At the Angelus, Leo XIV called for prayers “for the injured and the missing, for their families, and for the rescue workers”. He urged “everyone’s concern” to support the populations brought to their knees. An appeal was made for the forgotten Haiti and for peace. On the Gospel: Jesus’ message “goes beyond all expectations”.
On the day the Church celebrates the Assumption of Mary into heaven, the pontiff said that life is a project of love, not a meaningless journey. Our Lady is a metaphor for the "earthly pilgrimage" and an example of service. Francis ended with a plea for peace in Ukraine and the Holy Land, expressing “concern” for the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the fires in Greece.
The Feast of Sts Peter and Paul in St Peter's Basilica the bestowing of the pallium on 42 archbishops appointed in the last year. At the Angelus: "If it is not service, authority becomes dictatorship". Data from last year's St Peter's Pence collections released by the Holy See: 48.4 million euro collected for the Pope's charity, in Asia 33 of the projects financed.
After the Marian prayer of the Angelus, the pontiff again urged the faithful to pray for peace in Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, northern Congo. He also called for negotiations. He also remembered Franciscan brothers” who “honour the Church of Rome. In his Gospel commentary, he stressed that Jesus “makes us courageous.”
He made the appeal during the Regina Caeli in the name of the Risen One "who frees us”. For the Solemnity of the Ascension, which is being celebrated today in Italy, the faithful may ask if the desire for eternal life “alive in me?” Francis spoke about the “wisdom of the heart” on World Day of Social Communications and expressed gratitude to all mothers on their feast day.
Today's news: dozens dead in an Israeli raid near Damascus, while the Netanyahu government risks a crisis over the recruitment of the ultra-Orthodox; One of those arrested for the Krokus Hall massacre in Moscow attended the Fatikh mosque in Istanbul; Bangkok wants to legalise casinos; A Filipino in Pampanga gets himself crucified for the thirty-fifth time on Good Friday.
Francis expressed relief at the release of a teacher and four religious in Haiti, seized by criminal gangs. He urges the faithful to pray for “populations tormented by war”, especially Syrians, crushed by 13 years of war.
At the Angelus, Francis called on the parties to reach an "immediate ceasefire" and release the hostages. He also urged “safe access" to humanitarian aid. On disarmament, he says that “it is a duty" that requires the courage for the entire “family of nations”.
At the end of the Marian prayer the Pope recalled the anniversary of the war in Ukraine: "So many victims, wounded, destruction". He called for a 'diplomatic solution' that would lead to peace. He also looked with sorrow at the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria. Sympathy to the people of Mongolia for the record cold wave.
Today, after the recitation of the Angelus, Bergoglio quoted the words of the Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land. "We still do not have, in all humanity, an education that stops all war," he said. He launches an appeal to those who hold power in conflicts: "War is not the way to resolve them".
At the Angelus on the last day of 2023 the appeal that "those who have interests in these conflicts should listen to the voice of conscience". On the feast of the Holy Family the invitation to "always defend and support the family, the fundamental cell of society". Benedict XVI's remembrance one year after his death: "He served the Church with love and wisdom, from Heaven he accompanies us".
At the Angelus, Francis returns to look the window above St Peter's Square and personally pronounces his reflection. In the afternoon the traditional homage to Our Lady in Piazza di Spagna, with a prayer for peace in Ukraine, Palestine and Israel and other war-torn lands. A new World Children's Day was announced, to be celebrated for the first time in Rome on 25 and 26 May 2024.
At the end of the Marian prayer, the pontiff said that tomorrow's Mass for the Dead will be held at the Rome War Cemetery. He urged the faithful again to pray for the populations suffering from today's wars, in particular in Ukraine, Palestine, and Israel. On the feast day of All Saints, he emphasised the two traits of holiness: a gift "for all" and a journey "to be made together.”.
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