Armenia

Audience to the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, on the occasion of the centenary of the death of their foundress, Apostle of migrants. Migrants need good laws, development programs, but "also and above all of love, friendship, human closeness". Although she wanted to go to China, Pope Leo XIII said to her: 'Not to the east, Cabrini, but to the West!' The devotion to the Sacred Heart "made her able to look at the heart of those whom she approached and assisted".

Francis paid tribute and prayed to the Immaculate in Piazza di Spagna. He visited St Mary Major to pray in front of the image of Salus Populi Romani, and Sant'Andrea delle Fratte to pay tribute to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

Aging does not make us old, sin does, "because it makes the heart sclerotic". For this reason, Mary, who was "created in grace" and "full of God’s presence", thus without sin, is always young. “Today we look with joy at the One full of grace. Let us ask her to help us stay young, by saying 'no' to sin, and to live a beautiful life, by saying 'yes' to God.”

Francis met with a delegation from the National Council of Churches of Taiwan. “The strengthening of relations between the Christian confessions, and the shared proclamation of Jesus, also through works of charity and educational projects aimed at the young, will prove beneficial to society as a whole.”

During his meeting with the president of the Lutheran World Federation, Francis said that the “painful divisions that kept us distant and in conflict for centuries, have brought us in recent decades to a journey of communion.”

Speaking at the White House, the US leader said that Jerusalem "is now also the heart of one of the most successful democracies in the world", calling for "calm, for moderation". The city has always been at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Looking back over his recent trip, Francis recalls that in Myanmar he hoped "that all the different components of the nation, no one excluded, can cooperate" and in Bangladesh solidarity for the help of Rohingya and "the need" that " religious freedom always be protected ".

Francis expresses his "deep concern for the situation that has been created in the last few days". The Church is always in favor of dialogue he says receiving participants in the meeting of the Standing Committee for Dialogue with religious figures of Palestine.

"Humility is to be small, like the shoot, small but growing every day, small but in need of the Holy Spirit to be able to move forward, towards the fullness of life".

Francis’ message for the 55th World Day of Prayer for Vocations with the theme: Listening, discerning, and living the call of Lord. " God comes silently and discreetly, without imposing on our freedom ". " Every Christian ought to grow in the ability to “read within” his or her life, and to understand where and to what he or she is being called by the Lord, in order to carry on his mission". Which is "today".

News coverage overly focused on "saying / not saying" the word Rohingya. The Pope avoids trial by media, opting to outline constructive paths of hope. Full citizenship for dozens of ethnic groups and a development based on human dignity. The unity between the young and the different ethnic groups, admired by Buddhists and Muslims.

Advent begins today, a time “given to us to welcome the Lord who comes to meet us, to verify our desire for God, and to look ahead and prepare for the return of Christ." “Jesus exhorts us to pay attention and to watch, to be ready to welcome him upon his return.”