The Pope: Virtual relationships are losing us the capacity for tenderness and compassion

"A society without mothers would be a society without mercy, that has given way only to the calculation and speculation." This is the warning of Pope Francis during his homily at Mass on New Year's Day, the feast of the Holy Mother of God. The homily pontiff also raised an alarm about human relationships, that seemed directed to the internet, the risks to "lack of contact physical and not virtual ranging cauterizing our hearts by losing to them the capability of tenderness and wonder, pity and compassion. "

"In the Gospels - the Pope said - Mary appears as a woman of few words, no big speeches or grandstanding - said the pontiff - but with an eye that is able to protect the life and the mission of her Son and, therefore, of all what He loves. " "Maria - added the pontiff - gave us the maternal warmth, what surrounds us in the midst of difficulties, her maternal warmth that allows anyone or anything off in the Church of the tenderness revolution inaugurated by His Son. Where c ' is a mother, there is tenderness. and Mary with her motherhood shows us that humility and tenderness are not virtues of the weak but of the strong, teaches us that there is no need to abuse others in order to feel important. "

Francis then wanted to warn against "the orphaned finding space in the heart narcissist who can only look at himself and his own interests and that grows when we forget that life is a gift that we have received from others, and that we are invited to share in this common house. " "This orphaned self - explained the Pope - is the one that brought Cain to say: 'Am I my brother's keeper?', As to declare: he does not belong to me, I do not recognize." According Bergoglio, "such an attitude of spiritual orphan hood is a cancer that quietly worn and degrades the soul. And so we degrade gradually, since no one belongs to us and we do not belong to anyone: the land degradation because I do not it belongs, degrades others because they do not belong to me, degradation God because I do not belong ...
And finally this orphan hood ends up degrading ourselves because we forget who we are, where 'name' divine we. "

The Pope added: "The loss of the bonds that unite us, typical of our culture fragmented and divided, is to grow this sense of orphan hood and therefore of great emptiness and loneliness. The spiritual orphan hood makes us lose the memory of what it means being children, have grandchildren, being a parent, grandparent to be, to be friends, to be a believer. We are keeping in mind the value of play, the singing, the laughter, the rest of gratuity ". To all this, said Bergoglio, we must react rediscovering the value of motherhood. "Mothers - said the pope - even in the worst moments, they know witness the tenderness, unconditional dedication, the power of hope." Francis confided that he had "learned a lot from those mothers who, having children in prison or prostrate in a hospital bed or subjugated by the slavery of drugs, with the cold and the heat, rain and drought, do not give up and continue to strive to give them the best. " And he cited "those mothers who, in refugee camps, or even in the midst of war, able to embrace and support without wavering the suffering of their children." "Mothers - he said - that literally give their lives so that none of the children will lose."

Women priests and sexuality: the Pope and Welby remain distant

VATICAN CITY - Francis and the primate of the Anglican Church Justin Welby met today in the Church of Saints Andrea and Gregorio al Celio where they recalled the meeting fifty years ago between Paul VI and the then Anglican primate, Michael Ramsey.

Together, and is the most important reason for the meeting, they formed a Joint Declaration that opened between the two Churches a new missionary season: "We can and we must be united in common cause to support and defend the dignity of all human beings". Essentially, Bergoglio and Welby not hide the differences between the two Churches, but somehow overshadow to make room for a new unity on a practical level, the pastoral level.

The barriers which divide the two Churches are "serious." But, they say, "we are not discouraged." "With confidence and joy in the Holy Spirit we trust that dialogue and mutual commitment to make deeper our understanding and help us to discern the will of Christ for his Church."

Disagreements concerning the ordination of women and the latest issues related to human sexuality. In essence, the Anglican Church since 1992 allows women priests, which can reach up to the bishop charged. While the clergy may marry. In addition, the plan of sexuality, is known the recent opening of the Archbishop of Canterbury at the wedding homosexuals. Two practices that the Catholic Church does not permit. And, because of which, the unit remains a mirage.

Yet the way of the same unit, in practice, you can.
"The world - they write - must see us bear witness in our work together, this common faith in Jesus. We can and must work together to protect and preserve our common home: living, teaching and acting so as to favor an early end to the environmental destruction, which offends the Creator and degrades its creatures, and generating of individual and social behavior patterns that promote sustainable and integral development for the good of all. we can, and must, be united in common cause to support and defend the dignity of all men. the human person is downgraded from personal and social sin. in a culture of indifference, of estrangement walls isolate us from others, from their struggles and their suffering, that many of our brothers and sisters in Christ today suffer ".

The Pope in the day of the dialogue : "Islam is not a terrorist "

WYD 2019 will be in Panama . " I announce with joy that the next World Youth Day will be in 2019 in Panama , " Pope Francis has announced the end of the concluding celebration of the Krakow meeting . The next World Youth Day will be celebrated , then he stated the Pope , " after the two diocesan level . " The announcement of the Pope , the campus erupted into applause and then a party with confetti, music , choreography on the big stage on which a group of Panamanian boys hold up a huge flag of their country . The news was in the air , so that in these days is born a Twitter account JgJPanama 2019 and a site with the countdown to the time between the opening of the world's largest Catholic youth event in Latin America . The President of Panama , Juan Carlos Varela , already in Krakow for days , took the stage to thank the Pope .

"Islam is not a terrorist. It is not true and it is unfair. There are fundamentalist groups. For example the so-called Isis, the Islamic State, which presents itself as violent. But I will not talk about Islamic violence because then I should also mention Catholic violence, to look at the newspapers and see what is going well in Italy. Instead, you can live well. " And 'Net the Pope on the plane that brings him back to Rome from Krakow. Jokes about his fall on the altar ( "I looked at the Madonna and I missed the step"), then returns to insist on the need for dialogue between religions, the duty to avoid creating a conflict between faiths partuire since the dramatic events of the past month . And, in fact, the testimony of Muslims today in the churches of Italy and France are the corollary to his words. And Francis precise his message: "I do not like to talk of Islamic violence, because every day when I leaf through the newspapers I see violence, one that kills his girlfriend, another mother-in-law, these baptized Catholics are Catholics violent and if I talk of violence I have to talk about Islamic cattolica.Nell'islam violence - continued Papa Francesco - not all are violent, not the Catholics are all violent is like a fruit salad, includes everything. I believe that in every religion there is always a small fundamentalist group. when you get to kill you can kill with the language and with the knife. I think that is not right and it is not true that identify with Islam. " The Pontiff then told that he had a "long dialogue with the Imam of Al Azhar," I know how they think, seek peace. The nuncio of an African country told me that for the jubilee is always a line, many stop to the confessional and are Catholic, but the majority continues and arrives at the altar of Our Lady, are Islamic and they want to make the jubilee. I was in Central Africa and the imam rose on the Popemobile, this is not fundamentalism. I wonder, is a question, how many young people that we Europeans have left them in the void of ideals?. "" Terrorism is everywhere, think of the tribal terrorism in some African countries. Terrorism grows when there is another option, and focuses on the world economy the money God, takes away man and woman, created in the image of God and puts us the money God, this is terrorism, "he the Pope concluded. It 'a Pope that is at stake, as it did in these days of WYD in Krakow. With an appeal that goes in this direction: "The secret of joy" - he said in the homily at the concluding Mass on the campus misericordiae Krakow in front of some hundreds of thousands of people - "is not off the nice curiosity, but to get involved because life is not to be closed in a drawer before Jesus can not sit waiting with folded arms, to Him who gives us life, you can not be answered with a thought or a simple 'short message' " . "Do not stop at the surface of things - continued the Pope - and beware of earthly liturgies of appearance, the soul makeup to look better. Instead installed well the more stable connection, that of a heart that sees and transmits good without lose heart ". And "many are waiting for" the joy that you have received freely and that "freely give."
God our Father "makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and invites us to true courage: to be stronger than evil loving everyone, even our enemies." Pope Francis recalled him to more than two and a half million fedelei present, according to the organization, most young people, asking them to "peaceful struggle for honesty and justice." "They will laugh at you - admitted the Pontiff - because you believe in the meek and humble strength of mercy. Do not be afraid, but think of the words of these days: 'Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy'. They will judge you because you believe in dreamers a new humanity, which does not accept the hatred between peoples, does not see the boundaries of the countries as the barriers and keeps their traditions without selfishness and resentments. Do not be discouraged: with your smile and your open arms you - has marked the Pope - preach hope and you are a blessing to the one human family, who so well represented here. "

The Pope in Assisi , hundreds of the faithful to welcome him . Armored city . " The world needs to lose "

Pope Francis today went on a visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi, where he met with religious and faithful who welcomed him in a fiery day. Bergoglio has gathered in silent prayer in front of the Portiuncula - a chair as he did at Auschwitz - to celebrate the eight hundredth anniversary of the "Pardon of Assisi", obtained by St. Francis for those who, since then, from noon on the first August at midnight on August 2nd visit this site. THE WITNESS. Today the Pope in Assisi, a visit that scompaginadi Father Enzo Fortunato Access to the churchyard was only allowed to pass holders, as well as in church. The police have done an accurate but discrete filtering to access gates, even with the use of metal detectors, which are also subjected priests, monks and nuns. Around the basilica it was created a "red zone" by a pedestrian area. "All I want to send you to heaven." Pope Francis opened the meditation in the basilica remembering the words of St. Francis of Assisi: "I like to remember today, first of all, the words that, according to ancient tradition, St. Francis spoke right here, in front of all the people and the bishops 'I want to have us all in paradise!'. What could ask for more beautiful the Poverello of Assisi, but the gift of salvation, of eternal life with God and joy without end, that Jesus won for us by his death and resurrection ? ". The world has need of forgiveness. Pope Francis focused on the meaning of forgiveness. "It 'hard to forgive, huh? How do we forgive others? And here at the Portiuncula all speak of forgiveness. What a great gift the Lord has given us by teaching us to forgive. Or at least let us have the desire to forgive. To let us touch the mercy of the Father. We just heard the parable in which Jesus teaches us to forgive. Why should we forgive someone who has hurt us? Because we ourselves have been forgiven, and infinitely more. We think silently to bad things we have done, and how the Lord has forgiven us. The parable tells us just that: as God forgives us, so must we forgive those who hurt us, "as in the Our Father." Have you ever thought - said Bergoglio - to God's patience? It did, huh? We know well, in fact, that we are flawed and often we fall into the same sins. Yet, God does not get tired of always offering his forgiveness every time we ask it. "And he stressed:" The world is in need of forgiveness; too many people live locked up in rancor and hatred they hatch, because they can not lose, ruining the lives of others rather than their own and find the joy of serenity and peace. " In the confessional. At the end of the meditation, the Pope went into the confessional after inviting to do so bishops and monks. "I invite all the bishops and the monks now to go in the confessionals. I will do the same." Accompanied by the prefect of the Papal Household, Father Leonardo Sapienza, Bergoglio has also reached him one of the confessional, he wore the purple stole and confessed some of the faithful.

The Pope's outstretched hand : " It is not right to identify Islam with terrorism "

ON BOARD FLIGHT Krakow- ROME - "I looked at the Madonna, and I missed the step. So I dropped, and I was saved." It is a Pope in the form, and not at all dented what explains his fall the other day before the image of the Virgin of Czestochowa shrine. Then Francis becomes serious, and addresses the important issues of the just completed trip. "Islam is not a terrorist. It is not true and it is not fair so identify it. There are fundamentalist groups. For example the so-called Is, the Islamic State, is a fundamentalist entity which presents itself as violent. But I will not speak of Islamist violence because then i should also mention the Catholic violence, to look at the newspapers and see what is going well in Italy. Instead, you can live well. " Pope Francis is not prepared to link Islam to terrorism. It clearly says so, preferring instead to distinguish, with great clarity. And so on the recent military coup in Turkey, and the subsequent harsh crackdown: "It is not clear what happened. In the Secretariat of State we are studying. But when the president recently Erdogan had to say things that not to him I was pleased I did. " And then the accusations of pedophilia to Cardinal Pell, Poland, and the next World Youth Day in 2019 in Panama. All topics that the Pope did not prevent the tight repartee with reporters on the flight that yesterday the evening back to Rome from his trip to Krakow. Holiness, Catholics are in shock, not only in France, after the murder of Father Hamel in Rouen. She reminded us that all religions want peace, but this priest was killed in the name of Islam. Because she always speaks of terrorism without ever mentioning the word "Islam"? "I do not like to talk of Islamic violence. Every day I leaf through the newspapers and I see violence. In Italy, one kills girlfriend, the other the mother-in-law ... and these are baptized Catholics, Catholics are violent. If I talk of violence i must also mention the Catholic Islamic violence. But not all Muslims are violent, not all Catholics are, do not we make a salad. one thing is true: in almost all religions there is always a small fundamentalist group. we we have . fundamentalism it get to kill and can do with the language, the talk, as the Apostle James says, or with a knife. But I do not think it is right to identify Islam with violence. it's not fair and it's not true. I had a long dialogue with the imam of Al Azhar and I know how they think. they seek peace and the meeting. the nuncio of an African country told me that Muslims crossed the Holy door Jubilee and praying before the Virgin Mary. In Central Africa imam rose on the popemobile with me. You can live well. Sure, there are fundamentalist groups and I wonder, even to me: how many young people that we Europeans have left empty of ideals, without work, go to seek drugs, or enlist in fundamentalist groups ... Yes, we can say that the so-called Is presents itself as an Islamic state and how violent, this is a fundamentalist entity called is. But you can not say, it is not true and it is not fair to say that Islam is a terrorist. " And as a concrete initiative may initiate and suggest to counter Islamist violence? "Terrorism is everywhere. Think of tribal terrorism in some African countries. I do not know if you say, is a bit 'dangerous, but terrorism grows even when there is another option in a world that focuses on economy the god of money and not the person, man and woman. This is already the terror, a terrorist base against all humanity. Think about it. " For almost all the international observers the repression of the coup in Turkey was the worst of the coup. It is in fact followed a purge, which affected many categories: military, judges, teachers, diplomats, journalists. President Erdogan said, responding to external protests: do you think your own business. Because so far Your Holiness has not spoken? Fears repercussions on Catholic minority? "When I had to say something that did not like Turkey, but of which I was sure, I said, with the consequences we know (the words about the Armenian genocide, note). Now I have not spoken because they are not sure yet what. I listen to the information that comes in the Secretariat of State, also some important analyst, I am studying the situation and it is not yet clear. it is true that you must avoid evil Catholics. But not at the price of truth. C ' it is the virtue of prudence, but when you are witnesses that I have said something that touched Turkey, I said it. " Australia is investigating allegations the car- dinal George Pell, it is called abuse. Given the serious situation and the place it occupies, what would be the right thing to do for him? "The first news arrived were confused, went up to forty years ago, not even the police at first did not notice. In this moment the complaints are in the hands of justice. And you must not judge before the Justice judge. If I give a judgment for or against Cardinal Pell would not be good, because I would judge before. there is no doubt and that clear legal principle in dubio pro reo. But we must wait for justice and not make a judgment or media chatter, because that does not help. once that justice speaks, I'll talk. " What impression has had in Poland? "Special. Krakow is so beautiful. The people excited." And Panama, where there will be the World Youth Day of 2019? "You have to prepare well how they prepared the Poles."