(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis arrived back in Rome today at the end of his week- long pastoral visit to Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay. During the return flight the Pope held a traditional press conference with journalists on board, speaking of his experiences in Latin America and his plans as he looks ahead to his next trip to Cuba and the US in September. Sean-Patrick Lovett has the details: Listen:
As often happens, the in-flight papal press conference en route from Asunciòn to Rome, was both a synthesis of the trip to Latin America as a whole – and an insight into the mind and heart of Pope Francis. Looking back over the 8-day visit to Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay, journalists asked the Pope to summarise his “message” to the Latin American Church. He did so by recalling the thing that struck him most in all three countries: the children. “I’ve never seen so many kids”, he said. “This is a Church of life…I wanted to encourage this young Church…which I believe can teach us a lot”. Another question regarded Pope Francis’ support for popular movements, as opposed to the business world. He replied saying that his message is the same to both: a message that comes straight out of the Church’s social doctrine and which he simply applies to specific situation. “It’s catechism”, he said. Looking ahead to the visit to the United States and Cuba this September, Pope Francis was asked how he is dealing with a perception by some in the U.S. that he is critical of American economic systems. “Every criticism must be received, studied and then talked through”, he replied. “If I don’t dialogue with those who criticize then I have no right to express an opinion”. He admitted that, in preparation for the visit, he now needs to begin studying these criticisms in order to prepare to dialogue. The Pope also gave new details about the process that led to the Vatican mediation between the U.S. and Cuba, concluding that it was the result of “the goodwill of the two countries and the merit is theirs”. Finally, while recognising Pope Francis as a champion of the poor, one journalist asked him why he doesn’t also defend the middle class. The Pope thanked him for the observation, acknowledging that “polarization” is causing the middle class to shrink. He also promised “dig deeper into the Church’s teaching” in this regard. (from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis arrived back in Rome today at the end of his week- long pastoral visit to Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay. During the return flight the Pope held a traditional press conference with journalists on board, speaking of his experiences in Latin America and his plans as he looks ahead to his next trip to Cuba and the US in September. Sean-Patrick Lovett has the details: Listen:
As often happens, the in-flight papal press conference en route from Asunciòn to Rome, was both a synthesis of the trip to Latin America as a whole – and an insight into the mind and heart of Pope Francis. Looking back over the 8-day visit to Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay, journalists asked the Pope to summarise his “message” to the Latin American Church. He did so by recalling the thing that struck him most in all three countries: the children. “I’ve never seen so many kids”, he said. “This is a Church of life…I wanted to encourage this young Church…which I believe can teach us a lot”. Another question regarded Pope Francis’ support for popular movements, as opposed to the business world. He replied saying that his message is the same to both: a message that comes straight out of the Church’s social doctrine and which he simply applies to specific situation. “It’s catechism”, he said. Looking ahead to the visit to the United States and Cuba this September, Pope Francis was asked how he is dealing with a perception by some in the U.S. that he is critical of American economic systems. “Every criticism must be received, studied and then talked through”, he replied. “If I don’t dialogue with those who criticize then I have no right to express an opinion”. He admitted that, in preparation for the visit, he now needs to begin studying these criticisms in order to prepare to dialogue. The Pope also gave new details about the process that led to the Vatican mediation between the U.S. and Cuba, concluding that it was the result of “the goodwill of the two countries and the merit is theirs”. Finally, while recognising Pope Francis as a champion of the poor, one journalist asked him why he doesn’t also defend the middle class. The Pope thanked him for the observation, acknowledging that “polarization” is causing the middle class to shrink. He also promised “dig deeper into the Church’s teaching” in this regard. (from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis arrived back in Rome on Monday afternoon at the end of his week- long pastoral visit to Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay. The papal plane touched down at Rome’s Ciampino airport just before 2pm local time after the overnight flight from Asuncion in Paraguay.
On his way back to the Vatican, Pope Francis made a brief stop at the Basilica of St Mary Major, as he has done on all his previous trips, to lay a bunch of flowers in front of the icon of Our Lady.
Just before boarding the papal plane in Asuncion, the head of the Holy See press office, Fr Federico Lombardi, sat down with our correspondent in Paraguay for the visit, Linda Bordoni, to talk about the lasting legacy that Pope Francis has left behind in these three Latin American nations…
Listen:
(from Vatican Radio)…
The Church in Latin America has an immese wealth: she is a
young Church with a remarkable
freshness and a dynamic theology, she is searching. She has many problems of
course and is also a bit undisciplined, but she is alive. She is a Church full
of life. With the images in his mind of his meeting with the younger
generations in Asunción, the Pope outlined his visit in Ecuador, Bolivia and
Paraguay.
On the return flight to Rome on
Sunday evening, 12 July, the Pontiff responded, as is customary, to the
journalists’ questions. He explained that he wished to visit his native land to
encourage the young Church with the conviction that it has much to give to
those in other parts of the world, especially Europe which is experiencing a
decreasing birth rate. Data which Francis underlined his hope that policies
will be made to support families.
Gianluca Biccini
Visit to the Pediatric Hospital Niños de Acosta Ñu
To civil society in Paraguay
Votive Mass for the Immaculate Conception at the Marian Shrine of Caacupé
To the clergy and religious (link)
In Bañado Norte di Asunción (link)
Mass at Ñu Guazú (link)
Angelus (link)
Address to young people (link)
Consigned address (link)…
(Vatican Radio) Asked by a journalist, here in Asuncion, during the final press briefing, what he thinks is the main common denominator of Pope Francis’ three-nation Latin American tour, Papal spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi didn’t have to think too hard.
No, he didn’t say “the appeal for justice and equality,” “closeness to the poor and the needy” or “the call to leaders to combat corruption”; he didn’t even talk about the strong Marian dimension of the journey or about Pope Francis’ embracing pastoral approach as he reached out to millions of faithful during massive Eucharistic celebrations, private moments of prayer, encounters with his fellow bishops and with representatives of civil society.
Click below to hear our report
Father Lombardi’s answer was simple: “the overwhelming participation and warmth of the people”.
This may sound rather quaint – perhaps banal – to some European ears, but here in Paraguay, from where I am reporting, the love of the people for their Pope really is overwhelming and joyous.
Perhaps that’s why the word “Joy” was chosen as the common thread in the logos for his visit to all three countries with the one in Ecuador reading: “Evangelise with Joy”; in Bolivia: “With Francis, let us announce the Joy of the Gospel”; in Paraguay quite simply: “Pope Francis: Messenger of Joy and Peace”.
And judging by the reaction of the people here, that is exactly the message they need to receive.
All three of them poor countries ravaged by histories of conquest, conflict and dictatorship, all of them undergoing times of political uncertainty and in need of more equality and of environmental protection; all of them home to deeply religious people.
People whose daily struggle to provide for their children and offer them a better future speaks of hard work, energy and determination. But whose love for Christ and his life-giving message is quite evidently a source of unending hope, as one woman waiting to catch a glimpse of the Pope passing by told me: “I hope that he brings miracles here, because I know that he can.”
In Asuncion with Pope Francis, I’m Linda Bordoni
(from Vatican Radio)…