Monday, April 29, 2013

Pope Francis Roundup

News

  • Pope Francis asked the IOR maximum transparency La Stampa. Francis has taken the first step to revealing the nuts and bolts of the Vatican bank, as part of his aim to achieve an overall reform of the Curia. 04/26/13.
  • Pope Francis' first encyclical might be out this year, says spokesman Catholic News Service. 04/27/13:
    Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi said he "would not exclude" the possibility of the publication of the pope's first encyclical "within this year," Vatican Radio reported.

    The spokesman told reporters April 25 that retired Pope Benedict XVI had already "fleshed out material on the theme of faith" for an encyclical.

    Vatican officials had said Pope Benedict completed work in late 2012 on what would have been his fourth encyclical -- a letter on the theological virtue of faith. Its release was expected in the first half of 2013, but the pope resigned Feb. 28 before its publication.

    It is not unusual for a pope to pick up work begun by his predecessor, make changes and publish it in his own name. The second part of Pope Benedict's first encyclical, "Deus Caritas Est" ("God is Love"), was a discussion of Catholic charitable activity prepared under Blessed John Paul II. Nine months after Pope Benedict was elected, the document was released after the new pope reworked that section.

  • Pope Francis Film Is in the Works. National Catholic Register REGISTER EXCLUSIVE: Producer Christian Peschken has secured $25 million in financial backing and is assembling a production team that includes prominent Vatican journalist Andrea Tornielli.
  • One cannot follow Jesus, love Jesus without the church, pope says, by Cindy Wooden. Catholic News Service. 04/23/13:
    Following Jesus means belonging to the church, the community that gives Christians their identity, Pope Francis said.

    "It is not possible to find Jesus outside the church," he said in his Mass homily April 23. "The great Paul VI said it is 'an absurd dichotomy' to want to live with Jesus without the church, to follow Jesus outside the church, to love Jesus without the church."

  • Pope Francis’ first forty days in office: What he has said and done so far, by Marco Tosatti. La Stampa "The Vatican Insider" 04/27/13.
  • Pope’s flock of followers on Twitter shoots to six million La Stampa Francis inherited 3,300,000 Twitter followers from Benedict XVI and has gained another 60 thousand approx. since his election.
  • A Pope Francis Sampler, by John Thavis:
    , for more than a month we’ve also had a steady diet of the new pope’s speeches and homilies at more formal events. Gradually, some themes are taking shape and his vision of the church has come into clearer focus.

    Here is a sampler of Pope Francis in his own words, on topics ranging from safeguarding the environment to warding off the devil. Below each extract is a link to the original complete text. ...

Commentary

Monday, April 22, 2013

Pope Francis Roundup

News

  • Francis 'unblocks' Romero beatification, official says, by John Allen Jr. National Catholic Reporter 04/22/13. A Vatican official responsible for the sainthood cause of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador announced Sunday that the cause has been "unblocked" by Pope Francis, suggesting that beatification of the assassinated prelate could come swiftly.
  • Pope: No room for ‘climbers' or ‘commercial religion' in Kingdom of God. The Gospel of the Good Shepherd in which Jesus describes Himself as "the gate for the sheep" was the focus of Pope Francis’ homily Monday morning. Vatican Radio has the text of the Pope's homily 04/22/13:
    Pope Francis continued, noting that Jesus is not only the gate, he is also the way, the path to follow on our journey. He said there are many paths that we can follow, some perhaps more advantageous than others in getting ahead, but they are “misleading, they are not real: they are false. The only path is Jesus ":

    "Some of you may say: 'Father, you're a fundamentalist!'. No, simply put, this is what Jesus said : 'I am the gate', 'I am the path’ [He] gives life to us. Simple. It is a beautiful gate, a gate of love, it is a gate that does not deceive, it is not false. It always tells the truth. But with tenderness and love. However, we still have […] the source of original sin within us, is not it so? We still desire to possess the key to interpreting everything, the key and the power to find our own path, whatever it is, to find our own gate, whatever it is. "

    "Sometimes - the Pope said - we are tempted to be too much our own bosses and not humble children and servants of the Lord":

    "And this is the temptation to look for other gates or other windows to enter the Kingdom of God. We can only enter by the gate whose name is Jesus. We can only enter by that gate which leads to a path and that path is called Jesus and brings to a life whose name is Jesus. All those who do something else - says the Lord – who try to enter through the window, are 'thieves and robbers'. He is simple, the Lord. His words are not complex: He is simple”. The Pope concluded by inviting all those present to ask for "the grace to always knock on that gate":

  • Pope ordains 10 new priests, "build the house of God, which is the Church, with word and deed" AsiaNews.it. 04/21/13:
    "By word and example build up the house of God, which is the Church": This was Pope Francis' mandate this morning to 10 new priests for the Diocese of Rome whom he ordained in St Peter's Basilica. The Pope asked these priests to witness and be faithful to the mission entrusted them: "remember then that you are taken from among men and appointed on their behalf for those things that pertain to God. Therefore, carry out the ministry of Christ the Priest with constant joy and genuine love, attending not to your own concerns but to those of Jesus Christ. You are pastors, not functionaries. Be mediators, not intermediaries!".
  • Pope Shares Sorrow for Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, Sends Message of Encouragement to Argentinian Association Vatican Radio 04/18/13:
    The Bishop of Rome thus responded to the letter that Hebe de Bonafini sent to him this past 21 March, gladdened by Cardinal Bergoglio's commitment in the “slums” of Buenos Aires and asking him to join with “all those in this unjust world who are fighting for an end to poverty.”The Pope, writes Msgr. Camilleri, expresses his gratitude for the letter and responds to “your kindness, asking God for the strength for the fight, in the ministry that he has just accepted, for the eradication of poverty in the world, so that the suffering of so many who are in need might cease. His Holiness appreciates and highly esteems those who are close to the most disadvantaged and who make the effort to assist them, understand them, and meet their aspirations. In his prayers, he also asks that those responsible for the common good be enlightened so that they might fight the scourge of poverty with effective, equable, and caring means.”

    The letter concludes with the Pope's blessing “as a sign of hope and support, at the same time asking the favour that they pray for and have prayers said for him.”

  • Pope: God is real, concrete person, not mysterious, intangible mist, by Carol Glatz. Catholic News Service. 04/18/13:
    The Christian faith teaches that God is a real, concrete person, not some intangible essence or esoteric mist like "god-spray," Pope Francis said.

    In his homily April 18 at an early morning Mass in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Pope Francis said many people say they believe in God, but what kind of God do they believe in exactly?

Commentary

  • Pope Francis: A Jonah for our times?, by Fr. Regis Scanlon, O.F.M. Cap. Crisis Magazine 04/22/13.
  • Francis will be 'boon' to ecumenism, expert predicts, by John Allen, Jr. National Catholic Reporter 04/22/13. Interview with Capuchin Fr. William Henn of Rome’s Gregorian University, consulter to the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
  • Famed Roman SJ calls Francis 'profoundly Jesuit' pope, by John Allen Jr. National Catholic Reporter 04/20/13.
  • Battle with the devil: Pope Francis frames the fight in Jesuit terms, by Cindy Wooden. Catholic News Service. 04/18/13:
    In his first month in office, Pope Francis continually preached about God's love and mercy, but he also frequently mentioned the devil and that sly dog's glee when people take their eyes off of Jesus and focus only on what's going wrong around them.

    In the book "On Heaven and Earth," originally published in Spanish in 2010, the then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, said, "I believe that the devil exists" and "his greatest achievement in these times has been to make us believe he doesn't exist."

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Pope Francis: Daily Roundup

News

  • Francis: 'Christ Defends Us From the Insidiousness of the Devil' Zenit. 04/17/13. Continuing his catechesis on the Creed, Pope Francis focused on the significance of Christ's Ascension into heaven during his weekly General Audience in St. Peter's Square. An estimated 50,000 faithful were present at the audience according the Holy See Press Office.
  • Pope Francis calls on Bostonians to "not be overcome by evil" Vatican Radio 04/16/13:
    His Eminence Cardinal Sean O’Malley
    Archbishop of Boston

    Deeply grieved by news of the loss of life and grave injuries caused by the act of violence perpetrated last evening in Boston, His Holiness Pope Francis wishes me to assure you of his sympathy and closeness in prayer. In the aftermath of this senseless tragedy, His Holiness invokes God’s peace upon the dead, his consolation upon the suffering and his strength upon all those engaged in the continuing work of relief and response. At this time of mourning the Holy Father prays that all Bostonians will be united in a resolve not to be overcome by evil, but to combat evil with good (cf. Rom 12:21), working together to build an ever more just, free and secure society for generations yet to come.

    Cardinal Tarcisio BertoneSecretary of State

  • Pope Francis wishes Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI a Happy Birthday 04/16/13:
    [Tuesday] morning, on the occasion of the birthday of Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, the Holy Father Francis began the celebration of Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, inviting all those present to pray with these words: “Today is Benedict XVI's birthday. We offer the Mass for him, so that the Lord be with him, comfort him, and give him much consolation.”

    During the morning, Pope Francis then made friendly a phone call to Benedict XVI to wish him a happy birthday as well as to extend his greetings and best wishes to his brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, who has been at Castel Gandolfo for several days, staying precisely to celebrate in a familial and fraternal way, today's occasion and who will in turn celebrate his saint's day, St. George, this coming 23 April, just as Pope Francis will.

  • Pope Francis reaffirms Vatican's call for reform of U.S. nuns' group, by Carol Glatz. Catholic News Service. 04/15/13:
    Pope Francis reaffirmed the Vatican's call for reform of the U.S.-based Leadership Conference of Women Religious.

    Archbishop Gerhard Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, told the U.S.-based nuns' group that he had "recently discussed the doctrinal assessment with Pope Francis, who reaffirmed the findings of the assessment and the program of reform for this conference of major superiors."

    The doctrinal congregation met April 15 with the LCWR leadership and Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain, who had been assigned by the Vatican to oversee the reform of the pontifically recognized leadership group.

    Or, as Abby Olheiser (Slate.com) phrases it: Pope Francis Will Follow Through on Benedict's Crackdown on "Feminist" American Nuns".
  • Pope Francis says Catholics still need to enact teachings of Vatican II, by Cindy Wooden. Catholic News Service. 04/16/13.
  • Pope Francis: appeal for persecuted Christians Vatican Radio. 04/04/13. Pope Francis asked the faithful on Sunday to pray for their brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering persecution. “Let us pray especially for Christians who suffer persecution,” he said, adding, “ – [and] in these times, there are many Christians who suffer persecution, a great many, in many countries: let us pray for them from our heart, with love, that they might feel the living and comforting presence of the Risen Lord.”
  • Pope warns against careerism in the Church La Stampa "The Vatican Insider" 04/15/13. “Inconsistency is undermining the Church’s credibility. One cannot proclaim the Gospel of Jesus without the tangible witness of one’s life ”

Commentary

  • Five thoughts on the pope's new 'G8', by John Allen Jr. 04/14/13:
    A Vatican announcement Saturday that Francis has named eight cardinals to advise him on governance represents the first concrete step toward the reform that was so much in the air during the run-up to the conclave that propelled a Latin American outsider to the papacy. Twenty-four hours later, five points seem most noteworthy about the "G8" that will likely be the new pope's most important sounding board. ...

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Pope Francis: Daily Roundup

Commentary

  • Cardinal Joge Bergoglio: an Anthology: What Can We Learn About Francis From His Earlier Teachings? Zenit. 04/11/13. What does Pope Francis think about subjects such as bioethics, the family, education, youth, political power, human trafficking, social justice, and other themes?
  • Hard questions about Francis in Argentina and a lesson from Chile, by John Allen, Jr. National Catholic Reporter. April 12, 2013:
    I spent early April in Buenos Aires, where I tried to learn more about Pope Francis from those who know him best as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio. The idea was to gain insight into the man and his vision of the church, and I published some of what I found along the way. However, I also had to look into some hard questions about the new pope's record in Argentina. They include:
    • Bergoglio's response to two priests accused of sexual abuse, where critics have suggested he dropped the ball;
    • why Argentina's conference of Catholic bishops did not finish a set of sex abuse guidelines while he served as president;
    • his relationship with Argentina's military dictatorship as a Jesuit provincial during the 1970s;
    • Bergoglio's attitude toward liberation theology; and confusion over where he stood on the question of civil unions during a contentious national
    • debate on gay marriage in 2009 and 2010.
    The following are the best answers I can provide based on what I learned in Argentina.
  • Early Returns on Pope Francis’ Pontificate, by Edward Pentin. National Catholic Register 04/12/13. It’s still too early to gauge what the Holy Father plans in some key areas, but after an impressive start a clearer picture is coming into focus.
  • “But I’m the Pope. Sit down.” Pia De Solenni 04/13/12:
    He went back into his apartment and, after a few minutes, returned with a chair in his hand: “At least sit down and rest.”

    Shocked, the Swiss Guard replied, “Forgive me, but I can’t! The rules don’t allow it.”

    “The rules?”

  • Response to the election of (and reaction to) Pope Francis -- via Tumblr Gif Talk, by Amy Welborn. Charlotte Was Both 04/08/13.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Pope Francis: Daily Roundup

News

Commentary

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."

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Pope Francis: Daily Roundup

News

Commentary

  • Move over, Gipper: 'Win One for the Pope!'. John Allen Jr. (National Catholic Reporter 04/06/13). Interview with coach Juan Antonio Pizzi of the Pope's favorite soccer team, San Lorenzo.
  • Aide predicts Francis will hold bishops accountable John Allen Jr. (National Catholic Reporter 04/06/13). Interview with Fr. Jorge Oesterheld, who served as the spokesperson for the bishops’ conference in Argentina for the six years Bergoglio was its president from 2005 to 2011.
  • Francis and the rise of the religious orders, by Giacomo Galeazzi. La Stampa "The Vatican Insider":
    Bergoglio is the first Pope to come from a religious Order in over a century and half of Church history. During the mass for the inauguration of his pontificate, the former Archbishop of Buenos Aires called the superiors of two orders (the Franciscans and Jesuits) to co-celebrate with him in St. peter’s Basilica and even during the consultations that have been taking place in the Holy See, there is a clear emphasis on the religious Orders. ...

Friday, April 5, 2013

Pope Francis: Daily Roundup

News

  • Francis: “I’m staying at St. Martha’s House because I don’t want to isolate myself” La Stampa "The Vatican Insider" 04/05/13:
    The Argentinean priest, [Fr. Jorge Chichinzola], who was ordained at the same time as the new Pope, said Francis confirmed he was going to visit Argentina next December and added that he “never forgets his friends.” But during last Sunday’s telephone call , Bergoglio talked to Fr. Jorge about his reasons for staying in St. Martha’s House. Francis “likes sitting down to table with others, chatting and sharing news. He doesn’t want to be isolated.” When they showed him the rooms in the papal apartment, he said: “This is too big for me.” “He also added that he was driving his escorts and security staff crazy because he likes getting close to people, but that now they are getting used to it,” Fr. Chichinzola said.
  • Pope Francis confirms Benedict XVI's decisive line on sex abuse Vatican Radio. 04/05/13. communique issued Friday morning by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith:
    The Holy Father today received in audience Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Mueller, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. During the audience, various subjects pertaining to the Dicastery were discussed, the Holy Father recommended in particular that the Congregation, continue the line desired by Benedict XVI of decisive action regarding cases of sexual abuse, primarily by promoting measures for child protection; help for the many who in the past have suffered such violence; due process against those who are guilty; the commitment of Bishops' Conferences in the formulation and implementation of the necessary directives in this area which is of great importance to the witness of the Church and its credibility. The Holy Father assured that the victims of abuse and their suffering are especially present in his thoughts and prayers.

Commentary

  • "The Francis Effect" a reflection by Luis Montesano, a fourth-year seminarian in Buenos Aires. (Zenit 04/05/13):
    The “Night of Charity” is an activity carried out in Buenos Aires, in which each parish goes out once a week to distribute food to individuals who live on the street, and primarily to take Christ to them. Bergoglio was always clear about the order of activities: first Eucharistic Adoration, then go out to meet Christ who is in the poor who live on the streets, to give them something to eat, to engage in conversation with them, which enables us to take Christ to those persons. On one occasion we wanted to enlarge the parish radius of the “Night of Charity,” to reach more people. Through the parish priest, Cardinal Bergoglio said to us: “Don’t be hasty. This isn’t fast food, but the order is Christ first, then Christ, and finally Christ.” (That is, Christ in Eucharistic Adoration, Christ in the poor, and taking Christ to the poor). I think Pope Francis will be concerned especially with the poorest, to take Christ to them.
  • In Argentina, some hope new pope brings Catholics back to churches, by David Agren. Catholic News Service:
    Rafaela Gonzalez spent the wee hours of March 19 watching the installation of the first Argentine pope on the big screens outside the city's cathedral. She spoke with admiration about Pope Francis, with disdain for the country's political picture and with concern for the church in a country with an overwhelmingly Catholic population, but a flock moving further from parishes, priests and church practices. ...
  • Who Francis may be based on who Bergoglio was, by John Allen Jr. National Catholic Reporter 04/05/13.
  • Book co-written with Argentine rabbi sheds light on Francis’ views, by Eloisa Perez-Lozano. National Catholic Reporter 04/05/13. The book, which touches on Francis' thoughts on atheism, abortion, fundamentalism and same-sex marriage, will be available in North America beginning April 30.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Pope Francis: Daily Roundup

News

  • Former aide says Francis may close Vatican Bank, by John Allen Jr. National Catholic Reporter 04/04/13. Buenos Aires, Argentina. A former top aide to Pope Francis said yesterday that a little-known aspect of his record as the archbishop of Buenos Aires lends credence to speculation that sooner or later, he may shut down the Vatican Bank.
  • @Pontifex exceeds 5 million followers It seems the “Pope of gestures” has therefore proven himself to be an efficient communicator using new media. (La Stampa)

Commentary

Pope Francis' Schedule for April and May

Following is the calendar of celebrations scheduled to be presided over by the Holy Father in the months of April and May, 2013.

APRIL

  • 7 April, Second Sunday of Easter, or Divine Mercy Sunday: 5:30pm, Mass in the Basilica of St. John Lateran for the Bishop of Rome to take possession of the Roman cathedra.
  • 14 April, Sunday: 5:30pm, Mass in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls
  • 21 April, Sunday: 9:30am, Mass and priestly ordinations in St. Peter's Basilica.
  • 28 April, Sunday: 10:00am, Mass and confirmations in St. Peter's Square.

MAY

  • 4 May, Saturday: 6:00pm, Recitation of the Rosary in the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
  • 5 May, Sunday: 10:00am, Mass for Confraternities in St. Peter's Square.
  • 12 May, Sunday: 9:30am, Mass and canonizations of Blesseds Antonio Primaldo and Companions; Laura di Santa Caterina da Siena Montoya y Upegui; and Maria Guadalupe Garcia Zavala.
  • 18 May, Saturday: 6:00pm, Pentecost Vigil in St. Peter's Square with the participation of ecclesial movements.
  • 19 May, Pentecost Sunday: 10:00am, Mass in St. Peter's Square with the participation of ecclesial movements.

Source: Vatican Information Service

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Pope Francis: Daily Roundup

News

Commentary

  • Nagasaki bishop: Pope Francis wanted to be a missionary in Japan AsiaNews.it. 04/03/13. The bishop knows the pope's love for the Land of the Rising Sun. "He thought about becoming a missionary here, but then health problems prevented him. However, as cardinal in Buenos Aires, he sent many Argentine priests to evangelise our country. Now we are waiting for him."
  • Pope Francis, SJ Several prominent members of the Society of Jesus reflect on the election of their fellow Jesuit as pope. Catholic World Report 04/03/13.
  • Pope's sister: Francis 'plenty tough enough' to lead John Allen Jr. interviews Maria Elena Bergoglio, sister of Pope Francis. National Catholic Reporter 04/03/13.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Pope Francis: Daily Roundup

News

  • On April 1st, Pope Francis prayed the Regina coeli with pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square on Monday. From Vatican Radio, the full text of the Pope's remarks before the traditional Eastertide prayer of Marian Devotion:
    Dear Brothers and Sisters, Happy Easter to you all! Thank you for coming today, in such large numbers, to share the joy of Easter, the central mystery of our faith. Let us pray that the power of the resurrection of Christ might reach everyone - especially those who suffer - and every place that is in need of trust and hope.

    Christ has conquered evil fully and finally, but it is up to us, to people in every age, to embrace this victory in our lives and in the realities of history and society. For this reason it seems important to point out that today we ask God in the liturgy: “O God, who give constant increase to your Church by new offspring, grant that your servants may hold fast in their lives to the Sacrament they have received in faith.” (Collect for Monday in the Octave of Easter). Indeed, the Baptism that makes us children of God, and the Eucharist that unites us to Christ, must become life. That is to say: they must be reflected in attitudes, behaviors, actions and choices. The grace contained in the Easter Sacraments is an enormous source of strength for renewal in personal and family life, as well as for social relations. Nevertheless, everything passes through the human heart: if I allow myself to be reached by the grace of the risen Christ, if I let that grace change for the better whatever is not good in me, [to change whatever] might do harm to me and to others, then I allow the victory of Christ to affirm itself in in my life, to broaden its beneficial action. This is the power of grace! Without grace we can do nothing – without grace we can do nothing! And with the grace of Baptism and Holy Communion, we can become an instrument of God's mercy – that beautiful mercy of God.

    To express in our lives the sacrament we have received: behold, dear brothers and sisters, our daily work – and, I would say, our daily joy! The joy of being instruments of the grace of Christ, as branches of the vine which is Christ himself, inspired by the sustaining presence of His Spirit! We pray together, in the name of the dead and risen Lord, and through the intercession of Mary Most Holy, that the Paschal mystery might work deeply in us and in our time, in order that hatred give way to love, lies to the truth, revenge to forgiveness, sadness to joy.

  • Pope Francis visits tomb of St Peter Vatican Radio. 04/02/13.
  • Can't chant, can't speak English? Pope says it's because he's tone-deaf, by Carol Glatz. Catholic News Service. 04/02/13. After a musically proficient and polyglot Pope Benedict XVI, it came as a surprise to many that Pope Francis doesn't sing or chant at Mass or speak foreign languages in public.

Commentary

  • First Holy Week for Francis, by Sandro Magister. Powerful gestures. Simplified rituals. A week that has revealed the style of the new pope. But has also raised some questions that have gone unanswered. 04/02/13.
  • Tracing the clues to Pope Francis' ecology, by Brian Roewe. National Catholic Reporter 04/02/13. "With little known of his writings and statements, if any, on the environment as Bergoglio, attention shifted toward what he has said and done as Francis."
  • 'Francis effect' grips pope's home in Argentina, by John Allen, Jr. National Catholic Reporter 04/02/13. "It probably shouldn’t be a surprise that the election of the first-ever pope from Latin America is causing a mini-Catholic boom in his home country, but however predictable, signs of a “Francis effect” in Argentina seem almost ubiquitous."
  • CBS Cheers Pope Francis Against ‘Conservative Old Guard’ -- Paul Bremmer documents the liberal spin. Newsbusters 04/02/13:
    The mainstream media are in love with Pope Francis, but it's not because of his conservative theology. It's because they see him as a potentially liberal pioneer for the Catholic Church. On Saturday’s CBS This Morning, the network ran a story that cheered on the pope in his supposed struggle against more traditional voices within the church.
  • Pope renders U.S. professor speechless by hugging his disabled son MSN.com. 04/02/13.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Pope Francis: Daily Roundup

News

  • Pope Francis' prayer intentions for April Vatican Information Service. 03/30/13:
    The Pope's general prayer intention for April is: "That the public, prayerful celebration of faith may give life to the faithful."

    His mission intention is: "That mission churches may be signs and instruments of hope and resurrection.”

  • Easter at the Vatican, by Edward Pentin. National Catholic Register 04/01/13. "In the simple pastoral style of a parish priest, Pope Francis led the Vatican’s Easter celebrations, offering clear and accessible teachings in both word and action that principally instructed the faithful on how to draw near to the risen Christ."
  • Pope Francis Still Has Most of His Right Lung Associated Press. 04/01/13. Despite erroneous reports that Pope Francis has lived most of his life with just one lung, the surgery actually only removed the upper part of his right lung, and his friends and family say he remains in good health for a 76-year-old man.
  • Pope Francis tours excavated area near St. Peter's tomb, by Cindy Wooden. Catholic News Service. 04/01/13. "Pope Francis became the first pope to tour the excavated necropolis where St. Peter is buried."

Commentary

Pope Francis Resigning! Pope Benedict Pope Again!

Donald R. McClarey @ The American Catholic has the scoop:
In a shock April 1, 2013 announcement the Vatican has stated that Pope Francis is resigning today and Pope Benedict will resume his duties as Pope.

Pope Francis is quoted as naming two factors in his decision for resigning: 1. The rich Italian cooking that could get him up to 400 pounds if he stayed in Rome; and 2. Criticisms from Catholic blogs, especially in America. Noting that his predecessor had warned him about reading the blogs, Pope Francis was disturbed by the divisions his election had caused. “I do not want to be the cause of acrimony among Catholic bloggers. If I stay as Pope it could be another “torture debate”, and I doubt if Western civilization could survive that.”

As for Pope Benedict, he is described as rested, fit and rearing to resume his duties as Pope. Father Lombari, Vatican press spokesman, said that Pope Benedict feels 75 after weeks of sleeping all night and eating hearty monastery food. ...