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Pope Francis: ‘Let Yourselves Be Consoled By the Lord’

December 8, 2014 breaking Comments Off on Pope Francis: ‘Let Yourselves Be Consoled By the Lord’

Calls on Faithful to Be Joyful Witnesses of God’s Mercy During Angelus Address Vatican City, December 07, 2014 (Zenit.org) Junno Arocho Esteves “Today there is a need for people who are witnesses of the mercy and tenderness of the Lord, which shakes up those who are resigned, revives the discouraged, [and] ignites the fire of hope.” These were the words of Pope Francis during his Sunday Angelus address to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square today. Despite the chilly morning weather, thousands packed the square, where an 83 foot fir tree and construction scaffolding were placed at the center in preparation for Christmas. In his address, the Holy Father reflected on the first reading of Sunday’s liturgy from the…Continue Reading

Pope Angelus: Advent, A Time Of Hope

December 7, 2014 breaking Comments Off on Pope Angelus: Advent, A Time Of Hope

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis during the Angelus from the window of his studio above St Peter’s Square recalled the second Sunday of Advent saying that it was a wonderful time “that awakens in us the expectation of Christ’s return and the memory of his historic coming.” Focusing on the day’s liturgy the Holy Father said that it presents us with a hopeful message. Quoting from the Book of Isaiah “Comfort, give comfort to my people, the Pope explained this reading is about a time of joyful liberation and salvation, and a time of looking ahead with confidence to the future He went on to say that Isaiah refers to people who went through a dark period, but now the time…Continue Reading

Pope: Message to Festival of the Family participants

December 6, 2014 breaking Comments Off on Pope: Message to Festival of the Family participants

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a Message to the organizers and participants in the Festival of the Family taking place on the shore of Lake Garda in north-central Italy on Friday. “The future of humanity depends upon the family,” writes the Holy Father in his Message, “and it is therefore necessary to allow [the family] to play its role,” in society. The theme of the gathering is: the ecosystem of life and work.  “It is not enough to reiterate the importance of the family and to affirm its rights,” continues Pope Francis’ Message, “it is necessary to consider how the tasks of the family and of society can be structured in real terms, especially with regard to the relationship…Continue Reading

Pope: The Hidden Holiness Of The Saints Of Daily Life

December 5, 2014 breaking Comments Off on Pope: The Hidden Holiness Of The Saints Of Daily Life

(Vatican Radio) There are many hidden saints, men, women, fathers and mothers of families, sick people, priests who every day put into practice the love of Jesus; and this give us hope. That was the message of Pope Francis today at his daily morning Mass at Santa Marta. The true Christian puts the Word of God into practice; it is not enough to say that you have faith. Commenting on the parable of the house built on rock or on sand, taken from the day’s Gospel, Pope Francis said we should not be “Christians in appearance,” made-up Christians, because when the rain comes, the make-up runs off. It is not enough to belong to a very Catholic family, or to…Continue Reading

Pope Mass: A Humble Heart Knows God, Theology Is Done On One’s Knees

December 4, 2014 breaking Comments Off on Pope Mass: A Humble Heart Knows God, Theology Is Done On One’s Knees

Vatican Radio) Those who study the mystery of God are brought to their knees because God reveals more to a humble heart. Those were the Pope’s words during his Homily at Mass Tuesday morning at the Casa Santa Martha. The eyes of the poor, said Pope Francis, are most likely to see Christ and, through him, to see the face of God. Others who claim to fathom this mystery with the resources of intelligence must first get down on their “knees”, in an act of humility , otherwise “they will not understand anything.” During his Homily the Pope focused on the Gospel of St Luke from the morning’s liturgy, reflecting on Christ’s relationship to the Father, both praising and thanking…Continue Reading

Pope at Audience: Fruits of pilgrimage to Turkey

December 3, 2014 breaking Comments Off on Pope at Audience: Fruits of pilgrimage to Turkey

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis had words of praise and thanks for Turkey and the Salesian fathers of Istanbul, for all the good and “hidden” work they do for countless refugees from the Iraqi and Syrian wars. Retracing the steps of his recent pilgrimage to Turkey during his general audience Wednesday, the Pope also highlighted the constant need for prayer on the journey towards full communion with the Orthodox Church and reiterated the importance of Christians and Muslims working together in solidarity for peace. Rain pounded umbrellas in St. Peter’s Square Wednesday, forcing the audience to be split in two – as the Pope himself noted greeting the ‘brave’ pilgrims before him. Before heading out among the thousands in the Square…Continue Reading

Pope Francis: “Our Martyrs Are Crying Out: We Are One”

December 2, 2014 breaking Comments Off on Pope Francis: “Our Martyrs Are Crying Out: We Are One”

Pontiff Gives 45 Minute Interview on Return Flight from Turkey Vatican City, December 01, 2014 (Zenit.org) Junno Arocho Esteves Pope Francis gave a 45 minute press conference aboard his plane as he was returning from his Apostolic Visit to Turkey. During the conference, the Holy Father answered a wide range of questions that dealt which such topics as relations with Muslims, ecumenism, the issue of primacy, and the recent Synod on the Family. Regarding the plight of both Muslims and Christians in the Middle East, the Holy Father first addressed the issue of Islamophobia that has spread due to the actions of terrorist organizations, such as the Islamic State. “I can understand this. And I sincerely believe that we cannot…Continue Reading

Pope to Swiss Bishops: Be the Body of Christ, not just another NGO

December 1, 2014 breaking Comments Off on Pope to Swiss Bishops: Be the Body of Christ, not just another NGO

(Vatican Radio) Straight off the plane from Turkey, Pope Francis resumed his daily activities at the Vatican Monday morning which included a meeting with Swiss bishops who are on their 5 yearly Ad limina visit. The Pope handed them a pre-prepared text and then greeted them one by one.  In the text the Pope praises Switzerland’s history of being at the forefront of  working for peace, through its witness to cultural and religious coexistence. He writes “although many citizens are distant from the Church, the majority recognize the positive role played by Catholics and Protestants in the social field”. Here Pope Francis urges the bishops to look back on their nations long Christian tradition – and next year’s celebration of…Continue Reading

Pope Issues Letter For Year Of Consecrated Life

November 29, 2014 breaking Comments Off on Pope Issues Letter For Year Of Consecrated Life

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis issued a letter for the Year of Consecrated Life, which will start throughout the universal Church on the first Sunday of Advent, 30 November. The observance will end on the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, 2 February 2016. In his message, the Pope underlined the aims of the Year of Consecrated Life, namely to look to the past with gratitude, to live the present with passion and to embrace the future with hope. The Pope then expressed his expectations for the yearlong observance: that consecrated men and women would be witnesses of communion, of joy and the Gospel, and go evermore to the peripheries to proclaim the Good News. “I am counting…Continue Reading

Pope Makes First Stop at Mausoleum of Atatürk in Turkey

November 28, 2014 breaking Comments Off on Pope Makes First Stop at Mausoleum of Atatürk in Turkey

Ankara, November 28, 2014 (Zenit.org) Junno Arocho Esteves In his first stop on his Apostolic Visit to Turkey, Pope Francis visited the famed Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Upon his arrival, the Pope was welcomed by government and military authorities, as well as Archbishop Antonio Lucibello, Apostolic Nuncio. Shortly after landing, the Holy Father was whisked away to the memorial tomb of the founder of modern-day Turkey. Atatürk served as a military officer during World War I and later on led the Turkish National Movement during the Turkish War of Independence, following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire. His political, economic and cultural reforms shaped Turkey after the fall of the empire. The site has been visited by…Continue Reading