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Pope Francis Tells Dutch Youth To “Think Big” In Following Jesus

July 3, 2014 Pope Francis Comments Off on Pope Francis Tells Dutch Youth To “Think Big” In Following Jesus

2014-07-01 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has spoken again about his proposed three-year journey of spiritual preparation to the 2016 World Youth Day in Krakow based on the Beatitudes, which he presented in his 2014 Message for World Youth Day. He spoke about his programme in a Message to the National Catholic Youth Festival of the Netherlands, which took place this past weekend at the Abbey of Mariënkroon in Nieuwkuijk. The Holy Father’s Message discussed the theme of the Festival: New, Pure, and Intense. Pope Francis said the message of the Beatitudes is new, and is “in fact, revolutionary…[presenting] a model of happiness contrary to the logic of this world.” He went on to say that once we accept Jesus…Continue Reading

Il Messaggero Interview

July 2, 2014 Pope Francis Comments Off on Il Messaggero Interview

2014-07-01 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) The Rome daily “Il Messaggero” on Sunday published an interview with Pope Francis made ​​by journalist Franca Giansoldati. In his responses to questions on a wide range of issues, the Holy Father focused, among other things, on the challenges of change in the current “era” and “culture,” which has consequences for political, financial, and social life. The Church, along with various civil and social institutions,  must respond to these challenges by protecting the common good and defending human life and dignity. “Always protecting the common good, which includes “defending human life and dignity” is “the vocation of every politician,” the Holy Father said. Today, the problem of politics – which Pope Francis called a “worldwide…Continue Reading

There Are More Christian Martyrs Today Than Ever

July 1, 2014 Pope Francis Comments Off on There Are More Christian Martyrs Today Than Ever

2014-07-01 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis said on Monday that there are more persecuted Christians in the world today than there were in the first centuries of Christianity. The Pope’s words came as he celebrated Mass at the Casa Santa Marta on the day in which the Church remembers the first Roman martyrs who were martyred during Nero’s persecution in 64. The prayer at the beginning of the Mass recalls that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church”. We speak of the growth of a plant – the Pope said in his homily – and this makes us think of what Jesus used to say: “The kingdom of heaven is like a seed. Someone took…Continue Reading

Grace Of Christ Transformed Peter And Paul

June 30, 2014 Pope Francis Comments Off on Grace Of Christ Transformed Peter And Paul

2014-06-30 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Peter and Paul were “transformed” by the God’s mercy, Pope Francis said at his weekly Angelus address on Sunday. The Church in Rome, the Pope noted, has always celebrated a single feast for the two great Apostles of Rome. “Faith in Christ made them brothers, and martyrdom made them one,” he said. Both Saint Peter and Saint Paul were personally chosen by Christ, “and they responded to the call by offering their whole lives.” Although Peter had denied Christ, and Paul had persecuted the Church, “the grace of Christ accomplished great things in them, it transformed them!” the Pope said. “Both welcomed the love of God and allowed themselves to be transformed by His mercy;…Continue Reading

Homily For The Solemnity Of Saints Peter And Paul

June 29, 2014 Pope Francis Comments Off on Homily For The Solemnity Of Saints Peter And Paul

2014-06-29 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis celebrated Mass for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul on Sunday, in the Basilica of Saint Peter. During the Mass, he conferred the pallium on Archbishops from around the world who had been appointed within the past year. Among those present for the celebration was an Ecumenical Delegation from the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Pope Francis’ homily focused on the importance for pastors of placing their entire confidence in the Lord. Below, please find the complete text of Pope Francis’ homily for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. On this Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, the principal patrons of Rome, we welcome with joy and gratitude the Delegation sent by the…Continue Reading

To have A Dialogue With God We Need To Make Ourselves Like A Small Child

June 28, 2014 Pope Francis Comments Off on To have A Dialogue With God We Need To Make Ourselves Like A Small Child

2014-06-28 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis said God is like a gentle father who holds us by the hand and we need to become like a small child to have a dialogue with Him.  This was the focus of his homily during the Mass he celebrated on Friday in the Santa Marta residence. June 27th is the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Pope’s  homily was a reflection on the nature of the love between God and his people.  He described this feast as a celebration of God’s love in Jesus Christ. “There are two aspects to this love.  First, love is more about giving than receiving.  Second, love is more about actions than words.  When…Continue Reading

Whom Do I Like To Follow?

June 27, 2014 Pope Francis Comments Off on Whom Do I Like To Follow?

2014-06-27 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) People follow Jesus because they recognize that He is the Good Shepherd. That was Pope Francis’ message at Mass on Thursday morning at the Casa Santa Marta. He warned against those who reduce the faith to moralism, pursue a political liberation, or seek deals with power. In his homily, the Holy Father referred to a kind of “casistica” – literally, “casuistry” – which we have translated as “moralistic quibbling,” the closest English equivalent to the Pope’s meaning. Why do so many people follow Jesus? That was the question Pope Francis asked in his homily, which centred on the people and the teaching of the Lord. The crowds, he said, followed Jesus because “they were astonished…Continue Reading

Pope Francis Calls John The Baptist A Model For Christians Today

June 26, 2014 Pope Francis Comments Off on Pope Francis Calls John The Baptist A Model For Christians Today

2014-06-26 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) John the Baptist as a model for Christians today: that was the focus of Pope Francis’ homily at Mass in the Santa Marta chapel on Tuesday morning, the feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist. Describing him as ‘the greatest of the prophets’, the Pope summed up the three key vocations of John in three words: ‘prepare’, ‘discern’ and ‘diminish’. Firstly Pope Francis said John was a man who prepared the way for Jesus without taking any of the glory for himself. People sought him out and followed him because he was a powerful preacher, the Pope noted, but when asked if he was the Messiah, John replied that he was just “a voice”…Continue Reading

The Joy Of Priesthood And The Beauty Of Fraternity

June 25, 2014 Pope Francis Comments Off on The Joy Of Priesthood And The Beauty Of Fraternity

2014-06-23 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) “I have very much desired this meeting with you who bear the daily burden of parish work” Pope Francis said on Saturday, greeting the priests of the Diocese of Cassano all’Jonio. In his address, the Holy Father spoke to the assembled clerics about “the joy of being a priest.” There is nothing more beautiful for a man than to be called to the priesthood, he said… called to follow Jesus, to be with Him, to bring Jesus to others, to bring them His Word and His forgiveness. Although the work of a priest is not always easy, drawing near to Jesus in the tabernacle can renew and re-animate priestly zeal. Stopping for a moment before…Continue Reading

Pope Francis Calls John The Baptist A Model For Christians Today

June 24, 2014 Pope Francis Comments Off on Pope Francis Calls John The Baptist A Model For Christians Today

2014-06-24 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) John the Baptist as a model for Christians today: that was the focus of Pope Francis’ homily at Mass in the Santa Marta chapel on Tuesday morning, the feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist. Describing him as ‘the greatest of the prophets’, the Pope summed up the three key vocations of John in three words: ‘prepare’, ‘discern’ and ‘diminish’. Firstly Pope Francis said John was a man who prepared the way for Jesus without taking any of the glory for himself. People sought him out and followed him because he was a powerful preacher, the Pope noted, but when asked if he was the Messiah, John replied that he was just “a voice”…Continue Reading