07/20/2014VATICAN Pope: I am with the persecuted Christians of Mosul and the Middle East "May the God of peace inspire in all a genuine desire for dialogue and reconciliation. Violence is never defeated with violence. Violence is defeated with peace." At the Sunday Angelus Francis comments on the parable of the wheat and the weeds. God is "patient" He knows "the same weeds in the end, may become good wheat". But "at the time of the harvest, that is, of judgment, the reapers will execute the order of the master separating the weeds to be burned". Vatican City (AsiaNews)
- This Sunday at the Angelus, Pope Francis invited all to pray for "situations of tension and conflict that persist in
different parts of the world especially in the Middle East and Ukraine".
The Pope said he had learned with "concern the...
07/18/2014VATICAN - ISLAM Christians and Muslims should work fraternally for "justice, peace and respect for the rights and dignity of every person" The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue issues a message for the Muslims of the world to mark the end of Ramadan. "Despite being aware of our differences, [. . .] We perceive the importance of promoting a fruitful dialogue built upon mutual respect and friendship. Inspired by our shared values and strengthened by our sentiments of genuine fraternity, we are called to work together for justice, peace and respect for the rights and dignity of every person."
07/13/2014VATICAN As pope makes "heartfelt appeal" for peace in the Holy Land, he notes that prayer is not "in vain" After the Angelus, Pope Francis called on those present to pray during a minute of silence. He made the same plea to local and international policy makers. Prayer helps us "not allow ourselves be overcome by evil, nor accept that violence and hatred take over from dialogue and reconciliation." The parable of the sower asks, 'How is our heart? To what ground does it look like: a road, rocky ground, or a bush? We must remember that with our words "we too are sowers". Indeed, "Our words can do so much good and so much evil; they can hurt and heal, encourage and depress." And "please, do not forget to pray for me."
07/12/2014ASIA - UNITED NATIONS More than half the world's population lives in cities India will lead the way, as the country's urban population is expected to swell by 404 million people between now and 2050. Tokyo will continue to top the mega-city list followed by Delhi, Shanghai, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Beijing, Osaka, and Cairo. This trend will be challenge for health care, schools, food, and housing.
07/11/2014ISRAEL-PALESTINE As number of casualties climbs concern mounts over Gaza invasion by Joshua Lapide The Palestinians speak of 95 dead and say they are ready to fight "until the end". The UN, Russia and France ask for a cease-fire and the United States say they are "ready to facilitate a cessation of hostilities." Senior Egyptian officials quoted by Haaretz say conditions for a mediation "are not ripe."
07/11/2014ASIA WHO: Coronavirus alert remains high in Asia but its spread is "unlikely" Experts downplay alaram, Philippine government warns to citizens to postpone their pilgrimage to Mecca. However, those who must travel to Saudi Arabia invited to pay particular attention to personal hygiene and avoid contact with likely carriers.
07/09/2014ISLAM The desperate dream of the Islamic Caliphate by Samir Khalil Samir Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s rhetoric is bankrupt. No Muslim wants to live in a caliphate. Moreover, no-one accepts him as "caliph". But he is correct in pointing out that the Islamic world is in decline, and Muslims themselves are responsible for this. Israel and "conspiracy” theories. The rebirth of Islam through open dialogue in society, based on universal and shared values. Otherwise the demise of Islam is likely.
07/08/2014TURKEY As presidential elections loom, Turkish police launch investigation into Gulen The Hizmet movement of Erdogan’s great opponent is accused of working to forcibly take control of the state by distorting the existing constitutional order. Police asked to investigate if Hizmet is an armed group or had a role in a series of murders that have rocked Turkey in recent years.
07/07/2014VATICAN Pope: "no place" in the Church for those who commit sexual abuse To a group of abuse victims, Francis insists on "zero tolerance" against those who commit what is "something more than despicable actions". "It's like sacrilegious worship, because these children were entrusted to the priestly charism, to lead them to God." "God grant me the courage to follow this path for the sake of the children."
07/06/2014VATICAN Pope: Jesus gives rest to the "harassed and helpless", those in the poorest countries, but also those on the margins of wealthy nations At the Angelus Pope Francis recalls that Christ’s invitation to give rest to those who are "weary and burdened" is also true in our day. "Human indifference" hurts those in need and "especially the indifference of Christians." A "special and affectionate" greeting to the people of Molise, where the pontiff travelled yesterday on a pastoral visit. Please do not forget to pray for me. I pray for you".
07/05/2014VATICAN - ITALY Pope in Molise: overcome the "culture of the provisional" to be truly free To young people and prisoners Francis repeats that "God never gets tired of forgiving." A statue of St. John the Evangelist that the diocese has gifted for the reopening of the Cathedral of Izmir. At Isernia, birthplace St Celestine V, the Celestine Jubilee Year is launched.
07/05/2014VATICAN-ITALY Pope in Molise: Witness to charity, high road of evangelization On a one day pastoral visit to one of the poorest regions in Italy, Pope Francis urges faithful to be like Mary, the "handmaid of the Lord" and in the service of their "brothers who are in need". God frees us from sadness and selfishness. At the University of Campobasso, the call for a "jobs pact" that safeguards the dignity of the unemployed. "Safeguarding" the earth without "exploiting it". We need to "waste time with our children". "Maybe it's time to ask whether it is true freedom to work on Sundays."
06/29/2014VATICAN Pope: follow Jesus "day after day, in your work, your conversations and among your friends" On the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Francis calls on the bishops not to waste "time in questioning or in useless chattering," but to focus on the "essential". He prays for Christian unity and makes an appeal for Iraq so that through dialogue "national unity may be preserved and war avoided."
