ReflectionsFeatureVer2

Pope Francis celebrates Mass Jan. 7 in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae.

Saints were 'crazy for concreteness', Pope Francis says at Mass

VATICAN – The saints were Christians who were "crazy for concreteness," knowing that faith is not an idea, but a relationship with Jesus, which leads to actions that demonstrate love, Pope Francis said.
  • January 7, 2019
Pope Francis reverences a figurine of the baby Jesus at the start of a Mass marking the feast of the Epiphany in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 6.

Offer a gift to Jesus, care for those who cannot repay you, Pope Francis says on Epiphany

VATICAN – People find Jesus only through humble love, and once they find him, they are called to offer him the gifts of their prayer, their adoration and their care of others, Pope Francis said.
  • January 7, 2019
Pope Francis accepts offertory gifts from children dressed as the Three Kings during Mass marking the feast of Mary, Mother of God, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 1.

Pope Francis prays for new year marked by tenderness, peace

VATICAN – A new year is a chance for a new start, a time to remember that all people are brothers and sisters and a time to nurture amazement that God became human to save all people, Pope Francis said.
  • January 1, 2019
Pope Francis kisses a figurine of the baby Jesus as he visits the Nativity scene at the conclusion of Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 24.

This Christmas, come to the manger with love, charity, simplicity, Pope Francis says

VATICAN – Jesus' birth in a stable, God's coming to earth in extreme simplicity, teaches Christians that love is more valuable than anything else and is what will change the world, Pope Francis said.
  • December 24, 2018
Pope Francis greets representatives of the children and teens section of Italy's Catholic Action. Meeting the young people at the Vatican Dec. 20, the pope asked them to share their faith with their peers, being especially attentive to children who seem lonely or mistreated.

'Everything changes' with Christ's birth, Pope Francis says

VATICAN – The Annunciation – the Angel Gabriel announcing to Mary that she will bear God's son -- was such a tremendous, history-changing event that preaching about it is extremely difficult, Pope Francis said.
  • December 20, 2018
Celebrating Mass Dec. 18 in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Pope Francis spoke about St. Joseph and his willingness to listen to God speaking in his dreams. The pope urged parents to dream for their children and priests to dream for their parishioners.

Ask for grace to seek truth in dreams, be silent like St. Joseph, Pope Francis says

VATICAN – While St. Joseph was a practical, down-to-earth man, he had enough faith to be open to God speaking through dreams, Pope Francis said at morning Mass.
  • December 18, 2018
Pope Francis swings a censer in front of an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe as he celebrates Mass Dec. 12 marking her feast day in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Mary raises up the abandoned, Pope Francis says at Mass

VATICAN – Just as she did hundreds of years ago from a small hill in Tepeyac, Mexico, Mary accompanies the downtrodden and the lowly like a mother caring for her children.
  • December 12, 2018
A nun lights a candle next to a photograph of Bishop Pierre Claverie at his grave in St. Mary's Cathedral, where a vigil was held in Oran, Algeria, Dec. 7

Jesus gives us joy even in martyrdom, Pope Francis says

VATICAN – God sends his consolation to those in need of reassurance, even when they are facing death, Pope Francis said.
  • December 11, 2018
Pope Francis celebrates morning Mass in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, at the Vatican Nov. 27.

Be 'artisans of peace' in your daily life this Advent, Pope Francis says

VATICAN – The Advent season is a time of preparation for the coming of the prince of peace and not a time of making war with those around you, Pope Francis said.
  • December 4, 2018
Pope Francis leads his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Nov. 21.

Examine your lives daily, prepare for Judgement Day, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY – People would be wise to think about Judgment Day and wonder what God will see when he examines their lives, Pope Francis said.
  • November 27, 2018
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