Pope: St Theresa of Avila source of truth and values http://vatican.com/news/frame.aspx?...st-theresa-of-avila-source-of-truth-and-value (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a letter of greeting and encouragement to participants of an Interuniversity Congress on Saint Theresa of Avila. The letter, signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin on behalf of the Holy Father, expresses gratitude to the Academic world for highlighting the relevance of Saint Theresa’s teachings. Organized by the Catholic University of “Santa Teresa de Jesus de Avila” in collaboration with other Catholic Universities, the 3-day Congress entitled “St. Teresa of Avila, Maestra de Vida” is taking place in Avila, the city where Theresa was born 500 years ago. The main purpose of the congress is to bring the figure of St. Teresa of Avila closer to those in academia and university circles by examining the figure of the great mystic from different perspectives, including, the impact St. Teresa and her writings have had and will continue to have on the New Evangelization, on our interior and daily lives and on modern society today. Organizers say that while examining the validity and scope of her teachings during this congress, “we hope to foster a deeper understanding of her spirituality and to discover her as an example for future generations”. In his letter, Pope Francis also urges participants at the Congress to find in the contemplation and meditation pursued by Theresa - whom he describes as a “master of prayer” – the source of true science and authentic values that are at the basis of life. Over 3.000 representatives of Universities all over the world have been invited to this congress where experts in the figure of St. Teresa as well as intellectuals from the five continents, philosophers and theologians will be lecturers.
Pope: divorced and remarried people not excommunicated 2015-08-05 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis resumed his General Audiences on Wednesday, following the summer holiday. In his catechesis, the Holy Father continued his teaching on the family, reflecting on the situation of those who have divorced and entered into a second union. Listen to Christopher Wells' report: “The Church knows well,” he said, “that such a situation contradicts the Christian Sacrament.” However, he continued, the Church, as a Mother, always seeks the good and salvation of all her children. The Pope said it is important for the Church to foster a true welcome for these families in our communities. The Church must always show her pastoral care for those in such situations, especially the children. Pope Francis noted that the Church in recent decades has developed a greater awareness of the need to be welcoming toward the divorced and re-married. He emphasized that they are still part of the Church – they are not excommunicated, and should not be treated as such, but rather must be encouraged, with their families, to participate in the Church’s life: through prayer, listening to the Word of God, the Christian education of their children, and service to the poor. He pointed to the words of Pope Benedict XVI, who called for careful discernment and wise pastoral accompaniment, while recognizing that there are no “simple solutions” to the difficulties wounded families face. The Church, Pope Francis said, should imitate the Good Shepherd, welcoming all her children as a mother who is willing to give her life for them. “Each one of us can do our part by having the attitude of the Good Shepherd, Who knows every one of His sheep, and excludes no one from His infinite love." http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-divorced-and-remarried-people-not-excommunica (from Vatican Radio)
On the subject of Pope Francis, Drudge has just put up this headline (August 5, 2:22 EST): Pope Francis Invites Oprah, Ari Emanuel to the Vatican The pontiff has shortlisted Hollywood heavy-hitters for a special meeting at the Vatican this fall. The topic? Improving the church's portrayal in Western entertainment. A version of this story first appeared in the Aug. 14 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe. Ari Emanuel might soon get a chance to hug it out with the pope. Sources say the William Morris Endeavor superagent and his co-CEO Patrick Whitesell are on a shortlist of media players whom reps for Pope Francis have approached for a special meeting at the Vatican this fall. The pontiff apparently is interested in discussing how the church is perceived by Western media influencers and ways to improve its portrayal in entertainment. The Vatican, which is said to be working with the nonprofit Varkey Foundation, came up with a list of Hollywood players to invite to a summit of sorts. Film and television producer Brian Grazer, OWN mogul Oprah Winfrey, actor Matt Damon and semiretired supermogul David Geffen also scored invites, according to sources. WME declined to comment on whether Emanuel, the brother of Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel and the inspiration for Entourage's Ari Gold, would accept the invitation to break bread with the Catholic Church leader.
Pope Francis announces World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation 17 178Print 2015-08-10 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has decided to set up a “World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation” which will be celebrated on September 1st annually. He made the announcement in a letter to the heads of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity. Below in English is Pope Francis' letter announcing the “World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation” To my Venerable Brothers Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah TURKSON, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace Cardinal Kurt KOCH, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity Sharing with my beloved brother the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew his concerns for the future of creation (cfr Encylical Letter. Laudato Si, 7-9) and taking up the suggestion by his representative, the Metropolitan Ioannis of Pergamum who took part in the presentation of the Encyclical Laudato Si on the care of our common home, I wish to inform you that I have decided to set up also in the Catholic Church, the “World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation” which, beginning this year, will be celebrated on the 1st of September, as the Orthodox Church has done for some time now. As Christians we wish to offer our contribution towards overcoming the ecological crisis which humanity is living through. Therefore, first of all we must draw from our rich spiritual heritage the reasons which feed our passion for the care of creation, always remembering that for believers in Jesus Christ, the Word of God who became man for us, “the life of the spirit is not dissociated from the body or from nature or from worldly realities, but lived in and with them, in communion with all that surrounds us.” (ibid., 216). The ecological crisis therefore calls us to a profound spiritual conversion: Christians are called to “an ecological conversion whereby the effects of their encounter with Jesus Christ become evident in their relationship with the world around them.” (ibid., 217). Thus, “living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.”(ibid). The annual World Day of prayer for the Care of Creation offers to individual believers and to the community a precious opportunity to renew our personal participation in this vocation as custodians of creation, raising to God our thanks for the marvellous works that He has entrusted to our care, invoking his help for the protection of creation and his mercy for the sins committed against the world in which we live. The celebration of the Day on the same date as the Orthodox Church will be a valuable opportunity to bear witness to our growing communion with our orthodox brothers. We live in a time where all Christians are faced with identical and important challenges and we must give common replies to these in order to appear more credible and effective. Therefore it is my hope that this Day can involve, in some way, other Churches and ecclesial Communities and be celebrated in union with the initiatives that the World Council of Churches is promoting on this issue. Cardinal Turkson, as President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, I asking you to inform the Justice and Peace Commissions of the Bishops’ Conferences, as well as the national and international Organizations involved in environmental issues about the establishment of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, so that in union with the needs and the local situation , this celebration can be rightly marked with the participation of the entire People of God: priests, men and women religious and the lay faithful. For this reason, it will be the task of this Dicastery, in collaboration with the Episcopal Conferences to set up relevant initiatives to promote and illustrate this Day, so that this annual celebration becomes a powerful moment of prayer, reflection, conversion and the adoption of appropriate life styles. Cardinal Koch, as President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, I’m asking you to make the necessary contacts with the Ecumenical Patriarchate and with the other ecumenical organisations so that this World Day can become the sign of a path along all believers in Christ walk together. It will also be your Dicastery’s task to take care of the coordination with similar initiatives set up by the World Council of Churches. Whilst I look forward to the widest possible cooperation for the best start and development of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, I invoke the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God and of St. Francis of Assisi, whose Canticle of the Creatures inspires so many men and women of goodwill to live in praise of the Creator and with respect for creation. I support this pledge along with my Apostolic Blessing which I impart with all my heart to you, my dear Cardinals, and to all those who collaborate in your ministry. From the Vatican, 6th August 2015 Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. (from Vatican Radio) (from Vatican Radio)
Pope Francis chooses 2016 World Peace Day theme 3 9Print 2015-08-11 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has announced the theme of the Message for the Church’s 49th World Day of Peace that will be celebrated on 1st January 2016 is: Overcome Indifference and Win Peace. Please find below a communique released by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace which explains why the Pope chose this theme for the 2016 World Day of Peace: Overcome Indifference and win Peace will be the title of the Message for the 49th World Day of Peace, the third of the papacy of Pope Francis. Indifference in regard to the scourges of our time is one of the fundamental causes of the lack of peace. Today, indifference is often linked to various forms of individualism which cause isolation, ignorance, selfishness and, therefore, lack of interest and commitment. Increase of information does not mean per se an increase of attention to the problems, if it is not accompanied by solidarity-based openness of conscience. To this end, it is essential the contribution that can provide–besides the family–educators, teachers, people of culture, media practitioners, intellectuals and artists. Indifference can be won only responding together to this challenge. Peace is to be worked at: it is not something that one gains without efforts, without conversion of mind and heart, without a sense of creativity and positive engagement in discussion. Such an action must urgently have recourse to build a sense of responsibility and awareness creation about the serious problems and challenges afflicting our time, such as, fundamentalism, intolerance and massacres, persecutions on account of faith and ethnicity, disregard for freedom and the destruction of the rights of entire peoples, the exploitation of human beings submitted even to the different forms of slavery, corruption and organized crime, war and the plight of refugees and forcibly displaced persons. Such training and awareness creation should seek, at the same time, also opportunities and possibilities to fight these evils: the creation of a culture of law, education in dialogue and co-operation are, in this context, the fundamental forms of a constructive response. The field for daily peace-building, overcoming indifference, is located in different forms of slavery of nowadays’ world, on which was dedicated The Message for the 1st January 2015: No longer slaves, but brothers and sisters. We should continue this commitment with heightened conscience and cooperation. Peace is possible where the rights of every human being are recognized and respected, heard and known, according to freedom and justice. The Message for 2016 aims to be a starting point for all people of good will, particularly those who work in the education, media, culture, each one acting according to their possibilities and according to their best aspirations to build together a more conscious and merciful, and, therefore, more free and fair world. * * * The World Day of Peace initiated by Paul VI, is celebrated each year on the first day of January. The Holy Father's Message is sent to all Foreign Ministers of the world, and also indicates the Holy See’s diplomatic line during the coming year. Listen to this report by Susy Hodges: (from Vatican Radio) http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-chooses-2016-world-peace-day-theme
Pope's General Audience: Celebration, work and prayer are all needed for a balanced life 2015-08-12 http://www.romereports.com/2015/08/...and-prayer-are-all-needed-for-a-balanced-life (-VIDEO ONLY-) On Wednesday, Pope Francis began series of catechesis based on three facets of a balanced life: celebration, work and prayer. The Pope emphasized why all three are important for a healthy family life. He also explained that despite the social obsession with economic profit, one should not be a slave to work, but rather its master. SUMMARY OF POPE'S CATECHESIS: We begin now a series of catecheses on three facets of family life: celebration, work and prayer. Let us turn first to celebrations which, as we see from the Story of Creation, are the invention of God, who on the seventh day rested from his work. It is God himself who teaches us the importance of dedicating time to contemplating and enjoying the fruits of our labours, not only in our employment or profession, but through every action by which we as men and women cooperate in God’s creative work, even in times of difficulty. In the workplace too, we celebrate – a birthday, a marriage, a new baby, a farewell or a welcome. True moments of celebration make us pause from our work, because they remind us that we are made in the image and likeness of God, who is not a slave to work, but the Lord of work! And so we must never be slaves to work but rather its master! Yet we know that millions of men and women, even children, are slaves to work. The obsession with economic profit and technical efficiency puts the human rhythms of life at risk. Moments of rest, especially on Sunday, are sacred because in them we find God. The Sunday Eucharist brings to our celebrations every grace of Jesus Christ: his presence, his love and his sacrifice; his forming us into a community, and his way of being with us. Everything is transfigured by his grace: work, family, the joys and trials of each day, even our sufferings and death. May we always recognize the family as the privileged place to understand, guide and sustain the gifts which arise from our celebrations, especially the Sunday Eucharist. *** Speaker: I offer an affectionate greeting to all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present at today’s Audience, including those from Malta, Zimbabwe, the Philippines, and Trinidad and Tobago. May your families celebrate daily the Lord’s love and mercy, and be a sign of his abiding presence in the world. May God bless you all!
Pope Angelus: The Eucharist is Jesus who gives himself to us 2015-08-16 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Despite a downpour of rain, thousands of pilgrims and tourists turned out to be with Pope Francis for the Sunday Angelus. Before the recitation of the Marian prayer, the Holy Father from the window of his studio above St Peter’s Square, recalled the Gospel reading of the day from John, in which Jesus says, "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day ". The Pope noted that the astonishment of the audience at this phrase is understandable. But Pope Francis explained that, “knowing he will have to die on the cross for us, Jesus identifies himself with the bread broken and shared, and it becomes for him the "sign" of the sacrifice that awaits him.” Communion, the Holy Father said, “is assimilation: eating Him, we become like Him. But this requires our "yes", our adherence of faith.” Turning his attention to the Mass itself, Pope Francis said that sometimes people are heard to say What is Mass for? I go to church when I feel like it, and I pray better alone. " But, the Pope stressed, “the Eucharist is not a private prayer or a beautiful spiritual experience. The Eucharist, said the Holy Father, “ is Jesus who gives himself entirely to us.” Those who feed on Him and abide in Him through Holy Communion and faith, he added, will see their lives transformed as a gift to God and to others. In conclusion, the Pope recalled Jesus’ words, "He who eats this bread will live forever". He then explained that by living in communion with Jesus on this earth we can look forward to the voice of the Risen Lord who calls us when we finally close our eyes. (from Vatican Radio) Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report (from Vatican Radio)
Pope Francis: Jubilee of Mercy a time to care for sick and dying 11 215Print 2015-08-18 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has said the Jubilee of Mercy will be a “good opportunity for increasing the collaboration between pastors and the laity in the mission of affectionately and tenderly caring for the sick and dying.” His words were conveyed in a message sent to Manuel Martin Sjöberg, President of the Federación de Servicios de sacerdotales Urgencia y Nocturno (Federation of Priestly Emergency Services). The society was founded in 1952 in Cordoba, Argentina, to help those in need receive the sacraments, especially when it is difficult to find a priest. Pope Francis also quoted from Misericordiae Vultus, the Bull of Indiction announcing the Year of Mercy, which urges people to be close to those who are suffering “so they can feel the warmth of our presence, our friendship and our fraternity.” Pope Francis thanked the volunteers of the association for their sixty years of performing “works of Christian mercy”, noting “we will be judged” on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, because in “each of these ‘smallest ones’, Christ himself is present.” (from Vatican Radio)
Pope Francis at audience: catechesis on dignity of work 2015-08-19 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held his weekly General Audience in the Paul VI Hall on Wednesday. The Holy Father focused his catechetical remarks on work. In the English summary read out following the main catechesis in Italian, the Pope explained that work complements our moments of celebration and which is also a part of God’s creative design. “Through work,” said Pope Francis, “the family is cared for and children are provided with a dignified life.” The catechesis went on to explain that, in this way, the common good is served, as witnessed by the example of so many fathers and mothers who teach their children the value of work for family life and society. Addressing this theme during the main catechesis in Italian, Pope Francis departed from his prepared text to say, “It makes me sad, when I see people without work, who do not find work and haven’t the dignity of bringing bread home – and it cheers me when I see that political leaders make great efforts to find jobs and to seek to make sure that everyone has a job.” The Holy Father went on to say, “Work is sacred, work gives dignity to a family: we must pray that work be not lacking in any family.” The Holy Father went on to explain that, when we reduce work to profit and disregard its effects on humanity and the world, the environment and our lives suffer. “God has given Christian families the challenge and mission to make present the foundations of his creation: a true understanding of the identity of man and woman and the bond they share, their call to bring children into the world, and the gift of work in making the world ever more fruitful and hospitable,” his catechesis continued. Pope Francis concluded with a prayer: “May God help us to embrace this call in joy and hope, especially amidst the many challenges we face today.” (from Vatican Radio)
Pope Francis appeals for peace in Ukraine 2015-08-23 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Following the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis made a new appeal for peace in Ukraine. “With deep concern, I am following the conflict in eastern Ukraine, which has accelerated anew in these last weeks,” the Pope said. “I renew my appeal that the commitments undertaken to achieve peace might be respected; and that, with the help of organizations and persons of good will, there might be a response to the humanitarian emergency in the country.” The Holy Father concluded his appeal with the prayer, “May the Lord grant peace to Ukraine, which is preparing to celebrate tomorrow the national holiday [Independence Day]. May the Virgin Mary intercede for us!” (from Vatican Radio)
Pope Francis: Who is Jesus for me? 2015-08-23 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) “Who is Jesus for me?” At the end of his Angelus address on Sunday, Pope Francis called on the faithful to ask themselves this question. “Who is Jesus for me? Is He simply a name? an idea? A person from history? Or is He really someone who loves me, Who gave His life for me, and walks with me?” The Pope asked if we would remain with Jesus, referring back to the day’s Gospel. In Sunday’s reading, some of Jesus’ disciples left Him, because He had disappointed their expectations of a worldly Messiah, a leader that would be immediately successful. But Jesus said He was the Bread come down from Heaven, Who would give His Flesh for food and His Blood for drink – clearly pointing to the sacrifice of His own life. The disciples who left Jesus misunderstood the “disturbing language” of the Master. But Peter confessed his faith, and that of the other Apostles: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Pope Francis said Peter’s question – to whom shall we go – reveals that the problem is not one of leaving and abandoning the work one has begun, but is rather a question about a person: “To whom shall we go?” From Peter’s question, the Pope said, “we understand that faithfulness to God is a question about faithfulness to a person.” All that we have in this world, he continued “will not satisfy our hunger for the infinite. We need Jesus, we need to remain with Him, to nourish ourselves at His table, on His words of eternal life.” When we are attached to Jesus, in a true relationship of faith and love, we are not bound, but rather, are profoundly free as we journey with Him through life. (from Vatican Radio)
Pope to parents: find time for prayer in busy family life 2015-08-26 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday continued his reflections on family life, focusing especially on the importance of finding time for prayer. Greeting visitors from many different countries, gathered for the weekly General Audience in St Peter’s Square, the Pope said families often experience difficulty in devoting time for prayer. But he said a heart filled with the love of God can make even a silent thought or small gesture of devotion into a moment of prayer. Pope Francis noted that family life is complicated and time consuming: parents, he said, should win Nobel prizes for the way they manage to squeeze 48 hours’ work into just 24 hours! But if we truly love God with all our hearts, and all our mind, and all our strength, we will discover that the heart of prayer is the love of God, who constantly caresses us with his love. The Pope urged parents to teach their children to pray, to read the bible and to make the sign of the Cross so that their homes may become places where Jesus always finds a warm welcome Please find below the English summary of Pope Francis’ remarks at the Wednesday General Audience Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis on the family, today we reflect on the importance of devoting time to prayer. We all know how important prayer is, yet it seems so difficult to find time for it. Perhaps we need to ask if we truly love God, as he asks us to, with all our heart, and all our mind and all our strength. For the heart of prayer is the love of God, the source of our life, who constantly “caresses” us with his own love. A heart filled with the love of God can make even a silent thought or a small gesture of devotion a moment of prayer. The Holy Spirit teaches us to pray, to call God our Father, and to grow daily in his love. Our families need to ask for the gift of the Spirit! Through prayer, even in the busiest times, we give time back to God, we find the peace that comes from appreciating the important things, and we encounter the joy of God’s unexpected gifts. Through daily prayer may our homes become, like the house of Martha and Mary, places where Jesus always finds a warm welcome. I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, including those from England, Denmark, Malta, China, Dubai, Nigeria, Canada and the United States of America. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke an abundance of joy and peace in the Lord Jesus. God bless you all! (from Vatican Radio)
"POPE UNDER PRESSURE AS HALF A MILLION CATHOLICS URGE HIM TO REAFFIRM TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE" http://www.breitbart.com/london/201...ics-urge-pope-to-reaffirm-tradition-marriage/ GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!
It is the "impression" that the Holy Father is leaving that is the problem here. The fact that Pope Francis is "walking the fine line between heresy and faithfulness" as Mark Mallett puts it is precisely the problem. When you walk "that fine line" you have to make sure people are clear what side of the line you stand on. I do not think, outside of the fine print after the last synod, Pope Francis has done a good job on this.
I was once mocked on another site for using the word 'hermeneutic'. I had seen it used elsewhere and had to look up its meaning. Its about how you see things. Depending on the lens used to view the issue one person can have a completely different view than another about the same thing. The polarised views on Pope Francis can be explained by hermeneutics, at least in part. Polarized sunglasses cut glare and haze so that your eyes are more comfortable and can see better. Just so with the lens of our hearts and minds: do we look through the lens of love and trust or the overworked lens of criticism and distrust. As for me I try to keep it simple....despite using big words. As far as I can see Pope Francis is very clear on his views when his comments, letters and homilies are examined and taken as they are and as they are meant, when they are taken in context, not only of their utterance but also of their authority. In my hermeneutic he presents clearly on the side of Truth. To me there is no fine line and no question of him teetering on the point of error. The different views, therefore, must be accounted for by different hermeneutics. I believe my lens gives a more accurate reflection of reality. I believe that Pope Francis is a wysiwyg Pope, what you see is what you get. What you see depends on your lens. But there again, that is only my impression.
You can use whatever words you like, and you may have different sources than I. There can be no denying that for a lot of catholics, he is confising and leaving things "hang" calling to question church doctrines. It is the "impression" he is giving. I stand by Cardinal Francis George's three questions he would like to ask the pope before he passed, and he was a holy and very intelligent man... and he had questions. There should be no reason for that, you can spin it any way you like.
No spin here. But you are of course entitled to your opinion. That's what makes this site. In my opinion Catholics are confused by the way Pope Francis is reported. Most Catholics that I know love Pope Francis.
I love Pope Francis, but I am confused. I guess you did not get what I am responding to: http://www.breitbart.com/london/201...ics-urge-pope-to-reaffirm-tradition-marriage/ I guess I am not the only one. Maybe you are.
I'm touched by this message that I want take this in our prayer meeting. My workplace has become very gloomy lately...it is more aweful to note that our students have long-term substitute teachers in the beginning of the school year. Work requirements has grown that our weekend is NOT enough for checking, grading and lesson planning (teaching time is 7:30am-2:30pm, working lunchbreak, 3 mandatory meetings and 2 mandatory intervention classes every 2:30-3:30pm) NO SITTING DOWN. Imagine how the teachers look like at the end of the day? Hehehehe.... so finding something to celebrate would hopefully make a positive difference.
Pope Francis: Angelus appeals for persecuted Christians, migrants 2015-08-30 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis issued a twofold appeal on Sunday: for persecuted Christians and for all persons forced to flee their homes in search of a peaceful and secure existence in foreign lands. Recalling the beatification on Saturday in Harissa, Lebanon, of the martyred Syrian Catholic Bishop Flavyānus Mikhayil Melkī, Eparch of Gazarta – or what is Cizre in modern-day Turkey, who was killed in Gazarta during the sayfo or "putting to the sword" of Syrians in 1915, after he refused to convert to Islam, Pope Francis said, “Even today, in the Middle East and other parts of the world, Christians are persecuted,” and expressed the hope that the beatification of this Bishop Martyr might instill in them consolation, courage and hope. The Holy Father went on to say, “It is also a stimulus to legislators and government leaders to guarantee religious freedom everywhere, and to the international community to put an end to the violence and oppression.” Pope Francis also asked the faithful to pray especially for the migrants, who have lost their lives while in flight from situations of persecution, instability, and even social and economic failure, in search of a better life. Promising continued prayers of his own as well for all the victims, the Pope joined himself especially to the prayers of the Church in Austria – represented at the Angelus by the Cardinal-Archbishop of Vienna, Christoph Schönborn – for the seventy-one people who perished inside a truck found on the side of the highway connecting Vienna and Budapest this past week. “We entrust each of them to the mercy of God,” said Pope Francis, “and we ask Him to help us to cooperate effectively to prevent these crimes, which offend the entire human family.” (from Vatican Radio)
