(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held his weekly General Audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican on Wednesday. In his catechesis, the Holy Father reflected on St Matthew’s account of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes.
Below, please find the official English language summary of Pope Francis’ catechesis for the General Audience for 16 August 2016:
Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis for this Holy Year of Mercy, we now consider the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. In Saint Matthew’s account, Jesus wishes to withdraw and pray, but seeing the multitudes, is moved by compassion and chooses to remain with them. By instructing his disciples to feed the crowd, he teaches them to have faith and invites them to share in his concern for those in need. The miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes is a concrete sign of that merciful concern. Matthew, in telling us that Jesus took the bread, looked up to heaven, then blessed and broke it for the crowds, clearly evokes the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. Through our partaking of the Eucharist, we not only receive spiritual nourishment, but, conformed ever more fully to the Lord, we become signs of his merciful presence to those around us. May all of us, as members of Christ’s body, seek to bring to our families and communities, and especially to those most in need, the nourishment of God’s closeness, mercy and love.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis over the weekend sent his support to an event taking place in the Italian Diocese of Ugento-S. Maria di Leuca called “Mediterranean: A Sea of Bridges,” which brought together young people from Europe and the countries bordering the Mediterranean to create a Charter which would help stop the Mediterranean from being a “sea of death.”
In a message sent through the Secretary of State, Pope Francis express his wish that the event “enkindle a renewed commitment to promoting a culture of hospitality and solidarity, and thus promote peace and fraternity among peoples.”
The message went on to say the Holy Father encouraged the participants at the meeting to “consider the presence of so many brothers and sisters who are migrants to be an opportunity of human growth, of meeting and dialogue among cultures and religions, and also even an occasion to witness to the Gospel of Charity.”
The meeting, which concluded on Sunday, issued the Charter of Leuca , which pledged the participants’ willingness “to preserve, to reconstruct, and to bring together the bridges linking the countries of the Mediterranean.”
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis sent a letter on Monday to express his sorrow over the loss of life and property in Portugal, where wildfires have killed at least 4 people and caused hundreds to evacuate their homes.
Listen to Devin Watkins’ report:
The letter – addressed to the bishop of Funchal, Antonio Carrilho, and signed by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin – was read out during the celebration of Holy Mass for Our Lady of the Mount, Patroness of Funchal.
In the message, Pope Francis said he is “appalled by the sad news of the terrible fires raging on the island of Madeira” and expressed his “condolences and participation in the pain” of all those affected.
The Holy Father also conveyed “solidarity and spiritual closeness” for those displaced by the wildfires and prayed for the quick healing of the wounded and “courage and consolation in Christian hope” for all involved.
Finally, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude for the more than 2,000 firefighters battling the flames which have killed 5 people: 4 on the Portugese island of Madeira and 1 in neighboring Spain.
During his homily for the celebration of Our Lady of the Mount in which the message was read, Bishop Carrilho repeated the Pope’s message of sorrow.
“We cannot but remember those who have died and express our deepest solidarity to all who have experienced angst and suffering, in particular those who have lost their homes and belongings.”
Bishop Carrilho then praised the many “acts of solidarity” performed in the face of danger and the “strength and courage” of the Portugese people.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday expressed his hope women enslaved to the “arrogance of the powerful” will be allowed to have a life of “peace, justice, and love.”
The Holy Father was speaking during his Angelus address for the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary.
“The Assumption of Mary is a great mystery that pertains to all of us, regarding our future;” Pope Francis said.
“The exultation of this humble girl from Galilee, expressed in the canticle of the Magnificat, becomes the song of all mankind, who is pleased to see the Lord reach down to all men and all women, lowly creatures, and take them with him in into heaven,” the Pope said.
“The Canticle of Mary also leads us to think about many actual sad situations, in particular those women overwhelmed by the weight of life and the drama of violence; of women who are slaves to the arrogance of the powerful; the girls forced into inhumane work; the women forced to surrender in both body and spirit to the avarice of men,” Pope Francis said.
“May they as soon as possible begin a life of peace, justice, and love: waiting for the day when they finally feel grasped by hands that do not humiliate; but with tenderness that will lift them up and guide them on the road of life, and on to heaven.” he continued.
“Mary, a woman – a young girl – who has suffered so much in her life, makes us think of these women who suffer so much,” – the Pope said – “And we ask the Lord that He at the same time lead them by the hand along life’s path, and free them from this slavery.”
Pope Francis on Friday visited a refugee centre in Rome housing women rescued from prostitution as part of his ‘Friday of Mercy’ gestures during this Jubilee Year of Mercy.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis turned his attention to the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday during his Angelus for the Solemnity of the Assumption.
The eastern province has long been plagued by violence – often spilling over from conflicts in neighboring countries – and this weekend, another massacre killing at least 40 people.
“To the Queen of Peace, whom we contemplate today in heavenly glory, I want to entrust once again the anxieties and the sorrows of the people in many parts of the world are the innocent victims of persistent conflicts” – Pope Francis said – “which have for some time been perpetrated in shameful silence, without attracting even as much as our attention. Unfortunately, they are part of the too many innocent people who have no weight on world opinion.”
“My thoughts go to the people of North Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, who have been recently hit with fresh massacres,” – the Holy Father continued – “May Mary obtain for all people sentiments of compassion and understanding and the desire for peace and harmony!”
(from Vatican Radio)…