Francis – Initiatives and Gestures Category

GERMANY, mda. Cardinal Sin, the former Archbishop of Manila, always made a public appeal for prayer, known as a "Prayer Rally", for important intentions. In 1986 two million Philippinos walked through the streets praying the Rosary for the end of the Marcos dictatorship, which took place peacefully soon afterwards. Under the heading "Prayer Rally" people are gathering physically and virtually in these days to pray for the Christians in Iraq, or for the girls who have been abducted in Nigeria. Karin Schmitz from Sankt Augustin near Bonn has now startedRead More
PANAMA/ROME, aciprensa. Pope Francis sent a message to the participants of the First Latin American Congress for the Pastoral Care of the Family that took place in Panama on 4-9 August, in which he explains that "Within the family, faith is absorbed together with mother's milk." In his message published by the Panama archdiocese on 5 August, the Holy Father asks: "What is the family?" and he answers: "Over and above its most pressing problems and its peremptory necessities, the family is a "centre of love", where the law ofRead More
ROME, fides. The official web site for Pope Francis' trip to South Korea, on the occasion of the 6th Asian Youth Day, is already online. The Holy Father will carry out the third international pilgrimage of his pontificate from August 14th-18th, for this occasion a web- site was created that can be accessed and presently is in two languages: English and Korean.Read More
FOR PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND, org. After the strong call issued last Sunday to continue to pray for peace in the Holy Land, the Holy Father personally telephoned President Shimon Peres and President Mahmud Abbas on July 18th, to share his very serious concerns regarding the current conflict involving in particular the Gaza Strip which, in a climate of growing hostility, hatred and suffering for the two populations, is claiming many victims and giving rise to a serious humanitarian emergency.Read More
BOLIVIA, ÓSCAR ELIZALDE PRADA/CEB. On July 3rd, the “Francis first South American Pope” postal stamp was issued at the headquarters with Monsignor Giambattista Diquattro, Apostolic Nuncio of Bolivia, and of the President and Secretary General of the Bolivian Episcopal Conference (CEB), Monsignor Oscar Aparicio and Monsignor Eugenio Scarpellini present.  Read More
ARGENTINA, mda. In view of Pope Francis’ visit to Argentina in 2016, Generation Francis held the country’s second ecumenical conference in Rosario.  Its aim was to bring together all those who were interested to discuss three issues, which are important for Pope Francis: youth, poverty and a culture of encounter.  The meeting took place on 7 June, the eve of the Feast of Pentecost, the day before the meeting of Presidents Abbas and Peres, called by Pope Francis to pray for peace, together.Read More
BRAZIL, Karen Bueno/mda – Pope Francis granted an interview with the author, Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello, the National Director for the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement in Brazil and the Holy Father's secretary during the World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, in which he describes his encounters with Our Lady, from his childhood to his current mission as the Bishop of Rome.  He talks about his favourite Marian prayers and devotions and emphasizes the importance of Mary in the life of the Church and Christians, the value of Marian shrines andRead More
FRANCIS ON THE WORLD CUP. On the occasion of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which began in Brazil on 12 June, Pope Francis recorded a message which was broadcast by Brazilian television, in which he wished that everyone can enjoy the competition and called for a serene and peaceful atmosphere, characterized by mutual respect; in solidarity and fraternity among men and women who see themselves as members of a large family.  In his message, he emphasized three essential attitudes that put peace in sport into practice: the need forRead More
ROME, org. "Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands, renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be 'brother'" and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam! Amen."  Pope Francis achieved something that just a few months ago would have been unthinkable: to unite Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and pray together for peace among Jews and Palestinians. He did this, accompanied by the simultaneous prayers of many - at theRead More
ROME, org. "Peace is a gift of God, but requires our efforts. Let us be people of peace in prayer and deed. #weprayforpeace," said Pope Francis in his tweet yesterday.  On Sunday at 18.15 Roman time, the Vatican Gardens will host a historic meeting: the presidents of Israel and Palestine, Simon Peres and Mahmoud Abbas, will pray together with Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew to pray for peace in the Middle East.  They will not be alone: throughout the world, millions of believers from the three religions of the BookRead More