12/09/2013VATICAN-EGYPT-MIDDLE EAST Pope: peace and religious freedom for Egypt's Copts, the Holy Land and throughout the Middle East Francis concelebrates morning Mass with the Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts, Ibrahim Isaac Sidrak . Recognition for "the right for Christians to live peacefully where they were born , in the homeland they have loved as citizens for two thousand years , to contribute as always to the common good". Vatican City ( AsiaNews) - Peace
and religious freedom for the Egyptian Copts , the Holy Land and throughout the
Middle East . "May
all enmity and division forever cease".
This was the call this morning from Pope Francis during Mass at Casa
Santa...
12/08/2013VATICAN Pope: Let us always be united with Mary who teaches us to live waiting for the Lord's Advent In today's Angelus, on the occasion of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the Pope talked about Mary, who came from a "small town" and "faced plenty of difficulties but remained faithful to God's plans of love." Today the pope will also pay homage to the Virgin in Piazza di Spagna, to entrust to her "Rome, the Church and the whole of humanity". He will also stop at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica to pray before the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani."
12/07/2013VATICAN Pope: World Day of the Sick , "we are called to be conformed to Christ, the Good Samaritan of the Afflicted " The test of true faith is the gift of self , "especially for those who do not deserve it , for those who suffer, for those who are marginalized ." Jesus did not take away from human disease and suffering, but transformed and reduced it. Reduced, because they no longer have the last word, instead it is new life in fullness; transformed , because in union with Christ, they can be transformed from negative to positive .
12/07/2013VATICAN Pope: respect for human dignity against the "culture of waste" Society of efficiency at all costs hides a practical atheism. The weakest and most fragile are real victims of this culture. In the social doctrine "there is the defense of religious freedom, of life in all its phases, the right to work and to decent work , the family, education ... " .
12/07/2013VATICAN Pope: Internet "is indispensable" for Church but at the same time "not enough." The proclamation of the Gospel, in fact, "requires authentic and direct human relationships to result in a personal encounter with the Lord." But you have to " be present, always with evangelical style , in what for many , especially young people, has become a kind of living environment, to awaken in the heart the insistent questions about the meaning of our existence."
12/06/2013VATICAN For Pope, faith in God "is not and can never be a source of violence or intolerance" In his audience with the International Theological Commission, Francis spoke of the mission of the theologian as something that is "at once fascinating and risky" and of the "sensus fidelium", which he describes as a sort of "spiritual instinct" that enables the faithful "to discern that which is in conformity with the apostolic faith and the spirit of the Gospel."
12/06/2013VATICAN Pope: Praying is a bit like annoying God to listen to us, certain that He will "Jesus tells us: 'Ask ', but he also tells us: 'Knock on the door', and those who knock on the door make noise, they disturb". "Prayer has these two attitudes: it is in needy and certain" because "when we ask for something, we are in need", "but also , when it is true, it is certain: ' Listen to me I think you can do it because you promised . '"
12/06/2013ASIA- SOUTH AFRICA The world bows down to Nelson Mandela by Paul Wang The South African leader passed away last night at the age of 95. He was the first black president of his country. Tributes of Desmond Tutu and FW de Klerk : He taught a divided nation to live together. Also from Nobel Peace Laureates Aung San Suu Kyi and the Dalai Lama. Even China calls him "friend", although many of Mandela petitions for Tibet and dissidents have been ignored .
12/05/2013VATICAN Pope to create Commission for the Protection of Children On 22 February consistory for the appointment of new cardinals. The Commission, proposed by the Council of Cardinals, will advise the Pope on the Holy See’s commitment in the protection of children and ministry for victims of abuse.
12/04/2013VATICAN Pope appeals for nuns abducted in Syria and "for all the people kidnapped during the conflict " During the general audience in his continuing reflection on the "Creed" , he spoke of the " resurrection of the body". The Pope underlined that we are "the disciples of the One who came , comes every day and will come at the end of the world" and since Jesus is risen, "he has opened the way" and will resurrect us too: "this is not a lie. If Jesus is alive, do you think that will leave us to die and never share in his resurrection? " .
12/03/2013VATICAN Pope: "Our Lord is joyful" this is why we “can not have a joyless Church" "We are not accustomed to thinking of Jesus smiling, joyful. Jesus was full of joy." "The joy of the Church is to evangelize, to move forward and talk about her Spouse. And also transmit this joy to the children she gives birth to, the children she nourishes".
12/02/2013VATICAN - ISRAEL Pope receives Netanyahu and hopes for peace soon between Israelis and Palestinians The Prime Minister renews invitation to Francis to visit Israel , which should take place at the end of May next year. Relations between the State authorities and Catholics and between Israel and the Holy See also discussed, with the hope of a speedy conclusion of overdue Accord.
