Pope: Living with hopeful expectation for the "visit" that God makes to every Christian

The "mystery" of the Sorrowful Virgin "is more than to reflect, to contemplate". "Contemplate the Mother of Jesus, contemplate this sign of contradiction, for Jesus is the winner, but on the Cross."

On the day dedicated to the Exaltation of the Cross, Francis stressed how the latter represents a "mystery of love," one that is not easy to understand. When he wants to explain it to Nicodemus, as in today’s gospel, Jesus uses two verbs "to go up" and "come down". "Jesus came down from Heaven to bring all of us up to Heaven."

Spiritual and pastoral discernment, gifts of the Spirit, were the focus of a long talk that Francis gave today to the bishops appointed during the year. The bishop is not the self-sufficient 'Lord father,' nor the feared and isolated 'solitary pastor.'" "A bishop's discernment is always a communitarian action".

The priest, released after 18 months of kidnapping in Yemen, will remain in the Vatican "to secure his wellbeing and allow for his full recovery." Father Tom tried to kiss Pope Francis' feet, who raised him and kissed his hands. "I've always felt Jesus next to me." Renewed thanks to the sultan of Oman. The Major Rector: No ransom was paid.

"A country with strong Christian roots, but where" it is evident that the evil one wanted to divide the people to destroy the work of God. " "Peace is also founded, and perhaps above all, on the blood of many witnesses of love, truth, justice, and even true martyrs, killed for faith," such as Bishop Jesús Emilio Jaramillo Monsalve, and Pedro María Ramírez Ramos, a priest, beatified in Villavicencio ".

Sultan Qabus's commitment to securing the release was decisive. The priest was traced thanks to "some Yemeni parties". Fr. Tom will be in Rome for a few days. The "strength in faith and perseverance" of his family. Today Salesian homes around the world, will celebrate with a Mass of Thanksgiving and Eucharistic adoration.

On his flight back to Rome, Francis talked about climate change, Venezuela and migrants. Italy and Greece are doing a good job on migrants, accepting and integrating, “But a government must handle this problem with the virtue of prudence.” He also hopes Trump will go back on his decision concerning the "dreamers".

Few articles added to the draft. Religions viewed not as the "opium" but the "plague" of peoples. Spasmodic control at all levels of political power of official religions. Massive fines for members of unofficial communities. Seizure and closure of "illegal sites" by the State. Expulsions from schools for "proselytism" activities.

From Cartagena the last stop of the trip to Colombia, Francis makes an appeal to "take the first step" towards reconciliation. "Put an end to drug trafficking," which sows "death and destruction, destroying so many hopes and destroying so many families."

From Cartagena, on the last stop of his visit to Colombia, Francis made an appeal “for the rejection of all violence in political life” in Venezuela. He also visited the shrine of Saint Peter Claver, ‘the slave of the blacks forever” who “witnessed in a formidable way to the responsibility and care that we should have for one another.”

Pope Francis met thousands of priests, men and women religious, seminarians, and their families at Medellín’s La Macarena event centre. Many young people discovered their vocation in a context of violence. A priest, a Carmelite nun, of a seminarian's mother bore witness to their experience. The pontiff is optimistic about young people and stressed the importance of having "communities with a contagious apostolic zeal, which inspire and attract others.” He called to dwell in Christ by standing by the people in prayer, study and joy.

During the Mass, Francis told those present that “Even if it may seem that you are getting yourself dirty or stained, get involved,” which means “to be brave” and have “evangelical courage”. For him, “the Church is not a customs house. She wants open doors because the heart of her God is not only open, but pierced by the love that has become pain."

Francis travelled to Villavicencio for a visit centred on national reconciliation. During his stay, he beatified a bishop and a priest killed "in hatred of the faith". “In communities where we are still weighed down with patriarchal and chauvinistic customs, it is good to note that the Gospel begins by highlighting women who were influential and made history.”

One million people at the first Mass celebrated by Francis on his trip to Colombia. The darkness of social injustice, the interests of those who exploit for themselves what is destined for everyone, the lack of respect for life, the thirst for vengeance, the insensitivity to the pain of so many victims.

In his encounter with the bishops of the entire Latin American continent, Pope Francis invites us not to dwell on past memories, but to "concretize" the hope that comes from the faith. "Encountering the living Christ", "going out", enhancing the "religiousness of the people", through "passion for evangelization". Accompanying young people; to valorize women; pushing lay people to social commitment.