Pontiff releases World Day of the Poor message
Pope Francis has challenged Catholics to be a source of hope for those in poverty, especially in the face of divisions in wealth and a throw-away culture.
Last week the Pontiff released his message for the third annual World Day of the Poor, which will take place on November 17. In the text, he drew a comparison between the financial disparities of people in the Old Testament and current social injustices. As present-day people are trapped in new forms of slavery, he said, it is the Catholic’s obligation not only to provide the poor with relief services, but with spiritual hope.
“‘The hope of the poor will not perish forever’ These words of the Psalm remain timely. They express a profound truth that faith impresses above all on the hearts of the poor, restoring lost hope in the face of injustice, sufferings and the uncertainties of life,” the Pope said.
“I ask all Christian communities, and all those who feel impelled to offer hope and consolation to the poor, to help ensure that this World Day of the Poor will encourage more and more people to cooperate effectively so that no one will feel deprived of closeness and solidarity,” he added.
Church is wounded but not dead, Francis says
Pope Francis told Jesuits in Romania that tensions and struggles within the Church have left it wounded and that the only path forward is through humble dialogue, not futile arguments.
“I think of the Church as a field hospital. The Church is so wounded, and today it is also so wounded by tensions within it,” the Pope told the Jesuits during a meeting last month.
“Meekness, it takes meekness! And it takes a lot of courage to be meek! But you have to go forward with meekness,” the Pope said.
“This is not the time to convince, to have discussions. If someone has a sincere doubt, yes, one can dialogue, clarify. But don’t respond to the attacks.”
As has become customary when the Pope meets Jesuits during a foreign trip, a transcript of his remarks was released weeks later by the Jesuit journal La Civilta Cattolica.
According to the text published on June 13, Pope Francis told the 22 Jesuits that in moments of “tribulation and fury”, Christians must imitate Jesus who “didn’t argue with the Pharisees and the Sadducees as he had done before when they tried to set traps”. Instead, “Jesus remained silent”.
Good nuncios can’t be ‘hypocrites’ or backstabbers – Pope Francis
Apostolic nuncios are called to be men of Faith, focused on proclaiming the Gospel and shunning the power and corruption that can come from the luxurious trappings of their diplomatic status, Pope Francis said.
The Pope met with more than 100 Vatican diplomats last week, who serve either as nuncios – ambassadors – or as the Holy See’s permanent observers at UN and other international agencies.
The nuncio represents the Pope and while the nuncio, like anyone, may have “reservations, sympathies or antipathies”, a good nuncio cannot be a “hypocrite” and engage in back-stabbing, Pope Francis said in his prepared remarks.
“It is irreconcilable, therefore, to be a pontifical representative while criticising the Pope behind his back, to have a blog or even unite with groups hostile to (the Pope), the Curia or the Church of Rome,” the text said.
In the prepared text, Pope Francis listed a “decalogue” or 10 commandments that should characterise the life of a nuncio.