Messages, requests and activities of pope Francis that underpin
Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation
Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation
Holiness means being loving, not boring, pope says
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Universal: For Those who have Responsibility in Economic Matters
That economists may have the courage to reject any economy of exclusion and know how to open new paths. |
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Pope Francis' 2018 Lenten Message
February 26, 2018 - Salt and Light Media
“Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold”(Mt 24:12)
CNS/Paul Haring
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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Once again, the Pasch of the Lord draws near! In our preparation for Easter, God in his providence offers us each year the season of Lent as a “sacramental sign of our conversion”.[1] |
Lent summons us, and enables us, to come back to the Lord wholeheartedly and in every aspect of our life.With this message, I would like again this year to help the entire Church experience this time of grace anew, with joy and in truth. I will take my cue from the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew: “Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold” (24:12). READ MORE
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Pope's Prayer Intention for March 2018Evangelization: Formation in Spiritual Discernment
That the Church may appreciate the urgency of formation in spiritual discernment, both on the personal and communitarian levels. (Credits) |
Pope's Prayer Intention for February 2018Universal: Say “No” to Corruption That those who have material, political or spiritual power may resist any lure of corruption. Watch the Pope's video >>>>> |
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Pope's message for the 104th World Day of Migrants and Refugees
January 14, 2018 - The Catholic in England and Wales
ear brothers and sisters!
“You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:34).
Throughout the first years of my pontificate, I have repeatedly expressed my particular concern for the lamentable situation of many migrants and refugees fleeing from war, persecution, natural disasters and poverty. This situation is undoubtedly a “sign of the times” which I have tried to interpret, with the help of the Holy Spirit, ever since my visit to Lampedusa on 8 July 2013. When I instituted the new Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, I wanted a particular section – under my personal direction for the time being – to express the Church’s concern for migrants, displaced people, refugees and victims of human trafficking.
Every stranger who knocks at our door is an opportunity for an encounter with Jesus Christ, who identifies with the welcomed and rejected strangers of every age (Matthew 25:35-43). The Lord entrusts to the Church’s motherly love every person forced to leave their homeland in search of a better future.[1] This solidarity must be concretely expressed at every stage of the migratory experience – from departure through journey to arrival and return. This is a great responsibility, which the Church intends to share with all believers and men and women of good will, who are called to respond to the many challenges of contemporary migration with generosity, promptness, wisdom and foresight, each according to their own abilities.
In this regard, I wish to reaffirm that “our shared response may be articulated by four verbs: to welcome, to protect, to promote and to integrate”.[2] READ MORE
“You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:34).
Throughout the first years of my pontificate, I have repeatedly expressed my particular concern for the lamentable situation of many migrants and refugees fleeing from war, persecution, natural disasters and poverty. This situation is undoubtedly a “sign of the times” which I have tried to interpret, with the help of the Holy Spirit, ever since my visit to Lampedusa on 8 July 2013. When I instituted the new Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, I wanted a particular section – under my personal direction for the time being – to express the Church’s concern for migrants, displaced people, refugees and victims of human trafficking.
Every stranger who knocks at our door is an opportunity for an encounter with Jesus Christ, who identifies with the welcomed and rejected strangers of every age (Matthew 25:35-43). The Lord entrusts to the Church’s motherly love every person forced to leave their homeland in search of a better future.[1] This solidarity must be concretely expressed at every stage of the migratory experience – from departure through journey to arrival and return. This is a great responsibility, which the Church intends to share with all believers and men and women of good will, who are called to respond to the many challenges of contemporary migration with generosity, promptness, wisdom and foresight, each according to their own abilities.
In this regard, I wish to reaffirm that “our shared response may be articulated by four verbs: to welcome, to protect, to promote and to integrate”.[2] READ MORE
Pope's Prayer Intention for January 2018
Evangelization: Religious Minorities in Asia
That Christians, and other religious minorities in Asian countries, may be able to practise their faith in full freedom.
That Christians, and other religious minorities in Asian countries, may be able to practise their faith in full freedom.
December 9, 2017
Message: 51st World Day of Peace
1 JANUARY 2018
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
FOR THE CELEBRATION OF
THE 51st WORLD DAY OF PEACE
Migrants and refugees: men and women in search of peace
FOR THE CELEBRATION OF
THE 51st WORLD DAY OF PEACE
Migrants and refugees: men and women in search of peace
December 9, 2017
Message: World Day of Migrants and Refugees
Pope Francis' prayer intention for December: for the elderly
That the elderly, sustained by families and Christian communities, may apply their wisdom and experience to spreading the faith and forming the new generations.
the first "World Day of the Poor" - Nov. 19, 2017
November 19, 2017
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Pope invites thousands of poor to lunch at Vatican
Pope Francis dined with 1,200 poor people at the Vatican to mark the Catholic Church's first "World Day for the Poor" |
(Vatican Radio) This Sunday, November 19th marks the first World Day of the Poor, which Pope Francis called for at the conclusion of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. The Pontifical Council for New Evangelisation on Tuesday announced a number of special events that are taking place throughout the week to highlight this annual initiative. READ MORE...
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Pope Francis' prayer intention for November:
for Christians in Asia
Prays They Promote Dialogue, Peace, & Mutual Understanding
Let us pray that Christians in Asia, bearing witness to the Gospel in word and deed, may promote dialogue, peace, and mutual understanding, especially with those of other religions.
Let us pray that Christians in Asia, bearing witness to the Gospel in word and deed, may promote dialogue, peace, and mutual understanding, especially with those of other religions.
October 16, 2017 - American Magazine
Pope Francis: War and climate change cause hunger; stop treating it as an incurable illness
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“It’s clear that wars and climate change cause hunger; let us stop presenting it as an incurable illness,” Pope Francis said in a powerful keynote address at the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization on Oct.16. He called on governments worldwide to take collaborative action to overcome the three interconnected plagues of conflict, climate change and hunger. Read more
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Pope Francis is pictured next to a statue of Alan Kurdi, the 3-year-old Syrian boy who drowned in September 2015 while crossing the Mediterranean Sea. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
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October 3, 2017
Pope Francis' prayer intention for October: 'For workers'
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Workers and the Unemployed:
That all workers may receive respect and protection of their rights, and that the unemployed may receive the opportunity to contribute to the common good. Read the Reflection |
Pray for Parishes
During the month of September, Pope Francis asks everyone to pray for parishes. Ask your parish to take the Laudato Si’ Pledge or to start a creation committee using our eco-parish guide. The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network has created a video that beautifully illustrates the connection between creation care and parish life.
Pope Francis' prayer intention for August: 'For artists'
This month’s intention is for artists: "That artists of our time, though their creativity, may help us discover the beauty of creation." The text of the video message reads:The arts give expression to the beauty of the faith and proclaim the Gospel message of the grandeur of God’s creation.
When we admire a work of art or a marvel of nature, we discover how everything speaks to us of Him and of His love.
That artists of our time, though their creativity, may help us discover the beauty of creation.
When we admire a work of art or a marvel of nature, we discover how everything speaks to us of Him and of His love.
That artists of our time, though their creativity, may help us discover the beauty of creation.
Holy See Makes ‘Urgent’ Appeals for Venezuela to Avoid Violence, Guarantee Rights
August 4, 2017 - Zenit
Noting Pope Francis’ Profound Concern, Calls on South American Nation to Suspend Constitutional Assembly
The Holy See says Pope Francis is following the crisis in Venezuela very closely and has issued urgent appeals for all political actors, especially the government, to guarantee rights and freedoms, and for the society, as a whole, to avoid violence. It also called for a suspension of the new Constituent Assembly, tasked, by President Nicolas Maduro, with rewriting the constitution while possessing almost absolute powers. Read more...
July 8, 2017 - Global Catholic Climate Movement
CHRISTIANS PRAY AND CARE FOR CREATION, TOGETHER.
We will be joining Pope Francis through our celebration of Season of Creation, which begins September 1 with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and lasts until through October 4, the Feast of St. Francis. During this time we will be lifting up the “cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.” (Laudato Si’ 49) From the Amazon to the Philippines and countless places in between, we will be hosting symbolic actions to showcase how Christians are coming together to pray for and care for creation.
July 3, 2017
Pope Francis sends message to UN Food and Agriculture Organization
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday sent a message to participants in the 40th General Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Rome.
July 13, 2017 - Zenit
Pope's message on the feast of St Anthony on the poor
Let us love, not with words but with deeds
Here are a collection of quotes to whet your appetite - submitted by Andrew Conradi, ofs, National JPIC Animator:
Let us love, not with words but with deeds … We must go from empty words to concrete acts ... [and be] Christians who, in utter simplicity and humility, and with generous and creative charity, [serve] their poorest brothers and sisters! The most outstanding example is that of Francis of Assisi, ... He was not satisfied to embrace lepers and give them alms, but chose to go to Gubbio to stay with them. … [we need to foster] a true encounter with the poor and a sharing that becomes a way of life. … If we truly wish to encounter Christ, we have to touch his body in the suffering bodies of the poor, as a response to the sacramental communion bestowed in the Eucharist. The Body of Christ, broken in the sacred liturgy, can be seen, through charity and sharing, in the faces and persons of the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters. Saint John Chrysostom’s admonition remains ever timely: “If you want to honour the body of Christ, do not scorn it when it is naked; do not honour the Eucharistic Christ with silk vestments, and then, leaving the church, neglect the other Christ suffering from cold and nakedness” (Hom. in Matthaeum, 50.3: PG 58).
Let us, then, take as our example Saint Francis and his witness of authentic poverty. Precisely because he kept his gaze fixed on Christ, Francis was able to see and serve him in the poor. If we want to help change history and promote real development, we need to hear the cry of the poor and commit ourselves to ending their marginalization.
READ FULL ARTICLE.................
Let us love, not with words but with deeds
Here are a collection of quotes to whet your appetite - submitted by Andrew Conradi, ofs, National JPIC Animator:
Let us love, not with words but with deeds … We must go from empty words to concrete acts ... [and be] Christians who, in utter simplicity and humility, and with generous and creative charity, [serve] their poorest brothers and sisters! The most outstanding example is that of Francis of Assisi, ... He was not satisfied to embrace lepers and give them alms, but chose to go to Gubbio to stay with them. … [we need to foster] a true encounter with the poor and a sharing that becomes a way of life. … If we truly wish to encounter Christ, we have to touch his body in the suffering bodies of the poor, as a response to the sacramental communion bestowed in the Eucharist. The Body of Christ, broken in the sacred liturgy, can be seen, through charity and sharing, in the faces and persons of the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters. Saint John Chrysostom’s admonition remains ever timely: “If you want to honour the body of Christ, do not scorn it when it is naked; do not honour the Eucharistic Christ with silk vestments, and then, leaving the church, neglect the other Christ suffering from cold and nakedness” (Hom. in Matthaeum, 50.3: PG 58).
Let us, then, take as our example Saint Francis and his witness of authentic poverty. Precisely because he kept his gaze fixed on Christ, Francis was able to see and serve him in the poor. If we want to help change history and promote real development, we need to hear the cry of the poor and commit ourselves to ending their marginalization.
READ FULL ARTICLE.................
April 27, 2017 - Zenit
Crosses Cannot Be Taken Away From the Life of a Christian
Pope Francis:
“Only the Spirit can make us witnesses of obedience. It’s not enough to listen to spiritual guides or to read books…. all that is fine but only the Spirit can change our heart and make us witnesses of obedience,” he said.
We must ask for this grace, the Pope said, recommending we say: “Father, Lord Jesus, send me your Spirit so that I may become a witness of obedience, that is, a Christian.”
He also encouraged those present to ask God for the grace of becoming witnesses of obedience” and to not be afraid when we are insulted and persecuted “because as the Lord said: the Spirit will tell us what to answer.”
“Only the Spirit can make us witnesses of obedience. It’s not enough to listen to spiritual guides or to read books…. all that is fine but only the Spirit can change our heart and make us witnesses of obedience,” he said.
We must ask for this grace, the Pope said, recommending we say: “Father, Lord Jesus, send me your Spirit so that I may become a witness of obedience, that is, a Christian.”
He also encouraged those present to ask God for the grace of becoming witnesses of obedience” and to not be afraid when we are insulted and persecuted “because as the Lord said: the Spirit will tell us what to answer.”
Februrary 13, 2017 - Zenit
Pope’s Morning Homily: ‘Bitterness Is Not Christian’
Bitterness is not Christian. Pain is, but not bitterness…
He recalls today’s first reading, which speaks of Cain and Abel.....“A story which begins ‘with a little jealousy,’ Francis said, explaining that Cain is irritated because his sacrifice does not please the Lord and he begins to cultivate a feeling of resentment, a feeling he could control, but does not.
“The speck of sawdust becomes a plank in our eye, our life revolves around it and it ends up destroying the bond of brotherhood; it destroys fraternity.”
Resentment is not Christian....One gradually, the Pope warned, becomes “obsessed, persecuted” by that evil that grows and grows.
He recalls today’s first reading, which speaks of Cain and Abel.....“A story which begins ‘with a little jealousy,’ Francis said, explaining that Cain is irritated because his sacrifice does not please the Lord and he begins to cultivate a feeling of resentment, a feeling he could control, but does not.
“The speck of sawdust becomes a plank in our eye, our life revolves around it and it ends up destroying the bond of brotherhood; it destroys fraternity.”
Resentment is not Christian....One gradually, the Pope warned, becomes “obsessed, persecuted” by that evil that grows and grows.
Commentary: It is very sad to see "bitterness" creep into an OFS fraternity, it happens!
The Pope Video: Do not be mannequins in the face of suffering
Holy Father urges us to see the people, listen to the people around us,
and respond as Christ would
and respond as Christ would
Zenit - Pope: Make Most of Each Day …Starting Today, Not Tomorrow
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Make the most of each day …. and start doing so today, not tomorrow…
....Francis stressed to those present that there is “only one ‘today’, in our lives,” only one “real,” “concrete” today. “Our temptation and everyone’s temptation is to say: ‘Yes, I will do tomorrow,’ Francis acknowledged, however adding, “though this is the temptation of a ‘tomorrow’ there will not be.” The Pontiff recalled how Jesus warns of this in the parable of the ten virgins – the five foolish ones who had not taken oil with them along with their lamps, then find the door locked when they go to buy it.” |
“I say this not to scare you, but simply to say that our life is today: now or never. I think of this: tomorrow will be the eternal tomorrow that never sets, with the Lord forever – if I am true to this day; and the question that I put to you is the same the Holy Spirit is putting to all of us, i.e. ‘How ought I to live, this day?”
Pope Francis: Get moving if you want to follow Jesus
January 13, 2017 - Aleteia
In his homily for this day he said;
VATICAN CITY — To follow Jesus we need to get moving, and not stand still with a “soul sitting down,” Pope Francis said this morning during Holy Mass in the Chapel of his residence in Santa Marta.
Commenting on the day’s Gospel of the paralytic who is lowered by his friends through the roof of a house where Jesus is teaching, the Pope said that authentic faith must be ready to take risks, and sometimes even look ridiculous to others.
People often follow Jesus out of self-interest, or because they are looking for a comforting word, the pope said. But even if no intention is totally pure or perfect, the important thing is to follow Jesus. They were attracted to his authority, to the “things He said and the way he said them. He made himself understood. He also healed them and many people followed Him to be healed.” But certainly, there were times, Pope Francis said, when Jesus also admonished people who were more interested in their own well-being than in the Word of God.
In his homily for this day he said;
VATICAN CITY — To follow Jesus we need to get moving, and not stand still with a “soul sitting down,” Pope Francis said this morning during Holy Mass in the Chapel of his residence in Santa Marta.
Commenting on the day’s Gospel of the paralytic who is lowered by his friends through the roof of a house where Jesus is teaching, the Pope said that authentic faith must be ready to take risks, and sometimes even look ridiculous to others.
People often follow Jesus out of self-interest, or because they are looking for a comforting word, the pope said. But even if no intention is totally pure or perfect, the important thing is to follow Jesus. They were attracted to his authority, to the “things He said and the way he said them. He made himself understood. He also healed them and many people followed Him to be healed.” But certainly, there were times, Pope Francis said, when Jesus also admonished people who were more interested in their own well-being than in the Word of God.
NONVIOLENCE: A STYLE OF POLITICS FOR PEACE - MESSAGE FOR THE 50TH WORLD DAY OF PEACE
Nonviolence: a Style of Politics for Peace
Fiftieth World Day of Peace on January 1, 2017
Message of Pope Francis
Fiftieth World Day of Peace on January 1, 2017
Message of Pope Francis
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The world around us is indeed filled with God’s presence and God’s light, both of which we have been celebrating during this Christmas Season. However, this world of ours is also being bombarded by violence, conflict and persecution. In his message for the celebration of the Fiftieth World Day of Peace on January 1, 2017, Pope Francis chose to reflect on nonviolence as a way to peace, and has exhorted us to make active nonviolence our way of life. (We) invite you to read and reflect on Pope Francis’ message in its entirety, which can be found on the Vatican website. (Doug Clorey ofs) Click HERE.
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That the scandal of child‐soldiers may be eliminated the world over
Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter ‘Misericordia et Miseria’
‘It is the time of mercy because no sinner can ever tire of asking forgiveness and all can feel the welcoming embrace of the Father’
Below is a link to Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter Misericordia et misera, for the conclusion of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, Dec. 8, 2015 – Nov. 20, 2016. It was published and presented by the Vatican on Nov. 21,2016.
Pope offers new beatitudes for saints of a new age
November 01, 2016 from Catholic News Service
The best description of the saints -- in fact, their "identity card" -- the pope said, is found in the beatitudes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, which begins, "Blessed are the poor in spirit."
And, he said, as Christian saints have done throughout the ages, Christ's followers today are called "to confront the troubles and anxieties of our age with the spirit and love of Jesus."
New situations require new energy and a new commitment, he said, and then he offered a new list of beatitudes for modern Christians:
"All these are messengers of God's mercy and tenderness," Pope Francis said. "Surely they will receive from him their merited reward."
.....See full article
And, he said, as Christian saints have done throughout the ages, Christ's followers today are called "to confront the troubles and anxieties of our age with the spirit and love of Jesus."
New situations require new energy and a new commitment, he said, and then he offered a new list of beatitudes for modern Christians:
- "Blessed are those who remain faithful while enduring evils inflicted on them by others and forgive them from their heart.
- "Blessed are those who look into the eyes of the abandoned and marginalized and show them their closeness.
- "Blessed are those who see God in every person and strive to make others also discover him.
- "Blessed are those who protect and care for our common home.
- "Blessed are those who renounce their own comfort in order to help others.
- "Blessed are those who pray and work for full communion between Christians."
"All these are messengers of God's mercy and tenderness," Pope Francis said. "Surely they will receive from him their merited reward."
.....See full article
56 Ways to Be Merciful During the Jubilee Year of Mercy
Practicing mercy in our lives actually does take practice - ALETEIA
Pope Francis warns against ‘squinting behavior’ of admiring the famous and turning away from the poor - Aleteia
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"We are called to be disturbed, to find ways of meeting and helping, without always delegating to others or saying: “I will help you tomorrow; I have no time today, I’ll help you tomorrow.” - September 25, 2016
VATICAN CITY — Everything in the faith becomes beautiful when we keep one truth in mind: “The Lord Jesus is risen, the Lord Jesus loves you, and he has given his life for you,” Pope Francis said today on the Jubilee for Catechists. Read More... |
Vatican Radio, August 22, 2014
Encyclical on the Environment, Pope Francis
Vatican Radio has reported that Pope Francis confirmed that his encyclical on the environment has been written and is currently under revision.
According to the report, he wrote the encyclical with the collaboration of Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, among others.
There is no date for its release yet. As soon as it becomes available, we will post a link here.
According to the report, he wrote the encyclical with the collaboration of Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, among others.
There is no date for its release yet. As soon as it becomes available, we will post a link here.
Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis
You can read it here.
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Evangelii Gaudium, translated into English as "The Joy of the Gospel" is Pope Francis' first Apolostic Exhortation. In this 224-page document the Pope outlines his vision for a missionary Church. Written in everyday language, it includes much that relates to JPIC, especially Chapter Four, "The Social Dimension of Evangelization" which speaks to the Church’s teaching on social questions, the inclusion of the poor in society and social dialogue as a contribution to peace.
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“Like Saint Francis of Assisi, let us be transformed by the love of Christ in order to live in simplicity and joy,” Pope Francis Tweeted on October 4, 2017.
René Descartes’ statement:
“I think therefore I am" implies a cause-effect relationship. But my thinking is not what gives me life.
It does not explain why I exist. “I am truly a 'new creation' (Gal 6:15): I am loved, therefore I exist.”
Pope Francis, 2016, Misericordia et misera, 16
“I think therefore I am" implies a cause-effect relationship. But my thinking is not what gives me life.
It does not explain why I exist. “I am truly a 'new creation' (Gal 6:15): I am loved, therefore I exist.”
Pope Francis, 2016, Misericordia et misera, 16
Poverty
“We are not Princes, sons of Princes, of Counts or Barons; we are simple people of the people. Therefore,” Francis added, “we come close, with simplicity, to those who suffer most: the sick, the children, the abandoned elderly, the poor … all. And this poverty is at the center of the Gospel: it is the poverty of Jesus, which is not sociological poverty.”
Pope Francis, Zenit Feb 20, 2017.
“We are not Princes, sons of Princes, of Counts or Barons; we are simple people of the people. Therefore,” Francis added, “we come close, with simplicity, to those who suffer most: the sick, the children, the abandoned elderly, the poor … all. And this poverty is at the center of the Gospel: it is the poverty of Jesus, which is not sociological poverty.”
Pope Francis, Zenit Feb 20, 2017.
