Pope Francis' Mass for 30 April 2020

At 7:00am local time this morning (1:00am EDT), the Holy Father, Pope Francis celebrated Mass inside the chapel at the Casa Santa Marta.

Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

prior to the celebration of the Mass

Let us pray today for the dead, those who have died because of the pandemic; and also in a special way for the unknown dead - let us say it this way - : we have seen photographs of mass graves.  Many of them ...

Homily of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

during the Mass celebrated on 30 April 2020

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him (Jn 6: 44).  Jesus recalls the fact that even the prophets had foretold this: And all will be instructed by God (Jn 6:45). It is God who attracts knowledge of the Son. Without this, one cannot know Jesus. Yes, one can study, even study the Bible, even know how he was born, what he did, this we can know, yes. But knowing it from within, knowing the mystery of Christ is only for those who are attracted by the Father to this mystery.

This is what happened to the Queen of Ethiopia's minister of economics. You can see that he was a pious man and that he took the time, in the midst of so many of his affairs, to go to worship God. He was a believer. And while he returned home, he was reading the prophet Isaiah (cf Acts 8: 27-28). The Lord took Philip, sent him to that place and then said to him: Go ahead, go to that wagon (Jn 8: 29). And he heard the minister reading from the Book of Isaiah. He approached and asked him a question: Do you understand? - And how could I understand, if no one guides me? (Acts 8: 31), and he asks the question: About whom is the prophet speaking? ... Please, get in the carriage. And during the journey - I don't know how long it took, I think at least a couple of hours - Philip explained, told the official about Jesus (cf Acts 8: 26-35).

The restlessness that this gentleman had in reading the prophet Isaiah was from the Father, who attracted him to Jesus (cf Jn 6:44): he had prepared him, brought him from Ethiopia to Jerusalem to worship God and then, with this reading, he had prepared his heart to receive Jesus. To the point that as soon as he saw the water he said, Can I be baptized? (cf Acts 8: 36). And he believed.

And this truth - that no one can know Jesus without the Father drawing him (cf Jn 6: 44) - this is valid for our apostolate, for our apostolic mission as Christians. I also think of missions. What are you going to do in the missions? - I want to convert people - But stop, you will not convert anyone! The Father will attract those hearts to recognize Jesus. Going on a mission is a matter of bearing witness to one's faith; without testimony you will do nothing. To go on a mission - and missionaries are good! - does not mean building large structures, things…, and stopping like this. No, structures must be testimonials. You can build a hospital, educational structures of great perfection, of great development, but if a structure is without Christian testimony, your work there will not be a work of witness, a work of the true preaching of Jesus: it will be a charitable society, very good - very good! - but nothing more.

If I want to go on a mission ..., if I want to go to out with an apostolate, I have to go with the willingness to know the Father will draw people to Jesus, and this action on my part testifies to him. Jesus himself says this to Peter, when he confesses that He is the Messiah: You are blessed, Simon Peter, because this has been revealed to you by the Father (cf Mt 16: 17). It is the Father who attracts, and He also attracts with our testimony. I will do many works, here, here, there, of education, of this, of the other ..., but without testimony they are good things, but they are not the proclamation of the Gospel, they are not places that give the possibility for the Father to draw others to the knowledge of Jesus (cf Jn 6: 44). Work and testimony.

But what can I do so that the Father will be concerned about attracting those people? Pray. This is the prayer for the missions: pray for the Father to attract people to Jesus. Testimony and prayer go together hand in hand. Without witness and prayer, apostolic preaching cannot take place, proclamation of the gospel cannot take place. You will make a beautiful moral sermon, you will do many good things, all good. But the Father will not have the possibility of attracting people to Jesus. And this is the focus: this is the centre of our apostolate, that the Father may attract people to Jesus (cf Jn 6:44). Our testimony opens the doors to people and our prayer opens the doors to the heart of the Father so that He can attract people. Testimony and prayer. And this is not only for the missions, it is also for our work as Christians. Do I really testify to Christian life with my lifestyle? Do I pray that the Father will attract people to Jesus?

This is the great rule for our apostolate, everywhere, and especially for missions. Going on a mission is not proselytizing. Once, a lady - she was good, you could see she was of good will - came up with two boys, a boy and a girl, and said to me: This boy, Father, was a Protestant and converted: I convinced him. And this girl was ... - I don't know, animist, I don't know what she said to me - and I converted her. And the lady was good ... good. But she was wrong. I lost my patience a little and said: Listen, you haven't converted anyone: it was God who touched people's hearts. And don't forget: testimony, yes; proselytism, no.

Let us ask the Lord for the grace to do our work by bearing witness and with prayer, so that He, the Father, may attract people to Jesus.

Prayer to make a spiritual communion

My Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar. I love you above all things and I desire you in my soul. Since I cannot receive You sacramentally now, at least spiritually come to my heart. As you have already come, I embrace you and I join myself to you. Do not let me ever be separated from you.  Amen.

A Tes pieds, ô mon Jésus, je me prosterne et je T'offre le repentir de mon cœur contrit qui demeure dans son néant et en Ta sainte présence. Je t'adore dans le Sacrement de Ton amour, l'ineffable Eucharistie. Je désire te recevoir dans la pauvre demeure que mon cœur t'offre. Dans l'attente du bonheur de la communion sacramentelle, je veux te posséder en esprit. Viens à moi, ô mon Jésus, que je vienne à Toi. Que Ton amour enflamme tout mon être, pour la vie et pour la mort. Je crois en toi, j'espère en toi, je t'aime. Ainsi soit-il.

Ai tuoi piedi, o mio Gesù, mi prostro e ti offro il pentimento del mio cuore contrito che si abissa nel suo nulla e nella tua santa presenza. Ti adoro nel sacramento del Tuo amore, l’Eucaristia. Desidero riceverti nella povera dimora che ti offre il mio cuore; in attesa della felicità della comunione sacramentale voglio possederti in spirito. Vieni a me, o mio Gesù, che io vengo da Te. Possa il tuo amore infiammare tutto il mio essere per la vita e per la morte. Credo in Te, spero in Te, ti amo. Cosi sia.

General Audience: the last Beatitude

This morning's General Audience began at 9:30am local time (3:30am EDT) inside the Library at the Vatican Apostolic Palace.

In his speech, the Pope continued the cycle of catechesis on the Beatitudes, adding his meditation on the eighth and final one: Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mt 5: 10).

After having summarized his catechesis in various languages, the Holy Father offered particular greetings to the faithful.

The General Audience concluded with the recitation of the Pater Noster and the Apostolic blessing.

Catechesis of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

for the General Audience

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

With today's audience, we conclude our reflections on the gospel Beatitudes.  As we have heard, the joy that will be the reward of those who are persecuted is proclaimed in this final Beatitude.

This Beatitude proclaims the same joy that the first one did: the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are persecuted and to those who are poor in spirit; in this way, we understand that we have reached the end of a unified path that has been pointed out in the preceding proclamations.

Poverty of spirit, weeping, meekness, a thirst for holiness, mercy, purification of the heart and the works of peace can lead us to be persecuted for Christ's sake, but in the end, this persecution is a cause for joy and great reward which will be ours in heaven.  The path of the Beatitudes is an Easter journey that leads from a life lived according to the world toward a life that is lived according to God, from an existence that is guided by the flesh - which is to say by egoism - to one that is guided by the Spirit.

The world, with its idols, its compromises and its priorities, cannot approve of this type of existence. The structures of sin (cf Speech to participants who took part in the workshop entitled New forms of fraternal solidarity, inclusion, integration and innovation, 5 February 2020 which was organized by the Pontifical Academy for Social Sciences) often produced by the human mentality, as extraneous as they are to the Spirit of truth that the world cannot receive (cf Jn 14: 17), cannot therefore but refuse poverty or meekness or purity and declare life according to the Gospel as an error and a problem, as something to be marginalized. Such people think: These are idealists or fanatics ...  This is what they think.

If the world survives on the basis of money, anyone who demonstrates that life can be fulfilled in gift and renunciation becomes a nuisance for the system of greed. This word nuisance is key, because the only Christian testimony, which does so much good for many people because we follows it, is that we annoy those who have a worldly mentality. They understand it as a rebuke. When holiness appears and the life of the children of God emerges, in that beauty there is something uncomfortable that calls for a position: either to let oneself be questioned and opened to goodness or to refuse that light and harden the heart, even to the point of opposition and fury (cf Wis 2: 14-15). It is curious, it attracts attention to see how, in the persecution of martyrs, hostility increases to the point of fury. It is enough to remember the persecutions of the last century, of European dictatorships to understand how this fury against Christians can arise, fury against Christian witness and against the heroism of Christians.

But this shows that the drama of persecution is also the place of liberation from subjection to the world's success, vainglory and compromises. What is it that rejoices in those who are rejected by the world because of Christ? They rejoice that they have found something worth more than the whole world. In fact what advantage is there that a man gains the whole world and loses his life? (Mk 8,36). What advantage is there?

It is painful to remember that, at this moment, there are many Christians who are suffering persecution in various areas of the world, and we must hope and pray that their tribulations will be stopped as soon as possible. There are many: today's martyrs are more than the martyrs of the first centuries. We express our closeness to these brothers and sisters: we are one body, and these Christians are the bleeding members of the body of Christ which is the Church.

But we must also be careful not to read this Beatitude in a victimizing, self-pitying tone. In fact, contempt for men is not always synonymous with persecution: just shortly after Jesus says that Christians are the salt of the earth, and warns against the danger of losing our flavour, otherwise salt is not good for any purpose other than to be thrown away and trampled under foot (Mt 5: 13). Therefore, there is also a contempt which is our fault when we lose the flavour of Christ and of the Gospel.

We must be faithful to the humble path of the Beatitudes, because this is what leads to being of Christ and not of the world. It is worth remembering the path of Saint Paul: when he thought he was righteous he was in fact a persecutor, but when he discovered that he was a persecutor, he became a man of love, who happily faced the suffering of the persecution he suffered (cf Col 1: 24).

Exclusion and persecution, if God grants us grace, make us resemble Christ crucified and, by associating us with his passion, they are the manifestation of new life. This life is the same as that of Christ, who for us men and for our salvation was despised and rejected by men (cf Is 53: 3; Acts 8: 30-35). Welcoming his Spirit can lead us to have so much love in our hearts that we offer life for the world without compromising on its deceptions and accepting its refusal. Compromises with the world are the danger: the Christian is always tempted to make compromises with the world, with the spirit of the world. This - rejecting compromises and going down the path of Jesus Christ - is the life of the Kingdom of heaven, the greatest joy, true joy. And then, in persecutions there is always the presence of Jesus who accompanies us, the presence of Jesus who comforts us and the strength of the Spirit who helps us to go forward. Let us not be discouraged when a life consistent with the Gospel attracts persecution from people: the Spirit who supports us on this path is always present.
Testo originale nella lingua italiana



The Holy Father's catechesis was then summarized in various languages and His Holiness offered greetings to each group of those who were following along.  To French-speaking viewers, he said:

Je suis heureux de saluer les personnes de langue française. En célébrant saint Joseph travailleur, le 1er mai prochain, je confie à la miséricorde de Dieu toutes les personnes frappées par le chômage dû à la pandémie actuelle. Que le Seigneur soit la Providence de tous ceux qui sont dans le besoin et nous incite à leur venir en aide! Que Dieu vous bénisse!

I am happy to greet French-speaking viewers.  Celebrating Saint Joseph the Worker on 1 May of this year, I entrust to the mercy of God all those who are unemployed as a result of the current pandemic to the mercy of God.  May the Lord be the Providence for all those who are in need and encourage us to help them!  May God bless you!

To English-speaking viewers, he said:

I greet the English-speaking faithful joining us through the media. In the joy of the Risen Christ, I invoke upon you and your families the loving mercy of God our Father. May the Lord bless you!

To German-speaking viewers, he said:

Herzlich grüße ich die Gläubigen deutscher Sprache. Die göttliche Macht des auferstandenen Christus, dessen Glieder wir sind, möge in uns immerdar die Freude des Evangeliums und die Kraft, es wahrhaftig zu bezeugen, lebendig halten. Der Herr begleite euch mit seinem Frieden.

I cordially greet all German believers. May the divine power of the risen Christ, of whom we are members, keep the joy of the gospel and the power to truly testify to it alive within us. May the Lord accompany you with His peace.

To Spanish-speaking viewers, he said:

Saludo cordialmente a los fieles de lengua española que siguen esta catequesis a través de los medios de comunicación social. Los animo a seguir la senda de las bienaventuranzas, haciéndolas vida con quienes tienen cerca y sufren, de modo particular en estos momentos de adversidad y dificultad. El Señor les concederá experimentar, en medio de las circunstancias que les toca vivir, una gran alegría y paz interior. Que Dios los bendiga.

I cordially greet the Spanish-speaking faithful who are following this catechesis through the media. I encourage you to follow the path of the Beatitudes, finding life by remaining close with those who are suffering, particularly in these times of adversity and difficulty. The Lord will grant you to experience, in the midst of your circumstances, a great joy and inner peace. May God bless you.

To Portuguese-speaking viewers, he said:

Saúdo os ouvintes de língua portuguesa e confio ao bom Deus a vossa vida e a dos vossos familiares. Rezai também vós por mim! Que as vossas famílias se reúnam diariamente para a reza do terço sob o olhar da Virgem Mãe, para que nelas não se acabe jamais o óleo da fé e da alegria, que brota da vida dos seus membros em comunhão com Deus! Obrigado!

I greet Portuguese-speaking listeners and entrust your good life and that of your families to the Good Lord. Pray also for me! May your families come together daily to pray the rosary under the eyes of the Virgin Mother, so that the oil of faith and joy that flows from the life of all your family members, in communion with God, will never run out! Thank you!

To Arabic-speaking viewers, he said:

أحيي جميع المؤمنين الناطقين باللغة العربية، المتابعين لهذه المقابلة عبر وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي. إن التطويبات هي مسيرة قداسة، نسير فيها لنصبح تلاميذًا حقيقيين للمسيح. إنها الطريق الوحيد لنصير مثله، وننعم بملكوته، وننال الفرح 

الحقيقي. ليبارككم الرب جميعا ويحرسكم دائما من الشرير!

I salute all the Arabic-speaking believers who are following this interview on social media. The Beatitudes are a path of holiness which we travel in order to become true disciples of Christ. It is the only way to become like him, to enjoy his kingdom, and to have real joy. God bless you and keep you safe from the evil one!

To Polish-speaking viewers, he said:

Drodzy Polacy, serdecznie pozdrawiam każdego z was i wasze rodziny. Pojutrze rozpoczniemy maryjny miesiąc maj. Pozostając w domach z powodu pandemii, wykorzystajmy ten czas do odkrycia na nowo piękna modlitwy różańcowej i tradycji nabożeństw majowych. Z rodziną, bądź indywidualnie, wpatrujcie się w każdej chwili w Oblicze Chrystusa i w serce Maryi. Niech Jej matczyne orędownictwo pomoże wam przetrwać czas tej szczególnej próby. Z serca wam błogosławię.

Dear Poles, I cordially greet each of you and your families. The day after tomorrow, we will begin the month of May, Mary's month. Staying at home because of the pandemic, let's use this time to rediscover the beauty of the rosary and the tradition of May services. With your families and individually, look to the face of Christ and the heart of Mary at all times. Let her motherly intercession help you survive this special trial. I bless you with all my heart.

To Italian-speaking viewers, he said:

Saluto i fedeli di lingua italiana. Oggi celebriamo la festa di Santa Caterina da Siena, compatrona d’Italia. Questa grande figura di donna attinse dalla comunione con Gesù il coraggio dell’azione e quella inesauribile speranza che la sostenne nelle ore più difficili, anche quando tutto sembrava perduto, e le permise di influire sugli altri, anche ai più alti livelli civili ed ecclesiastici, con la forza della sua fede. Il suo esempio aiuti ciascuno a saper unire, con coerenza cristiana, un intenso amore alla Chiesa ad una efficace sollecitudine in favore della comunità civile, specialmente in questo tempo di prova. Chiedo a Santa Caterina che protegga l’Italia durante questa pandemia; e che protegga l’Europa, perché è patrona d’Europa, che protegga tutta l’Europa perché rimanga unita.


Rivolgo un pensiero speciale ai giovani, agli anziani, ai malati e agli sposi novelli. Tutti esorto ad essere testimoni del Cristo risorto il quale mostra ai discepoli le piaghe ormai gloriose della sua Passione. Di cuore vi benedico.

I greet the Italian-speaking faithful. Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena, co-patron of Italy. This great female figure drew from her communion with Jesus the courage of action and that inexhaustible hope that supported her in the most difficult hours, even when everything seemed lost, this union allowed her to influence others, even at the highest civil and ecclesiastical levels, with the strength of her faith. May her example help each one of us to know how to unite, with Christian coherence, an intense love of the Church, with effective concern for the civil community, especially in this time of trial. I ask Saint Catherine to protect Italy during this pandemic; and may she protect Europe, because she is the patron saint of Europe; may she protect all of Europe so that it remains united.

I address a special thought to young people, the elderly, the sick and newlyweds. I urge everyone to be witnesses of the risen Christ who shows his disciples the glorious wounds of his Passion. I cordially bless you.

Pope Francis' Mass for 29 April 2020

At 7:00am local time this morning (1:00am EDT), the Holy Father, Pope Francis celebrated Mass inside the chapel at the Casa Santa Marta.

Greetings of His Holiness, Pope Francis

prior to the celebration of the Mass

Today is the Feast day of Saint Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church and Patroness of Europe.  Let us pray for Europe, for the unity of Europe, for the unity of the European Union: that we may progress together as brothers and sisters.

Homily of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

during the Mass celebrated on 29 April 2020

In the first reading from the apostle Saint John, there are many contrasts: between light and darkness, between lies and truth, between sin and innocence (cf 1 Jn 1: 5-7).  But the apostle always calls us to concreteness, to truth, and he tells us that we cannot be in communion with Jesus while at the same time walking in darkness, because He is light.  We have to choose one or the other: light or darkness; it would be worse to be non-comital - to stay in the grey - because that would make us believe that we are walking in the light since we are not in darkness ... that would reassure us.  But it is very dangerous to remain in the grey.  Either light or darkness: one or the other.

The apostle continues: If we say we are without sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not with us (1 Jn 1: 8), because we have all sinned, we are all sinners. And here there is one thing that can deceive us: saying we are all sinners, like someone who says good morning, good day: it becomes a normal thing, even a social thing, but eventually we do not have a true conscience of sin. No: I am a sinner for this reason, or this, or this. Concreteness. The concreteness of truth: truth is always concrete; lies are ethereal, they are like air, you cannot touch it. Truth is concrete. And you cannot confess your sins in an abstract way: Yes, I ..., yes, once I lost my patience, another time ..., just dwelling on abstract things. I am a sinner.  Concreteness:  I did this. I thought this. I said this. Concreteness is what makes me sure that I am a sinner in a serious way and not a sinner in the air.

In the gospel, Jesus says: I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned and you have revealed them to the little ones (Mt 11: 25). The concreteness of little ones. It's nice to listen to children when they come to confession: they don't say strange things, in the air; they say concrete things, and sometimes too concrete because they have that simplicity that God gives to little ones. I always remember a child who once came to tell me he was sad because he had quarrelled with his aunt. But then it went on. I said, What did you do? - I was at home, I wanted to go play football - a child - and she was my aunt - mom wasn't there - and she said: 'No, you can't go out: you have to do your homework first'. Words go, words come, and in the end I sent her to that country. He was a child of great geographical culture: he also told me the name of the country to which his aunt had been sent! They are like this: simple, concrete.

We too must be simple, concrete. Concreteness leads to humility, because humility is concrete. We are all sinners is an abstract thing. No: I am a sinner for this reason, and this and this. And this leads me to the shame of looking to Jesus: Forgive me. The true attitude of the sinner. If we say we are sinless, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us (1 Jn 1: 8). And one way of saying that we are sinless is this abstract attitude: Yes, we are sinners, yes, I lost my patience once ..., but that's all in the air. I don't notice the reality of my sins. But, you know, everyone, we all do these things, I'm sorry, I'm sorry ..., it gives me pain, I don't want to do it anymore, I don't want to say it anymore, I don't want to think it anymore ... It is important that within us we give names to our sins. Concreteness. Because if we keep ourselves in the air, we will end up in darkness. We must become like the little ones, who say what they feel, what they think: they have not yet learned the art of saying things a little shrouded so that they understand each other but do not say anything to each other. This is an art that belongs to the great, which often does us no good.

Yesterday I received a letter from a boy from Caravaggio. His name is Andrea. And he told me some things. The letters of boys, of children ... are beautiful, for their concreteness. And he told me that he had heard Mass on television and that he had to scold me about one thing: that I say peace be with you, ... and you cannot say this because with the pandemic we cannot touch each other. He does not see that you - here in church - bow your heads and do not touch. But he has the freedom to say things as they are.

We too, with the Lord, we must have the freedom to say things as they are: Lord, I am a sinner, help me. Like Peter after the first miraculous catch of fish: Lord, get away from me, because I am a sinner (Lk 5: 8). Having this wisdom of concreteness. Because the devil wants us to live in warmth, lukewarm, in grey: neither good nor bad, neither white nor black, grey. This is a life that the Lord does not like. The Lord does not like lukewarm people. Concreteness. Not to be liars. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just enough to forgive us (1 Jn 1: 9). He forgives us when we are concrete. Spiritual life is so simple, so simple; but we make it complicated with these nuances, and in the end we never get there ...

Let us ask the Lord for the grace of simplicity. May He give us this grace that He gives to simple people, to children, to young people who say what they feel, who do not hide what they feel. Even though it might be something wrong, they say it. Even with Him, we should say things: transparency. And don't live a life that is not one thing or the other. Let us pray for the grace of freedom to say these things; and also the grace of knowing who we are before God.

Prayer to make a spiritual communion

My Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar. I love you above all things and I desire you in my soul. Since I cannot receive You sacramentally now, at least spiritually come to my heart. As you have already come, I embrace you and I join myself to you. Do not let me ever be separated from you.  Amen.

A Tes pieds, ô mon Jésus, je me prosterne et je T'offre le repentir de mon cœur contrit qui demeure dans son néant et en Ta sainte présence. Je t'adore dans le Sacrement de Ton amour, l'ineffable Eucharistie. Je désire te recevoir dans la pauvre demeure que mon cœur t'offre. Dans l'attente du bonheur de la communion sacramentelle, je veux te posséder en esprit. Viens à moi, ô mon Jésus, que je vienne à Toi. Que Ton amour enflamme tout mon être, pour la vie et pour la mort. Je crois en toi, j'espère en toi, je t'aime. Ainsi soit-il.

Ai tuoi piedi, o mio Gesù, mi prostro e ti offro il pentimento del mio cuore contrito che si abissa nel suo nulla e nella tua santa presenza. Ti adoro nel sacramento del Tuo amore, l’Eucaristia. Desidero riceverti nella povera dimora che ti offre il mio cuore; in attesa della felicità della comunione sacramentale voglio possederti in spirito. Vieni a me, o mio Gesù, che io vengo da Te. Possa il tuo amore infiammare tutto il mio essere per la vita e per la morte. Credo in Te, spero in Te, ti amo. Cosi sia.

Pope Francis' Mass for 28 April 2020

At 7:00am local time this morning (1:00am EDT), the Holy Father, Pope Francis celebrated Mass inside the chapel at the Casa Santa Marta.

Greetings of His Holiness, Pope Francis

prior to the celebration of the Mass

At this time, as we are beginning to make provisions for moving out of quarantine, let us pray to the Lord, asking that he might give his people, all of us, the grave of prudence and obedience to remain faithful to the plan, so that the pandemic does not return.

Homily of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

during the Mass celebrated on 28 April 2020

In the first reading that we have been reading over the past few days, we have heard the story of Stephen, the martyr: the way in which all this came about was simple.  The doctors of the Law could not tolerate the clarity of his doctrine, and, as soon as his words were proclaimed, they went to ask someone to say that they had heard someone say that Stephen was blaspheming against God, against the Law (cf Acts 6: 11-14).  And after this, they took hold of him and stoned him: quite simply (cf Acts 7: 57-58).  This is not the first time that we have seen this kind of action: they did the same thing with Jesus (cf Mt 26: 60-62).  The people, who were there ..., sought to convince him that he was a blasphemer, and they cried out: Crucify him! (Mk 15: 13).  It's barbaric.  This is something barbaric, to base an argument on false testimony in order to effect justice.  That was their scheme.  In the bible too, we find cases of this sort: they did the same thing to Suzanna (cf Daniel 13: 1-64), they did the same thing to Nabot (cf 1 Kings 21: 1-16), and then Aman tried to do the same thing with the people of God (cf Esther 3: 1-14).  False information, slander that gets the people upset and agitated so that they will call for justice.  It is a lynching, a real lynching.

So they brought him before the judge, so that the judge could give the appearance that this was all legal: but he had already been judged; the judge would have to be very, very courageous to go against a judgement that was so popular, pronounced on purpose, prepared.  This was the case of Pilate: Pilate clearly saw that Jesus was innocent, but he saw the people and he washed his hands (cf Mt 27: 24-26).  This was one way of doing jurisprudence.  Today too, we still see this: today too, it happens, in certain countries, when we want to bring about a coup d'Etat or we ant to get rid of some political men so that they cannot present themselves for election, we do the same thing: false information, slander, then we defer to a judge, to those who like to do jurisprudence with situational positivism which is in fashion, and he condemns.  This is social lynching.  This is what they did to Stephen, this is the same thing that happened with the judgement of Stephen, they brought to judgement someone who had already been judged by the people.

This is what happens with the martyrs of today: the judges are not given a chance to do justice, because they have already been judged.  We can think of the case of Asia Bibi, for example, which we have seen: ten years in prison because she had been judged on a slander and a people who wanted her dead.  Very often, we can do nothing in the face of such avalanches of false information which create the opinion: we can do nothing.

I often think about this situation, about the Shoah.  The Shoah was a case like this: an opinion was created against this people and, then, it became normal to say: Yes, yes, we must kill them, we must kill them.  This was one way to go about eliminating the poor people, who were disturbing.

We all know that this is not good, but what we do not know is that there is a little lynching going on every day, that seeks to condemn people, to cry out and create a bad reputation for some people, to push them aside, to condemn them.  There is often a small daily lynching of gossip that creates an opinion. Sometimes a person hears someone slandering and says, No, that person is right! - No, no, we say that ..., and with this we say that, we create an opinion to end someone. Truth is another thing: truth is testimony to the truth, to the things a person believes; truth is clear, it is transparent. Truth does not tolerate pressure. Let's look at Stephen, the martyr: the first martyr after Jesus. The first martyr. Let us think about the apostles: all of them testified. And we can think of the many martyrs, also the one we are celebrating today, Saint Pierre Chanel: it was gossip that created the opinion that he was against the king ... We create a reputation and we have to kill it. And we should think about ourselves, our language: very often with our comments, we start a lynching of this kind. And in our Christian institutions, we have seen many daily lynchings that are born from gossip.

May the Lord help us to be just in our judgements, to not begin or to feed into this massive condemnation that creates bad reputations.

Prayer to make a spiritual communion

My Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar. I love you above all things and I desire you in my soul. Since I cannot receive You sacramentally now, at least spiritually come to my heart. As you have already come, I embrace you and I join myself to you. Do not let me ever be separated from you.  Amen.

A Tes pieds, ô mon Jésus, je me prosterne et je T'offre le repentir de mon cœur contrit qui demeure dans son néant et en Ta sainte présence. Je t'adore dans le Sacrement de Ton amour, l'ineffable Eucharistie. Je désire te recevoir dans la pauvre demeure que mon cœur t'offre. Dans l'attente du bonheur de la communion sacramentelle, je veux te posséder en esprit. Viens à moi, ô mon Jésus, que je vienne à Toi. Que Ton amour enflamme tout mon être, pour la vie et pour la mort. Je crois en toi, j'espère en toi, je t'aime. Ainsi soit-il.

Ai tuoi piedi, o mio Gesù, mi prostro e ti offro il pentimento del mio cuore contrito che si abissa nel suo nulla e nella tua santa presenza. Ti adoro nel sacramento del Tuo amore, l’Eucaristia. Desidero riceverti nella povera dimora che ti offre il mio cuore; in attesa della felicità della comunione sacramentale voglio possederti in spirito. Vieni a me, o mio Gesù, che io vengo da Te. Possa il tuo amore infiammare tutto il mio essere per la vita e per la morte. Credo in Te, spero in Te, ti amo. Cosi sia.

Encouragement to journalists and newspaper venders

This morning, the Holy See Press Centre published the text of a letter which the Holy Father, Pope Francis sent last week to journalists, volunteers and newspaper street venders, who are experiencing great difficulties at this time of health crisis.

Letter of His Holiness, Pope Francis

addressed to journalists and newspaper street venders

D.S.M., 21 April 2020

The lives of millions of people, in our world which is already grappling with many challenges that are difficult to face and oppressed by this pandemic, has changed and is being put to the test.  The most fragile people, the invisible ones, the homeless people are at risk of paying the greatest price.

Therefore, I want to greet the street journalists and especially those sellers who are - for the most part - the homeless, people who are seriously marginalized, unemployed: thousands of people all over the world live and have jobs thanks to the sale of these extraordinary newspapers.

In Italy, I think of the beautiful experience of Scarp de' tenis (Tennis shoes), the Caritas project that permits more than 130 people in difficulty to have an income and with it, access to fundamental citizenship rights. Not only this. I am thinking of the experience of over 100 newspapers around the world, which are published in 35 different countries and in 25 different languages ​​and which guarantee work and income for more than 20,500 homeless people throughout the world. Newspapers have not been sold in our streets for many weeks and their vendors cannot work. So I want to express my closeness to journalists, volunteers, people who live thanks to these projects and those who, in these times, are working with many innovative ideas. The pandemic has made your jobs difficult but I am sure that the large network of street newspaper venders in the world will return stronger than before. Looking at the poor these days can help all of us to become aware of what is really happening to us and aware of our true condition. To all of you, I send my message of encouragement and fraternal friendship. Thanks for the work you do, for the information you provide and for the stories of hope you tell.

Francis

Pope Francis' Mass for 27 April 2020

At 7:00am local time this morning (1:00am EDT), the Holy Father, Pope Francis celebrated Mass inside the chapel at the Casa Santa Marta.

Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

prior to the celebration of the Mass

Let us pray today for all the artists, who have a great ability for creativity, who through focusing on beauty, help us to find the path that we should follow.  May the Lord give us all the grace of creativity in this moment.

Homily of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

during the Mass celebrated on 27 April 2020

The people who had listened to Jesus throughout the day, and then had this grace of witnessing the multiplying of the loaves ... they had seen the power of Jesus, they wanted to make him king. First, they had gone to Jesus to hear the word and also to ask for the healing of the sick. They remained the whole day listening to Jesus without getting bored, without getting tired: they were there, happy. Then when they saw that Jesus was feeding them, which they did not expect, they thought: But this would be a good ruler for us and surely he will be able to free us from the power of the Romans and bring the country forward. And they got excited about making him king. Their intentions changed, because at first, they had seen and thought: Well ... because a person who does this miracle, who feeds the people, can be a good ruler (cf Jn 6: 1-15). But at that moment they had forgotten the enthusiasm that the word of Jesus awakened in their hearts.

Jesus went away; he went to pray (cf Jn 6: 15). Those people stayed there and the next day they were looking for Jesus, because he has to be here they said, because they had seen that he had not gotten in the boat with the others. And there was a boat there, it remained there ... (cf.Jn 6: 22-24). But they did not know that Jesus had reached the others by walking on the water (cf Jn 6: 16-21). So they decided to go to the other side of the sea of Tiberias to look for Jesus and, when they saw him, the first words they said to him were: Rabbi, when did you come here? (Jn 6: 25), as if to say: We don't understand, this seems to be a very strange thing.

And Jesus brings them back to the first feeling, to what they had experienced before the multiplication of the loaves, when they listened to the word of God: Verily, verily I say to you, you are looking for me not because you have seen signs - as it was at the beginning of that day, the signs of the word, which excited them, the signs of healing - not because you saw signs, but because you ate those loaves and were satisfied (Jn 6: 26). Jesus reveals their intention and says: But it is so, you have changed your attitude. And instead of justifying themselves, they said: No, Lord, no ..., they were humble. Jesus continues: Strive not for the food that does not last, but for the food that remains for eternal life: the food that the Son of man will give you. Because upon him, God the Father has placed his seal (Jn 6:27). And they, who were good people, said: What must we do to do the works of God? (Jn 6: 28). Believe in the Son of God (cf Jn 6: 29). This is a case in which Jesus corrects the attitude of the people, the attitude of the crowd, because in the middle of the journey the people had moved away from their first experience, from the first spiritual consolation ... and they had taken a path that was not right, a more worldly path rather than a path pointed out by the gospel.

This makes us think that many times in life we ​​start walking down a road, wanting to follow Jesus, behind Jesus, with the values ​​of the Gospel, and halfway there, we develop another idea, we see some signs and we move away and we conform with something more temporal, more material, more worldly - it may be - and we lose the memory of that first enthusiasm we had when we heard Jesus speak. The Lord always returns to the first encounter, to the first moment in which he looked at us, spoke to us ... and that moment gave birth to the desire to follow him. This is a grace to ask of the Lord, because in life we ​​will always have this temptation to move away because we see something else: But that will be fine, but that idea is good ... We walk away. The grace to always return to the first call, to the first moment: do not forget, do not forget my story, when Jesus looked at me with love and said to me: This is your way; when Jesus - through so many people - made me understand what was the way of the Gospel and not other slightly worldly roads, with other values. Go back to the first encounter.

It has always struck me that - among the many things that Jesus says on the morning of the Resurrection - he says: Go to my disciples and tell them to go to Galilee, they will find me there (cf Mt 28.10), Galilee was the first place of meeting. There they had met Jesus. Each of us has his own Galilee inside, his own moment in which Jesus approached us and said: Follow me. In life, what happens to these people happens - this is good, because then they say to him: What should we do? They immediately obeyed - it happens that we move away and look for other values, other hermeneutics, other things, and we lose the freshness of the first call. The author of the letter to the Hebrews also refers us to this: Remember the first days (cf Heb 10: 32). The memory, the memory of the first meeting, the memory of my Galilee, when the Lord looked at me with love and said: Follow me.

Prayer to make a spiritual communion

My Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar. I love you above all things and I desire you in my soul. Since I cannot receive You sacramentally now, at least spiritually come to my heart. As you have already come, I embrace you and I join myself to you. Do not let me ever be separated from you.  Amen.

A Tes pieds, ô mon Jésus, je me prosterne et je T'offre le repentir de mon cœur contrit qui demeure dans son néant et en Ta sainte présence. Je t'adore dans le Sacrement de Ton amour, l'ineffable Eucharistie. Je désire te recevoir dans la pauvre demeure que mon cœur t'offre. Dans l'attente du bonheur de la communion sacramentelle, je veux te posséder en esprit. Viens à moi, ô mon Jésus, que je vienne à Toi. Que Ton amour enflamme tout mon être, pour la vie et pour la mort. Je crois en toi, j'espère en toi, je t'aime. Ainsi soit-il.

Ai tuoi piedi, o mio Gesù, mi prostro e ti offro il pentimento del mio cuore contrito che si abissa nel suo nulla e nella tua santa presenza. Ti adoro nel sacramento del Tuo amore, l’Eucaristia. Desidero riceverti nella povera dimora che ti offre il mio cuore; in attesa della felicità della comunione sacramentale voglio possederti in spirito. Vieni a me, o mio Gesù, che io vengo da Te. Possa il tuo amore infiammare tutto il mio essere per la vita e per la morte. Credo in Te, spero in Te, ti amo. Cosi sia.

Lessons on the way

Here is the text of the homily I shared during the celebrations of Mass with the faithful - via live streaming - this weekend.  These thoughts are inspired by the gospel account of the encounter the disciples had with Jesus on the road to Emmaus.

Lessons on the way

As we continue our journey through the Season of Easter, today we encounter the two disciples on the road to the village of Emmaus.  Saint Luke tells us that it was still the first day of the week (Lk 24: 13), presumably sometime in the afternoon.  Two of the disciples - not necessarily the Apostles - were going to ... Emmaus, about eleven kilometres from Jerusalem.  They had heard news about the women who had witnessed the apparitions that morning, and they had heard about Peter and John who had also gone to the tomb (cf Lk 24: 22-24).  At some point later on that day, these disciples were walking along and talking with each other about all the things that had happened (Lk 24: 14).  While they were talking, ... Jesus came near and walked with them but their eyes were kept from recognizing him (Lk 24: 15-16).

Are we not like these two disciples?  Has it ever happened that we had made great plans for a family gathering, or for a birthday party to celebrate a major milestone in the life of someone we love ... and then, at the last moment, the plans had to be changed?  In these weeks and months of quarantine, some of us may be keenly aware of such celebrations that had been planned: for weddings, for parties, for holidays or for family reunions ... or for any of a number of other reasons, and now these plans have been put on hold or even cancelled because we cannot travel, because we must stay home, because we must keep our distance.  Even if we have managed to postpone and not to cancel our plans altogether, there is still an element of disappointment when we have to change them.

The discussions that were taking place between these two disciples were filled with disappointment.  They were Jesus' followers.  They had come to trust him.  They believed that he was the Messiah, and now he was dead.  He had suffered greatly, in a way that could not have been possible for an all-powerful leader.  He had died on the cross and they had buried his body.  In the image of these two disciples on the road, on their way back home, we see all our disappointments too.  Their hopes were not only put on hold; it seemed as though they had hoped in vain ... then a stranger came along and walked with them.  He was going in the same direction and he joined in with their conversation.

This is what Jesus does with each one of us: he meets us where we are, on the road.  He begins by asking us to tell the story: to tell him what's going on in our lives, who we are, what worries us, what we're excited about ... In the case of these disciples, they stood still, looking sad ... then one of them said: 'Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days? (Lk 24: 18).  It was as though this man had just woken up and realized that this stranger who was walking with them appeared to have no idea about the tragedy that had occurred.  When we are saddened, when we are grieving, it is difficult if not impossible for us to think that anyone could exist that does not know our pain, but this was Jesus' way of gently inviting these two disciples to open their hearts.  He invited them to begin by telling their story, explaining their grief in their own words ... and that is exactly what they did.

As the journey went on, Jesus helped them to understand the truth about what had happened.  Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures (Lk 24: 27).  Jesus is always infinitely patient with us.  No matter how long it takes us to wake up from our grief, he is always ready to console us, he is always ready to help us to understand what's really going on.  As he spoke with them on the road that day, their hearts burned within them (cf Lk 24: 32).  They became excited again, but this excitement was not confirmed until their eyes were opened and they recognized him at the table in the evening hours of that day (Lk 24: 31).

When they recognized what had happened, they got up and immediately returned to Jerusalem, found the apostles and their companions ... and told them what had happened on the road (Jn 24: 33, 35).  Jesus encouraged their hearts that day.  He taught them some valuable lessons and he confirmed them in their faith.  Jesus is ready to do that for us too.  When we are surrounded by doubts, he is waiting on the side of the road, ready to walk with us, to talk with us, to listen to us and to remind us that he did suffer and die for us: these were horrific realities, but he also rose to new life.  This is the cause of our great joy.  Each year, during this season of Easter, we celebrate Christ's victory over death.  Let us ask Him to encourage our hearts, to help us to understand and to grant us the grace of experiencing our hearts burning within us so that we too will get up immediately and go out to others so that we can tell them the good news; we have met the risen Lord!  We have recognized him in the breaking of the bread! (cf Lk 24: 35)

Les leçons en route

Alors que nous continuons notre voyage à travers le temps pascal, nous rencontrons aujourd'hui les deux disciples sur la route qui menait au village d'Emmaüs. Saint Luc nous dit que c'était toujours le premier jour de la semaine (Lc 24, 13), tout probablement pendant l'après-midi.  Deux disciples - pas nécessairement les Apôtres - faisaient route vers un village appelé Emmaüs, à deux heures de marche de Jérusalem. Ils avaient entendu des nouvelles des femmes qui avaient été témoins des apparitions ce matin-là, et ils avaient entendu parler de Pierre et Jean qui étaient également allés au tombeau (cf Lc 24, 22-24). Et voici qu'à un moment donné plus tard dans la journée, ces disciples se promenaient et se parlaient entre eux de tout ce qui s'était passé (Lc 24, 14). Or, tandis qu'ils s'entretenaient ... Jésus lui-même s'approcha, et il marchait avec eux.  Mais leurs yeux étaient empêchés de le reconnaître (Lc 24, 15-16).

Ne sommes-nous pas comme ces deux disciples? Est-il jamais arrivé que nous ayons fait de grands projets pour une réunion de famille, ou pour une fête d'anniversaire afin de célébrer une étape importante dans la vie de quelqu'un qui nous est cher ... et puis, au dernier moment, les plans ont dû être modifiés? Au cours de ces semaines et mois de quarantaine, certains d'entre nous peuvent être très conscients des célébrations prévues: pour les mariages, les fêtes, les vacances ou les réunions de famille ... ou pour plusieurs autres raisons, et maintenant ces plans ont été suspendus ou même annulés parce que nous ne pouvons pas voyager, parce que nous devons rester chez nous, parce que nous devons garder nos distances. Même si nous avons réussi à reporter nos plans et à ne les pas annuler complètement, il y a toujours un élément de déception lorsque nous devons les changer.

Les discussions qui avaient eu lieu entre ces deux disciples étaient remplies de déception. Ces deux étaient les disciples de Jésus. Ils lui faisaient confiance. Ils croyaient que Jésus était le Messie, et maintenant il était mort. Il avait beaucoup souffert, d'une manière qui n'aurait pas pu être possible pour un chef tout-puissant. Il était mort sur la croix et on avaient mis son corps au tombeau. À l'image de ces deux disciples sur la route, sur le chemin du retour, nous voyons aussi toutes nos déceptions. Leurs espoirs n'ont pas seulement été mis en attente; on aurait dit qu'ils avaient espéré en vain ... puis un étranger est venu et a marché avec eux. Il allait dans la même direction et il a rejoint leur conversation.

C'est ce que Jésus fait avec chacun de nous: il nous rencontre là où nous sommes, sur la route. Il commence par nous demander de raconter l'histoire: de lui dire ce qui se passe dans nos vies, qui nous sommes, les préoccupations qui nous inquiètent, ce qui nous passionne ... Dans le cas de ces disciples, ils arrêtèrent, tout tristes ... puis l'un des deux a dit : 'Tu es bien le seul étranger résidant à Jérusalem qui ignore les événements de ces jours-ci (Lc 24, 18). C'était comme si cet homme - Cléophas - venait de se réveiller et avait réalisé que cet étranger qui marchait avec eux ne semblait pas avoir la moindre idée de la tragédie qui s'était produite. Quand nous sommes attristés, quand nous sommes en deuil, il nous est difficile sinon impossible de penser que quelqu'un puisse exister qui ne connaît pas notre douleur, mais c'était la manière par laquelle Jésus a doucement invité ces deux disciples à lui ouvrir leur cœur. Il a commencé par les inviter à raconter leur histoire, en expliquant leur chagrin selon leurs propres paroles ... et c'est exactement ce qu'ils ont fait.

Au fil du voyage, Jésus les a aidés à comprendre la vérité sur ce qui s'était passé. Partant par Moïse et de tous les Prophètes, il leur interpréta, dans toute l'Écriture, ce qui le concernait (Lc 24, 27). Jésus est toujours infiniment patient avec nous. Peu importe le temps qu'il nous faut pour nous réveiller de notre chagrin, il est toujours prêt à nous consoler, il est toujours prêt à nous aider à comprendre ce qui se passe réellement. Ce jour-là, alors qu'il leur parlait sur la route, leur cœur brûlait en eux (cf. Lc 24, 32). Cette excitation n'a été confirmée que lorsque leurs yeux s'ouvrirent, et ils le reconnurent à table cette soirée-là (Lc 24, 31).

Quand ils ont reconnu ce qui s'était passé, à cette instant même, ils se levèrent et retournèrent à Jérusalem.  Ils y trouvèrent réunis les Apôtres et leurs compagnions ... et ils racontaient ce qui s'était passé sur la route (Jn 24, 33, 35). Jésus a encouragé leur esprit ce jour-là. Il leur a enseigné de précieuses leçons et les a confirmées dans leur foi. Jésus est prêt à le faire aussi pour nous. Lorsque nous sommes entourés de doutes, il attend sur le bord de la route, prêt à marcher avec nous, à parler avec nous, à nous écouter et à nous rappeler qu'il a souffert et qu'il est mort pour nous: c'étaient des réalités horribles, mais il a également pris une nouvelle vie. C'est la raison de notre grande joie. Chaque année, en ce temps de Pâques, nous célébrons la victoire du Christ sur la mort. Demandons-lui d'encourager nos esprits, de nous aider à comprendre et à nous accorder la grâce de reconnaitre nos cœurs brûlants en nous afin que nous aussi nous nous levions immédiatement et que nous sortions vers le monde pour que nous puissions leur annoncer la bonne nouvelle: nous avons rencontré le Seigneur ressuscité! Il s'est fait reconnaître à la fraction du pain! (Lc 24, 35)

Regina Caeli on the road to Emmaus

At noon today in Rome (6:00am EDT), the Holy Father led the recitation of the Regina Caeli from the Library inside the Vatican Apostolic Palace.  At the conclusion of the Regina Caeli, the Pope appeared at the window of his study to impart his blessing.

Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

prior to the recitation of the Regina Caeli

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

Today's Gospel, which takes place on the day of the resurrection, tells the story of the two disciples of Emmaus (cf Lk 24: 13-35). It is a story that begins and ends on the way. In fact, there is the outward journey of the disciples who have been saddened by the story of Jesus, and leave Jerusalem to return home, to Emmaus, walking for about eleven kilometers. It is a journey that takes place during the day, with a good part of the journey going downhill. And there is the return journey: another eleven kilometers, but made at night, with part of the way going uphill ... after the effort of the outward journey and the whole day has already passed. Two trips: one that is easy ... during the day and the other that is tiring ... at night. Yet the first occurs in sadness and the second in joy. In the first there is the Lord who walks by their side, but they do not recognize him; in the second they no longer see him, but they feel him near. In the first journey, they are discouraged and hopeless; in the second, they rush to bring the good news of the encounter with the Risen Jesus to others.

The two different paths of those first disciples tell us, the disciples of Jesus today, that in life we ​​have two opposite directions: there is the way of those who, like those two on the way out, allow themselves to be paralyzed by the disappointments of life and go though life sadly; and there is the way of those who do not put themselves and their problems first, but focus on Jesus who visits us, and the brothers who await his visit, that is, the brothers who wait for us to take care of them. Here is the turning point: stop focusing on yourself, the disappointments of the past, the unfulfilled ideals, the many bad things that have happened in your life. So many times we are led to gaze inward ... Leave that behind and go on looking at the greatest and truest reality of life: Jesus is alive, and Jesus loves me. This is the greatest reality. And I can do something for others. It is a beautiful reality, positive, sunny, beautiful! The reversal is this: to move from thoughts about myself to the reality of my God; move - with another play on words - from if (in Italian, se) to yes (the Italian word is sì). Transform if into yes. What does this mean? If only He had freed us, if God had listened to me, if life had gone as I wanted, if I had this and that ..., in a tone of complaint. This if does not help, it is not fruitful, it does not help us, nor does it help others. Here are our selves, similar to those of the two disciples. But they move on to yes: “yes, the Lord is alive, he walks with us. Yes, let's leave now, not tomorrow, let's get back on the road to proclaim this good news. Yes, I can do this to make people happier, to make people better, to help many people. Yes, yes, I can.  From if to yes, from complaining to joy and peace, because when we complain, we are not experiencing joy; we are in a grey area, in a grey mood, that grey air of sadness. And that doesn't even help us grow well. From if to yes, from complaints to the joy of service.

This change of pace, from me to God, from if to yes, how did it happen in the lives of the disciples? Meeting Jesus: first, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus had to open their hearts to him; then they heard him explain the scriptures; then they invited him to enter their home. These are three steps that we can also take in our homes: first, we can open our hearts to Jesus, entrust him with the burdens, the labours, the disappointments of life, entrust him with the ifs; and then, the second step, listen to Jesus, take the Gospel in hand, read this passage today, in chapter twenty four of Luke's Gospel; third, pray to Jesus, in the same words as those disciples did: Lord, stay with us (Lk 24: 29). Lord, stay with me. Lord, stay with all of us, because we need your help in order to find the way. And without you there is only night.

Dear brothers and sisters, in life we are always on the way. And we become what we go towards. Let us choose the way of God, not that of the self; the way of yes, not that of if. We will discover that with Jesus by our side, there is nothing unexpected, there is no journey, there is no night that we cannot face. May Our Lady, Mother of the journey, who by welcoming the Word made her whole life a yes to God, show us the way.



Following the recitation of the Regina Caeli, the Holy Father continued:

Dear brothers and sisters,

Yesterday was the United Nations' World Day against Malaria.  While we are fighting the coronavirus pandemic, we must also support the fight to prevent and to cure malaria, which is a threat to millions of people in many countries.  I am close to all those who are sick, to those who are caring for them, and to those who are working to ensure that every person has access to good basic health care services.

I also offer a greeting to all those who today, in Poland, are participating in the National Reading of Sacred Scripture.  On may other occasions, I have said, and I wish to repeat once again, how important it is to develop the habit of reading the Gospels, just for a few minutes, every day.  Let us carry the gospel with us in our pockets, in our purses ... so that the Word may always be close to us, even physically, and let us read a bit of the Word every day.

In a few days' time, the month of May will begin, the month that is dedicated in a special way to the Virgin Mary.  With a brief Letter - which was published yesterday - I invited all the faithful to pray during this month of the holy Rosary: to pray together, wth our families or alone, and to pray one of the two prayers which I made available to everyone.  May our Mother help us to confront this time of of trial with increased faith and hope.

I wish you all a good month of May and a good Sunday.  Please, don't forget to pray for me.  Enjoy your lunch and good bye.
Testo originale nella lingua italiana

Pope Francis' Mass for 26 April 2020

At 7:00am local time this morning (1:00am EDT), the Holy Father, Pope Francis celebrated Mass inside the chapel at the Casa Santa Marta.

Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

prior to the celebration of the Mass

Let us pray today, during this Mass, for all the people who are suffering from sadness, because they are alone or because they do not know what the future will hold, or because they cannot care for their families because they have no money, or because they have no work.  Many people are suffering from sadness.  Let us pray for them today.

Homily of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

during the Mass celebrated on 26 April 2020

We have heard many times how Christianity is not only a doctrine, it is not a way of behaving, it is not a culture.  Yes, it is all this, but more importantly and above all, it is an encounter.  A person is Christian because he or she has encountered Jesus Christ, he/she has allowed him/herself to be encountered by Him.

This passage from the Gospel of Luke, speaks to us of an encounter, in order to make it clear how the Lord works and how our way of acting should be. We were born with a seed of unease. God wanted it this way: restlessness that leads us to find fullness, restlessness that leads us to find God, many times even without knowing that we have this restlessness. Our heart is restless, our heart is thirsty: we have a thirst for the encounter with God. We seek him, many times by going down the wrong paths: we lose ourselves, then we return, we seek God ... On the other hand, God is thirsting for this encounter, so much so that he sent Jesus to meet us, to encounter our restlessness.

How does Jesus work? In this passage of the Gospel (cf Lk 24: 13-35) we see very well that He respects us, he respects our situation, he does not go on ahead of us. Only, sometimes, with those who are stubborn ... we can think of Paul when God threw him off his horse. But usually it goes slowly, He is respectful of our time. He is the Lord of patience. How much patience the Lord has with us, with each of us!

The Lord walks beside us, as we have seen here with these two disciples. He listens to our anxieties, he knows them, and at some point he tells us something. The Lord likes to hear what we have to say, so that we can understand each other well and so that he can give us the right answers to our anxieties. The Lord does not accelerate the pace, he always goes at our pace, many times slowly, but his patience is infinite.

There is an ancient pilgrim rule that says that the true pilgrim must go at the pace of the slowest person. And Jesus is capable of this, he does it, he does not push us, he waits for us to take the first step. And when the time comes, he asks us the question. In this case it is clear: What are you talking about? (cf Lk 24: 17). He becomes ignorant in order to make us talk. He likes the fact that we speak. He likes to hear this, he likes that we speak like this, to listen and respond, he makes us speak. As if he was ignorant, but with much respect. And then he answers, he explains the necessary points. Here he tells us: Didn't Christ have to suffer these things in order to enter into his glory? And, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things that referred to him (Lk 24: 26). Explain, clarify. I confess that I have the curiosity to know how Jesus explained, to do the same. It was a beautiful catechesis.

And then the same Jesus who has accompanied us, who approached us, pretends to go further along the road, in order to see the extent of our anxiety: No, come, come, stay with us for a while (Lk 24: 29). And so the meeting takes place. But the meeting is not only the moment of breaking the bread here; it is the whole journey. We meet Jesus in the darkness of our doubts, even in the ugly doubts of our sins, He is there to help us, in our anxieties ... He is always with us.

The Lord accompanies us because he wants to meet us. This is why we say that at the core of Christianity there is an encounter: the encounter with Jesus. Why are you a Christian? ... Why are you a Christian? Many people cannot explain it. Some are Christians because of tradition. Others cannot explain it, because they have met Jesus, but they did not realize that it was an encounter with Jesus. Jesus always looks for us. Always. And we have our concerns. When our restlessness meets Jesus, the life of grace begins, the life of fullness, the life of the Christian journey.

May the Lord give all of us the grace to encounter Jesus every day: to know, to really know that he is walking with us in all our moments.  He is our companion on this pilgrimage.
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Prayer to make a spiritual communion

My Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar. I love you above all things and I desire you in my soul. Since I cannot receive You sacramentally now, at least spiritually come to my heart. As you have already come, I embrace you and I join myself to you. Do not let me ever be separated from you.  Amen.

A Tes pieds, ô mon Jésus, je me prosterne et je T'offre le repentir de mon cœur contrit qui demeure dans son néant et en Ta sainte présence. Je t'adore dans le Sacrement de Ton amour, l'ineffable Eucharistie. Je désire te recevoir dans la pauvre demeure que mon cœur t'offre. Dans l'attente du bonheur de la communion sacramentelle, je veux te posséder en esprit. Viens à moi, ô mon Jésus, que je vienne à Toi. Que Ton amour enflamme tout mon être, pour la vie et pour la mort. Je crois en toi, j'espère en toi, je t'aime. Ainsi soit-il.

Ai tuoi piedi, o mio Gesù, mi prostro e ti offro il pentimento del mio cuore contrito che si abissa nel suo nulla e nella tua santa presenza. Ti adoro nel sacramento del Tuo amore, l’Eucaristia. Desidero riceverti nella povera dimora che ti offre il mio cuore; in attesa della felicità della comunione sacramentale voglio possederti in spirito. Vieni a me, o mio Gesù, che io vengo da Te. Possa il tuo amore infiammare tutto il mio essere per la vita e per la morte. Credo in Te, spero in Te, ti amo. Cosi sia.

Letter of Pope Francis to all the faithful for the month of May

This morning, the Holy See Press Centre published the text of a Letter which the Holy Father has addressed to all the faithful for the month of May, along with the texts of two prayers addressed to Our Lady, which Pope Francis invites us to pray.

Letter of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

addressed to all the faithful for the month of May 2020

Dear brothers and sisters,

The month of May is approaching, a time when the People of God express with particular intensity their love and devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is traditional in this month to pray the Rosary at home within the family. The restrictions of the pandemic have made us come to appreciate all the more this family aspect, also from a spiritual point of view.

For this reason, I want to encourage everyone to rediscover the beauty of praying the Rosary at home in the month of May. This can be done either as a group or individually; you can decide according to your own situations, making the most of both opportunities. The key to doing this is always simplicity, and it is easy also on the internet to find good models of prayers to follow.

I am also providing two prayers to Our Lady that you can recite at the end of the Rosary, and that I myself will pray in the month of May, in spiritual union with all of you. I include them with this letter so that they are available to everyone.

Dear brothers and sisters, contemplating the face of Christ with the heart of Mary our Mother will make us even more united as a spiritual family and will help us overcome this time of trial. I keep all of you in my prayers, especially those suffering most greatly, and I ask you, please, to pray for me. I thank you, and with great affection I send you my blessing.

Rome, Saint John Lateran, 25 April 2020
Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist

Francis
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Tekst po polsku

First Prayer

O Mary,
You shine continuously on our journey
as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who, at the foot of the cross,
were united with Jesus’ suffering,
and persevered in your faith.

Protectress of the Roman people,
you know our needs,
and we know that you will provide,
so that, as at Cana in Galilee,
joy and celebration may return
after this time of trial.

Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform ourselves to the will of the Father
and to do what Jesus tells us.
For he took upon himself our suffering,
and burdened himself with our sorrows
to bring us, through the cross,
to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.

We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God;
Do not despise our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always
from every danger, O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.

Second Prayer

We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God.

In the present tragic situation, when the whole world is prey to suffering and anxiety, we fly to you, Mother of God and our Mother, and seek refuge under your protection.

Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes towards us amid this coronavirus pandemic. Comfort those who are distraught and mourning their loved ones who have died, and at times are buried in a way that grieves them deeply. Be close to those who are concerned for their loved ones who are sick and who, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, cannot be close to them. Fill with hope those who are troubled by the uncertainty of the future and the consequences for the economy and employment.

Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us to God, the Father of mercies, that this great suffering may end and that hope and peace may dawn anew. Plead with your divine Son, as you did at Cana, so that the families of the sick and the victims be comforted, and their hearts be opened to confidence and trust.

Protect those doctors, nurses, health workers and volunteers who are on the frontline of this emergency, and are risking their lives to save others. Support their heroic effort and grant them strength, generosity and continued health.

Be close to those who assist the sick night and day, and to priests who, in their pastoral concern and fidelity to the Gospel, are trying to help and support everyone.

Blessed Virgin, illumine the minds of men and women engaged in scientific research, that they may find effective solutions to overcome this virus.

Support national leaders, that with wisdom, solicitude and generosity they may come to the aid of those lacking the basic necessities of life and may devise social and economic solutions inspired by farsightedness and solidarity.

Mary Most Holy, stir our consciences, so that the enormous funds invested in developing and stockpiling arms will instead be spent on promoting effective research on how to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Beloved Mother, help us realize that we are all members of one great family and to recognize the bond that unites us, so that, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we can help to alleviate countless situations of poverty and need. Make us strong in faith, persevering in service, constant in prayer.

Mary, Consolation of the afflicted, embrace all your children in distress and pray that God will stretch out his all-powerful hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can serenely resume its normal course.

To you, who shine on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope, do we entrust ourselves, O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.

Pope Francis' Mass for 25 April 2020

At 7:00am local time this morning (1:00am EDT), the Holy Father, Pope Francis celebrated Mass inside the chapel at the Casa Santa Marta.

Greetings of His Holiness, Pope Francis

prior to the celebration of the Mass

Let us pray together today for the people who are involved in funeral services.  What they are doing is very painful, very sad, and they feel the pain of this pandemic very close to them.  Let us pray for them.

Homily of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

during the Mass celebrated on 25 April 2020

Today, the Church is celebrating Saint Mark, one of the four evangelists (gospel writers), who was very close to the apostle Peter.  The Gospel of Mark was the first to be written.  It is simple, in a simple style, very close.  If you have a bit of time today, take this gospel in hand and read it.  It is not long, and it is a pleasure to read the simplicity with which Mark recounts the Lord's life.

In the gospel passage that we have just read - which is at the end of the Gospel of Mark - the Lord is sending the disciples.  The Lord was made known as our saviour, as the only Son of God; he revealed himself to all of Israel, to the people, especially in more detail to the apostles, to the disciples.  This the Lord's farewell, the Lord was going away: he left and ascended into heaven, where he is seated at the right hand of God (Mk 16: 19).  But before he left, when he appeared to the Eleven, he said to them: Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature (Mk 16: 15).  There is a missionary feel to the faith.  Faith: either it is missionary in character or it is not faith.  Faith is not something only for me, because I grow up with faith: this is a gnostic heresy.  Fatih always leads us to go outside of ourselves.  Go out.  Passing on the faith; faith must be passed on, must be offered, above all through witness: Go, so that the people may see how you live (Mk 16: 15).

Someone said to me, one of the European priests, from a city in Europe: There is so much unbelief, so much agnosticism in our city, because Christians have no faith.  If they had it, surely they would give it to others.  There is a lack of missionary zeal.  Because deep down, there is a lack of conviction: Yes, I am a Christian, I am a Catholic ... As though it were a matter of a social attitude.  In the identity card, your name is this or that ... and I am a Christian.  It's a matter of showing your identity card.  it is not a matter of faith!  It is something cultural.  Faith necessarily sends you out, faith compels us to give: for at its core, faith must be passed on.  It is not something calm.  Ah, Father, you mean that we should all be missionaries and go to far-off lands?  No, that is part of the missionary nature. That means that if you have faith, you should necessarily go out of yourself and give proof of your faith in social environments.  Faith is social, it is for everyone: Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature (Mk 16: 15).  And this does not mean that we should proselytize, as though I were a member of a football team aimed at converting people, or that I was part of a non-profit organization.  No, faith is not proselytism.  Its aim is to proclaim revelation, so that the Holy spirit can act in the hearts of people through the witness that is given: as a witness, with service.  Service is a way of life.  If I say that I am a Christian and yet I live like a pagan, that won't work!  That won't convince anyone.  If I say that I am a Christian and I live like a Christian, that will attract others.  It's a matter of witness.

Once, in Poland, a university student asked me: In university, I have many atheist friends.  What should I say to them to convince them? - Nothing, dear, nothing!  The last thing that you should do is to say something.  Begin by living, and they, when they see your witness, they will ask you: 'Why do you live this way?'  This is also a matter of the humility that Saint Peter speaks about in the first reading: Beloved, clothe yourselves in humility toward each other, for God resists those who are proud but He gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5: 5).  How many times in the Church, throughout history, are movements born, associations of men or women who want to convince others about faith, to convert others ... These are true proselytizers.  And what happens in the end?  They often end up in corruption.

This gospel passage is so tender!  But where is the security?  How can I be sure that if I go outside of myself I will be successful in passing on the faith?  Proclaim the gospel to every creature (Mk 16: 15), you will do wonders (Mk 16: 17-18).  And the Lord will be with us to the end of time.  He is accompanying us.  In the passing on of the faith, the lord is always present with us.  In the passing on of ideologies, there will always be teachers but when I have an attitude of faith that must be passed on, the Lord is always there to accompany me.  I am never alone in passing on the faith.  It is the Lord with me who passes on the faith.  He promised: I will be with you all days, until the end of the world (cf Mt 28: 20).

Let us ask the Lord to help us to live our faith in this way: the faith of open doors, transparent faith, not proselytizing but faith that can be seen: This is who I am.  And with this healthy curiosity, we can help people to receive this message that will save them.

Prayer to make a spiritual communion

My Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar. I love you above all things and I desire you in my soul. Since I cannot receive You sacramentally now, at least spiritually come to my heart. As you have already come, I embrace you and I join myself to you. Do not let me ever be separated from you.  Amen.

A Tes pieds, ô mon Jésus, je me prosterne et je T'offre le repentir de mon cœur contrit qui demeure dans son néant et en Ta sainte présence. Je t'adore dans le Sacrement de Ton amour, l'ineffable Eucharistie. Je désire te recevoir dans la pauvre demeure que mon cœur t'offre. Dans l'attente du bonheur de la communion sacramentelle, je veux te posséder en esprit. Viens à moi, ô mon Jésus, que je vienne à Toi. Que Ton amour enflamme tout mon être, pour la vie et pour la mort. Je crois en toi, j'espère en toi, je t'aime. Ainsi soit-il.

Ai tuoi piedi, o mio Gesù, mi prostro e ti offro il pentimento del mio cuore contrito che si abissa nel suo nulla e nella tua santa presenza. Ti adoro nel sacramento del Tuo amore, l’Eucaristia. Desidero riceverti nella povera dimora che ti offre il mio cuore; in attesa della felicità della comunione sacramentale voglio possederti in spirito. Vieni a me, o mio Gesù, che io vengo da Te. Possa il tuo amore infiammare tutto il mio essere per la vita e per la morte. Credo in Te, spero in Te, ti amo. Cosi sia.