Angelus encouragement for Galilee of the Gentiles

At noon today in Rome, the Holy Father, Pope Francis appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to recite the Angelus with the faithful and with pilgrims who were gathered in Saint Peter's Square.  Among others who were present today were young people belonging to Catholic Action within the Diocese of Rome, who traditionally conclude the month of January, which they dedicate to peace, with a Caravan of Peace.

At the conclusion of the Angelus, a young boy and a young girl who are parishioners at two different Roman parishes were invited into the Papal apartment, where they read a message presented in the name of Catholic Action Rome.  The young people then released two doves from the window of the papal apartment as a symbol of peace.

Address of His Holiness, Pope Francis

prior to the recitation of the Angelus

Dear brothers and sisters, hello,

This Sunday’s Gospel recounts the beginnings of Jesus’s public life in the cities and villages of Galilee. His mission did not start from Jerusalem, that is, from the religious, social, and political centre but from an area on the periphery, from an area despised by the most observant Jews because of the presence in that region of foreign groups. This is why the prophet Isaiah refers to it as Galilee of the Gentiles (Isaiah 8:23).

It is a borderland, an area with many travellers where one meets people of different races, cultures and religions. Thus, Galilee in this way becomes the symbolic place of the Gospel’s openness to all peoples. From this point of view, Galilee resembles today’s world: the joint presence of different cultures, the necessity of confrontation and encounter. We too are immersed every day in a Galilee of the Gentiles, and in this sort of context we can be frightened and give in to the temptation of building walls around ourselves to be safer and more protected. But Jesus teaches us that the glad tidings that he brings are not reserved for just one part of humanity; it is to be communicated to everyone. It is a joyful proclamation to those who have been waiting for it but also perhaps to those who have given up and no longer have the strength to seek and to ask.

Starting from Galilee, Jesus teaches us that no one is excluded from God’s salvation, that, on the contrary, God prefers starting on the periphery, from those who are last, to reach all. He teaches us a method, his method, that, however also expresses the content, namely, the Father’s mercy. Each Christian and every community must discern the path that the Lord points out, but all of us are asked to obey his call to go forth from our own comfort zone in order to reach all the ‘peripheries’ in need of the light of the Gospel (Evangelii gaudium, 20).

Jesus begins his mission not only from a place other than the centre of attention, but also from people that are, we could say, low profile. To choose his first disciples and future apostles, he does not turn to the schools of the scribes and doctors of the Law, but to humbler, simpler persons, who make an effort to prepare for the Kingdom of God. Jesus calls them where they work, on the shores of the sea, they are fishermen. He calls them and they immediately follow him. They leave their nets and go with him: their life will become an extraordinary and fascinating adventure.

Dear friends, the Lord calls today too! The Lord walks the roads of our daily life. Today too, in this moment, here, the Lord passes through this piazza. He calls us to go with him, to work with him for the Kingdom of God, in the Galilees of our time. Each of you should think: the Lord passes by today, the Lord looks at me, he is looking at me! What does the Lord say to me? And if one of you feels that the Lord says to him, Follow me, be courageous, go with the Lord. The Lord never disappoints. Listen in your heart to see whether the Lord is calling you to follow him. Let us allow ourselves to be reached by his gaze, his voice, and let us follow him! So that the joy of the Gospel may reach to the ends of the earth, illuminating even the fringes of our world (Evangelii gaudium, 288).

Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father further addressed those gathered in St. Peter’s Square:

Today you see that I am not alone. Two of you are with me. They came up here. They are great!

Today we celebrate World Leprosy Day. This sickness, although it is disappearing, unfortunately still strikes many people today, who live in miserable circumstances. It is important to keep the solidarity with these brothers and sisters alive. We assure them of our prayer; and we also pray for all those who care for them and, in different ways, work to defeat this disease.

I am close to the Ukraine in prayer, especially those who lost their lives recently and their families. I would like to see a constructive dialogue develop between the institutions and civil society, an end to all violent actions and the victory of the spirit of peace and pursuit of the common good in everyone’s hearts!

Today there are many children in the piazza. Many! With them too I would like to turn my thoughts to Cocò Campolongo, who at 3 years old was burned in a car in Cassano allo Jonio. This fury against such a little child does not seem to have precedent in the history of crime. Let us pray with Cocò, who is surely in heaven with Jesus, for the people who committed this crime, that they repent and covert to the Lord.

In the next few days, millions of people, who live in the Far East or in different places in the world, Chinese, Koreans, Vietnamese and others, will celebrate the lunar New Year. I wish them all a life full of joy and hope. May the irrepressible longing for brotherhood that lives in their hearts find a privileged place in the intimacy of the family, where it can be found, formed and realized. This will be a precious contribution to the building up of a more human world, in which peace reigns.

Yesterday in Naples, Maria Cristina di Savoia was proclaimed Blessed. She lived in the first half of the 19th century and was the queen of the two Sicilies. A woman of profound spirituality and great humility, she knew how to take on the suffering of her people, becoming a true mother of the poor. Her extraordinary example of charity testified that the good life of the Gospel is possible in every setting and social condition.

I greet with affection all of you, dear pilgrims, who have come from different parishes in Italy and other countries. I also greet all of the associations, student groups and others. I especially greet the students from Cuenca, Spain and the young women from Panama. I greet the faithful from Caltanissetta, Priolo Gargallo, San Severino Marche and San Giuliano Milanese, and the alumni of the School of Minoprio

I turn now to the young people of Catholic Action of the Diocese of Rome! Dear young people, this year too, accompanied by the cardinal vicar, you have come here in large numbers at the end of your Caravan of Peace. I thank you! I thank you very much! Let us now listen to the message that your friends here next to me will read to us.

Dear Father,

Today, we young people of Catholic Action have come to Saint Peter's Square with our families and our teachers, to bring our message of peace to You, so that it can reach the whole world.

This year in our Catholic Action groups, we are reflecting on the importance of getting into the game and contributing in unique and original ways, shouting (as it were), 'There is no game without You'.  Overcoming prejudices and exclusions, there is room for everyone, because the more we enjoy ourselves, the more we understand that God loves each of us, with all our strengths and weaknesses.  For this reason he invites us to be part of his joy.  We understand that we cannot accept His invitation by involving only our small ideas, but we must bring His message of love to the places where we live and study and play every day, to the people we meet, even next door.

With Catholic Action, we have seen that in order to organize any game, it is essential that the rules, the players and the spaces must all be respected.  Every child has the right to play and have fun in a manner suitable to him or her, but unfortunately, this is not possible in all parts of the world.

For this reason we have collected some offerings which will be sent to children and youth in Haiti, so that they can build places for recreation, for social gatherings and for sports.  In this way, Hope may finally be known in the joy and smiles of children in that land which has been so devastated by natural disasters.

We confide our message of hope to these two doves, trusting that by releasing them, we may come to believe that our hope can spread everywhere, because peace is like the wind: it blows strong.  May it reach everyone, especially those who need to know it most.

We ask you to pray for all of us, that we ourselves might be witnesses of God's peace in our everyday lives.

We want to reciprocate the affection which you show every day to all of us, with the enthusiasm and joy that characterize Catholic Action.

Thank you, Holy Father; Catholic Action wants to give you a big hug.

And now these two great kids will release the doves, symbols of peace.

Release of the doves.

I wish everyone a good Sunday and a good lunch. Goodbye!

Thoughts on unity

Here is the text of the homily I prepared for the gathering of the Christian community this weekend, the last of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Toward unity

For more than a century, Christian believers have joined our voices in prayer for at least one week every year, imploring the gift of unity, especially among those of our brothers and sisters who are divided.  Like every human story, the story of our Church contains episodes of joy and sorrow.  At one point in our history, all those who profess to be followers of Jesus gathered around one table; we all prayed together; we all shared common beliefs and practices, but the sad reality is that today we do not, yet we long for the day when we might once more stand side by side to join our voices in a common song of praise.  Until that day arrives, we must continue our efforts to encourage dialogue, to recognize the gifts we share in common and to work toward overcoming the differences that separate Roman Catholics from Anglicans, Baptists from Lutherans, and Presbyterians from the members of the United Church of Canada.

Today’s gospel passage recounts the calling of the disciples.  When he called Peter, Andrew, James and John and said to them: Come, follow me … Jesus was inviting them to see the world through different eyes.  He was inviting them to learn from him.  In time, they would come to know Jesus not as some stranger who happened to meet them on the shore of the sea after a long night of fishing, but rather as a trusted friend who would show them a different way of life.  Jesus still calls disciples today to follow him, sometimes as priests, sometimes as deacons, sometimes as consecrated persons, sometimes as committed people of faith.  In all these cases, he encourages us to discover a world which is built not on power and prestige but on love and service, a world where war and conflict give way to the possibility of strangers coming to see one another as brothers and sisters.  When Jesus called those first disciples, I wonder whether he was concerned about whether they would truly grasp the concept of this new way of living, yet he did call them, and he continues to call others today.  The problem is that humans often let our own egos get in the way, we choose to follow our own desire for greatness, often measured by worldly standards, and over time, Jesus’ vision of unity for all his disciples has suffered because of it.

Even in the years immediately following the death of Jesus, Saint Paul recognized that the people of Corinth were involved in disputes over their allegiances and beliefs.  Some of them believed that Paul had all the answers, but others preferred to follow Apollos, or Cephas (that’s Peter), or Christ – as though each of these was proclaiming his own truth, a truth that was different from the others.  Paul challenged them by asking: Has Christ been divided? , The gospel that is proclaimed by the followers of Jesus has always been the same.  It is Christ’s truth, no matter whether it is spoken by one or another of the disciples, by one or another of his followers.  In the end, what is truly important is that we come to believe in the power of the Cross, the power of forgiveness, the power of love.  Then as now, there are moments when choices motivated by love might appear to the human eye as foolishness, making no sense by the judgment of the world, but to those who are acquainted with Christ, choices made in faith demonstrate the power of God at work.

The good news is that when all is said and done, it is God who is in charge, not us.  The Prophet Isaiah tells us that at some point in the future the people who walked in darkness will see great light.  In fact, Isaiah says that we have already seen this light, and this should encourage us greatly.  Efforts at unity between Christians are ongoing.  During the General Audience this past Wednesday, Pope Francis reminded us:  It is good to recognize the grace with which God blesses us, and even more, to find in other Christians, something that we need, something that we might receive as a gift from our brothers and sisters. This year, the text of the prayer service designed for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was composed by a group of Christians from various faith traditions who all live in Canada.  As the Holy Father says, we need to begin by recognizing the graces and gifts we receive from our brothers and sisters.  Then perhaps we will be better able to focus on the things that unite us, the truths we share, like Baptism and a belief in the person of Jesus.  From there, the dialogue will continue, and we will all learn how to be better disciples, capable of following in the footsteps of Jesus.

Meeting with the women

At 12:15pm today, in the Sala Clementina at the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father, Pope Francis met with participants in the 29th National Congress promoted by the CIF (Italian Women's Centre).  The theme for their encounter, which is taking place at the Domus Mariae in Rome from January 24 to 26 is CIF: that extra step - recreate life and cultivate hope.

Address of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

for the meeting with the participants

from the Italian Women's Centre

Dear friends from the Italian Women's Centre,

I am happy to welcome all of you who are participating in the meeting of your Association.  I thank your President for the words with which our encounter this morning have been introduced.

I give thanks to the Lord, along with you, for all the good that the Italian Women's Centre has accomplished during its nearly seventy years of existence, especially work which has been implemented in the field of education and human development, and for the witness these efforts provide about the role of women in society and in the Church community.  As a matter of fact, over the past few decades, along with other cultural and social transformations, the identity and role of women in the family, in society and in the Church, has experienced significant change.  In general, in all these domains, the participation and responsibility of women have been increasing.

Throughout the years, it is important to note that the participation and discernment of the Magisterium and the Popes has always been present.  Most especially, mention should be made here of the Apostolic Letter of my predecessor Blessed John Paul II entitled Mulieris dignitatem, on the dignity and vocation of women.  This Letter, published in 1988, continues the line of teaching from the Second Vatican Council, recognizing the moral strength of women and their spiritual strength (MD, 30); and we should also remember the Message for the 1995 World Day of Peace entitled Women: Teachers of Peace.

I recall the vital contribution of women in society, particularly with your sensitivity and intuition toward the weak and the helpless, and I have been pleased to see so many women sharing pastoral responsibility with our priests.  Together, you assist people, families, and groups - the source of much theological reflection; and I hope that you will continue to open more and more space for a more comprehensive and incisive presence of women in the Church (Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii gaudium, 103).

These new spaces and responsibilities which have been opened, and which I sincerely hope will continue to expand the presence and commitment of women, both in the Church and in civil and professional arenas, must never cause us to forget the irreplaceable role of women in the family.  The qualities of delicacy, sensitivity and tenderness - qualities which enrich the female soul - represent not only a strength for family life and the creation of a climate of serenity and harmony, but also a reality without which no other human vocation would be possible.  This is important.  Without the presence of these attitudes, without these qualities of women, the vocation of humanity cannot be fully realized.

If the world of work and the public sphere are considered important, the perceptive contribution of the female genius remains an indispensable part of the family, which for us Christians is not simply a private sphere, but the domestic Church whose health and prosperity are conditions for the health and prosperity of the Church and of society itself.  We can think of the role of Mary: the Madonna creates something in the Church that cannot be contributed by priests, bishops and even popes.  She is the true female genius.  Consider the role of Mary in the family.  What does the presence of the Virgin Mary contribute to our families?  The presence of women in the home is more important now than it ever has been, especially for transmitting sound moral principals and even faith itself to future generations.

At this point, I'd like to ask a question:  how is it possible to increase the presence of women in the public sphere, in the world of work and in the places where decisions are most important, while at the same time maintaining the important presence and precious attentiveness which is the special gift of women in the family?  This is the place where discernment is called for, a discernment which in addition to reflection on the role of women in society, requires constant and ongoing prayer.

It is in dialogue with God, illuminated by His Word, watered by the grace of the Sacraments that Christian women continue their quest to respond to the call of the Lord, in the concrete reality of their lived situations.  Our prayer is always supported by the maternal presence of Mary.  She who cared for her divine Son, who encouraged his first miracle at the wedding at Cana, who was present at Calvary and at Pentecost, will show us how to deepen the significance and the role of women in society, while continuing to be entirely faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ and to your mission in the world.  Thank you!

Checking in on the Philippines

On behalf of Pope Francis, His Eminence, Robert Cardinal Sarah will visit some of the areas which were affected by typhoon Haiyan-Yolanda last November, in order to show the people of that place that the Holy Father is united with them in prayer and wishes to bring them some comfort, as they are now facing the task of reconstruction due to the ravages inflicted by natural disaster.  Cardinal Sarah also wishes to comfort and encourage all those currently involved in providing humanitarian aid within the region.

His Eminence will leave Rome tomorrow (January 26) and will return to Rome on January 31.  While he is in the Philippines, he will meet with the Filipino bishops who are currently attending meetings of their Episcopal Conference.  Cardinal Sarah will also meet with the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Benigno Aquino III, and he will visit the town of Tacloban which was the one most affected by the typhoon.

On behalf of the Holy Father, Cardinal Sarah will present the Vatican's commitment, through Cor Unum, to construct a new orphanage and a home for the elderly.  Among other things, the building will contain a small convent for the nuns who run the orphanage and care for the elderly, a chapel and a medical dispensary.

According to reports published this week by Caritas Philippines/Nassa, more than 5,500 people from the Visayas islands in central Philippines were killed by the typhoon.  In addition, there were 26 thousand wounded and nearly two thousand more are still missing.  In total, about 3.8 million people were displaced, belonging to more than 851,000 families.  About 12 million people in all suffered damages or losses for various reasons.  They are scattered across 574 municipalities and cities, and there are still fears of the onset of epidemics.

Immediately upon hearing the news of this devastation, the Holy Father asked Cor Unum to designate a first contribution of $150,000 for emergency relief efforts in support of assisting displaced persons.  These funds were in addition to other money which was also sent by parishes and Church organizations around the globe, as well as the efforts of Caritas and other aid agencies involved in national and diocesan charities.

With the judges

At 12:30pm today in the Sala Clementina at the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father, Pope Francis met with the Prelate Auditors, the Officials and the Advocates of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota on the occasion of the solemn inauguration of a new judicial year.

Following the greetings presented to the Holy Father by the Dean of the Rota, His Excellency, Pio Vito Pinto, the Pope addressed those who were present.

Address of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

to the Tribunal of the Roman Rota

Dear Prelate Auditors, Officials and collaborators from the Apostolic Tribunal of the Roman Rota,

I am meeting with you this first time, on the occasion of the inauguration of the new judicial year.  I cordially greet the college of Prelate auditors, beginning with the Dean, Bishop Pio Vito Pinto, who I wish to thank for the words which he offered me in the name of all those who are present here.  I also wish to greet the Officials, the Lawyers and the other collaborators, as well as the members of the Rota staff.  This meeting permits me an opportunity to thank you for your precious service to the Church.  My gratitude is directed in particular to you, the judges of the Rota who are called to carry out your delicate work in the name of and by mandate of the Successor of Peter.

The juridical and pastoral dimensions of ecclesiastical ministry are not opposed to one another because they both contribute to the achievement of the goal and the unity of action proper to the Church.  The juridical activity of the Church, which is configured as a service to the truth of justice, has in fact a profound pastoral connotation, because it contributes to the pursuit of the good of the faithful and to the edification of the Christian community.  This work is a particular development of the power of governance, intended to attend to the spiritual care of the People of God, and is therefore fully understood as part of the path and the mission of the Church.  It follows that the judicial office is a true diaconate, that is a service to the People of God toward the consolidation of full communion among the individual believers as well as between them and the ecclesial community.  In other words, dear judges, in carrying out your specific ministry, you offer a competent contribution toward addressing emerging pastoral issues.

I want to give a brief profile of the ecclesiastical judge.  First of all, concerning the human profile:  judges require human maturity which is expressed in serenity of judgement and detachment from personal views.  Another part of human maturity is the capacity to immerse oneself in the mentality and the legitimate aspirations of the community in which your service is exercised.  In this way, the judge will be able to interpret the quell'animus communitatis that characterizes the portion of the People of God which his work concerns, and is capable of practicing justice that is not legalistic or abstract, but suited to the needs of concrete reality.  As a result, he should not be satisfied with superficial knowledge of the reality of the persons who await his judgement, but aware of the need to go to the very depths of the situations facing the parities, studying the acts and all the elements in depth in order to uncover all relevant matters before pronouncing judgement.

The second aspect is that of the judiciary, In addition to the requirements of juridical doctrine and theology, in the exercise of his ministry, the judge is characterized by possessing an expertise in law, objectivity and fairness in judgement, and adjudicates with impartiality and with imperturbable equidistance. In these activities, you are guided by a commitment to protect the truth, while respecting the law, not to mention the delicacy and the human nature which belongs to the pastor of souls.

The third aspect is the pastoral nature of your work.  As an expression of the pastoral concern of the Pope and the Bishops, judges are required to possess not only proven expertise, but also a genuine spirit of service.  You are the servants of justice, called to treat and judge the condition of the faithful who confidently turn to you, imitating the Good Shepherd who cares for the wounded sheep.  It is for this reason that you must be always motivated by pastoral charity, the charity that the Lord has poured into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Rom 5:5).  Charity - Saint Paul writes - is the bond of perfection (Col 3:14).  It also constitutes the soul of the role of the ecclesiastical judge.

Your ministry, dear judges and functionaries of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota, manifested in the joy and the serenity that comes from exercising our ministry where the Lord has sent us, is a service particular to the God of Love who is close to every person.  Essentially, you are shepherds.  While you carry out your judicial work, never forget that you are shepherds!  Behind every practice, every position, every cause, there are people who are waiting for justice.

Dear brothers, I want to thank you and to encourage you  to pursue your munus in a scrupulous but gentle fashion.  Pray for me!  May the Lord bless you, and may the Madonna protect you.

France comes to the Vatican

This morning, the Holy Father, Pope Francis received in audience the President of the French Republic, His Excellency, Mister François Hollande, who met afterward with His Excellency, Archbishop Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of His Holiness, and His Excellency, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial discussion, the contribution of religion to the common good was discussed.  Recalling the good relations that exist between France and the Holy See, their mutual commitment to maintaining regular dialogue between the State and the Catholic Church was reaffirmed, as well as their commitment to constructive cooperation in the matters of common interest.  In the context of defence and the promotion of the dignity of the human person, a few matters currently of interest were also discussed, such as the family, bioethics, the respect for religious communities and the protection of places of worship.

The conversation continued on themes of an international nature, such as poverty and development, migration and the environment.  In particular, it focused on the conflicts in the Middle East and in some areas of Africa, hoping that in different countries, passive social coexistence can be re-established through dialogue and the participation of all sectors of society, by respecting the rights of all people, especially ethnic and religious minorities.

Concrete steps needed for Syria

Yesterday, at Montreux, Switzerland, on the first day of the Geneva II International Conference on Syria, His Excellency, Silvano Tomasi, Head of the Holy See's Delegation delivered his intervention.

Intervention prepared by His Excellency, Silvano Tomasi

Head of the Holy See's Delegation

for the International Conference on Syria

Mr. Secretary General,

Representatives of the Syrian population and of the international community come together today, at this Geneva II Conference, to take concrete steps towards a peaceful future for the Syrian people and the Middle East. Confronted with the indescribable suffering of the Syrian people, a sense of solidarity and common responsibility prompts us to engage in a dialogue which is based on honesty, mutual trust, and concrete steps. Dialogue is the only way forward. There is no military solution to the Syrian crisis. The Holy See is convinced that violence leads nowhere but to death, destruction and no future.

My Delegation is happy to contribute to this critical process, in itself a sign of a political will that gives priority to negotiations over guns, to people over inordinate power. For this reason all religious leaders, in particular, converge on this conviction that violence has to stop because too much suffering has been inflicted on all the people of Syria and on the entire region. Recent meetings of religious representatives of different confessions have reconfirmed this constructive approach that is based on the equal dignity of every person created in the image of God and open to others.

The time has come to take concrete steps to implement the good intentions expressed by all parties to the current conflict. In this context, the Holy See renews its urgent appeal to all the parties concerned for the full and absolute respect for humanitarian law and offers the following proposals:

a. As invoked by all men and women of good will, an immediate cease-fire without preconditions and the end to violence of all kinds should become a priority and the urgent goal of these negotiations. All weapons should be laid down and specific steps should be taken to stop the flow of arms and arms funding that feed the escalation of violence and destruction to leave room for the instruments of peace. The money invested in arms should be redirected to humanitarian assistance. The immediate cessation of violence is in the interest of all. It is a humanitarian imperative, and represents the first step to reconciliation.

b. The cessation of hostilities should be accompanied with increased humanitarian assistance and the immediate start of reconstruction. Millions have been displaced and are in life threatening situations. Family life has been disrupted. Educational and health facilities have been destroyed or made inoperative.

c. The war brought about the economic collapse of many regions of Syria. Reconstruction efforts should start together with negotiations and should be sustained by the generous solidarity of the international community. In this process, young people should be given a preferential consideration so that through their employment and work they may become protagonists for a peaceful and creative future for their country.

d. Community rebuilding calls for dialogue and reconciliation sustained by a spiritual dimension. The Holy See strongly encourages all religious faiths and communities in Syria to reach a deeper mutual knowledge, a better understanding and a restoration of trust.

e. It is important that regional and international powers favor the ongoing dialogue and that regional problems be addressed. Peace in Syria could become a catalyst of peace in other parts of the region, and a model of that peace that is so urgently needed.

Beyond the tragedies of the current crisis, new opportunities and original solutions for Syria and its neighbors can come about. A just approach would be to recognize that the existence of cultural, ethnic and religious diversity and pluralism should not be a negative factor or, worse, an inevitable source of conflict, but rather the possibility for every community and individual to contribute their gifts to the common good and the development of a richer and more beautiful society. There is a role for everyone where citizenship provides equal participation in a democratic society with equal rights and duties. In this way no one is forced to leave his country because of intolerance and the inability to accept differences. In fact, the equality assured by common citizenship can allow the individual to express for himself and in community with others the fundamental values all persons hold indispensable to sustain their inner identity. Such an understanding and development of society opens the way to a durable and fruitful peace.

Mr. Secretary General,

Since the Syrian crisis began, the Holy See has been following its developments with deep concern and has consistently advocated that all parties involved commit themselves to the prevention of violence and to the provision of humanitarian assistance to all victims. The voice of the Holy Father has been raised on numerous occasions to remind people of the futility of violence, inviting a negotiated resolution of problems, calling for a just and equitable participation of everyone in the life of society. Together with an invitation to pray for peace, He has promoted an active response on the part of Catholic organizations and institutions to the emerging needs. Memorable remains the Holy Father’s proposal for a Day of Prayer and Fasting for peace in Syria and the Middle East that was received worldwide with an overwhelmingly positive response.

Allow me to conclude by echoing the words of Pope Francis: I ask each party in this conflict to listen to the voice of their own conscience, not to close themselves in solely on their own interests, but rather to look at each other as brothers [and sisters] and decisively and courageously to follow the path of encounter and negotiation, and so overcome blind conflict. It is neither a culture of confrontation nor a culture of conflict which builds harmony within and between peoples, but rather a culture of encounter and a culture of dialogue, this is the only way to peace."

Mr. Secretary General,
The people of Syria have lived together in peace throughout history, and can do so again.

Toward an authentic culture of encounter

Today, the Vatican Press Office issued the text of the Holy Father's Message for the 48th World Day of Social Communications, which will be observed on Thursday, June 1, 2014.

Message of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

for the World Day of Social Communications

June 1, 2014

Communication at the Service of an Authentic Culture of Encounter

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today we are living in a world which is growing ever smaller and where, as a result, it would seem to be easier for all of us to be neighbours. Developments in travel and communications technology are bringing us closer together and making us more connected, even as globalization makes us increasingly interdependent. Nonetheless, divisions, which are sometimes quite deep, continue to exist within our human family. On the global level we see a scandalous gap between the opulence of the wealthy and the utter destitution of the poor. Often we need only walk the streets of a city to see the contrast between people living on the street and the brilliant lights of the store windows. We have become so accustomed to these things that they no longer unsettle us. Our world suffers from many forms of exclusion, marginalization and poverty, to say nothing of conflicts born of a combination of economic, political, ideological, and, sadly, even religious motives.

In a world like this, media can help us to feel closer to one another, creating a sense of the unity of the human family which can in turn inspire solidarity and serious efforts to ensure a more dignified life for all. Good communication helps us to grow closer, to know one another better, and ultimately, to grow in unity. The walls which divide us can be broken down only if we are prepared to listen and learn from one another. We need to resolve our differences through forms of dialogue which help us grow in understanding and mutual respect. A culture of encounter demands that we be ready not only to give, but also to receive. Media can help us greatly in this, especially nowadays, when the networks of human communication have made unprecedented advances. The internet, in particular, offers immense possibilities for encounter and solidarity. This is something truly good, a gift from God.

This is not to say that certain problems do not exist. The speed with which information is communicated exceeds our capacity for reflection and judgement, and this does not make for more balanced and proper forms of self-expression. The variety of opinions being aired can be seen as helpful, but it also enables people to barricade themselves behind sources of information which only confirm their own wishes and ideas, or political and economic interests. The world of communications can help us either to expand our knowledge or to lose our bearings. The desire for digital connectivity can have the effect of isolating us from our neighbours, from those closest to us. We should not overlook the fact that those who for whatever reason lack access to social media run the risk of being left behind.

While these drawbacks are real, they do not justify rejecting social media; rather, they remind us that communication is ultimately a human rather than technological achievement. What is it, then, that helps us, in the digital environment, to grow in humanity and mutual understanding? We need, for example, to recover a certain sense of deliberateness and calm. This calls for time and the ability to be silent and to listen. We need also to be patient if we want to understand those who are different from us. People only express themselves fully when they are not merely tolerated, but know that they are truly accepted. If we are genuinely attentive in listening to others, we will learn to look at the world with different eyes and come to appreciate the richness of human experience as manifested in different cultures and traditions. We will also learn to appreciate more fully the important values inspired by Christianity, such as the vision of the human person, the nature of marriage and the family, the proper distinction between the religious and political spheres, the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity, and many others.

How, then, can communication be at the service of an authentic culture of encounter? What does it mean for us, as disciples of the Lord, to encounter others in the light of the Gospel? In spite of our own limitations and sinfulness, how do we draw truly close to one another? These questions are summed up in what a scribe – a communicator – once asked Jesus: And who is my neighbour? (Lk 10:29). This question can help us to see communication in terms of neighbourliness. We might paraphrase the question in this way: How can we be neighbourly in our use of the communications media and in the new environment created by digital technology? I find an answer in the parable of the Good Samaritan, which is also a parable about communication. Those who communicate, in effect, become neighbours. The Good Samaritan not only draws nearer to the man he finds half dead on the side of the road; he takes responsibility for him. Jesus shifts our understanding: it is not just about seeing the other as someone like myself, but of the ability to make myself like the other. Communication is really about realizing that we are all human beings, children of God. I like seeing this power of communication as neighbourliness.

Whenever communication is primarily aimed at promoting consumption or manipulating others, we are dealing with a form of violent aggression like that suffered by the man in the parable, who was beaten by robbers and left abandoned on the road. The Levite and the priest do not regard him as a neighbour, but as a stranger to be kept at a distance. In those days, it was rules of ritual purity which conditioned their response. Nowadays there is a danger that certain media so condition our responses that we fail to see our real neighbour.

It is not enough to be passersby on the digital highways, simply connected; connections need to grow into true encounters. We cannot live apart, closed in on ourselves. We need to love and to be loved. We need tenderness. Media strategies do not ensure beauty, goodness and truth in communication. The world of media also has to be concerned with humanity, it too is called to show tenderness. The digital world can be an environment rich in humanity; a network not of wires but of people. The impartiality of media is merely an appearance; only those who go out of themselves in their communication can become a true point of reference for others. Personal engagement is the basis of the trustworthiness of a communicator. Christian witness, thanks to the internet, can thereby reach the peripheries of human existence.

As I have frequently observed, if a choice has to be made between a bruised Church which goes out to the streets and a Church suffering from self-absorption, I certainly prefer the first. Those streets are the world where people live and where they can be reached, both effectively and affectively. The digital highway is one of them, a street teeming with people who are often hurting, men and women looking for salvation or hope. By means of the internet, the Christian message can reach to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Keeping the doors of our churches open also means keeping them open in the digital environment so that people, whatever their situation in life, can enter, and so that the Gospel can go out to reach everyone. We are called to show that the Church is the home of all. Are we capable of communicating the image of such a Church? Communication is a means of expressing the missionary vocation of the entire Church; today the social networks are one way to experience this call to discover the beauty of faith, the beauty of encountering Christ. In the area of communications too, we need a Church capable of bringing warmth and of stirring hearts.

Effective Christian witness is not about bombarding people with religious messages, but about our willingness to be available to others by patiently and respectfully engaging their questions and their doubts as they advance in their search for the truth and the meaning of human existence (Benedict XVI, Message for the 47th World Communications Day, 2013). We need but recall the story of the disciples on the way to Emmaus. We have to be able to dialogue with the men and women of today, to understand their expectations, doubts and hopes, and to bring them the Gospel, Jesus Christ himself, God incarnate, who died and rose to free us from sin and death. We are challenged to be people of depth, attentive to what is happening around us and spiritually alert. To dialogue means to believe that the other has something worthwhile to say, and to entertain his or her point of view and perspective. Engaging in dialogue does not mean renouncing our own ideas and traditions, but the claim that they alone are valid or absolute.

May the image of the Good Samaritan who tended to the wounds of the injured man by pouring oil and wine over them be our inspiration. Let our communication be a balm which relieves pain and a fine wine which gladdens hearts. May the light we bring to others not be the result of cosmetics or special effects, but rather of our being loving and merciful neighbours to those wounded and left on the side of the road. Let us boldly become citizens of the digital world. The Church needs to be concerned for, and present in, the world of communication, in order to dialogue with people today and to help them encounter Christ. She needs to be a Church at the side of others, capable of accompanying everyone along the way. The revolution taking place in communications media and in information technologies represents a great and thrilling challenge; may we respond to that challenge with fresh energy and imagination as we seek to share with others the beauty of God.

From the Vatican
24 January 2014
Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales
Franciscus

On the Unity of Christians

Today's General Audience began in Saint Peter's Square at 10:15am.  His Holiness, Pope Francis met there with groups of pilgrims and faithful from all parts of Italy and from every corner of the world.

In his catechesis, spoken in Italian, the Pope focused on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which is taking place this week and which focuses on the theme Christ cannot be divided (cf 1 Cor 1:1-17).  Following the syntheses of the catechesis in various languages, the Holy Father also spoke particular greetings to each of the groups of pilgrims who were present.    He then issued a call on the occasion of the opening of the International Conference on Sustaining Peace in Syria  in Montreux, Switzerland which will continue on Friday of this week with negotiations taking place in Geneva.

The General Audience concluded with the chanting of the Pater Noster and the imparting of the Apostolic Blessing.

Catechesis of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

for the General Audience

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning.

Last Saturday marked the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which will conclude on this coming Saturday, the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle.  This spiritual initiative, more precious than ever, has gathered the Christian community for more than one hundred years.  It is a time dedicated to prayer for the unity of all the baptized, according to the will of God that they all may be one (Jn 17:21).  Every year, an ecumenical group of persons from one part of the world, under the guidance of the Ecumenical Council of Churches and the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, suggests the theme and prepares suggestions for the Week of Prayer.  This year, these suggestions have come from the Churches and Ecclesial communities of Canada, and refer to the question asked by Saint Paul of the Christians at Corinth: Is Christ divided? (1 Cor 1:13)

Certainly, Christ was not divided.  But we must recognize with sincerity and in pain, that our Christian community continues to live in the midst of divisions which are scandalous.  Divisions between us Christians are scandalous.  There is no other word for it: it is scandalous.  Each one of you - the apostle wrote - says, 'I am for Paul' or 'I belong to Apollos', 'I belong to Cephas' or 'I belong to Christ' (1:12).  Even those who professed Christ as their leader were not praised by Paul, because they would use the name of Christ in order to separate themselves from others within the Christian community.  But the name of Christ creates communion and unity, not division!  He came in order to create communion between us, not to divide us.  Baptism and the Cross are basic elements of christian discipleship which we have in common.  Our divisions however, weaken the credibility and effectiveness of our commitment to evangelization and can rob the Cross of its power (cf. 1:17).

Paul rebukes the Corinthians for their disputes, but also gives thanks to God because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, because in him, you have been enriched by every gift, with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge (1:4-5).  These words of Paul's are not a simple formality, but the sign that he saw first of all - and that he sincerely welcomed - the gifts given by God to the community.  This attitude on the part of the Apostle is an encouragement for us and for every Christian community to joyfully rediscover the gifts of God that are present in other communities.  Despite the suffering caused by divisions, which unfortunately still exist, we welcome Paul's words as an invitation to sincerely rejoice in the graces God has granted to Christians.  We share the same Baptism, the same Holy Spirit who has given us grace: let us recognize these gifts and be glad because of them.

It is good to recognize the grace with which God blesses us, and even more, to find in other Christians, something that we need, something that we might receive as a gift from our brothers and sisters.  The Canadian group who prepared the reflections for this Week of Prayer did not invite the community to think about what each individual or community can give to his or her Christian neighbours, but urged them to gather with their Christian neighbours in order to figure out what the entire faith community can receive from time to time from each of the individual parts.  This requires something more.  It calls for much prayer, it requires humility and reflection, and it requires continual conversion.  Let us continue on this path, praying for the unity of Christians, that this scandal may no longer be evidenced among us.

Following the syntheses of the above catechesis, given in various languages, the Holy Father spoke particular greetings to each of the groups of pilgrims.  To English-speaking pilgrims present at today's General Audience, he said:

During this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity I am particularly pleased to greet the students of the ecumenical Graduate School of Bossey. May your studies help to advance ecumenical dialogue and understanding. I also greet the pilgrimage of British Army Chaplains and the delegation from the Jewish Federation of Chicago. Upon all the English-speaking pilgrims present at today’s Audience, I cordially invoke God’s blessings of joy and peace!

Following the greetings addressed to Italian-speaking pilgrims who were present, the Holy Father continued with a special call:

Today in Montreux, Switzerland, an International Conference in support of peace in Syria is beginning, a conference which will be followed by negotiations which will take place in Geneva beginning on January 24 of this year.  I pray that the Lord will touch the hearts of all those involved so that they may seek only the greater good of the Syrian people, already so tired out by this trial.   May they spare no effort to urgently achieve the cessation of violence and the end of the conflict which has already inflicted so much suffering.  My wish for the beloved nation of Syria is that they may discover a path toward reconciliation, reconstruction and harmony involving all citizens, that they may all discover in their neighbour not an enemy, not a competitor, but a brother who deserves to be accepted and embraced.

Stop the violence

Here is the text of a message which was sent by His Holiness, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia to the participants at the Geneva II Peace Conference which begins today in Switzerland.

Message of His Holiness, Patriarch Kirill

of Moscow and all Russia

to the participants at the Geneva II Peace Conference

Dear participants in the conference,

Today the world expects from you decisive actions aimed at settling by peaceful means the sanguinary conflict in Syria. It is hard to overestimate the responsibility that lies with you. The scale of the tragedy, which has been going on in Syria for three years by now, is enormous: hundreds of thousands of innocent people have fallen victims to the armed confrontation and millions of people have been internally displaced or become refugees.

On behalf of the Russian Orthodox Church, I call upon you to exert every possible effort to end the hostilities immediately and unconditionally so that dialogue could begin, with all Syrian political forces and the civil society taking part in it. We are convinced that Syria must remain a state in which rights and dignity of people of all national, ethnic, and religious groups are respected. Security and religious freedom of Christians, who have lived in the Middle East for over two thousand years and who are an integral part of the Syrian society, must be ensured along with the security and religious freedom of all other citizens.

As the first and foremost step towards peace and stability, the hostages must be released and the desecration of religious shrines and objects of historical and cultural heritage must be stopped. So far, nothing has been known about the fate of two Christian hierarchs – Metropolitans Paul and Youhanna Ibrahim – who were abducted near Aleppo in April 2013. The mother superior and sisters of the Convent of St Thecla in Maalula are still held captive. Their immediate release will be visible evidence that the opposition is ready to work in the search for peace and accord in the Syrian land.

The Russian Orthodox Church lifts up her prayers for peace in Syria and exerts every possible effort to render efficacious assistance to the suffering people of Syria, regardless their ethnic origin or religion. However, the grievous situation of hundreds of thousands of people within Syria, as well as that of the refugees who have fled to neighboring countries urges the whole world community to undertake new large-scale actions in order to render urgent humanitarian aid to the victims of the armed conflict.

I call upon people of good will to do all in their power to stop the escalation of violence in Syria, as well as the intervention of terrorist and extremist groups, to prevent them from receiving financial support or armaments from outside, and to give the people of Syria an opportunity to decide on their own which way to follow.

I call upon people, whose hands have been stained with the blood of civilians, to come to their senses and immediately stop committing the iniquity. Remember that it is easy to ruin peace, but it takes decades to heal the wounds of war. And it is impossible to bring people back to life. Any step towards reconciliation and re-establishment of order and wellbeing of people will be blessed by God.

I am praying today so that the seed of peace, which the participants in the conference are called to plant, may bring good fruit for every Syrian citizen.

+Kirill
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia

Patriarch Kirill is not physically present at the Conference, however, the Vatican has sent two representatives to this meeting, in the persons of His Excellency, Silvano Tomasi, the Holy See's Representative at the Office of the United Nations and Specialized Institutions, and Monsignor Alberto Ortega Martin, an Official from the Secretariat of State.

For the sake of the economy

The Holy Father, Pope Francis sent a Message to Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, to commemorate the opening of the 44th Annual Meeting of the WEF, taking place this week in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.  The Pope's Message was delivered by His Eminence, Peter Kodwo Appiah Cardinal Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

Message of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

to Professor Klaus Schwab

Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum

I am very grateful for your kind invitation to address the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, which, as is customary, will be held at Davos-Klosters at the end of this month. Trusting that the meeting will provide an occasion for deeper reflection on the causes of the economic crisis affecting the world these past few years, I would like to offer some considerations in the hope that they might enrich the discussions of the Forum and make a useful contribution to its important work.

Ours is a time of notable changes and significant progress in different areas which have important consequences for the life of humanity. In fact, we must praise the steps being taken to improve people’s welfare in areas such as health care, education and communications (Evangelii Gaudium, 52), in addition to many other areas of human activity, and we must recognize the fundamental role that modern business activity has had in bringing about these changes, by stimulating and developing the immense resources of human intelligence. Nonetheless, the successes which have been achieved, even if they have reduced poverty for a great number of people, often have led to a widespread social exclusion. Indeed, the majority of the men and women of our time still continue to experience daily insecurity, often with dramatic consequences.

In the context of your meeting, I wish to emphasize the importance that the various political and economic sectors have in promoting an inclusive approach which takes into consideration the dignity of every human person and the common good. I am referring to a concern that ought to shape every political and economic decision, but which at times seems to be little more than an afterthought. Those working in these sectors have a precise responsibility towards others, particularly those who are most frail, weak and vulnerable. It is intolerable that thousands of people continue to die every day from hunger, even though substantial quantities of food are available, and often simply wasted. Likewise, we cannot but be moved by the many refugees seeking minimally dignified living conditions, who not only fail to find hospitality, but often, tragically, perish in moving from place to place. I know that these words are forceful, even dramatic, but they seek both to affirm and to challenge the ability of this assembly to make a difference. In fact, those who have demonstrated their aptitude for being innovative and for improving the lives of many people by their ingenuity and professional expertise can further contribute by putting their skills at the service of those who are still living in dire poverty.

What is needed, then, is a renewed, profound and broadened sense of responsibility on the part of all. Business is - in fact - a vocation, and a noble vocation, provided that those engaged in it see themselves challenged by a greater meaning in life (Evangelii Gaudium, 203). Such men and women are able to serve more effectively the common good and to make the goods of this world more accessible to all. Nevertheless, the growth of equality demands something more than economic growth, even though it presupposes it. It demands first of all a transcendent vision of the person (Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, 11), because without the perspective of eternal life, human progress in this world is denied breathing-space (ibid). It also calls for decisions, mechanisms and processes directed to a better distribution of wealth, the creation of sources of employment and an integral promotion of the poor which goes beyond a simple welfare mentality.

I am convinced that from such an openness to the transcendent a new political and business mentality can take shape, one capable of guiding all economic and financial activity within the horizon of an ethical approach which is truly humane. The international business community can count on many men and women of great personal honesty and integrity, whose work is inspired and guided by high ideals of fairness, generosity and concern for the authentic development of the human family. I urge you to draw upon these great human and moral resources and to take up this challenge with determination and far-sightedness. Without ignoring, naturally, the specific scientific and professional requirements of every context, I ask you to ensure that humanity is served by wealth and not ruled by it.

Dear Mr Chairman and friends,

I hope that you may see in these brief words a sign of my pastoral concern and a constructive contribution to help your activities to be ever more noble and fruitful. I renew my best wishes for a successful meeting, as I invoke divine blessings on you and the participants of the Forum, as well as on your families and all your work.

From the Vatican, 17 January 2014

For the feast of Saint Agnes

At 12:30 noon today at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, two lambs were presented to the Holy Father today.  Each year, on the Feast of Saint Agnes (January 21), lambs are presented to the Pope.  Pope Francis blessed the lambs.

The wool from these lambs will be used to make the Pallia for the newly appointed Metropolitan Archbishops.  The Pallium is a liturgical insignia of honour and of jurisdiction which is worn by the Pope and the Metropolitan Archbishops when they are in their own Cathedrals and in the churches which are part of their own ecclesiastical province.

The pallium which is worn by Metropolitan Archbishops consists of a narrow strip of cloth woven out of white wool and decorated with six crosses in black silk.  The Rite of Imposition of the Pallia for newly appointed Metropolitan Archbishops is carried out each year by the Holy Father on June 29, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles.

At the Church of the Sacred Heart

Yesterday, I wrote some of the details concerning the Holy Father's visit to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Castro Pretorio, located in the central sector of the Diocese of Rome.  Today, the text of the homily which His Holiness preached at that Mass was released.

Homily of His Holiness, Pope Francis

for the Mass celebrated at the Basilica

of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Castro Pretorio

This passage of the Gospel is beautiful. John who was baptizing and Jesus, who was baptized earlier – a few days earlier – came and passed before John. And John felt within himself the strength of the Holy Spirit to give witness of Jesus. Looking at Him, and looking at the people who were around Him, he says: Behold the Lamb of God, He who takes away the sin of the world. And he gives witness of Jesus: this is Jesus, this is He who comes to save us; this is He who will give us the strength to hope.

Jesus is called the Lamb: He is the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world. We might think: but how, a lamb, which is so weak, a little weak lamb, how can it take away so many sins, so many malicious actions? With Love, with His meekness. Jesus never stopped being a lamb: meek, good, full of love, close to little ones, close to the poor. He was there, among the people. He healed all, taught, prayed. Jesus was as weak as a lamb, but he had the strength to take our sins upon Himself, all of them. But Father, you don’t know my life: I have a load that I cannot even carry in a truck. So many times, when we look at our conscience, we find some things that are very big! But He carries them. He came for this: to forgive, to make peace in the world, but first in our hearts. Perhaps each one of us has something that is tormenting him in his heart, perhaps he has darkness in his heart, perhaps he feels  a bit sad because of a fault. He came to take all this away; He gives us peace. He forgives everything. Behold the Lamb of God who takes away sin: He takes the sin away with the root and all! This is the salvation of Jesus, with His love and His meekness. And being what John the Baptist says of Him, who gives witness of Jesus as Saviour, we must grow in our trust toward Jesus.

So many times we trust a doctor: that is good, because the doctor is there to cure us; we trust a person: brothers, sisters can help us. It’s good to have this human trust among ourselves, but we forget to trust the Lord: this is the key of success in life. Trust in the Lord, let us entrust ourselves to the Lord! “Lord, look at my life: I am in darkness, I have this difficulty, I have this sin …all that we have:  Look at this: I entrust myself to you! And this is a wager we must do: to entrust ourselves to Him, who never disappoints. Never, never! Listen well, you boys and girls, who begin life now: Jesus never disappoints. Never. This is John’s testimony: Jesus, the good One, the meek One, who will end like a lamb, killed, without crying out. He came to save us, to take sin away. Mine, yours, and that of the world: all, all.

And now I invite you to do something: let us close our eyes and imagine that scene, on the bank of the river, John who is baptizing and Jesus who is passing by. And let us hear John’s voice: Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. We look at Jesus and, in silence, each one of us will say something to Jesus from his heart, in silence. (Silent pause)

May the Lord Jesus, who is meek and good – He is a lamb – who came to take sins away, accompany us on the path of our life. 

With the security guards

Today at noon in the Sala Clementina at the Vatican Apostolic Palace, His Holiness, Pope Francis met with the Directors, staff and agents of the Vatican Public Security Inspectorate and presented them with his New Year's greetings.

Address of His Holiness, Pope Francis

for the meeting with the Vatican Public Security Personnel

Chief of Police,
Illustrious gentlemen,
Dear staff and agents,

I welcome you and warmly greet each of you, and I ask you also to extend this welcome to all your family members and those who are dear to you.  I wish to thank the Director General for the courteous greetings which he offered to me in the name of those who are present and of all those who are part of the Vatican's Public Security Inspectorate.  This traditional meeting, my first, permits me an occasion to express my gratitude for your service, especially that which you exercise in Saint Peter's Square: in the cold, in the heat, in the rain, in the wind, always ... It is very much appreciated!  We are all aware of the necessity that this special place should always be protected, in order to preserve the special character of this sacred and universal place.  This is why we need to ensure discreet but attentive supervision at all times.  In fact, for the most part, people in Saint Peter's Square are serene.  They move about quietly, and enjoy a sense of peace.  And this is also thanks to you who oversee the maintenance of public order.

I am also mindful of your efforts during times when there are more of the faithful gathered, those who come from all over the world to meet the Pope, to pray near to the tomb of Saint Peter and those of his successors, especially those of John XXIII and of John Paul II.

Your work requires technical and professional training, combined with careful supervision exercised with kindness and dedication.  The pilgrims and tourists, as well as those who work in the various offices of the Holy See know that they can always count on your courteous assistance.

I wish to thank you especially for your effective work during the days leading up to the conclave which followed the resignation of Pope Benedict.  At this encounter today, I wish to renew my deep gratitude, as well as that of my collaborators, to all those who throughout those moments offered their assistance, because it all took place in an orderly and quiet fashion.

I would hope that the time spent in service at the Vatican is also an opportunity for each of you to grow in faith.  Faith is the most precious treasure that has been entrusted to you by your families, and that you in turn are called to pass on to your children.  It is important that you rediscover the message of the gospel, and accept it deep within your consciousness, that you make it part of your daily lives by witnessing to the love of God with courage in every environment, even in the world of work.

I entrust you all to the Virgin Mary, that as a caring mother, she may protect each of you, your families and your work.  I ask you please to pray for me - I need your prayers - and I willingly bless you.

At the river

Last Sunday, January 12, the Church celebrated the Baptism of the Lord.  On that day in Jerusalem, as in previous years, there was a pilgrimage held to the site of Jesus' baptism.  Here is a translation of the homily which was preached that day by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Boutros Twal.

Homily prepared by Patriarch Fouad Boutros Twal

for the pilgrimage to the site of Jesus' baptism

Good morning,
Happy New Year,
Dear Friends, I welcome the arrivals from Palestine, Iraq and Syria.

We stand again by the blessed Jordan River. At the beginning of the new year; I have the pleasure to convey to all of you my brotherly wishes and blessings. I pray with you for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan hoping that it will stay a minaret of love, cooperation and stability. We also pray for His Majesty King Abdullah, his government and people. We pray that the familial atmospheres continue to dominate this people and this beloved homeland.

We pay tribute to the Jordanian Kingdom for receiving the arrivals whom we do not call refugees, but rather human brothers, friends and fraternal Arabs. We welcome them and pray for peace in their country and for an end to the whirlpool of violence and destruction. From this premise, from a place by the blessed River Jordan, we issue a new call for the release of all the kidnapped and incarcerated people in Syria, Palestine and Iraq. We refer in particular to bishops, priests and nuns. May the acts of kidnapping, detention and the persecution of the peaceful followers of Lord Jesus come to end.

Friends,

In this blessed place, exactly 50 years ago, one of the geniuses and saints of the 20th century walked through this area. He is God’s servant Pope Paul VI. The Church is working toward announcing him blessed and later a saint. The Pope visited us in January, in other words at this time of the year in 1964. He offered a special prayer when his plane landed at Marka Airport. In his prayer he said: We ask God, the Almighty, to listen to our prayers and to the prayers of all those with well-wishes to live in harmony and stand by each other in a spirit of love and justice to attain universal peace and brotherhood.

Today, we recall that gracious visit and greet all those who worked at the time to unveil Jordan’s hospitable nature. Since then, we received in this holy place Pope John Paul II in the Jubilee year 2000 and also Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI whom I visited weeks ago and conveyed to him your love, prayers and solidarity. We remember his visit from five years ago at this place accompanied by the Royal Family.

An announcement was made concerning the historic visit to be undertaken by Pope Francis to the Holy Land in May. He is the guest of the Holy Land, the guest of His Majesty the King and all the Jordanians.

We thank the Lord for all these events that follow the year of faith announced by Pope Benedict and concluded by Pope Francis leaving behind us a precious jewel, namely his Apostolic Exhortation: Evangelii gaudium or the Joy of the Gospel. My advice to every one of you is to read it in order to get acquainted with the contents of this apostolic exhortation on baptism. Pope Francis says in this regard: With the grace of baptism, every member of the people of God becomes a disciple and a messenger (Mathew 28,29). Every baptized person, no matter what role he/she plays in the Church or the standard attained in faith will become an active person in the conveyance of The Joy of the Gospel. Pope Francis concentrates on the role to be shouldered by every baptized person, not only priests, bishops or theologians: for every person carries Jesus Christ—carries the message.

Friends,

In this holy place, we greet all efforts exerted to develop the Baptism Site and make it a touristic attraction. A meeting was held weeks ago with the Minister of Tourism, heads of Churches in the Kingdom, the Jordanian Board, the Royal Commission for the Baptism Site and the local Media. These five components: the ministry, churches, the board, the commission and the media - function as a team - they Work. We bless all efforts to form a Committee comprising them. Jordan-- a holy country, holy land, holy waters, wise leadership, dear and honorable citizens—deserves all efforts for development, sound reform and permanent cooperation.

I join hands with you to greet all efforts exerted in the direction of the religious tourist development of our country particularly in these months which precede the visit of our beloved Pope. Let us work in the spirit of one team to form a wonderful image of our beloved country in preparation to receive the guest of His Majesty the King, the guest of Jordan and all Jordanians.

Let us not forget to pray for Pope Francis, who requested prayer when he announced his upcoming visit, during which Mass will be celebrated on May 24 at the grand Amman Stadium in Amman. I hope to see you all again very soon.

Brothers,

I wish all our sons in Jordan and the Diaspora a Happy New Year.
May all Arab countries enjoy peace and stability.
With joy, We offer you our apostolic blessings: In the name of the Father, the Son and the holy Spirit

A pastoral visit

At 4:00pm today in Rome, the Holy Father visited the parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Castro Pretorio, in the centre section of the Diocese of Rome.

When he arrived, the Pope greeted the faithful in the courtyard of the Oratory, and then met with various persons from the parish, especially the poor and the homeless who gravitate to the area around the Roma Termini railway station.  He met also with refugees and with children who have been baptized during recent months, along with their parents.  He also met with newlyweds and young families, and he then heard the confessions of a few penitents.

At 6:00pm, the Pope presided at a Mass celebrated in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and at the end of that celebration he greeted the sick.  Following this, he met with the Salesian community, who have been confided with the care of the parish, with the pastor, Father Valerio Baresi, SDB; and with the Missionary Sisters of the Risen Christ.

Finally, before returning to the Vatican, Pope Francis met with the youth of the parish.

Angelus after the Baptism

At 12:00 noon today in Rome, the Holy Father, Pope Francis appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to recite the Angelus with the faithful and with pilgrims who were gathered in Saint Peter's Square.

Greetings of His Holiness, Pope Francis

prior to the recitation of the Angelus

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

With the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, celebrated last Sunday, we have entered into the liturgical time that we call ordinary. On this second Sunday, the Gospel presents to us the scene of the meeting between Jesus and John the Baptist at the Jordan River. The narrator is the eye witness, John the Evangelist, who, before he was a disciple of Jesus was a disciple of the Baptist, together with his brother James, with Simon and Andrew, all are from Galilee, all are fishermen. So, John the Baptist sees Jesus, who steps forward from the crowd and, inspired from above, he sees in Jesus the one sent by God. For this reason he points him out with these words: Behold the lamb of God, he who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29).

The word that is translated as take away literally means to relieve or to take upon onself  Jesus has come into the world with a precise mission: to free it from the slavery of sin, taking humanity’s faults upon himself. In what way? By loving. There is no other way to defeat evil and sin than with the love that moves one to give the gift of his life for others. In the testimony of John the Baptist, Jesus is given the traits of the Servant of the Lord, who has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4), to the point of dying on the cross. He is the true Passover lamb, who immerses himself in the river of our sin, to purify us.

The Baptist sees before him a man who gets in line with sinners to be baptized even though he does not need to. He is the man who God sent into the world as the sacrificial lamb. The word lamb appears several times in the New Testament and always in reference to Jesus. This image of the lamb might surprise us: an animal that is certainly not characterized by its strength and hardiness takes upon himself such an oppressive weight. The enormous mass of evil is removed and taken away by a weak and fragile creature, who is a symbol of obedience, docility and defenceless love, who goes to the point of sacrificing himself. The lamb is not an oppressor but he is docile; he is not aggressive but peaceful; he does not show his claws or teeth in the face of an attack, but endures it and is submissive. And this is how Jesus is! This is how Jesus is! He is like a lamb.

What does it mean for the Church, for us, today to be disciples of Jesus the Lamb of God? It means putting innocence in the place of malice, love in the place of force, humility in the place of pride, service in the place of prestige. It is good work! We Christians must do this: put innocence in the place of malice, love in the place of force, humility in the place of pride, service in the place of prestige. Being disciples of the Lamb means that we must not live like a city under siege, but like a city on a hill, open, welcoming, solitary. It means not having an attitude of interior focus, but proposing the Gospel to everyone, testifying with our life that following Jesus makes us more free and more joyful.

Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father greeted all those who were present:

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today we celebrate the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, focused on the theme of Migrants and Refugees: Toward a Better World, which I developed in a message that was published some time ago. I offer a special greeting to the representatives of the different ethnic communities who have come here, especially to the Catholic communities of Rome. Dear friends, you are near to the heart of the Church because the Church is a people on a journey toward the Kingdom of God, which Jesus Christ brought among us. Do not lose hope for a better world! I hope you will live in peace in the countries that receive you, bringing the values of your culture of origin with you. I would like to thank those who work with migrants, who welcome them and accompany them in their difficult moments, to defend them against those who Blessed Giovanni Battista Scalabrini called the merchants in human flesh, who want to enslave the migrants. In a special way I want to thank the Congregation of the Missionaries of Saint Charles, the Scalabrini priests and sisters, who do so much good for the Church and become migrants with the migrants.

At this time we think of the many migrants, the many refugees, of their sufferings, of their life, often without work, without documents, with such grief. And we can say a prayer together for the migrants and the refugees who live in the worst and most difficult situations: Hail Mary...

I affectionately greet all of you, dear faithful, from different parishes in Italy and other countries, and from so many associations and various groups. In particular I greet the Spanish pilgrims from Pontevedra, La Coruña, Murcia and the students from Badajoz. I greet the Opera Don Orione group, the Associazione Laici Amore Misericordioso (Lay Association of Divine Mercy), and the San Francesco choir from Montelupone.

I wish everyone a good Sunday and a good lunch. Goodbye!

With the RAI journalists

At 12:15 today in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, His Holiness, Pope Francis met with the Directors and the personnel of RAI-Radiotelevisione Italia as they commemorate the 90th anniversary of their radio transmissions and the 60th anniversary of their television broadcasts.

Today's meeting was introduced by Ms. Anna Maria Tarantola, President of RAI who addressed words of greeting to the Holy Father on behalf of all those who were present.  Following these words of greeting, the Holy Father also spoke with those who were present.

Address of His Holiness, Pope Francis

for the meeting with the Directors and personnel

of RAI Radiotelevisione Italia

Madam President,
Dear Directors and personnel of RAI,

I welcome you all!  Thank you to all of you for coming; this is a big family!  And thank you to your President for her words, which I appreciated very much.

This meeting is part of the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the radio broadcasting that has been carried out by RAI and the 60th anniversary of television; it is also significant that there are also present among us today, some representatives of other public radio and television networks and related associations from other countries.  These two anniversaries offer us an occasion to reflect on the relationship that has existed in recent decades between RAI and the Holy See, and on the value and needs of public service.

The key word that I want to immediately focus on is collaboration.  Both in terms of radio and television, the Italian people have always had access to the words, and subsequently to the images of the Pope and the events in the life of the Church in Italy, thanks to the public service rendered by RAI.  This collaboration is made possible through the work of two Vatican entities: Vatican Radio and the Vatican Television Centre.

In this way, RAI has offered, and continues to offer to those who make use of this public service, the possibility of following both extraordinary events and events that are part of the daily life of the Vatican.  We can think for instance of the Second Vatican Council, the election of popes, or the funeral of Blessed John Paul II; we can also think of the various events of the Great Jubilee of the year 2000, of various celebrations, as well as the Pope's pastoral visits in Italy.

The nineteen fifties and sixties were a time of great growth and development for RAI.  It might be good to recall some of the more significant moments: during those decades, RAI covered various events from different parts of the country; in addition, the State-owned company is committed to training its own directors, even in other countries; and finally, production is growing, among the events being broadcast, those of a religious character. We remember for example, Liliana Cavani's Francesco, made in 1966, and the Acts of the Apostles by Roberto Rossellini in 1969, this latter in collaboration with Father Carlo Maria Martini.

Therefore, through these many initiatives, RAI has witnessed the processes of change in Italian society, sometimes through rapid transitions, and has contributed in a special way to the unification of linguistic and cultural Italy.

We thank the Lord for all this and we look forward to continued collaboration.  But the memory of a past which is rich in achievements also calls us to a renewed sense of responsibility for the present and the future.  The past is the root, history becomes the root of new impetus, the root of present-day challenges and the root of the future, of progress.  May the future not find us lacking a sense of responsibility for our own identity.  May it find us securely rooted in our history and always looking to the future.  To all of you who are here present, and to all of those who for various reasons could not be present for our gathering, I wish to remind you that your responsibility, in addition to reporting information is to form. Yours is a public service, that is a service for the common good.  Yours is a service to truth, a service to goodness and a service to beauty. All the people who are part of RAI: directors, journalists, artists, clerks, technicians and craftsmen know that they are part of an agency that produces culture and education, one that offers information and entertainment, reaching out at every moment of the day to a great number of Italians.  This is a responsibility that you have toward those who are the owners of this public service, a responsibility that you cannot abdicate for any reason.

The ethical quality of your communication efforts is the fruit of your work.  In the final analysis, you contribute to the careful formation of consciences, not in a superficial way, and you are always respectful of people, both those who are the subject of the information you share, and the recipients of the message you proclaim.  Each of you in his own role, and according to his own responsibility is called to be vigilant in order to maintain a high level of ethical communication, and to avoid communicating anything which might lead to harm: misinformation, defamation or slander.  Maintain a high level of ethics.

To all of you, directors and employees of RAI, and to your families, and also to all the guests who have joined us for this encounter, I want to present my very best wishes for this new year which has only just begun. I encourage you to continue your good work, and to put trust and hope into your work, so that these too can be transmitted: we are in such need of these virtues!

To RAI, to the other networks and associations represented here, I extend the hope that, by pursuing your purpose with determination and perseverance, you may be able to always be at the service of the human, cultural and civil development of society.  Thank you.