the day’s events, including through our live-blog below.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-roman-rota-tribunal-family-children.html

Pope to Roman Rota: protect the integral good of the family
29 January 2021, 12:14

Pope Francis received the members of the Apostolic Tribunal of the Roman Rota on Friday at the start of their judicial year. He urged them to consider the good of the family, especially of children, in their decision-making on matrimonial nullity.
By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis on Friday addressed the officials of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota on the occasion of the inauguration of their Judicial Year.

In his message, the Pope held up the theme of Christian matrimony, recalling his message to the Tribunal officials last year. He also highlighted that the good of the family, especially that of children, should be considered even beyond the situations of matrimonial nullity.

The Tribunal is the Church's highest court that handles appeals of marriage annulment cases. it also deals with other judicial and non-administrative cases related to Canon Law.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/world-mission-day-pope-francis-calls-for-a-mission-of-compassio.html

World Mission Day: Pope Francis calls for a mission of compassion
29 January 2021, 12:01

Pope Francis releases his message for World Mission Day, underlining that amid this pandemic there is the need for a “mission of compassion.”
By Vatican News staff reporter

“We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard,” taken from the Acts of the Apostles, is the theme chosen by Pope Francis for World Mission Day 2021 which will be observed on October 24th.

In the message released on Friday, the Pope emphasizes that “Once we experience the power of God’s love, and recognize his fatherly presence in our personal and community life, we cannot help but proclaim and share what we have seen and heard.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-catechesis-is-the-echo-of-the-word-of-god.html

Pope Francis: Catechesis is the echo of the Word of God
30 January 2021, 12:34

Pope Francis welcomes members of Italy’s National Catechetical Office, inviting them to pray and think creatively about catechesis.
By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis called on catechists to “pray and think creatively about a catechesis centred on the kerygma, which looks to the future of our communities, so that they may be ever more rooted in the Gospel, communities that are fraternal, and inclusive.”

The Holy Father was speaking to members of the National Catechetical Office of the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI). The Office, founded in 1961, this year celebrates the 60th anniversary of its foundation. “This anniversary is a precious occasion for remembering, giving thanks for gifts received, and renewing the spirit of proclamation,” the Pope said, before offering several points of reflection “that I hope will help you in your work” in the coming years.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-meets-with-cardinal-cupich-after-biden-inauguration-statement-dispute-60869

Pope Francis meets with Cardinal Cupich after Biden inauguration statement dispute
By Courtney Mares

Vatican City, Jan 30, 2021 / 08:00 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis met with Cardinal Blase Cupich on Saturday, 10 days after the cardinal publicly criticized the U.S. bishops’ official statement on the inauguration of President Joe Biden.

The private audience occurred in the Apostolic Palace on the morning of Jan. 30. Cardinal Cupich, the archbishop of Chicago, has been in Rome for a meeting of the Vatican Congregation for Bishops. The Holy See Press Office did not release any further information on the meeting other than that it took place.

On Jan. 20, the day of the U.S. presidential inauguration, Cupich took to Twitter to criticize a statement from Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. bishops’ conference.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-angelus-catechesis-preaching-healing.html

Pope at Angelus: ‘Let yourselves feel the full force of God’s word'
31 January 2021, 12:10

Pope Francis on Sunday encouraged believers to read the Gospel with an open heart, to listen to Him and follow Him, to experience the signs of His salvation in their lives.
By Vatican News staff writer

Addressing the faithful on the fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time from the Library of the Apostolic Palace, the Pope reflected on the reading from the Gospel of Mark (Mk 1: 21-28), that he explained, tells of a typical day in Jesus’ ministry: The Sabbath, a day dedicated to repose and prayer.

He described the reaction of those present in the synagogue of Capernaum where Jesus was reading and commenting on the Scriptures.

They were attracted by His manner of speaking, the Pope said, and they were astonished because Jesus demonstrates an authority different to that of the scribes.

Furthermore, he said, “Jesus shows Himself to be powerful also in His works. Indeed, a man of the synagogue turns to Him, addressing Him as God’s envoy: He recognises the evil spirit, orders him to leave that man, and so drives him out.”

The Pope said the reading highlights two characteristic elements of Jesus’ work: “preaching, and the thaumaturgical work of the healer.”
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-establishes-world-day-for-grandparents-and-the-elderly.html
Pope establishes World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
31 January 2021, 12:54

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-calls-for-united-effort-in-fight-against-leprosy.html
Pope calls for united effort in fight against leprosy
31 January 2021, 14:32

Video, with English commentary, at the link below--
POPE'S ANGELUS OF 31 JANUARY 2021
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/angelus/2021-01/pope-s-angelus-of-31-january-2021.html

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Video, with English text, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-s-prayer-intention-for-february.html
Pope's prayer intention for February
01 February 2021, 17:00

The Pope Video for February sends out a powerful message against the various kinds of violence against women. In the face of this “degradation of all humanity,” the Holy Father asks that women be protected by society and that their sufferings be heeded by all.

The Pope Video for February has been published, with the prayer intention that Francis is entrusting to the entire Catholic Church through the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network. It is a powerful message against the violence that millions of women suffer daily: “psychological violence, verbal violence, physical violence, sexual violence.” For Pope Francis, these abuses are “acts of cowardice and a degradation of all humanity.” Consequently, he asks us to pray for the victims, “that they may be protected by society and have their sufferings considered and heeded by all.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-encourages-catholic-news-service-to-foster-dialogue.html

Pope encourages Catholic News Service to foster dialogue, honest communication
01 February 2021, 10:35

Pope Francis on Monday met with a delegation from Catholic News Service, on the hundredth anniversary of the establishment of the news agency.
By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis conversed informally with journalists from Catholic News Service, during an audience marking the one hundredth anniversary of the news agency’s establishment by the Bishops of the United States.

In prepared remarks, which were not delivered viva voce but distributed to those present, Pope Francis said, “Over these past hundred years, Catholic News Service has provided an invaluable contribution to the English-speaking world through its coverage of the Church’s mission proclaiming the Gospel and witnessing to the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ.”
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-tells-news-agency-i-look-at-the-us-church-with-hope-71017
Pope Francis tells news agency: ‘I look at the US Church with hope’

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-to-join-first-world-day-human-fraternity.html

Pope to participate in first International Day of Human Fraternity
01 February 2021, 10:00

The Holy Father will mark the International Day of Human Fraternity in a virtual meeting on 4 February, the date set by the United Nations General Assembly for this new annual occasion. He will do so together with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb. The event will be hosted in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed.

Pope Francis will celebrate the International Day of Human Fraternity on Thursday, 4 February, in a virtual event hosted by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, with the participation of the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb; Secretary General António Guterres of the United Nations; and other personalities.

On the same occasion, the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, which is inspired by the Human Fraternity Document, will be awarded. The meeting and the award ceremony will be streamed in several languages starting at 14:30 (Rome time) - 13.30 (GMT time) - by Vatican News, the multimedia information portal of the Holy See, and broadcast by Vatican Media
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-speaks-with-catholic-news-service.html

Pope Francis speaks with Catholic News Service about US Church, journey to Iraq
02 February 2021, 09:03

Pope Francis had an informal conversation on Monday with a small group of journalists from the press agency of the US Bishops’ Conference. During the encounter, the Holy Father spoke about his upcoming trip to Iraq, the role of the media in building unity, and the face of the Church in the United States today.
By Gabriella Ceraso

The Pope’s meeting at Casa Santa Marta on Monday with a group of journalists from Catholic News Service (CNS) began with a prayer and then took the form of a dialogue. The news agency of the US Bishops’ Conference is marking the 100th anniversary of its foundation. According to the journalists present, the Holy Father spoke about his great desire to go to Iraq, a visit that will take place in March, barring a new wave of the Covid-19 contagion. Pope Francis said he wanted to show his closeness to the Iraqi people, as Pope St John Paul II had intended to do in 2000, although the latter was unable to make the journey.

In a written speech that was handed to those present, the Pope referred to the history of Catholic News Service as “an invaluable contribution to the English-speaking world” in the search for truth “in an age when truth can be easily manipulated and misinformation spread.” Then, speaking informally with the delegation from CNS, he spoke about the role of journalists who should help people distinguish between good and evil, and should contribute to dialogue.