Follow your conscience, not your ego, said Pope Francis in an Angelus address in which he said Jesus does not want “remote-controlled” Christians who are not free. He gave the example of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, as a model of attention to the voice of one’s conscience. “When the Lord had made it clear, in Read more
Cardinal George Pell, one of eight cardinal advisors chosen by Pope Francis, believes the new Pope has “set a cracking pace” in his first 100 days in office. But the Sydney cardinal expressed some concern for the Pope’s health under the work regime he has set himself. “He’s not a young man and he seems Read more
Pope Francis has criticised people who masquerade as Christians, either rejecting the challenge of the Gospel or rejecting the joy and freedom the Holy Spirit gives. “In the history of the Church there have been two classes of Christians: Christians of words — those who say, ‘Lord, Lord, Lord’ — and Christians of action, in Read more
“Last Wednesday, I emphasized the deep bond that exists between the Holy Spirit and the Church. Today, I would like to begin on the mystery of the Church, a mystery which we all experience and of which we are part.” — Pope Francis, General Audience, May 29, 2013 (L’Osservatore Romano, English, June 5, 2013) “The Read more
To achieve the transparency and accountability he wants in the Vatican Bank, Pope Francis has set up a new commission to allow “a greater harmonisation” with the universal mission of the Church. This was “Pope Francis’ personal choice. It strays from the usual dynamic through which these decisions are taken,” a Vatican official speaking under Read more
“Given our common roots, a Christian cannot be an anti-Semite!” Pope Francis has declared to a delegation from a broad-based coalition of Jewish organisations representing Judaism to other religions. The Pope said Christians and Jews can work together to challenge the contemporary problems of secularism and disrespect for the human person. “Humanity needs our joint Read more
Bishops should be pastors — not princes, Pope Francis has emphasised in an address to papal nuncios, whose duties include sending to the Vatican the names of candidates for the episcopacy. The Pope said he wants these candidates to be “pastors who are close to their people, fathers and brothers, who are meek, patient and Read more
Catholic bishops in Brazil have given their support to the massive demonstrations sweeping across the nation, which Pope Francis is scheduled to visit during World Youth Day activities in July. Millions of Brazilians have taken part in protests over an increase in the cost of public transportation, the high costs of the 2014 World Cup, Read more
The fact that millions of people face the danger of starvation in today’s world is “truly scandalous”, Pope Francis has told participants in a conference organised by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. “A way has to be found to enable everyone to benefit from the fruits of the earth … to satisfy the Read more
Prayer is not “magic” and Christians do not pray to a “cosmic God”, Pope Francis has said. “To whom do I pray? To the Almighty God? He is too far off. Ah, I can’t hear Him. Neither did Jesus. To whom do I pray? To a cosmic God? That’s quite normal these days, is it Read more