Card al Rahi expressed again his solidarity to young protesters engaged in a “peaceful uprising" under a "single flag". Catholic leaders call for a "credible and effective" government. The Beirut marathon is cancelled. Army chief stressed the peaceful nature of protests, but adds that the military is ready to intervene.
As protesters honour a ‘Martyr of the Revolution’, the protest movement starts to splinter
by Pierre Balanian | LEBANONThe second phase of the uprising begins with protesters vs army (video)
by Pierre Balanian | LEBANONIn a message to the World Food Program, Francis writes that "In many places, our brothers and sisters do not have access to sufficient and healthy food, while in others, food is discarded and squandered".
Francis's video message on the eve of the trip he will take in the Land of the Rising Sun and Thailand. "I trust that my visit will encourage you along the path of mutual respect and encounter that leads to a secure and lasting peace, which never turns back upon itself. Peace is beautiful. And when it is real, it does not retreat: it defends itself with every ounce of strength."
Pope Francis will have lunch with poor people on World Day of the Poor in Paul VI Hall. Dioceses and parishes around the world have promoted similar initiatives of solidarity. The pontiff asked for a round of applause for Father Emilio Moscoso, a Jesuit martyr priest who was killed in 1897 and proclaimed blessed yesterday in Riobamba (Ecuador). “[H]ope in God [. . .] allows us not to be overcome by tragic events. Indeed, they are an opportunity to give ‘testimony’.” The Christian martyrs of our times, despite persecutions, are men and women of peace.
On World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis spoke of the poor as “the gatekeepers of Heaven” who make access to God who is love easier. He warned against the temptation of “haste” and “everything right now”, which makes us think as “useless” and “disposable” those who are left behind: “elderly, unborn, disabled and poor persons". We are tempted to speak “the language of the self” and not “the language of Jesus”, which is “the language of the you”. “Do I, a Christian, have at least one poor person as a friend?”
“I hope,” said the Pope in Spanish, “that my visit will help to highlight the importance of interreligious dialogue, mutual understanding and fraternal cooperation, especially in the service of the poor, those most in need, and in the service of peace.”
Pope Francis sends a video message to the pilgrims of the Fratello association who have gathered in Lourdes to celebrate the third World Day of the Poor (November 17). He addresses those who are "alone, isolated, abandoned, homeless, expelled from your family or from your country, victim of alcohol, prostitution, illness": "God hears your prayer in a special way". Live the sacraments and be "witness of God's love in your environment".
Receiving participants at the "Promoting Digital Child Dignity - From Concept to Action" Conference, Francis says that tech companies must take responsibility and, while respecting privacy in general, ensure restrictions for "net surfers".
The desire could be fulfilled if - as a press release from the Holy See Press Office states - "the political situation should allow the establishment of a transitional government of national unity in the next 100 days, at the end of the agreement signed in recent days in Uganda" .
At the general audience, Pope Francis warns against the resurgences of anti-Semitism and also remembers that "even today" there are Christians who live the faith "secretly in their homes". An appeal for Burkina Faso, after several attacks cost the lives of 100 people. The audience took place in two places: in the square and in the Paul VI hall where the sick were gathered, due to bad weather.
For five days he has been under the supervision of public security personnel, under pressure. The Party wants to force him to attend a meeting of the "independent" clergy of Fujian. A member of Mindong: Pray for him, because he is very tired.
"And what does the devil envy? Our human nature ”. "And you know why? Because the Son of God became one of us. He cannot tolerate this, he cannot tolerate it ”. "Gossip is a ferocious weapon, it kills". "Gossip kills, slander kills".
Speaking to the Council for an Inclusive Capitalism, Francis recalled Paul VI's statement that "true development cannot be limited to economic growth alone, but must foster the growth of each person and of the whole person".
At the Angelus, Pope Francis proclaims the Christian faith of the Resurrection before the "doubt that touches mankind of all times ... after this earthly pilgrimage, what will become of our life? Will it belong to nothingness, to death? " The "clear certainty of Jesus on the Resurrection is entirely based on the fidelity of God, who is the God of life". A round of applause for a Spanish blessed and a Portuguese saint. An appeal for South Sudan and Bolivia.
On the feast of the dedication of the basilica of St. John Lateran, Pope Francis offers "three little verses" as a gift to the Christians of the city, to the priests, to the members of the pastoral teams. The invitation to a "movement": "GO out to meet others, enter into dialogue with them, listen to them with humility, gratuitousness and poverty of heart". "There is no human heart in which Christ does not want and cannot be reborn". The mobile health clinic in St. Peter's Square at the service of the poor, in preparation for the World Day of the Poor.
