For Immediate Release From Vatican News!
(A Twenty-Minute Read)
Pope Calls For Urgent Aid For Gaza And Encourages Peace Efforts
Pope Francis calls on nations to act urgently to help the people of Gaza with desperately needed humanitarian aid. He encourages peace efforts at a summit hosted by Jordan set to take place next week. He remembers the suffering people of Ukraine and Myanmar.
In the coming days Jordan will host an international conference focusing on the humanitarian emergency in Gaza. Following the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis called attention to the summit convened by the King of Jordan, the President of Egypt and the Secretary General of the United Nations, thanking them for this "important initiative." He strongly encouraged the international community to "act urgently" and use all means possible to assist the people of Gaza exhausted by the war. He appealed that humanitarian aid quickly "reach those in need" and that no one should prevent it from arriving.
Imploring The Gift Of Peace
The Pope recalled that 8 June 2024 marked the tenth anniversary of the Invocation for Peace that took place in the Vatican, attended by the late Israeli President, Shimon Peres, and Palestinian President Abu Mazen. He said that encounter showed that "joining hands is possible, and that it takes courage to make peace, far more courage than to wage war."
The Pope then strongly encouraged ongoing negotiations between those involved, "even though they are not easy," while expressing hopes that proposals for peace, a ceasefire on all fronts, and the release of the hostages, "will be accepted immediately for the good of Palestinians and Israelis."
Remember Ukraine and Mynamar
Recalling the tormented people of Ukraine who continue to suffer and yearn for peace, the Pope asked us to remember them in our thoughts and prayers and told them "we are close to you" as he greeted a Ukrainian group present in Saint Peter's Square. He said people want peace, and he encouraged once again that "all efforts" be made "so that peace can be built as soon as possible, with international help."
In conclusion, the Pope recalled those suffering in Myanmar and to keep them in our thoughts and prayers as well.
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Pope: May The States Of Palestine And Israel Live Side By Side
Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the "Invocation for Peace" in the Vatican Gardens with the then-leaders of Israel and Palestine, Pope Francis reveals that he prays each day that the Holy Land war will end and reiterates his firm belief that it is a deception to think that war can resolve problems. By Deborah Castellano Lubov
"Every day I pray that this war will finally end..." Pope Francis said during an event commemorating the historic "Invocation for Peace" in the Vatican Gardens ten years ago.
And speaking in the shade of the olive tree planted, on that occasion, by the then-President of the State of Israel, Shimon Peres; the President of the State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas; and the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, he called for prayers to ask the Lord "that the leaders of nations and the parties in conflict may find the way to peace and unity."
"All of us must work and commit ourselves to achieving a lasting peace, where the State of Palestine and the State of Israel can live side by side, breaking down the walls of enmity and hatred. We must all cherish Jerusalem so that it will become the city of fraternal encounter among Christians, Jews and Muslims, protected by a special internationally guaranteed status," he said.
“All of us must work and commit ourselves to achieving a lasting peace, where the State of Palestine and the State of Israel can live side by side.”
Renewed Commitment
During the historic event on 8 June 2014, the Pope said, "It calls for the courage to say yes to encounter and no to conflict: yes to dialogue and no to violence; yes to negotiations and no to hostilities." Earlier that same year, the Holy Father had made a 24-26 May pilgrimage on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the meeting between Pope St. Paul VI and then-Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras in Jerusalem, during which - as he recalled again on Friday - he had expressed "a great desire that these two leaders might meet, in order to carry out a significant and historic gesture of dialogue and peace."
He went on to [s]ay, "At a time marked by tragic conflicts, there is need for a renewed commitment to building a peaceful world". He then appealed "to all, believers and people of goodwill," saying, "Let us not cease to dream of peace and to build relationships of peace!"
“Let us not cease to dream of peace and to build relationships of peace!”
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Pope: Foster Dialogue And Defend Victims Of War
Pope Francis meets with thirty-five students from the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, the institution that has been training the Holy See's diplomats for over three centuries.
By L’Osservatore Romano
Introducing the Community, the President, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, singled out the fourteen students who, having completed their academic courses, are preparing to leave in the coming months for their Missionary Year.
After listening to their destinations, the Pope recalled the meaning of this mission, expressed four years ago to the then-President of the Academy, Msgr. Joseph Marino: to train the future diplomats of the Holy See to be close to the People of God, especially in the most distant mission lands.
This, in addition to rekindling their pastoral hearts, will be a powerful antidote to spiritual worldliness, a risk to which diplomatic service can expose them.
Pope Francis then advised all the students, but especially the departing missionaries, to take with them for reading and meditation the apostolic exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi of his predecessor Saint Paul VI, which remains relevant.
Characteristics Of A Diplomat
During the conversation, stimulated by some questions from the students, Francis shared the characteristics of a diplomat called to represent him to local Churches and the Family of Nations: alongside the closeness described at the beginning of the meeting, there is a need for cunning, required by a job as necessary as it is difficult, always accompanied by piety, that is, an intense relationship with the Lord.
World War Fought Piecemeal
Among the topics discussed, there was also a reference to the context of the "world war fought piecemeal" we are experiencing, even in Europe.
The Pope recalled the work of many Apostolic Nuncios in conflict zones to promote dialogue between the parties and defend the victims of war, according to the principles of humanitarian law.
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Pope Warns Against The Exploitation Of Oceans
In a message to the Ambassador of Costa Rica to the Holy See, Pope Francis expresses his support for a meeting on Ocean Action entitled "Immersed in Change." The event is taking place in San José and aims to address critical issues facing the world's oceans. By Linda Bordoni
In a message, to Costa Rican ambassador to the Holy See Federico Zamora Cordero, to be conveyed to the “High-Level Event on Ocean Action: Immersed in Change” taking place on 7 – 8 June, in San José, Pope Francis emphasized the symbolic significance of water and its vital role in human life and societal progress.
The event serves as a platform for the exchange of best practices and successful experiences related to ocean governance and health.
Drawing a parallel between the city of Rome and the oceans, he highlighted how the ancient Romans celebrated the arrival of water that restored the city's grandeur after periods of scarcity and turmoil.
Referencing the image of Oceanus (a representation of the sea god) in Rome's iconic Trevi Fountain, the Pope explained that this symbol which shows Oceanus navigating the streets of Rome on a chariot drawn by sea horses, serves as a powerful reminder of the city's historical relationship with water.
"It would almost seem as if the very city were immersed in the domains of the sea," the Pope said, highlighting the deep connection between human civilization and the oceans.
Humanity Has Exploited This Precious Gift
The Holy Father lamented the current state of the world's water resources, noting how humanity has exploited this precious gift.
"It is regrettable to note that we have perverted such epithets by turning what is useful, like water, into an object of exploitation," he said, adding "We violate that which does humble and silent work for the common good. And instead of considering this gift of God as precious, we turn it into currency, a reason for speculation, and even a vehicle for extortion."
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Synod: Work Begins For The Instrumentum Laboris 2
Around twenty theologians from around the world have arrived in Rome to begin work on the Instrumentum laboris for the Second Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
With the document Towards October 2024 sent last December to all the bishops of the world, the General Secretariat of the Synod asked the local churches and groups of Churches to deepen some aspects of the Synthesis Report that are fundamental to the theme of the Synod, starting from a guiding question of the entire synodal process: ‘HOW to be a synodal Church in mission?’
During these months, the individual local Churches have carried out their work by sending their contribution through the Bishops’ Conferences, the Eastern Catholic Churches and the International Reunions of Bishops’ Conferences.
Cardinal Grech: The synodal Church a living reality
“I am particularly impressed to see the involvement of the entire church community in this long process of discernment”, says Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the General Secretariat of the Synod. “In addition to the reflections arising from the Synthesis Report of the First Session, the material received often adds real testimonies on how the particular churches not only understand synodality, but also how they are already putting this style into practice. The synodal Church is not a dream to be realised, but already a living reality that generates creativity and new relational models within the same local community or between different churches or church groupings’.
Contributions Of The USG/UISG And Of Parish Priests
The General Secretariat of the Synod also received contributions from the USG-UISG and a congruous number of comments from international realities, university faculties, associations of the faithful or individual communities and individuals. Another significant source of reflection will be the reports presented by parish priests during the three-day work session of the recent International meeting for Parish Priests for the Synod.
From Tuesday, 4 June 2024, the group of theologians, experts in various disciplines (dogmatic theology, ecclesiology, pastoral theology, canon law, etc.), will analyse all this material. ‘We are not leaving anything to chance. Each document is to be carefully read with the aim that at the end of this meeting, the group will present a text that reflects the work, questions and insights received from the grassroots” says Cardinal Grech.
First Analysis
For his part, Fr. Giacomo Costa S.J., Special Secretary of the XVI Assembly, specifies: ‘It is not yet a question of writing the Instrumentum laboris for the Second Session of the Synod on Synodality, but rather of carrying out an initial analysis of the reports and good practices implemented by the local communities, and a discernment in common, on the questions and theological reflections in order to prepare the way for the actual drafting of the Instrumentum laboris’.
The work of this international team, which is taking place behind closed doors, began with a half-day spiritual retreat and will continue until 13 June. The days will be marked by different moments of work (individual, group, plenary). The daily celebration of the Eucharist and moments for personal prayer will ensure that the work takes place in the atmosphere required for discernment.
The Next Stages
The Instrumentum Laboris drafting process will continue with further stages: once the structure of the future document has been identified through the articulation of the material received from the theologians, the Ordinary Council will carry out an initial discernment of what has been drafted. This will be followed by the stages of drafting
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World Environment Day: Focus On Desertification And Drought
Dr. Iyad Abu Moghli, director and founder of the UN's Faith for Earth Coalition, speaks to Vatican News about desertification, drought resilience, and the impact of Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato sì. By Jessica Jeyamaridas
Land restoration, halting desertification and building drought resilience are the main themes of this World Environment Day 2024, which is being hosted by Saudi Arabia.
The World Day, established in 1972 and celebrated every year on June 5, is a the United Nations' primary environmental initiative.
The Effects Of Desertification And Environmental Degradation
According to the UN, up to 40 per cent of the planet’s land is degraded. The duration of droughts has increased, and studies claim that this may affect over three-quarters of the world's population by 2050.
Dr. Iyad Abu Moghli, founder and director of the United Nations Environment Programme, Faith for Earth Initiative, gave an interview to Vatican News.
Dr. Abu Moghli explained that the primary causes of land degradation are "human activities", that disrupt the natural balance of ecosystems.
“Desertification involves the clearing of forest for agriculture and urbanization. This leads to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of local climate. Overgrazing is another example - it strips not only vegetation but also affects the soil and exacerbates erosion”.
The Director of Faith for Earth said that improper agricultural practices, such as monoculture farming, without proper soil conservation measures, deplete the
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2... ********
Pope Marks Anniversary Of Normandy Landings With Call For Peace
In a letter addressed to Bishop Jacques Habert of Bayeux and Lisieux, Pope Francis commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Allied forces landing in Normandy. By Linda Bordoni
Pope Francis’ letter commemorating the landing of the Allied Forces in Normandy on 6 June 1944 was read during a ceremony in Bayeux Cathedral on the eve of the anniversary, in the presence of religious, civil and military authorities.
Expressing his closeness to all those present at the ceremony, the Pope reflected on the collective and military effort that led to the liberation of Europe and on the immense sacrifices made.
"The landing generally evokes the disaster of this terrible global conflict, where so many men, women, and children suffered, so many families were torn apart, and so much destruction was caused," he wrote.
Evoking the image of Normandy's cities - Caen, Le Havre, Saint-Lô, Cherbourg, Flers, Rouen, Lisieux, Falaise, Argentan - and many others, which were completely destroyed along with the lives of innumerable innocent civilian victims and those who endured tremendous suffering due to the bombings, the Pope emphasized the importance of remembering these events to condemn and reject war unequivocally.
Never Again War!
Citing Saint Paul VI's plea at the United Nations in 1965, "Never again war!" the Holy Father lamented the fading memory of past mistakes, and expressed his concern that the notion of a widespread war is becoming increasingly normalized.
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20...
Posted By: agnes levine
Monday, June 10th 2024 at 4:22PM
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