ReflectionsFeatureVer2

Pope Francis waves to the crowd as he leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square Oct. 29 at the Vatican.

Pope's homily: Need for power and money is path of clericalism, Pope says

VATICAN – Clericalism is a path taken by those who, unlike the good shepherd, concern themselves with money and power and not with people who are suffering and neglected, Pope Francis said.

  • October 30, 2017
Pope Francis greets the crowd during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 25.

Making room for Holy Spirit entails daily battle against devil, Pope says

VATICAN CITY – Being a Christian means battling the devil and striving for holiness each day, Pope Francis said.
  • October 26, 2017
Pope Francis leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square Oct. 22 at the Vatican.

Heaven isn't a 'fairytale', it's an embrace with God, Pope says

VATICAN – Pope Francis on Wednesday spoke about the hope Christians have at the end of life, which is found in God’s promise to be with us at the moment of our death, and to give us eternal life with him in heaven.

  • October 25, 2017
Pope Francis waves as he leaves his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 18.

Pope's homily: Only Jesus, in his infinite mercy, would die for sinners, Pope says

VATICAN – Going to Mass regularly, praying and doing good works are not enough to make a person a good Christian, Pope Francis said.
  • October 24, 2017
Pope Francis celebrates morning Mass in the chapel of his Vatican residence at the Domus Sanctae Marthae Sept. 26.

Pope's homily: Do not be foolish

VATICAN – Pope Francis celebrated Mass in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta on Tuesday, Oct. 17 – the Feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr. Following the Readings of the Day, the Holy Father reflected on the “foolishness” of those, who are unable to hear the Word of God, preferring appearances, idols, or ideologies – like the people of Jerusalem, whose faithlessness caused Our Lord to weep nostalgic tears.
  • October 17, 2017
Pope Francis uses incense as he celebrates the canonization Mass of new saints in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 15. The pope canonized groups of martyrs from Mexico and Brazil, an Italian Capuchin priest and a Spanish priest.

Pope's homily: Look to new saints to practice Christian love every day

VATICAN – Inviting all faithful to practice Christian love every day, Pope Francis on Sunday canonized 35 new saints, nearly all of them martyrs, holding them up as models who “point the way”. 

  • October 16, 2017
Pope Francis celebrates Mass during the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Vatican Congregation for Eastern Churches Oct. 12 at St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome.

Have courage, pray fervently, pope tells churches facing persecution

VATICAN – No matter how much suffering Christians face in the world, God never forgets those who trust in and serve him, Pope Francis told leaders of Eastern Catholic churches.
  • October 12, 2017
Pope Francis celebrates morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta.

Pope's homily: "God's omnipotence is manifested in His mercy"

Pope Francis on Tuesday reminded the faithful that God’s infinite mercy prevails over all, but he warned against rigidity and invited Christians to always open their hearts.
  • October 10, 2017
Pope Francis celebrates Mass in the chapel of his Vatican residence at the Domus Sanctae Marthae Sept. 26.

Pope's homily: Shame for one's sins is God's grace

"No one can say, 'I'm right' or 'I'm not like him or her.' I'm a sinner, I'd say it's almost the first name we all have – sinners.” Pope Francis focused on man’s sinfulness and the need for remorse in his homily at Mass, Friday morning at the Casa Santa Marta residence in the Vatican. He was commenting on the first reading from Prophet Baruch who said, ‎"Justice is with the Lord, our God; and we today are flushed with shame.”

  • October 6, 2017
Pope Francis makes a gesture of an embrace during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Sept. 27.

Pope's homily: Rediscover your roots

Pope Francis said Mass in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta on Thursday morning, Oct. 5. In remarks to the faithful following the Readings of the Day, the Holy Father reflected on the importance of keeping tethered to our roots – especially our spiritual roots – and avoiding what he called “psychological self-exile”.
  • October 6, 2017
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