Pope Francis celebrated his first daily Mass in the Casa Santa Marta on Thursday following the summer break, reflecting on the Cross of Christ as the mystery of love. On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, Pope Francis during his homily at daily Mass preached on the “mystery of love” that is the Cross [...]
Pope Francis on Tuesday told Christians not to wear the crucifix merely as a symbol of belonging, but to look to Jesus on the Cross as He who died for our salvation. Three times, Pope Francis said, in today’s liturgical reading Jesus says to the Pharisees: “You will die in your sins”. That’s because their hearts [...]
Pope Francis pointed out the concrete testimony of Bl. Charles de Foucauld to invite Christians to “follow in his footsteps of poverty, contemplation and service to the poor”. At the conclusion of Mass at Santa Marta on Thursday morning, 1 December, the Pontiff recalled the French priest on the centenary of his execution. Charles de Foucauld, [...]
“We are not alone! And the sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit is also the peace that Jesus gives to his disciples” Dear brothers and sisters, good morning! The Gospel of today brings us again to the Upper Room. During the Last Supper, before facing the Passion and death on a cross, Jesus [...]
“How many times we say: “But he is a sinner, he has done this, and that …”, and we judge others. And you? Each one of us should ask himself: Yes, he is a sinner, and I?” Pope Francis observed this during his address at this morning’s General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, while stressing that [...]
Spes contra spem, “believe against all hope”. This is the Christian identity card posed by St Paul who, following in the footsteps of Abraham, was certain that “the thread of hope”, even in the most difficult of times, “runs the course of salvation history and, moreover, is a source of joy”. On Thursday morning, 17 March, [...]
Also Says ‘Mercy Heals, Can Transform History,’ and ‘Prophet Isaiah Wasn’t a Communist’ Mercy can change history and heal wounds, so open your heart to it. And if you are in a position of power and have abused it, remember your social responsibility and start anew. During his weekly General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, the [...]
When contemplating Jesus on the cross, we ought not to look at those paintings that are far too beautiful and do not represent the harsh reality of the harrowing ordeal. Pope Francis used these words, as well as the image of an “ugly serpent” to make his meditation more dynamic and incisive. The cross and the [...]
Today’s Gospel presents us Jesus who, on his way towards Caesarea Philippi, asks the disciples: “Who do people say that I am?” (Mk. 8,27). They respond that some believe he is John the Baptist reborn, others Elijah or one of the great Prophets. The people appreciated Jesus, they considered him a “God-sent”, but still could not [...]
March 24, 2013, Sunday -- "Prepare well" "Prepare well – prepare spiritually above all – in your communities, so that our gathering in Rio may be a sign of faith for the whole world."--Pope Francis, Homily, Palm Sunday Mass, this morning in St. Peter's Square, to young people planning to go to World Youth Day in [...]
