The Holy Father’s recent trip to Myanmar and Bangladesh, his pastoral concern evident in his apostolic exhortation, his support of immigrants, and even his general demeanor are all examples of a man who is patient, meeting people where they are on their own personal life journeys, and ready to serve their needs.
Pope Francis
Pope’s Peace Mission to Myanmar
At a distance, it’s easy to judge Pope Francis’ visit to Myanmar, the first by a pope to this overwhelmingly Buddhist nation, in absolutes – will he or won’t he publicly acknowledge the plight of the Rohingya, for instance, or will his presence push the nation in the direction of greater democracy and peace, or won’t it?
In Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pope Travels to Peripheries
Pope Francis’ call to ‘go into the peripheries’ is real. In his brief pontificate, he has shown his concern for the poor by calling the Church ‘of the poor and for the poor.’ He has drawn the attention of the world leaders and all concerned by declaring Nov. 19 as a day of the world poor.
What It’s Like to Meet the Pope
Every now and then, I find in the offices of pastoral leaders and theologians, as well as in the homes of some families I know, a picture of them shaking hands with one of the recent popes.
Chaput: Controversies Have Obscured the ‘Great Wisdom and Beauty’ of ‘Amoris’
Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia said Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation ‘Amoris Laetitia’ offers great wisdom, but the controversies over it have “obscured much of the good in the document.”
Pope Francis Mourns ‘Senseless Violence’ of Texas Shooting and Sends Condolences
Following the latest incident of gun violence in America, Pope Francis has sent his condolences to the victims of the Sutherland Springs mass shooting in Texas, saying he is “deeply grieved” by the “senseless violence.” On Sunday, a 26-year old gunman entered into a Baptist Church and killed 26 people during the service. The tragedy has prompted Catholic bishops from around the United States to speak out against gun violence.
Apostolic Nuncio to the US: “Unity Prevails Over Conflict”
During a week in which the U.S. bishops issued a statement expressing loyalty to Pope Francis and encouraging greater charity in dialogue, the Apostolic Nuncio to the U.S. praised the pope’s “spirituality of synodality and discernment” and argued for greater unity in the Church.
A Compassionate Solution
Dear Editor: In August, reader Ed Moffitt projected his feelings of being troubled by what our Pope Francis has publicly stated about the President and building the wall. Pope Francis’ view is public opposition of our president who wants to keep our country safe from harm; his primary duty as president.
Interview With the Pope Is Out of This World
One perk that comes with floating aboard the International Space Station (ISS) is NASA arranges for occasional calls with celebrities to keep the astronauts’ spirits high during their monthslong flights.
San Diego Bishop Sees Local Antidotes to ‘Poison of Partisanship’
In an interview with The Tablet, Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego spoke of how he believes local solutions are necessary to combat the poison of partisanship which has contributed to a “cancer in our Church.” One such measure to combat this is the initiation of a local synod within his diocese to focus on hearing the real life needs of Catholics and providing concrete responses.