(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday met with the President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena, who subsequently met with the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, who was accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States.
A statement from the Holy See Press Office called the discussions “cordial”, and said the two men began the meeting by recalling the Holy Father’s visit to Sri Lanka last January. Their subsequent discussions focused on certain aspects of the country’s recent history and the process of peace and reconciliation that is underway, with the hope that it may contribute to promoting stable social harmony.
Furthermore, they emphasized the contribution of the Catholic Church in various sectors of society and the importance of interreligious dialogue.
There was also an exchange of opinions on the theme of the environment and an evaluation of the results of the Conference on climate change, recently concluded in Paris.
President Sirisena gave the Pope a large silver vase, and the Holy Father gave the Sri Lankan leader a wooden depiction of the “Tree of Peace,” made with two intertwined olive branches.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis received the participants in a major pastoral initiative aimed at young people and sponsored by the Bishops Conference of Italy – the CEI – on Monday. The Progetto Policoro began twenty years ago as a program to help unemployed young people of southern Italy to develop skills, find work, and most importantly, nurture a healthy sense of dignity and self-worth by creating and developing ties to the larger ecclesial and social community.
In the two decades since its founding through the work of don Mario Operti (a priest of the archdiocese of Turin), the Progetto Policoro has grown and spread through thirteen regions of Italy, and has sponsored hundreds of cooperatives, formation initiatives and small businesses.
In remarks to the Progetto Policoro on Monday, Pope Francis said, “Your task is not simply to help young people to find jobs: it is also a responsibility of evangelization, through the sanctifying value of work – not any work, though – not work that exploits, crushing, humiliating, mortifying [the worker], but the kind of work that makes a man truly free, work that accords with man’s noble dignity.”
The Holy Father concluded his remarks by entrusting the Progetto Policoro to the intercession of St. Joseph the Worker, and praying, “That the visage of God’s mercy, which illuminated the Holy Family entrusted to him, might shine on [their] path and show [them] the ways of creativity and hope.”
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has urged the international community to urgently follow up on the path set by the climate deal reached in Paris.
Speaking in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday after the recitation of the Angelus prayer, the Pope recalled the just concluded Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris which saw the signing of an agreement – he said – “described by many as historic”.
The Paris pact aims to curb global warming to less than 2°Celsius by the end of the century; it saw nearly 200 countries taking part in tense negotiations over two weeks to strike the first deal to commit all nations to cut emissions.
“With the hope that special attention for the most vulnerable populations is guaranteed – Pope Francis said – I exhort the whole international community to proceed on the path undertaken in the name of an ever more effective solidarity”.
And mentioning the fact that next Tuesday, December 15, the 10th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference will take place in Nairobi, Pope Francis urged participating nations to that Conference to always take into account the needs of the poor when making decisions, and not to neglect the “legitimate aspirations of less developed nations, of the common good and of the whole human family”.
The Pope also remarked on the fact that today sees the opening of Holy Doors in Cathedrals throughout the world so that the Jubilee of Mercy can be lived to the full by all.
He specifically spoke of the fact that “Doors of Mercy” will be opened in places of poverty, need and marginalization and said he specially wanted to send his greetings to prison inmates across the globe.
Meanwhile before the recitation of the Angelus Pope Francis addressed the pilgrims in the Square saying that true conversion calls for a concrete commitment to justice and solidarity.
Drawing inspiration from the Gospel reading for the third Sunday of Advent in which John the Baptist invites all to convert by sharing with the poor, the Pope said: it is clear some attitudes of those in power have not changed and that a true conversion is needed.
“We must change direction and take the path of justice, solidarity, and sobriety: these are the essential values of a fully human and genuinely Christian life” he said.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls was opened on Sunday morning by Cardinal James Harvey, the Achpriest of the Basilica. The ceremony took place as Pope Francis was opening the Holy Door at the Papal Basilica of St. John Lateran. The Holy Door of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls carries a design honouring the Holy Trinity, and bears the Latin inscription “Ad sacram Pauli cunctis venientibus aedem – sit pacis donum perpetuoquoe salus,” which means “Those who come to the holy temple of Paul are given the gift of peace and eternal salvation.” After the Mass for the opening of the Holy Door, A concert was given by The New Chamber Singers, under the direction of Maestro Darren Everhart. Pope Francis will pass through the Holy Door at St. Paul Outside-the-Walls during an ecumenical service on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul on January 25, 2016. (from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday opened the Holy Door for the Jubilee Year of Mercy, which officially began last week.
The Pope opened the Holy Door in the Basilica before celebrating Mass for the Third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday.
The Year of Mercy started 8 Dec on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and will conclude 20 Nov 2016 on the Feast of Christ the King.
Below find Vatican Radio’s translation of Pope Francis’ homily:
The invitation extended by the Prophet to the ancient city of Jerusalem is also addressed today to the whole Church and each one of us: “Rejoice … exault!” (Zephaniah 3:14). The reason for joy is expressed with words that inspire hope, and which can look to the future with serenity. The Lord has annulled every condemnation and chose to live among us.
This third Sunday of Advent draws our gaze towards Christmas, which is now close. We cannot let ourselves be taken in by weariness; sadness in any form is not allowed, even though we have reason (for sadness), with many concerns and the many forms of violence which hurt our humanity. The coming of the Lord, however, must fill our hearts with joy. The prophet Zephaniah, in whose very name is inscribed the content of this announcement, opens our hearts to trust: “God protects” His people. In a historical context of great abuse and violence, especially by men of power, God knows that He will reign over his people, who would never leave them at the mercy of the arrogance of their leaders, and will free them from all anxiety. Today, we are asked not to let our “hands grow weak” because of doubt, impatience or suffering.
The Apostle Paul takes with force the teaching of the prophet Zephaniah and reiterates: “The Lord is near” (Phil 4,5). Because of this we should rejoice always, and with our affability give all witness of closeness and care that God has for each person.
We have opened the Holy Door, here and in all the cathedrals of the world. Even this simple sign is an invitation to joy. It begins a time of the great forgiveness. It is the Jubilee of Mercy. It is time to rediscover the presence of God and his fatherly tenderness. God does not love rigidity. He is Father; He is tender; everything done with the tenderness of the Father. We too, like the crowds asked John, “What do we do?” (Lk 3:10). The response of the Baptist was immediate. He invites us to act justly and to look after the needs of those in need. What John demands of his representatives, however, it is what is reflected in the law. We, however, are prompted toward a more radical commitment. Before the Holy Door we are called to cross, we are asked to be instruments of mercy, knowing that we will be judged on this. He who is baptized knows he has a greater commitment. Faith in Christ leads to a journey that lasts for a lifetime: to be merciful, like the Father. The joy of crossing through the Door of Mercy is accompanied by a commitment to welcome and witness to a love that goes beyond justice, a love that knows no boundaries. It is from this infinite love that we are responsible, in spite of our contradictions.
We pray for us and for all who pass through the Door of Mercy, that we may understand and welcome the infinite love of our Heavenly Father, recreates, transforms and reforms life.
(from Vatican Radio)…