Pope Francis Shares His Thoughts
Pope's Prayer Intention for July
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Our Families
We pray that today’s families may be accompanied with love, respect and guidance, and that they may be protected by the state. Much writing about the family, for example in letters of the Pope and bishops, emphasizes the mission or tasks of the family – what the family should do, and what we expect of families. But the intention of this month shifts a bit to what we should do for the family to make their mission possible. This is important because we know the many challenges facing the family today. Read more.... The often-frenetic rhythm of life that we follow is detrimental to our family life. This is an important problem, because no one—neither we as individuals nor society as a whole—can do without families. This is truer now than ever during the time of crisis that we are living. As Pope Francis says, “families are not a problem, they are first and foremost an opportunity.” |
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Pope's Prayer Intention for June
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The Way of the Heart
We pray that all those who suffer may find their way in life, allowing themselves to be touched by the Heart of Jesus. Father, here I am. I know you are always with me. I place my heart in the Heart of your Son Jesus, who gives himself to us in the Eucharist each day. May your Holy Spirit strengthen me to live the Gospel in everything I do and say. For my part I give you this day–all my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings–all I am and possess. With Mary, mother of the Church, I pray for the mission of the Church, for all Apostles of Prayer, and for the intentions of the Pope this month. Amen. |
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Pope's Prayer Intention for May For Deacons We pray that deacons, faithful in their service to the Word and the poor, may be an invigorating symbol for the entire Church. Reflection for May Most of us know that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, chose to be called after St. Francis of Assisi. Many of us assume that St Francis was a priest. Rather, St. Francis was a deacon who beautifully lived his ordination of “diakonia” of service to others, especially the poor. ...READ MORE |
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Pope's prayer intention for April 2020
Freedom from Addiction We pray that those suffering from addiction may be helped and accompanied. Reflection: Lord our God, who came to set your people free, hear us! You who led your people out of bondage ..... Read more |
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Querida Amazonia:
the Pope’s Exhortation for a Church with an Amazonian face The Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Amazon Region has been published. The document traces new paths of evangelization and care for the environment and the poor. Pope Francis hopes for a new missionary thrust, and encourages the role of the laity within the ecclesial community. ....Read More Download the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation |
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Pope's prayer intention for March 2020 Catholics in China We pray that the Church in China may persevere in its faithfulness to the Gospel and grow in unity. Reflection: China is the largest country by population in the world with 1.4 billion people. The percentage of Catholics is less than 0.1%. Living under strict restriction with little religious freedom, however, the Catholic community has shown incredible perseverance and vitality,... ....READ MORE |
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Pope's prayer intention for February 2020
Listen to the Migrants’ Cries
We pray that the cries of our migrant brothers and sisters, victims of criminal trafficking, may be heard and considered. Reflection: Knock knock “Who’s there?” This is a familiar format for a children’s riddle. You knock, I ask, you reply. It’s […Read more] |
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Pope's prayer intention for January 2020
Promotion of World Peace We pray that Christians, followers of other religions, and all people of goodwill may promote peace and justice in the world. No religion incites people to war, or to hate or violence. On the contrary, religions invite us to defend the values of peace and human fraternity. Indeed, dialogue and understanding among peoples form an essential part of their teachings. Let us follow them.
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Pope's prayer intention for December
The Future of the Very Young That every country take the measures necessary to prioritize the future of the very young, especially those who are suffering. December Reflection by Fr. Henry Shea – The Future of the Very Young |
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The Envy of the Devil Is the Root of the Evil in the World
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November 2, 2019
Pope's prayer intention for November Dialogue and Reconciliation in the Near East That a spirit of dialogue, encounter, and reconciliation emerge in the Near East, where diverse religious communities share their lives together. Reflection: Far too many wars, political divisions, conflicts and hostilities between the diverse religious communities within the Near East have left… Read More..... |
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Pope's prayer intention for October
A Missionary “Spring” in the Church That the breath of the Holy Spirit engender a new missionary “spring” in the church. October Reflection by David Lugo – A Missionary “Spring” in the Church Guest Author–September 30, 2019. On the Feast of the Ascension, before he ascended to the right hand of God the Father, Jesus said to […] |
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Pope's prayer intention for September
The Protection of the Oceans That politicians, scientists and economists work together to protect the world’s seas and oceans. One way to explain the importance of taking care of the oceans is to use a couple of simple but effective examples: one out of every two people lives off of the ocean, and of every two breaths we take, one is thanks to the oceans. Let us take care of them. Their death is the death of all life on earth, including us. Reflection by Fr. Peter Schineller – Photos from the space station show planet earth as a beautiful blue marble with two-thirds of it covered by water. But here on earth, it is not so beautiful. We hear stories and see pictures of destruction. Ocean plastics kill millions of marine animals each year. Whales die with stomachs filled with plastic refuse.... READ MORE..... |
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Pope's prayer intention for August
Families, Schools of Human Growth That families, through their life of prayer and love, become ever more clearly “schools of true human growth”. August Reflection by Fr. Edmund Lo – Families, Schools of Human Growth Guest Author–July 29, 2019 Let us first look at the Holy Family for inspirations. While the Holy Family may seem like an unreachable ideal ... READ MORE |
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Pope's Prayer Intention for July The Integrity of Justice That those who administer justice may work with integrity, and that the injustice which prevails in the world may not have the last word. July Reflection by Fr. Joseph Koterski – The Integrity of Justice, Guest Author No society can live peacefully without the rule of law. In the attempt to restrain the abuses that have often prevailed in human history, we have developed forms of governance in which there is a division of powers. Read the Reflection |
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Pope's Prayer Intention for June The Mode of Life of Priests That priests, through the modesty and humility of their lives, commit themselves actively to a solidarity with those who are most poor. June Reflection by Fr. Andrij M. Hlabse |
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Pope's Prayer Intention for March
Recognition of the Right of Christian Communities That Christian communities, especially those who are persecuted, feel that they are close to Christ and have their rights respected. See prayer reflection here 
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Pope's Prayer Intention for February Human Trafficking For a generous welcome of the victims of human trafficking, of enforced prostitution, and of violence. Read the accompanying text with the video Also see the Reflection Video with Fr. Joseph Laramie, SJ |
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Pope's Prayer Intention for January 2019
Young People and the Example of Mary That young people, especially in Latin America, follow the example of Mary and respond to the call of the Lord to communicate the joy of the Gospel to the world. See a reflection written by Fr. Jacob Boddicker, SJ. Fr. Jacob Boddicker who was ordained to the priesthood in June 2017 and is currently doing pastoral ministry in St. Francis, South Dakota. |
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Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Pope Francis - Mary’s Method was Simple: She Walked and Sang
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December 12, Zenit
“Mary teaches us that, in the art of the mission and of hope, many words and programs aren’t necessary,” according to Pope Francis. “Her method is very simple: she walked and sang.” "In Mary’s school we learn to walk in the neighbourhood and the city, not with the sneakers of magical solutions, instantaneous answers and immediate effects; ...... In Mary’s school, we learn to walk in the city and we nourish our heart with the multi-cultural richness that inhabits the Continent, when we are able to listen to that recondite heart that beats in our peoples and that guards — as a little fire under apparent ashes — the sense of God and of His transcendence, the sacredness of life, the respect for Creation, the bonds of solidarity, the art of the joy of good living and the capacity to be happy and to celebrate without conditions... |
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Pope's Prayer Intention for December
Evangelization: In the Service of the Transmission of Faith That people, who are involved in the service and transmission of faith, may find, in their
dialogue with culture, a language suited to the conditions of the present time. In 2018's last Pope Video, pontiff asks us to pray for all those involved in communicating and serving the faith. Read additional commentary here |
Where do we Hear the Cry of the Poor?
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November 27, 2018 - Zenit
Pope Francis: “The cry of the poor: it is the stifled cry of the unborn, of starving children, of young people more used to the explosion of bombs than happy shouts of the playground. It is the cry of the elderly, cast off and abandoned to themselves. It is the cry of all those who face the storms of life without the presence of a friend. It is the cry of all those forced to flee their homes and native land for an uncertain future. It is the cry of entire peoples, deprived even of the great natural resources at their disposal. It is the cry of every Lazarus who weeps while the wealthy few feast on what, in justice, belongs to all. Injustice is the perverse root of poverty. The cry of the poor daily grows louder but is heard less and less. Every day that cry gets louder, but every day heard less, drowned out by the din of the rich few, who grow ever fewer and more rich.” READ MORE Vatican Media |
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Pope Francis: “Using Name of God to Justify Path of Violence; Hatred Is Blasphemy”
November 21, 2108 - Aleteia I want to reaffirm strongly that the path of violence and hatred does not solve the problems of humanity, and using the name of God to justify this path is blasphemy. - See Aleteia |
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Pope's Prayer for November: Universal: In the Service of Peace That the language of love and dialogue may always prevail over the language of conflict. November Reflection by Dcn. Ted Penton – In the Service of Peace. Read the Article
.....Pope Francis eloquently stated, “In the silence of the cross, the uproar of weapons ceases and the language of reconciliation, forgiveness, dialogue, and peace is spoken.” |
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Pope: We are not animals, but God’s children
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September 7, 2018 - Zenit
We are not animals, but God’s children, and as such, we ought to make an examination of conscience every day.... “Man left to his own strength,” Francis observed, “does not understand the things of the Spirit.” “The Spirit of God, which leads us to good works, to charity, to fraternity, to adore God, to know Jesus, to do many good works of charity, to pray.” On the other hand, he noted, there is “the other spirit,” that “of the world, which leads us to vanity, pride, sufficiency, gossip – a completely different path,” he said, adding: “Our heart, a saint once said, is like a battlefield, a field of war where these two spirits struggle.” Each Christian daily, the Pope reminded, “must fight in order to make room for the Spirit of God,” and “drive away the spirit of the world.” READ MORE |
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Pope's Prayer for August:
Universal: The treasure of Families That any far-reaching decisions of economists and politicians may protect the family as one of the treasures of humanity.
Pope Francis' Prayer for June: Universal: Social Networks That social networks may work towards that inclusiveness which respects others for their differences. News from the Pope
Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation: The Joy of the Gospel Pope Francis' Encyclical: Laudato Si Pope Francis' Exhortation: Love in the Family Official Vatican News 08/26/2017
May the Virgin Mary obtain for us the grace to be enlivened by the Holy Spirit, so we can witness to Christ with evangelical honesty. Pope Francis 
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Pope Francis consoles a boy who asked if his
non-believing father is in Heaven June 19, 2018
Pope releases Message for World Day of the Poor Pope Francis says Christians are urgently called to manifest their faith by giving “a sign of neighbourliness and relief in the face of the many forms of poverty” that afflict our world, and at the same time honour them “who are the real presence of Jesus in our midst”. 
In his message, the Pope also examined the roots of poverty saying it is not brought on by itself, “but is caused by selfishness, pride, greed and injustice”. READ MORE
June 13, 2018
God Gave Us Life to Live It, Not to Be Lazy or Hesitate “God gave us life to live, not to be lazy or hesitate, but live fully and tenaciously.” In his remarks, the Pope said: “God has revealed to us how to reach this life through His Living Word and His Holy Commandments.” “Who accepts this Word and lives according to these Commandments surpasses limited earthly wealth and receives the true richness that only God can give. In this way, man finds in God his true happiness and his most precious treasure.” Have Pope Francis’ first five years been a success?March 13, 2018 - America - The Jesuit Review
"Francis has been first and foremost “a missionary pope,” who is determined to transform the church into “a missionary church".
As he enters the sixth year of his pontificate, Pope Francis is in good health, good spirits and sustained by that inner peace that came to him during the conclave and has never left him, according to sources close to the 265th successor of Peter. Many commentators around the world have sought to produce a balance sheet of his first five years as pope and have engaged in extended analyses. Not a few in the Anglophone world have tended to use the question of how he is dealing with the sexual-abuse question as the unique measuring rod for judging whether his five years at the helm of the barque of Peter have been a success or not. READ THE STORY
‘Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold’ (Mt 24:12)
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Once again, the Pasch of the Lord draws near! In our preparation for Easter, God in his providence offers us each year the season of Lent as a “sacramental sign of our conversion”.[1] Lent summons us, and enables us, to come back to the Lord wholeheartedly and in every aspect of our life. With this message, I would like again this year to help the entire Church experience this time of grace anew, with joy and in truth. I will take my cue from the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew: “Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold” (24:12). These words appear in Christ’s preaching about the end of time. They were spoken in Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives, where the Lord’s passion would begin. In reply to a question of the disciples, Jesus foretells a great tribulation and describes a situation in which the community of believers might well find itself: amid great trials, false prophets would lead people astray and the love that is the core of the Gospel would grow cold in the hearts of many. READ FULL MESSAGE MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR THE 104th WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES 2018 [14 January 2018] “Welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating migrants and refugees”
(15th August, 2017) Dear brothers and sisters! “You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:34). Throughout the first years of my pontificate, I have repeatedly expressed my particular concern for the lamentable situation of many migrants and refugees fleeing from war, persecution, natural disasters and poverty. This situation is undoubtedly a “sign of the times” which I have tried to interpret, with the help of the Holy Spirit, ever since my visit to Lampedusa on 8 July 2013. When I instituted the new Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, I wanted a particular section – under my personal direction for the time being – to express the Church’s concern for migrants, displaced people, refugees and victims of human trafficking. See more |
