Catholic Fire

Thousands of people flocked to St. Peter's Square to see Pope Francis' first Urbi et Orbi Christmas blessing. As expected, the Pope put his personal style in the message. POPE FRANCIS "God is peace: let us ask him to help us to be peacemakers each day, in our life, in our families, in our cities and nations, in the whole world. Let us allow ourselves to be moved by God’s goodness.” It's a time of joy, but the Pope also understands that many people face stark challenges during this time of year.  In particular, Christians who live in the Holy Land, where Jesus was born. POPE FRANCIS "Looking at the Child in the manger, our thoughts turn to those children who are the most vulnerable victims of wars, but we think too of the elderly, to battered women, to the sick… Wars shatter and hurt so many lives!  Bless the land where you chose to come into the world, and grant a favorable outcome to the peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians. Heal the wounds o...

(Romereports.com) The Pope's Easter blessing is one of the most important of the year. Especially now, since with a new Pope, it gives some insight into what social issues are at the top of his list. The Pope called for peace in Korea, Iraq, Syria, Israel and Palestine. Also in regions that don't get too much attention like Mali, Congo and Central African Republic. He also denounced social issues like human trafficking.   POPE FRANCIS “Peace in the whole world, still divided by greed of those who look for an easy gain, wounded by the selfishness which threatens human life and the family, selfishness that continues in human trafficking, which is the most extensive form of slavery in this twenty-first century.” After celebrating Easter Sunday Mass, the Pope explained why Jesus' Resurrection is still relevant. POPE FRANCIS “What does it mean that Jesus is risen? It means that the love of God is stronger than evil and death itself; it means that the love of God can...

“Let us be renewed by God’s mercy, let us be loved by Jesus, let us enable the power of his love to transform our lives too; and let us become agents of this mercy, channels through which God can water the earth, protect all creation and make justice and peace flourish." ~ Pope Francis on March 31, 2013, from his  Urbi et Orbi ("to the city and to the world") address