Category Archives: Pope Francis

Middle East, Pope Francis, U.S., Vatican, World Organisations

US Representative in Rome to Push for ‘Global Covenant of World Religions’

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by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D. 25 Oct 2014

Rome provides a “neutral brokerage” where religious leaders can work together for peace, says Jerry White, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations.  In an interview with Vatican Radio, White spoke of the need for faith leaders to work harder to prevent religiously motivated violence.  Islamic state extremists have brought the question of faith and violence to the fore, and the world religions must be in the forefront of the peace process. Continue reading US Representative in Rome to Push for ‘Global Covenant of World Religions’ →

Doctrine, Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Thirteen Cardinals Have Written to the Pope. Here’s the Letter

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But Francis has rejected their requests en bloc. And meanwhile, the “Relatio finalis” has disappeared from the program of the synod

by Sandro Magister

[POST SCRIPTUM]

A spokesperson for Cardinal George Pell said that a private letter should remain private but it seems that there are errors in both the content and the list of signatories. Continue reading Thirteen Cardinals Have Written to the Pope. Here’s the Letter →

Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Synod Terce Prayer: Appeal for peace in the Middle East and Africa

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Vatican City, 9 October 2015 (VIS). The Pope exhorted bishops to dedicate the Terce prayer “to the intention of reconciliation and peace in the Middle East”, as he opened the fourth General Congregation of the 14th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Vatican City this morning. The Pope also launched an appeal to the international community to find a way of resolving current conflicts, and finally urged the bishops to include in their prayer all those zones in Africa that are experiencing similar situations of conflict.
Continue reading Synod Terce Prayer: Appeal for peace in the Middle East and Africa →

Doctrine, Pope Francis, Religion, U.S., Vatican, World Organisations

A gay Catholic activist hopes for a softer tone and a merciful attitude

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Francis DeBernardo and Sister Jeannine Gramick of New Ways Ministry at the White House welcome event for Pope Francis last month. (New Ways Ministry blog)

By Michael O’Loughlin National reporter October 9, 2015

As 270 Catholic bishops from around the world debate issues related to the family inside the Vatican’s Synod Hall from Oct. 4-25, activists, advocacy groups, and ordinary people with a cause to promote or a question to raise have descended on Rome to be active on the sidelines of the event, representing views across the spectrum. Crux is offering periodic snapshots of this “synod outside the synod,” profiling people and their causes.

ROME — Even as the Western world increasingly accepts same-sex marriage and moves on to other battles in the culture wars, the Catholic Church remains steadfast in its conviction that marriage is, and will always be, the union of one man and one woman. Continue reading A gay Catholic activist hopes for a softer tone and a merciful attitude →

Doctrine, Jesus, Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

World Hunger at Synod???

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8/10/15

Will the Catholic Church discuss “World Hunger” at the synod and take an active role in helping eliminate this world travesty?

This video below was produced in 2006 and nine years later “World Hunger” is still a problem. There is enough food for all. Why? Continue reading World Hunger at Synod??? →

Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Pope Francis at weekly General Audience

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2015-10-07 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held his weekly General Audience on Wednesday in St. Peter’s Square – the first of three Wednesday Audiences scheduled to take place during the course of the XIV Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, dedicated to reflecting on the family in the life of the Church and of society.  Below, please find the official English-language summary of the Holy Father’s prepared remarks Continue reading Pope Francis at weekly General Audience →

Doctrine, Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Pope Francis at Audience: ‘family spirit’ a constitution for Church

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2015-10-07 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held his weekly General Audience on Wednesday in St. Peter’s Square – the first of three Wednesday Audiences scheduled to take place during the course of the XIV Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, dedicated to reflecting on the family in the life of the Church and of society. Continue reading Pope Francis at Audience: ‘family spirit’ a constitution for Church →

Doctrine, Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Keeping doors open at the Synod on the Family

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2015-10-06 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) On Tuesday afternoon, participants at the Synod of Bishops on the family move into small language group discussions, following on from one and a half days of presentations at the General Congregations. Philippa Hitchen takes a look at some of the key issues that have emerged during this first phase of the three week encounter…. Continue reading Keeping doors open at the Synod on the Family →

Doctrine, Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Synod on the Family: Press Briefing Day 2

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2015-10-06 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J. opened the daily press conference by explaining what had happened in the morning session. He said that the general secretary of the Synod, Cardinal Baldisseri, had explained “certain processes of the methodology” and its new elements. Continue reading Synod on the Family: Press Briefing Day 2 →

Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Pope Francis: God wants his ministers to be merciful

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2015-10-06 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has warned against having a hard heart that is closed to God’s mercy.  Speaking on Tuesday morning during Mass at the Casa Santa Marta before joining the Synod Fathers gathered in the Vatican Synod Hall, the Pope urged the faithful not to put one’s own convictions or a list of commandments before the Lord’s mercy. Continue reading Pope Francis: God wants his ministers to be merciful →

Doctrine, Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

“The vocation and mission of the family in the Church and the contemporary world”

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First General Congregation: the Synod is the Church that walks together to see reality with the eyes of faith, says the Pope

Vatican City, 5 October 2015 (VIS) – This morning at 9 a.m. the 14th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops dedicated to “The vocation and mission of the family in the Church and the contemporary world” commenced in the Vatican. In the presence of the Holy Father, the first to speak was the Honduran Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez Maradiaga, who presented to the Synod Fathers a brief meditation summarising the intentions and spirit of the Assembly.

Continue reading “The vocation and mission of the family in the Church and the contemporary world” →

Doctrine, Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Pope Francis: full text of remarks at Synod opening

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2015-10-05 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis addressed the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on Monday morning – the morning of their first full day of sessions. Below, please find Vatican Radio’s full English translation of the Holy Father’s remarks. Continue reading Pope Francis: full text of remarks at Synod opening →

Doctrine, Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Pope’s Homily at Opening Mass of the Synod of Bishops

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2015-10-04 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The front of St. Peter’s Basilica was lined with green and scarlet as the Synod Fathers gathered around the altar for the opening mass of the Ordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family on Sunday presided over by the Holy Father, Pope Francis. Continue reading Pope’s Homily at Opening Mass of the Synod of Bishops →

Jesus, Pope Francis

Jesus, technology and the kingdom of God

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... 14 growing in christ key text jesus answered and said to him most

Yes, you might find it strange, or even unusual but, Jesus did draw to our attention in the Bible about the limitations of our new fashioned technology.  All the new technology that let’s you do all sorts of things but it won’t tell you about the coming of the kingdom of God.  It won’t save your soul. In fact, Jesus also goes on to tell us it will just be like the days in the past, with Noah and with Lot. So why does Jesus tell us this – and what does He know about technology. Continue reading Jesus, technology and the kingdom of God →

Pope Francis, The Jesuits, Vatican, World Organisations

Liberty’s first Saint?

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Junipero Serra

Does a society like the U.S. deserve a saint?

Well in the country where anything goes, the Pope feels it’s appropriate to reward them with a saint in whose presence the indigenous natives were maltreated. Continue reading Liberty’s first Saint? →

Bolivia, Crimes, Pope Francis, Saints, Vatican, World Organisations

Pope’s apology doesn’t change opinions on Serra canonization

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Pope’s apology doesn’t change opinions on Serra canonization A woman passed a statue of Franciscan missionary Junipero Serra at the Mission San Diego de Acala in San Diego earlier this year. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

By Sudhin Thanawala Associated Press September 7, 2015

SAN FRANCISCO — Pope Francis’ apology for the Roman Catholic Church’s crimes against indigenous peoples has not softened opposition among some California Native Americans to his decision to canonize 18th-century Franciscan missionary Junipero Serra.  Serra is extolled by the Vatican as a great evangelizer, but denounced by some tribal officials as a destroyer of Native culture. Continue reading Pope’s apology doesn’t change opinions on Serra canonization →

Pope Francis, The Jesuits, U.S., Vatican, World Organisations

Vatican objects to Obama’s controversial invites for papal visit

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So the Vatican are concerned in case Pope Francis is photographed with those who “flout” Church teaching, just in case it is misrepresented as supporting their positions. Continue reading Vatican objects to Obama’s controversial invites for papal visit →

Moses, Pope Francis, Religion

625,000 Catholics ask Pope Francis to dispel moral confusion at Synod

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Our God is not a God of confusion or chaos. His words and teachings regarding morality -marriage, homosexuality- are very clear. Continue reading 625,000 Catholics ask Pope Francis to dispel moral confusion at Synod →

Doctrine, Evil, People, Pope Francis, Religion, The Jesuits, Vatican

Cardinal Burke had grave reservations on the same annulment proposals Pope Francis just enshrined

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‘Confusion and error on holy matrimony’ are being sown by Satan in society and in the Church,’ warns the cardinal.

Source: Lifesitenews

Thank goodness there are good men of faith who still hold on to the teachings of God, and also in the words of Jesus given to his apostles in the the Bible.  Continue reading Cardinal Burke had grave reservations on the same annulment proposals Pope Francis just enshrined →

Pope Francis, The Jesuits, Vatican, World Organisations

Pope Francis address to Vatican Observatory symposium

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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday (18th September) addressed participants at a symposium organized by the Vatican Observatory, saying their scientific research on the universe can help promote inter-religious dialogue which is more urgent than ever nowadays. He also encouraged an ever deeper dialogue between science and religion.

Continue reading Pope Francis address to Vatican Observatory symposium →

Pope Francis, Vatican, World Organisations

Top Exorcist Laments Apathy to Medjugorje

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Fr. Gabriele Amorth (born 1925) was ordained a priest in 1954 and became an official exorcist in 1986. For about 20 years he served as chief exorcist for the Diocese of Rome. In 1990 he founded the International Association of […] Continue reading Top Exorcist Laments Apathy to Medjugorje →

Pope Francis, Vatican, World Organisations

Space Age Pope Francis: I Would Baptise Aliens

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Space Age Pope Francis: I Would Baptise Aliens

By Jack Moore May 13, 2014 12:15 BST

Pope Francis waves as he arrives for a special audience with members of religious colleges in Paul VI hall at the Vatican

Reuters:Pope Francis has said that if Martians arrived at the doors of the Vatican asking to be baptised he would not turn them away as humans are not to decide who should or should not receive the Holy Spirit, according to Vatican radio. Continue reading Space Age Pope Francis: I Would Baptise Aliens →

Climate Change, Pope Francis, Science, Sr Ilia Delio, Vatican, World Organisations

Lex credendi, lex vivendi: A response to Laudato Si’ – by Ilia Delio

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This composite image of southern Africa and the surrounding oceans was captured by six orbits of the NASA/NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership spacecraft on April 9 by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument. Tropical Cyclone Joalane can be seen over the Indian Ocean. (Courtesy of NASA)

by Ilia Delio Jun. 30, 2015

In 1967 historian Lynn White, Jr., wrote a provocative essay entitled “The Historical Roots of Our Ecologic Crisis” in which he blamed Christianity for the environmental crisis. Christianity, he said, with its emphasis on human salvation and dominion over nature, “made it possible to exploit nature in a mood of indifference to the feelings of natural objects.” Because the “roots of our trouble are largely religious,” he claimed, “the remedy must also be essentially religious. We must rethink and re-feel our nature and our destiny.” Continue reading Lex credendi, lex vivendi: A response to Laudato Si’ – by Ilia Delio →

Jesus, Pope Francis, Vatican, World Organisations

Pope Francis: God always forgives everything

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Pope Francis at Mass – OSS_ROM

23/01/2015 12:41(Vatican Radio)

Pope Francis said confession is not a judgment but a meeting with God who forgives all our sins, without exception. His words came during his homily at his morning Mass on Friday celebrated in the Santa Marta residence. Continue reading Pope Francis: God always forgives everything →

Pope Francis, Vatican, World Organisations

Pope at Santa Marta: Jesus weeps

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A view of the Santa Marta Chapel Thursday morning – OSS_ROM

20/11/2014 11:19 (Vatican Radio)

Jesus weeps today when the doors of our hearts, those of the pastors of the Church, are closed to His surprises not recognizing the One who brings peace said Pope Francis at Mass Thursday morning in Casa Santa Marta Continue reading Pope at Santa Marta: Jesus weeps →

Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Pope at Santa Marta: Called to be children of light

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Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Santa Marta – OSS_ROM

27/10/2014 11:31(Vatican Radio)

At morning Mass on Monday Pope Francis said that a conscientious examination of our words will help us understand whether we are Christians of light, Christians of darkness or Christians of grey areas. Continue reading Pope at Santa Marta: Called to be children of light →

Jesus, Pope Francis, Vatican, World Organisations

Pope at Santa Marta: Holy law is not an end in itself

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Pope Francis preaches at morning Mass – L’Osservatore Romano

13/10/2014 11:33 (Vatican Radio)

Be open to God’s surprises, not closed to the signs of the times and remember holy law is not an end in itself. This was Pope Francis’ message this morning at Mass at Casa Santa Marta. Commenting on the words of Jesus to the Doctors of the Law, the Pope urged the faithful not to cling to their own ideas, but to walk with the Lord, always finding new things. Continue reading Pope at Santa Marta: Holy law is not an end in itself →

Pope Francis, Vatican, World Organisations

Pope Francis About To Decree Virgin Mary To Be More Important Than Jesus Christ?

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by Jan Omega, September 15 2014

For most of the world, Pope Francis is the one pope that everyone seems to like. With is open mind and open attitude to other religions, as well as his more humanist approach to being Catholic, many have fallen under his spell of universal peace. The Inquisitr reported numerous times on the pope’s actions that appeal to others. This includes stating that atheists are also saved, inviting Muslims to pray Islamic prayers at the Vatican, and even stating that Evangelizing is one thing that doesn’t equate to personal happiness. Continue reading Pope Francis About To Decree Virgin Mary To Be More Important Than Jesus Christ? →

Pope Francis, Vatican, World Organisations

Pope at Santa Marta: Learning from Our Lady of Sorrows

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Pope Francis celebrates Mass at Santa Marta – L’Osservatore Romano

15/09/2014 11:48 (Vatican Radio)

Pope Francis marked the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows during Monday morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta, with a reflection on how Mary learned, obeyed and suffered at the foot of the Cross.

The Holy Father said that in the liturgy of the day first we are shown the glorious Cross, then the meek and humble Mother. Continue reading Pope at Santa Marta: Learning from Our Lady of Sorrows →

Ethics, Humanity, Politics, Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican, World Organisations

Pope Francis: questions remain over his role during Argentina’s dictatorship

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Argentina’s cardinal Jorge Bergoglio greets followers outside the San Cayetano church in Buenos Aires in 2009. Photograph: Natacha Pisarenko/AP

by Uki Goni and Jonathan Watts

Thursday 14 March 2013

Jorge Bergoglio was head of the Jesuit order in the 1970s when the church backed military government and called for patriotism Continue reading Pope Francis: questions remain over his role during Argentina’s dictatorship →