We want to respond to the virus pandemic with the universality of prayer, compassion and tenderness. Let us stay united. I invite all Christians to direct their voices together toward Heaven, reciting the Our Father on Wednesday, 25 March, at noon.
#PrayTogether
My apostolic journey to Thailand and Japan was a gift for which I am so grateful to the Lord. This visit increased my closeness and affection for these peoples: may God bless them with prosperity and peace in abundance.
#GeneralAudience
Let us pray for the many people who are dying alone, without being able to say goodbye to their loved ones. Let us pray also for the families who cannot accompany their loved ones on that journey.
#PrayTogether
Today we unite in prayer with the people of France, as we wait for the sorrow inflicted by the serious damage to be transformed into hope with reconstruction. Holy Mary, Our Lady, pray for us.
#NotreDame
The world needs you. Never forget that! The Lord needs you, so that you can encourage all those people around us who are looking for a helping hand to lift them up.
#ApostolicJourney
In these days a number of doctors and priests have died. Many nurses were infected because they were serving the sick. I thank God for the example of heroism they give us in caring for the sick. Let us
#PrayTogether
for them and their families.
Corruption undermines the dignity of the person and shatters all good and beautiful ideals.All of society is called upon to make a concrete commitment to combat the cancer of corruption which, with the illusion of quick and easy profits, in reality impoverishes everyone.
#IACD2019
The theme of my visit is “Protect All Life”, in the recognition of its inviolable dignity and the importance of showing solidarity and support to our brothers and sisters in any kind of need.
#ApostolicJourney
The use of atomic energy for purposes of war is immoral, just as the possession of atomic weapons is immoral, as I said two years ago. We will be judged on this.
#EndNuclearWeapons
#Hiroshima
#ApostolicJourney
How important it is to learn to be a friendly and outstretched hand! Try to grow in friendship even with those who think differently than you, so that solidarity might growamong you and become the best weapon to change the course of history.
Let us stay united. I invite all Christians to direct their voices together toward Heaven, reciting the Our Father tomorrow, 25 March, at noon.
#PrayTogether
#PrayForTheWorld
Try to create spaces in which the culture of efficiency, performance and success can become open to a culture of generous and selfless love, capable of offering to everyone, and not only to those who have “made it”, the possibility of a happy and successful life.
#ApostolicJourney
I renew my invitation for everyone to take part on 2 March, Ash Wednesday, in a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace in
#Ukraine
, in order to be near to the suffering Ukrainian people, to be aware that we are all brothers and sisters, and to implore God for an end to the war.
There are two attitudes typical of lukewarm Christians: putting God in a corner - either you do this for me or I won't go to Church anymore - and washing our hands of those in need. Let us get rid of these attitudes to make space for the Lord who is coming.
#HomilySantaMarta
On the 75th anniversary of the atomic explosion at Hiroshima, let us remember that resources used in the arms race could and should be used instead to promote integral human development and to protect the natural environment.
#Hiroshima75
I leave today on my 32nd
#ApostolicJourney
. Dear friends in Thailand and Japan, before we meet, let us pray together that these days may be rich in grace and joy.
In a world where millions of children and families live in inhumane conditions, the money that is squandered and the fortunes made through the manufacture, maintenance and sale of ever more destructive weapons, are an affront crying out to heaven.
To remember, to journey together, to protect. These are three moral imperatives that here in
#Hiroshima
assume even more powerful and universal significance, and can open a true path to peace.
We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
In the ongoing work of recovery and rebuilding after the disasters, many hands must join together and many hearts unite as one. In this way, those who are suffering will be supported and know that they have not been forgotten.
#ApostolicJourney
I would like to appeal to those with political responsibilities to make a serious examination of conscience before God, who is the God of peace and not of war, the Father of all, not just of some, who wants us to be brothers and not enemies.
#Ukraine
#Peace
Let us
#PrayTogether
for doctors, hospital staff, and volunteers who are giving their own lives to save others. And for civil leaders, for those who have to make decisions at this time. All these people are the pillars defending us in this crisis.
When Christians and Buddhists have the opportunity to appreciate and esteem one another, in spite of our differences, we offer the world a word of hope that can encourage and support those who are wounded by division.
#ApostolicJourney
Let us
#PrayTogether
today for those who clean hospitals, streets, who empty dumpsters, who go to each house to remove trash. It’s a job that no one sees, but one that is necessary for our survival. May the Lord bless them.
The nativity scene reminds us that God did not remain invisible in heaven, but came down to earth and became man. To set up a nativity scene is to celebrate the closeness of God, to rediscover that God is real, concrete; He is humble Love that came down to us.
#Nativityscene
I was deeply saddened to learn of the assassination of Mr Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minister of Japan. I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends & the people of Japan. I pray Japanese society will be strengthened in its historic commitment to peace and nonviolence.
Let us
#PrayTogether
for those who are homeless. In this moment when everyone is supposed to be at home, may society help them and may the Church welcome them.
Today we remember the families who cannot leave their homes: may they know how to find a way of communicating well, and conquer the anguish of this moment together. Let us
#PrayTogether
for peace in families today during this crisis, and for creativity.
There are families in need who cannot work and have nothing to eat. Then along come usurers to take what little they have. Let us
#PrayTogether
for these families' dignity. And let us pray also for the usurers, that the Lord might touch their hearts and convert them.
Protecting all life and proclaiming the Gospel are not separate or opposed; rather each appeals to, and requires, the other.
#ProtectAllLife
#ApostolicJourney
Let's think of the little Judas that we all have within ourselves. Every one of us is capable of choosing between loyalty and self-interest. We are each capable of betraying, of selling, of making choices based on our own interests. Where are you, Judas?
#HomilySantaMarta
The word
#Advent
means coming. The Lord is coming. This is the root of our hope: the certainty that God's consolation comes to us amidst the troubles of the world. Not a consolation of words, but of His presence among us.
I invite everyone to make this coming 2nd March, Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting for Peace: let believers dedicate themselves intensively to prayer and fasting. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war.
Today the Church praises smallness. God's works begin by sprouting from a seed, from little things. Jesus speaks about this smallness of the Kingdom: the small heart, humble, that is open to the revelation of the Lord.
#HomilySantaMarta
Let us
#PrayTogether
for artists, who have a great capacity for creativity and show us the path forward through beauty. May the Lord grant each of us the grace of creativity in this moment.
I thank those people everywhere who have sent me their congratulations and good wishes for my fiftieth ordination anniversary and for my birthday. I thank you in a particular way for the gift of your prayers.
#PrayTogether
for the deceased, those who have died because of the virus. Let us pray especially for healthcare providers who have given their life in service of the sick.
A person's dignity does not depend on them being a citizen, a migrant, or a refugee. Saving the life of someone fleeing war and poverty is an act of humanity.
#WithRefugees
@M_RSection
Let us pray today for the people doing business with those in need during this pandemic, who seek to profit from the needs of others and "sell" them. May the Lord touch and convert their hearts.
#PrayTogether
Those who love use their imagination to discover solutions where others see only problems. Those who love help others according to their needs and with creativity, not according to preconceived ideas or common conceptions.
In these days before
#Christmas
we praise the Lord for the gratuitousness of salvation, for the gratuitousness of life, for everything he gives us for free. Everything is grace.
#HomilySantaMarta
Dear brother, dear sister, if your hands seem empty, if you think your heart is poor in love, this night is for you. The grace of God has appeared to shine forth in your life. Accept it and the light of Christmas will shine forth in you.
The coronavirus is not the only disease to be fought, but rather, the pandemic has shed light on broader social ills. One of these is a distorted view of the person, a perspective that ignores the dignity and relational character of the person.
#GeneralAudience
Today, let us
#PrayTogether
for those persons who are burying the dead during this pandemic, risking being infected as well. To bury the dead is one of the works of mercy.
The Lord has so much compassion, He involves Himself in our problems. Let us often repeat this simple prayer: Lord, I am a sinner, have mercy on me, have compassion for me.
#HomilySantaMarta
Let us pray for all the pastors of the Church, that they might guide the flock entrusted to them with the same firmness and tenderness of the Good Shepherd.
#GeneralAudience
When confessing our sins we must not be abstract, but simple and concrete like children: "I am a sinner because of this, this and this." This leads me to feel ashamed. Being concrete makes me serious rather than vaguely feel a sense of being a sinner.
#HomilySantaMarta
Let us
#PrayTogether
for those who provide funeral services. What they do is so painful, so sad, and they are touched deeply by the pain of this pandemic. Let us pray for them.
We cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form. At the same time, we have to recognize that violence is self-destructive and self-defeating. Nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost. Let us pray for reconciliation and peace.
The first requirement for prayer is faith, the second is perseverance, and the third is courage. In these days when we need to pray more, let us ask ourselves if we pray like this. The Lord never deludes! He makes us wait, but He never deludes.
#HomilySantaMarta
The human person is always sacred and inviolable, in any situation and at any stage of his or her development. If this conviction falls, there is no solid and permanent foundation for the defense of
#HumanRights
.
Let us pray today for those persons who are beginning to experience economic problems due to the pandemic, because they cannot work. All of this affects the family.
#PrayTogether
Brothers and sisters, in moments when we are far from God, it would do us good to hear this voice in our heart: "My son, my daughter, what are you doing? Please, don't kill yourself. I died for you."
#HomilySantaMarta
The response to the pandemic is dual: we need to find a cure for this small which has brought the whole world to its knees and we must cure a larger virus, that of social injustice.
#GeneralAudience
Let us
#PrayTogether
for the elderly, especially those who are isolated or in rest homes and are afraid of dying alone. They are our roots. They gave us the faith, tradition, and a sense of belonging. Let us pray that the Lord might be near to them.
The tragedy we are experiencing summons us to take seriously the things that are serious, and not to be caught up in those that matter less; to rediscover that life is of no use if not used to serve others. For life is measured by love.
God searches for you, even if you don’t search for Him. God loves you, even if you have forgotten Him. God looks for beauty in you, even if you think you have uselessly squandered all your talents.
In three days’ time it will be
#Christmas
and my thoughts go especially to families, who are reunited in these festive days. May Holy Christmas be a fraternal time for everyone, one of growth in the faith and of actions of solidarity toward those who are in need.
In these painful times, people think of doing many good things. But others think of how they can take advantage of the situation to profit personally from it. Let us
#PrayTogether
that the Lord might grant an upright, transparent conscience to all of us.
Today we renew our commitment so that every disabled person may share their gifts with the community to which they belong and in which they take part.
#IDPD
May the feast of our Mother
#MaryImmaculate
help us to make our whole life a "yes" to God, a "yes" composed of adoration of Him and of daily gestures of love and service.
With this Letter, I wish to encourage the beautiful family tradition of preparing the nativity scene in the days before Christmas, but also the custom of setting it up in the workplace, in schools, hospitals, prisons and town squares.
It is not easy to live in the light. The light makes us see many ugly things within us: vices, pride, the worldly spirit. But Jesus tells us: "Take courage; let yourself be enlightened, because I save you". Let us not be afraid of Jesus's light!
#HomilySantaMarta
The Church exists to keep alive in people’s heart the memory that God loves them. It exists to tell everyone, even those furthest away: “God doesn’t forget you, He cares about you”.
Today, too, let us join in prayer with the Christian community of Sri Lanka, which was struck by terrible violence on Easter Sunday. We entrust to the risen Lord the victims, the wounded and all the suffering.
#PrayForSriLanka
I address a special thought to the brothers of the Eastern Churches, Catholic and Orthodox, who today celebrate the Lord's Christmas. To all I wish the light and peace of Christ the Saviour.
I thank all those who made my visit to Thailand possible, and those who accompanied me with their prayer. I invoke abundant divine blessings on this beloved Nation, and I ask the Lord to guide it on the paths of wisdom, justice and peace.
#ApostolicJourney
May the Virgin Mary help us so that, as we approach
#Christmas
, we do not allow ourselves to be distracted by external things, but make room in our hearts for the One who has already come and wants to come again to heal our illnesses and to give us his joy.
The root of every spiritual error is believing ourselves to be righteous. To consider ourselves righteous is to leave God, the only righteous one, out in the cold.
I thank all those who have been close to me with prayer and affection during my hospital stay. Let us not forget to pray for the sick and for those who assist them.
So many people live without knowing what goes on in their hearts. We ask for the grace to remain in the Lord and to distinguish the Spirit of God from the spirit of the world, so that our heart may be the meeting point between God and us.
#HomilySantaMarta
Working together to practice hospitality, especially towards those whose lives are most vulnerable, will make us better human beings, better disciples, and a more united Christian people.
#General
Audience
These days of pain and sadness are bringing many hidden problems in society to the surface. We ask St Teresa of Calcutta to reawaken in us the sense of nearness to so many persons who are hidden in normal life, such as the homeless.
#PrayTogether
Faith gives us the ability to look with hope at the events of life, and helps us to accept even defeats and sufferings, in the knowledge that evil never has the last word.
Tonight, in the beauty of God's love, we also discover our own beauty, for we are beloved of God. In His eyes we are beautiful: not for what we do but for what we are.