Pope Francis has last week encouraged the lay faithful to Go out and seek the signs that God is offering everyone today that will lead to Christ.
Pope Francis called for abolishing the death penalty worldwide, lifting the burden of debt on poor nations, global aid policies that respect life and revamped laws that welcome and integrate migrants.
Former Vatican correspondent and journalist John Allen will next year speak at the Catholic Social Services Conference, Review, Reimagine, Renew: Mission making a difference in a changing world from 24-26 February.
When Pope Francis planned the Year of Mercy and the opening of the Holy Door, he did not mean to give the starting signal for a frenzied wave of pilgrims to Rome. More than a call to sign up for an Eternal City package tour, the Pope is inviting people to strike out on a year-long spiritual journey to recognise a loving God who’s already knocking on their door.
Despite serious security concerns for Pope Francis and for those who would come to see him, the Pope landed in Central African Republic on 29 November saying he came as “a pilgrim of peace.”
The unfolding number of refugees escaping from war-torn Syria has brought about much talk and speculation about the arrival of refugees in Australia in recent months.
Show kindness, understanding and mercy in today’s broken and wounded world, Pope Francis said.
Archbishop Timothy Costelloe has this week asked all parishes and other Catholic communities in the Archdiocese of Perth to unite in prayer for the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris, which took place on Friday 13 November.
The Archbishop of Paris, Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, issued a statement on Saturday, 14 November, via Vatican Radio, condemning the attacks on his city, praising first responders, and urging unity in the wake of terror attacks that killed at least 128 people overnight.