“With a smile, Pope John Paul I managed to communicate the goodness of the Lord. How beautiful is a church with a happy, serene and smiling face, a church that never closes doors, never hardens hearts, never complains or harbors resentment, does not grow angry or impatient, does not look dour or suffer nostalgia for the past,” Pope Francis has said.

In his homily at the Mass with the College of Cardinals this week, Pope Francis reflected on the first reading from St Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, in which the apostle praises God for revealing “the mystery of his purpose” and his “hidden plan” for humanity.

To enter the plan God proposes for our life requires that we restrict the space of selfishness, reduce the presumption of self-sufficiency and lower the heights of pride and arrogance, Pope Francis has said in his weekly Sunday Angelus audience.

In celebrating the Eucharist, we are celebrating, and being drawn into, the great mystery of our salvation, said Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, in a Pastoral Letter published Tuesday 16 August.

The Pastoral Letter addressed the whole Perth Catholic community, focusing on what it means for us to be a Christ-centred Church which is prayerful and Eucharistic.

“The conceit of stopping time — of wanting eternal youth, unlimited well-being, absolute power — is not only impossible, it is delusional,” he said. The Holy Father continued his series of talks on old age and reflected on Jesus’ farewell to his disciples during the Last Supper, in which he promised to “prepare a place” for them.

In his first general audience following a month long summer break, Pope Francis has
reflected on his recent visit to Canada, which he said was “unlike the other journeys” he has made.

Speaking ahead of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, to be celebrated Sunday 24 July, the Holy Father said elderly men and women often have “a special sensitivity for care, for reflection and affection” that is sorely needed in today’s war-torn world

Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb delivered a public lecture entitled The Outsider Pope: Where is Francis leading our Church, hosted by the Diocese of Parramatta on Tuesday 5 July.

In a message to participants at a European youth conference, Pope Francis encouraged young people to not “be drawn into shortsighted ideologies that want to show others, those who are different from ourselves, as enemies.”

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service Pope Francis greets Sister Raffaella Petrini, an Italian member of the US-based Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, at the Vatican on 3 December 2015. The Holy Father named Sister Petrini to be Secretary-General of the office governing the Vatican City State. Photo: CNS/Vatican Media. Pope Francis said he plans to name two women to the committee t...