Church / Gospel / Pope Francis / Theology
In an increasingly complex world of unprecedented scientific and technological challenges, theologians must communicate what is essential about life and help Christians proclaim God’s merciful, saving grace, Pope Francis told a group of Italian theologians.
Only when Christ is the focus of the Christmas season do all the colourful lights, carols, special meals and traditions help create a festive and joyous atmosphere, Pope Francis said.
On behalf of the world’s often unwanted refugees and migrants, Pope Francis in his Jan. 1 World Day of Peace message titled “Migrants and Refugees: Men and Women in Search of Peace” pleads: “In a spirit of compassion, let us embrace all those fleeing from war and hunger, or forced by discrimination, persecution, poverty and environmental degradation to leave their homelands.”
The secular media and social networks became overexcited again this month about another comment by Pope Francis: this time the Holy Father supposedly proposed to change the Lord’s Prayer.
Those who recognise the Lord in the baby Jesus in the manger also should recognise his presence in children suffering today because of war, poverty and immigration, Pope Francis said.
Get to Mass early; don’t calculate how late you can be, pope says. Don’t be late for Mass believing the introductory rites do not matter, Pope Francis told visitors and pilgrims.
Celebrating his 81st birthday, Pope Francis blew out the candles on a 4m long pizza after being serenaded with song and dance by children and employees from a Vatican pediatric clinic.
“There is God’s tenderness. The great one that makes himself little and the little one who is great. Christmas helps us to understand this: In that manger, (there is) the little God,”
“It is a time to recognise the holes to be filled in our lives, to smooth the roughness of pride and make space for Jesus who is coming,” the pope said.
