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." Rome
(AsiaNews) - "Evil will not have the last word; love, mercy and
forgiveness will," Pope Francis said at the end of tonight's Way of the
Cross or Via Crucis, in the stunning setting of 40,000 people gathered around
the Coliseum. As an interpretation of the ills and pains of our time, his words
found an echo in the meditations prepared by Mgr Giancarlo Maria Bregantini on the
journey Jesus took up Mount Calvary.
For the pope, the Cross...
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"
04/14/2014VATICAN 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."
04/10/2014VATICAN Pope: human trafficking, "a wound on the body of contemporary society " Francis receives participants at the II international conference on Combating Human Trafficking: Church and Law Enforcement Authorities in partnership. The meeting includes " law enforcement authorities, who are primarily responsible for combating this tragic reality by a vigorous application of the law. It also includes humanitarian and social workers, whose task it is to provide victims with welcome, human warmth and the possibility of building a new life”.
04/09/2014VATICAN Pope: new "heartfelt appeal to Syrian authorities and the international community” to “silence the weapons" At the General audience, Francis recalls "my fellow Jesuit" Father Frans van der Lugt , who was killed in Homs. A new cycle of catechesis dedicated to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The first, "wisdom " that is not "human wisdom" but "seeing the world, situations, problems, everything, through the eyes of God."
04/08/2014VATICAN - JORDAN Pope: Holy Land visit in focus at meeting with the King of Jordan “Cordial and informal atmosphere” at Pope Francis’ second meeting with King Abdullah. The king "reaffirmed sentiments with which the people of Jordan are preparing to welcome the Pope and openness to greater collaboration in the commitment to peace and interfaith dialogue".
04/07/2014VATICAN Pope approves IOR reform, it will continue its "important mission" for the Church Francis’ decision announced. "The valuable services that can be offered by the Institute assist the Holy Father in his mission as universal pastor and also aid those institutions and individuals who collaborate with him in his ministry".
04/07/2014VATICAN Pope: God's mercy is "a great light of love", it is "the way that God forgives " In the Gospel story of the adulteress, Jesus "defends the sinner from her enemies, he defend the sinner from a just charge". The Lord forgives "with a caress, caressing our wounds of sin. Because He is involved in forgiveness, He is involved in our salvation."
