reflections, updates and homilies from Deacon Mike Talbot inspired by the following words from my ordination: Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach...
Pope offers prayers for flood victims in Pakistan, Nepal and India
Following the Angelus prayer in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo remembers victims and their families after flash floods kill more than 300 people in Pakistan, Nepal and India-administered Kashmir.
By Kielce Gussie
After praying the Angelus in Freedom Square (Piazza della Libertà ) in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo expressed his closeness to the people in Pakistan, India, and Nepal who have been affected by severe flooding.
The Pope shared his prayers “for the victims and their families, and for all those who are suffering as a result of this calamity.” More than 300 people have been killed in northwest Pakistan, India-administered Kashmir, and Nepal after two days of torrential rains and flash floods.
In Pakistan, officials report rescue teams have evacuated more than 3,500 tourists trapped in areas hit by the floods since Thursday. Over ten villages in the Nuner region were destroyed by the flooding, and landslides and devastated roads kept workers from reaching communities.
Reiterating his ongoing calls for peace in the world, Pope Leo also expressed his desire that efforts to end wars and promote peace come to fruition and that, “in every negotiation, the common good of peoples may always be given priority.”
Signs of hope
In the midst of the summer months, the Pope said he has received news of different cultural and evangelization initiatives, sometimes organized in places where people vacation. He pointed out how encouraging it is “to see how a passion for the Gospel inspires the creativity and commitment of groups and associations of all ages.”
The Pope used the example of the youth mission that was held recently in Riccione, Italy, and he expressed his gratitude for everyone who helped promote and participate in these types of events.
Following his first Regina Coeli, Pope Leo XIV issues an appeal for an end to the conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and on the India/Pakistan border.
By Francesca Merlo
Pope Leo XIV appeared on the loggia of St Peter's Basilica for his first ever Regina Coeli address on Sunday the 11th of May. Addressing the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square and countless others following from around the world he echoed the cry for peace of his predecessor, Pope Francis.
“In today’s dramatic context of a third world war fought piecemeal ... I too appeal to the powerful of the world by repeating these ever-relevant words: never again war!”
A cry for Ukraine and Gaza
He recalled, first, “the immense tragedy of the Second World War", which came to an end 80 years ago, on 8 May, "after causing 60 million deaths.”
Pope Leo then turned to the modern wars plaguing the world today: “I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people,” he said, urging that "every effort be made to reach a true, just, and lasting peace as soon as possible".
"May all prisoners be freed, and may the children be returned to their families", he said.
He then turned to the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. “I am deeply pained by what is happening,” he said. “Let the fighting cease immediately, let humanitarian aid be provided to the exhausted civilian population, and may all hostages be released".
Hope and a heartfelt appeal
With a sense of hope, Pope Leo XIV then welcomed the recent announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. “I hope that, through the upcoming negotiations, a lasting agreement may soon be reached,” he said.
However, he continued, “how many other conflicts are there in the world?”
Finally, Pope Leo entrusted his "heartfelt appeal" to Mary Queen of Peace, "so that she may present it to the Lord Jesus and obtain for us the miracle of peace.”
Pope to Afghan delegation: 'No one can invoke God’s name to foment hate'
Addressing a delegation from the Afghan Community Association in in Italy, Pope Francis reiterates that religion must never be used to incite hatred and violence, but instead to promote fraternity among peoples.
By Lisa Zengarini
“No one can invoke God’s name to foment contempt, hatred and violence towards others.” Pope Francis strongly reaffirmed this stance on Wednesday as he met in the Vatican with members from the Afghan Community Association in Italy before his General Audience.
The association is a network of Afghan men and women living in Italy engaged in supporting the integration of Afghan refugees in Italian society and in promoting dialogue and the respect of human rights of all ethnic communities.
The "tragic" situation in Afghanistan
Opening his address, the Pope recalled the tragic events Afghanistan has endured in the past decades marked by instability, warfare, internal divisions and systematic violation of basic human rights that have forced many to exile.
He decried that the ethnic diversity that characterizes Afghan society is “sometimes used as a reason for discrimination and exclusion, if not outright persecution.”
“You have gone through a tragic time, with many wars.”
The Pope also referred to the critical situation on the borders with Pakistan where many Afghans have taken shelter, and where the ethnic Pashtun minority (the majority ethnic group in Afghanistan, ed. ) also endures abuse and discrimination.
Religion should help mitigate differences
In this difficult context, he noted, religion should help mitigate contrasts and create a space where everyone is granted full citizenship rights without discrimination. Instead, “it is manipulated” and used as an instrument of hatred to fuel confrontation that leads to violence.
He, therefore, encouraged the members of the Afghan network to continue in their “noble endeavor to promote religious harmony" striving " to overcome misunderstandings between different religions in order to build paths of trusting dialogue and peace. “
Promoting human fraternity, not hatred and violence
In this regard, Pope Francis recalled the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together he signed in Abu Dhabi on 4 February 2019 with Grand Iman of Al-Azhar. That historic document stated that “religions must never incite war, hateful attitudes, hostility and extremism, nor must they incite violence or the shedding of blood”, which, it said, are the “consequence of a deviation from religious teachings” and “result from a political manipulation of religions.”
The Pope remembered that their appeal also applied to ethnic-linguistic-cultural differences which can live peacefully together by adopting a “culture of dialogue as the path; mutual cooperation as the code of conduct; reciprocal understanding as the method and standard.”
He thus expressed his “fervent hope” that “these standards will become a common heritage and so influence people’s thinking and behavior”, remarking that if they will be applied in Pakistan, they will also benefit the Pashtun community there.
“[ I have seen how in some African countries where there are two important religions - Islam and Catholicism – at Christmas Muslims go to greet Christians and bring lambs and other things, and for the Feast of Sacrifice Christians go to Muslims and bring them things for their celebration: this is true fraternity, and this is beautiful. ]”
Building a society where no one is discriminated
Pope Francis concluded by invoking God to “assist government leaders and peoples in building a society where all are accorded full citizenship with equal rights; where everyone can live according to their own customs and culture (...), without abuses of power or discrimination."
Cardinal Parolin: 'You are an ambassador of the Pope, Holy See and Christ'
On Saturday, 12 August, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, presides over Holy Mass for the Episcopal Ordination of Archbishop Germano Penemote, appointed by Pope Francis as Apostolic Nuncio to Pakistan.
By Father Bernardo Suate - Vatican City
The joy of the Church in the Diocese of Ondjiva and that of the entire Angolan Church could not be contained on Saturday as they witnessed the country’s very own son assume the responsibility of carrying on the mission of Apostolic Nuncio.
In his homily at the episcopal ordination, Cardinal Parolin told the congregation: “I have come to share your joy.”
The Lord gives grace to those he chooses
Commenting on the liturgy of the day, Cardinal Parolin stressed that it is God who is at the origin of every vocation and, with his grace, gives strength, courage and wisdom to the one who is chosen, consecrated and sent. However, God’s initiative must be matched by humankind’s free response.
The Cardinal admonished his listeners that it is not an exclusively private relationship between the One who calls and the person who is called since every vocation always aims at a mission.
“A mission to console and reconcile, to give hope and make possible the encounter between God and people, so that the latter may be saved,” explained the Cardinal.
Thanksgiving, praise and adoration spring forth
As a result, thanksgiving, praise and adoration spring forth, as “we see in the liturgies of Africa, characterised by a joy that is very palpable in the way of praying, singing and participating,” Cardinal Parolin said.
And when one is called, as Bishop of the Church, to collaborate especially with the Lord for the salvation of all, the hymn of joy becomes even more intense. The gratitude is even more significant, just as the sense of responsibility and commitment of the one who is called to this honour and to such service must be more meaningful, Cardinal Parolin emphasised:
“This is precisely what is happening to you, dear Archbishop Germano! You are called to be an ambassador of the Holy Father, ambassador of the Holy See and ambassador of Christ. It is an honour and a splendid mission,” he told the newly ordained Arcbhishop.
You are an ambassador, the Cardinal Secretary of State insisted, of Good News for humanity, letting them know that they are not condemned to repeat, in new forms, the usual tragedies resulting from wars and fratricidal struggles. On the contrary, they are invited to recognise themselves as brothers and sisters and work with all means to build and strengthen paths of peace, solidarity and civilisation.
Strengthen the faithful in Pakistan
to be a credible worker of peace who brings the reconciliation that God offers humans and to be an ambassador of good, it is necessary to love God and neighbour as Christ loved to the point of dying on the Cross said the Cardinal.
And in connection with his mission, Cardinal Parolin reminded Archbishop Germano Penemote to strengthen the Catholic faithful in Pakistan in their faith so that they can seek ways of dialogue with the faithful of Islam and other religions.
“This is an essential dialogue so that we recognise ourselves as brothers regardless of differences and to remove all risk of the manipulation of religion and any unacceptable legitimisation of violence,” said the Cardinal.
May Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church assist your journey. May her Immaculate Heart, particularly venerated here in Angola, make your task as Apostolic Nuncio and your mission as Bishop effective and fruitful - concluded the Cardinal Secretary of State.
Pope prays for migrants lost at sea in most recent Mediterranean tragedy
Pope Francis prays for the dead and for those who have survived after the bodies of dozens of migrants wash up on an Italian shore.
By Francesca Merlo and Nathan Morley
Another tragedy in the Mediterranean Sea. Pope Francis on Sunday turned his thoughts on to the lives lost in yet another tragedy in which dozens of people lost their lives when their overloaded boat sank in rough seas.
Addressing the faithful gathered for his Sunday Angelus, the Holy Father explained that just off the coast of Calabria in Italy, over 40 bodies, including the bodies of many children, have been recovered.
"I pray for them", said the Pope, "for those who are lost, and for those who have survived", he added.
The Holy Father also expressed his gratitude towards all those who participate in rescue operations, as well as to all those who offer welcome to those seeking refuge. "May the Virgin Mary sustain you", he concluded.
The tragedy
The tragedy occurred at dawn on Sunday. It is understood that the overloaded vessel bringing migrants from Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan smashed into rocks during rough weather.
ANSA, the Italian news agency, reports 80 survivors were found on a beach; they told rescuers at least 250 people were on board the fishing boat in which they were traveling.
Twenty-one of the survivors were taken to hospital.
It was later reported 27 bodies were found washed up at a seaside resort, with more spotted at sea – including a baby.
The perilous Mediterranean route
Just last week, a group of African migrants were drowned while dozens went missing when their overloaded boat sank off the Libyan coast.
The Mediterranean route is considered the most dangerous crossing in the world for people seeking refuge in Europe.
Countless rickety, unseaworthy boats packed with migrants have sunk in the area during the last five years.
With better weather arriving across the region, more migrant boats are expected to set sail in the coming weeks.
