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Pope Prays For All Families Afflicted By Conflict And Grief
Pope Francis asks for prayers for the victims and survivors of a plane crash in South Korea and expresses closeness to families worldwide suffering the consequences of war. By Linda Bordoni
Addressing the faithful on the Feast of the Holy Family, Pope Francis turned his thoughts to the many families across the world who are mourning and who are affected by conflict.
Speaking after the Angelus prayer, the Pope extended a special greeting to families present in St. Peter’s Square and who are connected through the media, and he said his “thoughts go to the many families in South Korea who are mourning today following the dramatic air accident.”
At least 177 people died on Sunday morning as their plane crashed while landing at an airport in South Korea.
“I join in prayer for the survivors and for those who lost their lives,” the Pope said.
Appeao For Prayers For Families Suffering From Wars
And again, Pope Francis raised his voice asking for closeness and prayers for all people affected by conflict:
“Let us also pray for families suffering due to wars: in war-torn Ukraine, in Palestine, in Israel, in Myanmar, in Sudan, and in North Kivu. Let us pray for all these families affected by conflict,” he said.
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Jubilee Films For Pilgrims Of Hope: 'Fallen Leaves'
Finnish film director, Aki Kaurismäki's 20th full-length film, "Fallen Leaves", released in 2023, is part of the works chosen by the Dicastery of Evangelization to accompany pilgrims of hope on their jubilee journey. Fr Greg Apparcel reviews the movie and expresses his desire to see more Kaurismäki movies. By Fr. Greg Apparcel, CSP
“Fallen Leaves,” a 2023 film by Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki, tells the story of Ansa (Alma Poysti) and Holappa (Jussi Vatanen), two lonely people who, through a circuitous route, somehow find each other. Though it has serious overtones, the humor is as dry as it gets but I found myself laughing out loud several times. This was surprising as the film is full of very depressed non-smiling people who listen to the tragic news of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. And when that gets to be too much, they switch to a music station that plays songs with the most depressing lyrics.
Ansa and Holappa meet cute (sort of) at a Karaoke bar. Holappa’s friend Huotari sings with a deep baritone voice and thinks he’s the greatest. Ansa’s friend Liisa tells him his voice is well preserved for such an old man and of course, he’s insulted. During this exchange, Ansa looks across the room at Holappa and their eyes meet, but nothing much happens.
Holappa hates his job and Ansa loses her job stocking food in a market after she takes home a sandwich that’s past its expiration date. She gets another lifeless job as a dishwasher at the California Pub. Holappa just drinks. A lot. He tells his friend, “I’m depressed because I drink.” “Why do you drink?” “Because I’m depressed.”
At the pub, as the owner is arrested for dealing drugs, Ansa recognizes Holappa outside. He invites her out for coffee and then to the cinema. They see Jim Jarmusch’s “The Dead Don’t Die,” a zombie comedy with Adam Driver and Bill Murray. A man outside says, “Great film. It reminded me of Bresson’s ‘Diary of a Country Priest.” This is one of the many one-liners that made laugh out loud. Ansa tells Holappa, “There’s no way the cops could have handled that many zombies.” “Did you like it?” he asks. Without smiling she says, “I never laughed so much.” She gives him her number but not her name. He puts it in his pocket but, unbeknownst to him, it blows away when he takes out his cigarettes.
On the radio Russia strikes Ukraine again and Holappa can’t find Ansa’s number. She waits for the call that never comes. The background music is sad and depressing. Holappa waits outside the cinema hoping she’ll be there. After he goes, Ansa comes by and sees his cigarette stubs.
At work, Holappa has an accident and he’s accused of being drunk, which he is. After he’s fired, he and Huotari have a few drinks at the Karaoke Bar. “Remember that night? He asks. “There were two women... I met the smaller one later. We almost got married. I lost her number.” Huotari says that they worked at some supermarket. “All I remember is the other woman said I wasn’t good enough.” They drink some more.
Ansa gets another job and listens to depressing news and then music with lyrics like “In the early morning rain, with an aching heart and my pockets full of sand; hardly know where I am. I miss my loved one, in the early morning rain.”
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city... ********
Pope Francis: Hope and Kindness Make The World More Beautiful
In an audio message broadcast today by the BBC as the “Thought for the Day,” Pope Francis urges us not to look at the future “with pessimism and resignation,” but to always choose the path of love and view the world with “the gentle gaze of hope”. By Christopher Wells
“I hope that during this Jubilee, we practice kindness as a form of love to connect with others,” says Pope Francis in a message offered to the BBC’s “Thought for the Day.”
In his message, the Holy Father highlights the importance of hope and kindness, which he says “touch the very heart of the Gospel and show us the path to follow in our behaviour.”
A world full of hope and kindness, he says, “is a more beautiful world” while “a society that looks to the future with confidence and treats people with respect and empathy is more humane.”
'We Can Choose Love'
Pope Francis notes that the Jubilee Year, which began on Christmas Eve, calls us to be pilgrims of hope, and he encourages everyone to choose love in a world beset with wars, social injustices, and various forms of violence. “We choose love, and love makes our hearts fervent and hopeful.”
Love can be expressed in kindness, he says, “that opens hearts to acceptance and helps us to become more humble.” Humility, he continues, “lends itself to dialogue, helps us to overcome misunderstandings, and generates gratitude.”
The Pope cites “the great British writer G.K. Chesterton,” who “wisely invites us to take the elements of life with gratitude and not for granted.”
Pope Francis concludes his message with a wish for hope, and a prayer that the new year might bring us “peace, fellowship, and gratitude.”
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Pope to Taizé Young People: God Gives Us Meaning And Hope
Pope Francis sends a message to the young people taking part in the annual Taizé encounter, and encourages them to always draw closer to the Christ Child as a source of hope and meaning, and stresses that growing in holiness and faith will make their lives always more fulfilling. By Deborah Castellano Lubov
God Gives Hope And Meaning To Our Lives!
This was the heartfelt reminder Pope Francis offered the Taizé community which opens its 47th annual European meeting today in the Estonian capital of Tallinn.
Pope Francis joined in the annual celebration with a message signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.
In his message, the Pope recalled that during his 2018 Apostolic Journey to the three Baltic countries of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, he met with young people in the Lutheran church of Kaarli in Tallinn for an ecumenical meeting and reminded them how beautiful it is "to be together, we who believe in Jesus Christ."
Togetherness In Current Context
Gathering in a spirit of sharing and brotherhood, the Holy Father went on to say in his message, "is even more important in the current context, as our world is undergoing difficult trials."
"Many countries are marked by violence and war, numerous people are victims of inhumane treatment, and still others," he lamented, "are disoriented by the inequalities in our societies and the ecological dangers we face."
“Many countries are marked by violence and war, numerous people are victims of inhumane treatment, and still others are disoriented by the inequalities in our societies and the ecological dangers we face”
'Hope Against All Hope'
The Holy Father commended the young members of Taizé for their intention during their days in Tallinn to “hope against all hope,” the title of the letter that the Prior of Taizé had written for the coming 2025 year.
"This call, in harmony with the theme of the Jubilee Year that will characterize 2025," the Pope underscored, "is also directed at you, each and every one of you."
'Walk In God's Hope'
Therefore, the Pope stressed, "Walk in hope!"
"Hope," he continued, "overcomes every fatigue, every crisis, and every anxiety, giving us a strong motivation to move forward, because it is a gift we receive from God Himself: He gives meaning to our time, illuminates our path, and shows us the direction and goal of life."
“Hope overcomes every fatigue, every crisis, and every anxiety, giving us a strong motivation to move forward, because it is a gift we receive from God Himself: He gives meaning to our time, illuminates our path, and shows us the direction and goal of life”
Read the full article HERE!
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Today we introduce you to the Laudato Si’ Village (@BorgoLaudato Si'), a unique site open for pilgrims coming to Rome for the Jubilee 2025.
Under the direction of Pope Francis, the Laudato Si’ Village was created a year ago in the Gardens of the Papal Villas of Castel Gandolfo.
A place to visit for an immersive experience in the application of the principles of the Encyclical Laudato Si'.
Discover the Village Laudato Si’ and together let us create a more just and sustainable future:
https://www.facebook.com/vaticannews/video... ********
Pope To University Of Bethlehem: 'Safeguard Your Precious Gift Of Faith'
In an Advent message Pope Francis recently sent to University of Bethlehem students, the Holy Father calls on them to entrust everything to Jesus and to always safeguard their "precious gift of faith." By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Safeguard your gift of faith and entrust everything to Jesus in prayer, are the two recommendations Pope Francis offered to students of the University of Bethlehem in a 20 December message he sent them ahead of Christmas.
Addressed to Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University, Brother Héctor Hernán Santos González, FSC, the Holy Father called Advent a period of "joyful expectation" for the coming of Christ, as he sent heartfelt greetings of spiritual closeness to the University staff and students.
"As the entire Church prepares to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord which also marks the beginning of the Jubilee Year," the Holy Father said, "I pray that these occasions, which signify new life, hope and reconciliation, will provide each of you with opportunities for spiritual renewal and a strengthening of perseverance in your vocation to be joyful disciples of Christ."
Safeguard Your Precious Gift Of Faith
"In a particular way," the Holy Father underscored, "I wish to say to the young people at the University, always safeguard your precious gift of faith," and "not as something to be hidden, but as a treasure to be shared with others."
“I wish to say to the young people at the University, always safeguard your precious gift of faith”
Although in your youth you may at times feel weak, confused or even disillusioned, entrust everything to Jesus in prayer, for he is the source of enduring hope.
Moreover, he reassured, "the Lord is brimming with life and will help you make your youth worthwhile."
Never 'Go It Alone'
At the same time, the Holy Father urged them to never “go it alone,” and rather, told them to foster the bonds of academic and social friendship. "Indeed, how much our human family needs examples of hope-filled solidarity in the current context of violence that affects so many of our brothers and sisters."
In this regard, the Pope encouraged them to enthusiastically witness perennial values of the Gospel to serve as an example to religious and political leaders of different beliefs and traditions.
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Apostolic Nuncio To Ukraine: Light Of Christmas Stronger Than Bombardments
The Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, concelebrated Christmas Eve Mass with Papal Almoner, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, at the Latin Cathedral in Kharkiv and, despite intense Russian bombings, then participated in the Christmas Day Divine Liturgy at the city's Greek Catholic Cathedral. By Vatican News
"The light of Christmas is so intense and so great that it rises above all difficulties, above any aggression and any bombing."
The Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine, Visvaldas Kulbokas, offered this reflection after the Christmas Eve Mass at the Latin Cathedral in Kharkiv, where he stood alongside the Pope's almoner, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, who serves as the Prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Charity, as they celebrated the Christ Child's birth despite the intense shelling endured by the city.
This marks the second year that the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine celebrated Christmas on December 25th.
The celebration was attended by the Latin and Greek Catholic Bishops of Kharkiv, Pavlo Honcharuk and Vasyl' Tučapec', as well as the retired Greek Catholic Bishop Ihor Isichenko.
Also present were Archbishop Mytrofan of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, several representatives of Protestant communities, the mayor of Kharkiv, and other city officials.
'Jesus Was Present'
But most importantly, as the Nuncio noted, "Jesus was present, born for us. And when Jesus is born in a place under constant attack and bombardment, His light becomes even more visible, it shines brightly."
The Lord, he suggested, was still their light shining in the midst of darkness, as the readings from the Prophet Isaiah proclaim.
"These," Archbishop Kulbokas continued, "are words that resonate powerfully in these war-torn places, because it is precisely the light of joy and hope that Christmas brings us.
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/... ********
Pope Opens Holy Door At A Prison For First Time Ever
In the Rebibbia New Complex Prison in Rome, Pope Francis opens a Holy Door and celebrates Mass for prisoners. By Kielce Gussie
“I wanted the second Holy Door I open to be here at a prison,” Pope Francis explained. For the 2025 Jubilee of Hope, the first Door to be opened was the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on 24 December 2024, then, for the first-time ever, the Pope opened the Holy Door at a prison.
Arriving at the Rebibbia New Complex Prison in Rome, the Pope spoke about the importance of opening the Door there. In front of the prison's chapel, the Church of Our Father, he explained that he wanted everyone to "have the opportunity to fling open the doors to their hearts and to understand that hope never disappoints."
Open Doors, Open Hearts
After walking through the Holy Door himself, the Pope presided over Mass in the church. In his homily, Pope Francis reflected on the historic reason for his visit, describing it as “a beautiful gesture of opening.” But more than simply opening doors, the Pope encouraged the prisoners present, to open their hearts. Brotherhood, he said, is "open hearts."
The Pope warned against closed, hardened hearts, which keep us from living. He explained that the Jubilee gives us the grace to “fling open” our hearts to hope. Even in the most difficult and challenging times, he reassured, hope does not disappoint.
Hope Is An Anchor
Pope Francis Likened Hope To An Anchor On The Shore, Tied Securely With Rope.
“Sometimes, the rope is hard,” he continued, “and it hurts our hands.” Yet even in these moments, the anchor of hope keeps us moving forward, because, he said, there is always something ahead of us.
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... VISIT:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en.html
Posted By: agnes levine
Sunday, December 29th 2024 at 1:29PM
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