Franco Pisano

The poor understand the Word of God better because they do not put up any barriers, they have an open heart to receive it. "The Word of God is not heard only through the ear, it enters through the ear but it is heard with the heart". Msgr. Angelelli, the "Romero d'Argentina".

The first fruit of the Synod was "a synodal style that does not have as its main objective the drafting of a document, which is also valuable and useful. More than the document, however, it is important that a way of being and working together, young and old, in listening and discernment, to reach pastoral choices that respond to reality, is spreading ".

"Our weaknesses should not deter you; our frailties and sins must not be an obstacle for your trust. The Church is your mother; she does not abandon you; she is ready to accompany you on new roads, on higher paths where the winds of the Spirit blow stronger – sweeping away the mists of indifference, superficiality and discouragement."

Francis celebrates Mass for the closing of the XV General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme: "Youth, faith and vocational discernment". Young people, "forgive us if often we have not listened to you, if, instead of opening our hearts, we have filled your ears. It is not Christian to expect that our brothers and sisters who are seekers should have to knock on our doors; we ought to go out to them, bringing not ourselves but Jesus".

Three parts, 12 chapters, 167 paragraphs, 60 pages: this is how the Assembly's final document presents the theme "Young people, faith and vocational discernment". Full text only available in Italian.

We are now "used to breathing the air of conflict". Every day, on TV and in newspapers, the talk is about conflicts, "one after the other". For the pontiff, "we see even world institutions, created with the best of intention to help the unity of humanity, peace, feel unable to reach an agreement". Hence, we should follow “Jesus’s advice: to agree at the beginning, make peace at the beginning".

The first step in knowing Christ [. . .] is knowing one's own sin, one's own sins. [. . .] With such knowledge, without such inner confession that I am a sinner, we cannot go on.” The second step is to pray to the Lord so that “his power makes us know the mystery of Jesus, which is the fire that He brought upon the Earth."

The meeting took place in Taiwan. The nuns hope that “our witness to a way of life [. . .] can be meaningful and joyful through detachment from consumerism, materialism, and individualism [and] encourage others to walk on the path of goodness.”

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) slams Trump’s decision, which caps a "process that has been going on for several years". Still, the arms control regime saw a real reduction in the number of missiles.

Speaking of the Commandment "You shall not commit adultery", Francis spoke of a need for a "catechumenate" for engaged couples. We must not "overestimate physical attraction, which in itself is a gift from God but aimed at preparing the way for an authentic and faithful relationship".

"It is a virtue difficult to understand. It is a humble, very humble virtue. It is a virtue that never disappoints: if you hope, you will never be disappointed ". "Hope is concrete, it is every day because it is an encounter. And every time we meet Jesus in the Eucharist, in prayer, in the Gospel, in the poor, in community life, each time we take one more step towards this definitive encounter ".

Today is the feast day of Pope Wojtyła who began his Petrine Ministry on 22 October 1978.