Sunday, April 7, 2013

Pope Francis: Daily Roundup

News

  • Full Text: Pope Francis’ homily at St. John Lateran Salt + Light. 04/07/13. Earlier today, Pope Francis took possession of his Cathedral, the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran. In fact, the Basilica of St. John Lateran is the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome. The local Church or diocese established in Rome was founded by the two Apostles Peter and Paul and sanctified by the lives of many martyrs.

Commentary

  • Bergoglio and the Ultimate Questions, by James V. Schall, SJ. Catholic World Report A 2003 essay by Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio reflects on modern man’s failure to pursue answers to life’s deepest questions.
  • , by John Allen Jr. National Catholic Reporter 04/07/13. BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA In Argentina, they say that if you want to understand the priestly soul of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, then you have to know the villas miserias, literally "villas of misery," meaning the slums in Buenos Aires where the poorest of the poor are found. John Allen Jr. writes from Argentina:
    "I'd say that over the 15 years he's been walking down the streets here, at least half of the people have met him at some time and have a picture with him, meaning at least 25,000 people in this villa alone," he said.

    "He came for all the big festivals and he did all the confirmations," he said. "One time, we had almost 400 people to be confirmed, and he did them all personally on one day. It took three and a half hours, maybe four, and he did it all."

    "When he would visit here, he'd take the bus and then he'd just come walking around the corner like a normal guy," Isasmendi said.

    "For us, it was the most natural thing in the world. He'd sit around and drink mate (an Argentinian tea), talking with people about whatever was going on. He'd start talking to the doorman or somebody about a book he was reading, and I could leave him there and go do something else, because Bergoglio was totally comfortable."

    I asked if Bergoglio had been so concerned with the slums because of the drugs, the gangs, or some other specific problem.

    "The biggest problem we face is marginalization of the people," he said. "Drugs are a symptom, violence is a symptom, but marginalization is the disease. Our people feel marginalized by a social system that's forgotten about them and isn't interested in them."

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