September 16, 2013. (Romereports.com) Despite the heavy rains, thousands of people gathered
at St. Peter's Square to hear the Pope's Angelus. Pope Francis
explained why God's mercy is so important for Christians.
He also talked about the parable of the prodigal son, adding that true happiness is found in forgiveness, and not in boasting about good deeds done for others.
He also talked about the parable of the prodigal son, adding that true happiness is found in forgiveness, and not in boasting about good deeds done for others.
POPE FRANCIS
“This is all the Gospel, here; this is Christianity! But this is not sentimentalism or bland 'do-goodism';
… on the contrary, mercy is the true
force that can save man and the world from the 'cancer' of sin, from moral
and spiritual malaise.”
He also warned about the dangers of judging other people, as explained in that
same parable.
POPE FRANCIS
“If we live according to the law of 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth', we will never escape from the spiral of
evil. The devil is cunning; he deludes us that with our human justice
we can save ourselves and the world. In reality, only God's justice can save us! It is God's justice that is
revealed to us on the Cross.”
The Pope urged all pilgrims to immediately practice what
Jesus preached on forgiveness, despite the challenges.
POPE FRANCIS
“I ask you one thing, right now. In silence, everyone think of a
person we aren't happy with, someone we are angry with, someone we don't like. Let us think about that person and,
in silence, for a moment, let us pray
for that person and become merciful towards them.”
After the Angelus, the Pope also mentioned that on the previous
day an Argentine priest named José Gabriel Brochero was beatified. He also
thanked everyone who attended the Angelus, despite the bad weather.
September 16, 2013. (Romereports.com) On Monday morning, Pope Francis left
his Vatican residence and made his way to Rome's St. John Lateran Basilica, to
meet with Roman clergy. He was welcomed with
a warm applause, before making his way into the Basilica, where local priests
were already waiting for him.
The atmosphere was relaxed, but during his speech, the Pope talked about the joys and trials of the priesthood. As an example he reflected on the time John Baptist was incarcerated.
The atmosphere was relaxed, but during his speech, the Pope talked about the joys and trials of the priesthood. As an example he reflected on the time John Baptist was incarcerated.
POPE FRANCIS
“He was surrounded by the darkness
of doubt. The same person who said 'This is the Son of God who takes
away the sins of the world. I saw the Holy Spirit descend upon Him.' He was
sure of it back then, but at that moment he doesn't understand a thing. He's
amid the darkness of jail, the darkness
of his heart and his soul.”
During their meeting, the Pope agreed to answer some questions
from the priests. The Pope also gave a person anecdote. He said he was very moved
by a letter an older priest
sent him, where he shared his feelings of fatigue.
The Pope said the letter reminded him of John Paul II's encyclical titled
Redemptoris Mater, or Mother of The Redeemer. The Pope said, Our
Lady felt fatigue as well.
POPE FRANCIS
“That fatigue came from seeing everything Jesus was dealing with.
She was trying to make sense of it through the Word of the Lord. But everything
seemed to be the opposite of what had
been promised.”
The meeting at the Basilica is quite symbolic, since it's the
Cathedral church of the diocese of Rome. As the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis is
the head of the Basilica.
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