04/24/2014VATICAN Pope: there are "bat-like Christians” who "prefer the shadows to the light of the Lord’s presence". Like the disciples at the appearance of the Risen Jesus, we "are afraid of the closeness of Jesus, because it gives us joy." "The Christian life should be a dialogue with Jesus, because - this is true - Jesus is always with us, always in times of problems, difficulties and good works". Vatican City ( AsiaNews) - There
are Christians who are afraid of the joy of the Resurrection , "we could say
in good humour that they are bat-like Christians who prefer the shadows to the
light of the Lord's presence". This was Pope Francis message during...
04/24/2014VATICAN Canonised popes as model for Francis' Church by Franco Pisano On several occasions, the current pope highlighted Pope John XXIII's humility and surrender to God's and John Paul II's consistency, courage and missionary strength as examples of how the Catholic world ought to be.
04/23/2014VATICAN Pope warns against placing hope in "dead things" such as vanity, money and success At the General Audience, Pope Francis reflects on the Angels’ words at the tomb: "Why look among the dead for someone who is alive?". And what do I do ? Which route do I follow to encounter the living Christ . He will always be close to us to correct our course if we have gone wrong".
04/21/2014VATICAN Pope: Easter joy "is not a masquerade! It is impressed on our hearts and shines through our actions". Before reciting the Regina Caeli, that replaces the Angelus prayer during the Easter season, Francis invites the faithful "to take the Gospel, read the chapters on the Resurrection" and turn to the figure of Mary "Mother of all the disciples, Mother of the Church, Mother of hope". Easter Monday "prolongs the joy of the Resurrection of Christ".
04/20/2014VATICAN Pope: The Resurrection, an invitation to rediscover our baptism and become witnesses to Christ At the Easter Vigil Francis speaks of the "return to Galilee, the place where they were first called" where Jesus spoke to the apostles, drawing new energy from the sources of our faith". "It is not to go back in time; it is not a kind of nostalgia. It is returning to our first love, in order to receive the fire which Jesus has kindled in the world and to bring that fire to all people, to the very ends of the earth".
04/19/2014VATICAN Way of the Cross: "Evil will not have the last word; love, mercy and forgiveness will," pope says In the Cross of Jesus, we find "all the bitterness of the betrayal perpetrated by Judas and Peter, all the vanity of bullies, and all the arrogance of false friends." Yet, in front of so many evils, "we also see the vastness of God's love for he does not treat us according to our sins but according to his mercy."
04/17/2014VATICAN Pope: A priest’s "joy", "anoints", is "incorruptible", "missionary" and guarded by poverty, obedience and loyalty Pope Francis celebrates the Chrism Mass with "his" priests. The priestly joy only flows “when the pastor is in the midst of his flock". Even in "in those moments of listlessness and boredom which at times overcome us in our priestly life (and which I too have experienced), even in those moments God’s people are able to “guard” that joy; they are able to protect you, to embrace you and to help you open your heart to find renewed joy"
04/17/2014MALAYSIA - PHILIPPINES MERS first victim in Asia: A Malaysian returning from a pilgrimage to Mecca It is similar to SARS, but with a higher mortality rates: 50 % compared to the previous 10 % . The victim was 54 years old and had contracted the virus Saudi Arabia. First case in the Philippines, a nurse returning from the UAE and now in solitary confinement with family members. WHO estimates speak of 238 infections in 10 different countries, 92 victims so far.
04/14/2014VATICAN For pope, the seminary is not a refuge, hence 'Woe do the wicked shepherds' Speaking at a meeting with seminarians at the Pontifical Leonine College of Anagni, Pope Francis reminded them of "the four pillars of education," namely "Spiritual life, strong; intellectual life, serious; community life; and, ultimately, apostolic life". In view of this, it is "better to lose a vocation than take risks with an unsure candidate."
04/13/2014VATICAN Pope asks, Am I like Pilate? When the situation gets tough, do I wash my hands? In an unscripted speech for his Palm Sunday homily, the pontiff asks, "Am I able to welcome Jesus as he enters Jerusalem? Am I like the Pharisees, like the man from Cyrene, like the crowd that chose Barabbas? Or am I like the apostle who wanted to solve everything with the sword? Or like the courageous women at the sepulchre? Where is my heart? Let this question accompany us throughout the week. Afterwards, during the Angelus, he saw young Brazilians hand over the cross to young Poles. "John Paul II will be patron of World Youth Day. God willing, I shall be in Korea in August."
