(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday met with Queen Silvia of Sweden, who personally led her delegation to a one-day seminar on human trafficking and the exploitation of women which was being held at the Vatican. Although a Swedish interpreter was present, the two spoke mostly in Spanish, which the Queen speaks fluently. In fact,…
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(Vatican Radio) The Holy Father has named Bishop John C. Wester as the new Archbishop of Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. Bishop Wester has been serving as Bishop of Salt Lake City, Utah. At the same time, the Holy Father has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Michael Sheehan from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese…
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(Vatican Radio) On Sunday, Pope Francis presided over the ordinations of priests for the diocese of Rome in Saint Peter’s Basilica, reminding them they are ministers of unity in the Church.
Most of the 19 men ordained 26 April were part of Roman seminaries, including the Pontifical Roman Seminary, the Redemptoris Mater diocesan college, and the Madonna del Divino Amore seminary.
In off-the-cuff remarks during his homily for morning Mass, Pope Francis had advice for those about to be ordained.
He told them that the homilies they deliver should come from the heart, in order that they might reach the hearts of the people.
Speaking to them about the responsibility of distributing the sacraments, he told them to never refuse anyone who asks for Baptism
Pope Francis also reminded the soon to be ordained priests that in the confessional they are to forgive, never to condemn.
“You are ministers of unity in the Church, in the family,” Pope Francis said.
In his Regina Coeli address after Mass, the Pope said the newly ordained priests are called to the a pastoral life that is like that of the Good Shepherd.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) On Sunday, Pope Francis remembered the victims of the recent earthquake in Nepal which has claimed the lives of nearly 2,000 people.
After the recitation of the Regina Coeli prayer with the crowds gathered in Saint Peter’s Square, the Holy Father expressed his “closeness to the populations struck by a powerful earthquake in Nepal and neighbouring countries.”
The Pope said: “I pray for the victims, for the wounded, and for all those who suffer because of this calamity.”
More than 1,900 people were killed and 5,000 wounded when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Himalayan nation of Nepal on Saturday, destroying the country’s infrastructure, homes, and historical buildings.
The earthquake was the worst to hit the South Asian nation in over 80 years.
Pope Francis said of those affected by the disaster: “May they be supported by fraternal solidarity.
The Holy Father then prayed that the Blessed Mother would be close those affected by the earthquake, and led the crowds in reciting the Hail Mary.
Earlier, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin sent a telegram on behalf of Pope Francis to Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Nepal, Paul Simick, expressing his condolences for those affected by the earthquake.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) On Sunday, Pope Francis presided over the ordinations of priests for the diocese of Rome in Saint Peter’s Basilica, reminding them they are ministers of unity in the Church. Most of the 19 men ordained 26 April were part of Roman seminaries, including the Pontifical Roman Seminary, the Redemptoris Mater diocesan college, and…
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