Pope thanks Argentine painter for self-portraits

August 21, 2013.(Romereports.com) Just minutes after his election as Supreme Pontiff, the entire world wanted the image of Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Pope Francis. The historic moment also inspired Argentine painter Mercedes Fariña with the idea to paints the new Pope.  

MERCEDES FARIÑA
Painter
“I thought that it was a good opportunity to show this moment, which is so important, through an Argentine painter, someone from his same nationality. Another thing that drew me to the Holy Father is that I'm from the Flores neighborhood, which is where he was born and grew up. In the first painting, I placed him next to his church, where he found his religious vocation.”

The painter found a way to get a letter and a picture of her painting to the Pope. The Vatican responded to the painter with an Apostolic Blessing. But the best surprise was yet to come.

MERCEDES FARIÑA
Painter
“I received a second letter handwritten by him. It was an immense joy for me, and he thanked me for the allegoric portrait, and he congratulated me for my artistic skills.”

Mercedes has so far done four portraits of Pope Francis and she hopes to see him so she can hand them to him in person.

MERCEDES FARIÑA
Painter
“The Nunciature in Buenos Aires also contacted me and told me they would ask for a private audience with the Pope, to hand him the first painting. So now were are waiting on confirmation from Rome, and hopefully I'll be lucky. My greatest wish to to be able to personally hand my allegoric painting to the Holy Father.”

This painter continues working on a series of portraits on the Pope. Next year, she will exhibit in Rome seven of the portraits of her fellow Argentine, Pope Francis.

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Benedict XVI 'escapes' to Castel Gandolfo to pray to Our Lady, and listen to classical music

August 20, 2013.(Romereports.com) Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI traveled to Castel Gandolfo on Sunday, where he spent the afternoon strolling through the gardens of the villa where he spent the hot summer months in the past eight years.  

According to Italian news agency ANSA, Benedict XVI spent Sunday afternoon at Castel Gandolfo, joined by the 'memores domini,' the four consecrated women that have cared for him for several years. He used that time to pray the Rosary at the gardens, and even enjoyed a brief piano concert. The visit lasted approximately three hours, and then he returned to the Vatican.

Before the start of the summer, Pope Francis invited Benedict XVI to take refuge from the Roman heat at Castel Gandolfo, but the Pope emeritus declined, and opted instead to remain inside the Vatican.

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Honoring Martyrs, through the streets of Vatican City

July 9, 2013 (Romereports.com) The Vatican held a special celebration for the early martyrs of the Church. The so called 'protomartyrs', were those who died during the first centuries AD, a time when practicing Christianity was forbidden by Roman authorities.

Some of the best known saints in the Catholic tradition, such as Saint Peter, died a martyr's death in Rome, in places that are still famous today.

REGINALDO LUCIOLI
Vatican City State Marching Band
“The Roman Protomartyrs are the very first martyrs of the Catholic Church. Right next to us here there once stood Nero's so-called 'garden', where Saint Peter was crucified upside down at his own request. But also other martyrs are celebrated, such as those who were eaten alive by the lions in the Coliseum and other places.”

The Feast of the Roman Protomartyrs began with a special Mass celebrated by Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, at the end of June.  The office was also attended by the Choir of the Diocese of Rome. Also present were representatives of many orders and confraternities. But the peak of the celebrations was a procession that went right through the gardens and alleyways of  Vatican City, accompanied by the traditional Vatican marching band.

REGINALDO LUCIOLI
Vatican City State Marching Band
“One thing that is really moving is that every year the band following the procession passes in front of the Pope's residence. This year that will be at Casa Santa Marta. In front of it, to signal its presence, the band will intone the traditional 'three rings', which the Pontifical band always plays in front of the Pope.”

The procession ran along the perimeter of Saint Peter's Basilica. It then reached the Vatican gardens and stopped at the Teutonic Church just behind the Pope's current residence.

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The Pope's New Encylical Lumen Fidei: The Basics

Dr. Taylor Marshall (one of my favorite bloggers) sums up the new Encylical Lumen Fidei (Latin for "The Light of Faith") written by both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis in 15 simple points:

1. He begins with referring to Nietzsche as the pioneer of non-faith for our era. Consequently, "humanity renounced the search for a great light, Truth itself."
2. He then refers to Dante, who in the Divine Comedy, after professing his faith to Saint Peter, describes that light as a "spark, which then becomes a burning flame and like a heavenly star within me glimmers." The encyclical builds on Saint Peter's initial faith when he said, "You are Christ, the Son of the Living God!"
3. Next, he traces the history of faith from Abraham and up on through the Hebrews of the Old Testament. The Incarnation reveals the ultimate object of faith - Jesus Christ.
4. "In many areas in our lives we trust others who know more than we do. We trust the architect who builds our home, the pharmacist who gives us medicine for healing, the lawyer who defends us in court." But why don't we trust God? Trust or faith is a natural part of life. 
5. Faith transforms those who love. This is why we are saved by faith in Christ. Read more

Zenit offers an official summary of Lumen Fidei HERE.

Thomas Peters shares his Top 15 Quotes From The Pope's New Encyclical HERE.

You can read Lumen Fidei by doing the following:

1. Leaf through the Vatican online book
2. View the Vatican web page
3. Order a print copy from USCCB

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Seminarians and novices flock to Rome for special event with Pope Francis

July 03, 2013. (Romereports.com) Between July 4th and 7th, Rome will be the center of a special event dedicated to seminarians and novices from all over the world. According to the Vatican, the city will welcome more than 6 thousand people from at least 70 countries around the world.

Most of these pilgrims will be youths, so the event will in a way be a preview of WYD in Rio.
The train of celebrations in the Eternal City has been organized by the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization.

ARCH. RINO FISICHELLA
President, Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization
“I think that the presence of thousands and thousands of young people in Rome will be a witness of joy, first of all, and a witness that youths today can be once again able, even with difficulty, to follow Jesus Christ.”

The series of events will have a special focus on formation. On Saturday, July 6th, pilgrims will attend a special conference to analyze the role of clergy education plays within the new evangelization.

ARCH. RINO FISICHELLA
President, Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization
“I think that this is very important. But it this is also very important for seminarians, novices and all young people who desire to consecrate themselves to Jesus Christ, because formation also means 'to know our identity', it also means being able to 'go outside ourselves' and being instruments for the New Evangelization.”

The list of scheduled events includes a catechesis session in seven languages and special visits to Roman shrines. But the highlight, will be a meeting with Pope Francis on Saturday, July 6th. The audience will feature speeches by father Robert Barron, who is known as the popular social media priest.  Also on the list is film director Juan Manuel Cotelo and in the singing department, there's sister Glenda Valesca Hernandes Aguayo.

The Pope will also close the event with a special Mass at St. Peter's Square.

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Pope celebrates 'Pallium Ceremony'

July 01, 2013. (Romereports.com) Dressed in their red vestments, a total of 34 metropolitan archbishops, who were named over the last year,  received the so called 'pallium' garment in St. Peter's Basilica. As marked by tradition, the Pope imposed the white wool made vestment on each one of them. The Pope said it should remind them of their responsibility to spread the Gospel and to serve.

POPE FRANCIS
“It's not just a call for the Bishop of Rome, but for all of you. As Archbishops and Bishops you have the responsibility of allowing yourself to be consumed by the Gospel: To be close to everyone, using your energy for the service of others.”

The pallium ceremony is traditionally celebrated on the Feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul. It's a symbol of being in Communion with the Holy See. The Pope described the diversity of the Church as a mosaic designed by God. That, he said, should be remembered when there are differences or tensions.

POPE FRANCIS
“This should inspire us to work to overcome every single conflict that wounds the Body of the Church. United in our differences. This is the only Catholic road towards unity. This is the Catholic spirit, the Christian spirit.”

Among the 34 archbishops who received the pallium, was the new Argentinian archbishop of Buenos Aires, Mario Aurelio Poli, who took over the post held recently held by Pope Francis.

Also on the list was Joseph Cordileone from the American city of San Francisco in California. From Indianapolis, Archbishop Joseph William Tobin.

The Mexican archbishop of the industrial city of Monterrey, Rogelio Cabrera Lopez was also there.

The Pope helped out the  Archbishop of Sucre, Bolivia, Jesus Juarez Parraga.  The Pope stood up to  impose the pallium, so the archbishop wouldn't have to kneel.

POPE FRANCIS
“When we allow our thoughts, feelings or the logic of human power to prevail, instead of allowing ourselves be taught and guided by faith and by God, we become stumbling blocks. Faith in Christ is the light of our life as Christians and as ministers in the Church!”

During the celebration, a world renowned choir was invited to sing. The Choir of the Thomaskirche of Leipzig parish sang, which is where German composer, Sebastian Bach worked as a choirmaster in the 1700's. The group sang along with the Vatican's 'Sistine' Choir throughout the ceremony.

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Pope Francis' first Encyclical to be released on July 5th

July 01, 2013. (Romereports.com) The Vatican announced that Pope Francis' first encyclical will be titled 'Lumen Fidei,' which translates to 'The Light of Faith.' The encyclical was started by Benedict XVI when he was still Pope. Francis finished it, describing it as a 'strong text.'

It will be presented on July 5th, by Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet and by archbishops Gerhard Müller and Rino Fisichella.

Encyclicals are open letters, where Pontiffs write  a religious and social message, to all people of good will.

John Paul II published 14. Benedict XVI published three.

Usually, a Pope's first encyclical outlines the priorities of his pontificate. But that won't necessarily be the case with this one, since a good portion of the document was already written by Benedict XVI,  when it was received by Pope Francis.

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Pope to impose Pallium on metropolitan archbishops

June 28, 2013. (Romereports.com) During the Feast Day of St. Peter and St. Paul, the Church celebrates the pallium ceremony. That's when Pope Francis will impose a wool made garment on metropolitan archbishops from all over the world, who were named in the past year.

On the list are 35 archbishops. Among them are the heads of major dioceses like Lisbon, in Portugal, San Francisco, Delhi, India, Monterrey, Mexico. There's also the archbishop of Buenos Aires, Mario Aurelio Poli, who takes over the post held by Cardinal Bergoglio, before being elected Pope.

The ceremony will be held in St. Peter's Basilica on June 29th.  At this point, 34 of the 35 archbishops will attend the ceremony. The Archbishop of Hue, Vietnam, will not be able to travel to Rome.

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Benedict XVI wants to spend the summer at the Vatican

June 25, 2013. (Romereports.com) Benedict XVI is “relaxed. He has a good memory and his eyes are bright and cheerful.” These were the words of father Stephan Otto Horn, president of the Ratzinger Alumni Association who visited the Pope Emeritus early in June.

According to his former student, Benedict XVI wants to spend his summer at the Vatican. He also suggested that his successor, Pope Francis spend a few days at Castel Gandolfo, to bear the summer heat.  Pope Francis has offered Benedict XVI, full access to the Pope's summer residence in the town of Castel Gandolfo.

The Latin American Pope is scheduled to visit the town of Castel Gandolfo on July 14th, where he will lead the Angelus prayer. According to Stephan Horn, Benedict XVI thinks Pope Francis should celebrate the Feast of the Assumption on August 15th, where a Mass is traditionally celebrated in the nearby parish.

Benedict XVI has parted ways with public life and is not scheduled to take part in any of the usual reunions he had with his former students during the summer. Nor will the former Pope, be at the Ratzinger Prize ceremony later in October.

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New Swiss Guard recruits sworn In at the Vatican

May 6, 2013. (Romereports.com)  These are the 35 new Swiss Guard recruits, who swore before the Guard's flag to defend the Pope.

Through this simple ceremony, and after several months of training, the new recruits take their place in the world's smallest army. Only 110 soldiers are tasked with defending the 108 acres of Vatican territory, but above all, to protect the Pope.

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Pope Francis welcomes Benedict XVI to the Vatican

May 2, 2013. (Romereports.com) It has been two months since Benedict XVI left the Vatican by helicopter. In the last few hours of his pontificate Pope Benedict XVI traveled to the summer residence of Castel Gandolfo. Now he comes back to the Vatican as Pope emeritus.  

As the Vatican got ready for the conclave, the remodeling of Benedict XVI's new residence was underway. From now on, he will live at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, located within Vatican territory.

Two months after he headed out to Castel Gandolfo, he comes back to the Vatican in a similar fashion, arriving by helicopter.

Upon his arrival, Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone was waiting for Benedict XVI, along with Angelo Sodano who serves as the Dean of the College of Cardinals. Also there was the president of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello.

As Benedict XVI made his way to the former monastery, Pope Francis was there, ready to welcome him back to the Vatican. They both went to pray in the chapel.

According to the Vatican's press release, Benedict XVI will serve the Church through prayer. He will live with his personal secretary, Monsignor Georg Gaenswein who will also serve as the prefect of the Papal Household. Four consecrated lay women from the Communion and Liberation movement will also live there to help out with every day chores.

More than likely, Benedict XVI will be visited by his 88 year old brother Georg Ratzinger, who is his only living relative.

The Mater Ecclesiae was used as a monastery for 19 years. Before that, employees of the Vatican Radio lived there, including the director. The living area is about 650 feet. The actual residence of Benedict XVI will be on the floor level, so he doesn't have to go up and down the stairs. The four story building has a small garden.

For now Pope Francis will continue to live in the so called Casa Santa Marta which is a Vatican guest house. So the first Latin American Pope and Benedict XVI will live just a few meters away from each other. Despite having a Pope and a Pope emeritus living in the Vatican, ironically, the Papal apartment, to this day, remains empty.

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Pope Francis: "The dignity of work."

In today's society greater attention is given to a company's financial statements than the dignity of work. This was the focus of Pope Francis' homily Wednesday morning celebrated with children and single mothers who are guests at the "Il Ponte" center for solidarity based in the port town of Civitavecchia north of Rome. Marking the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, the Pope pointed out that "those who work have dignity, a special dignity, a personal dignity". He also spoke of those many who want to work but often cannot find employment". He described the unjust nature of a society that puts profit above the person, where many fail to find a job and are forced to work like slaves.

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Second anniversary of John Paul II beatification

May 1, 2013. (Romereports.com) On May 1, 2011, for the first time a Pope beatified his predecessor. Just six years after the death of John Paul II, his successor Benedict XVI beatified him during a ceremony that attracted nearly 1.5 million people to the Eternal City.  

The City of Rome went to great lengths to celebrate the beatification of the Polish Pope that spoke 'romanesco,' as the Italian dialect spoken in Rome is called.

To be declared a saint, a miracle has to be attributed to the intercession of John Paul II, after he was beatified.

A panel of doctors consulted by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints considered valid a supposed miracle presented by his postulator.

Before presenting the finding to the Pope, the cardinals and the bishops from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints must approve it.

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Spokesman: Benedict XVI will likely return to Vatican on May 2

April 29, 2013. (Romereports.com) The spokesperson for the Vatican, Father Federico Lombardi, confirmed that Benedict XVI will likely return to the Vatican at about midday on May 2.

The Pope emeritus has been staying at Castel Gandolfo for the past two months, as crews finished work on the Mater Ecclesie convent to turn it into the new home for Benedict XVI.

Joining him back at the Vatican will also be four consecrated women, Memores Domini, a part of Communion and Liberation, that help Benedict XVI in his daily life, as well as his personal secretary, Monsignor Georg Gaenswein, who will continue in his role as Prefect of the Pontifical Household.

It is also very likely that the convent will also house the Pope emeritus' brother, Georg Ratzinger, who is also a priest and Benedict's only living family member.

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Pope Francis: The Church is a love story not a bureaucratic organization

(Vatican Radio) The Church is not a bureaucratic organization, but a love story. This was Pope Francis’ message during Wednesday’s Mass in the Chapel of the Casa Santa Marta.

Attending the Mass this morning were employees of the Institute for the Works of Religion, commonly called the Vatican bank. Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragán, President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, concelebrated Mass with the Holy Father.

The day’s readings tell the story of the growth of the first Christian community. In his homily, the Pope warned against being tempted to make "deals" simply to get "more partners in this enterprise."

Instead, he said, “the road that Jesus willed for His Church is otherwise: the way of difficulties, the way of the Cross, the way of persecution . . . And this makes us wonder: what is this Church? Because it seems it is not a human enterprise."

The Church, he said, is "something else." The disciples do not make the Church – they are the messengers sent by Jesus. And Christ was sent by the Father: “The Church begins there,” he said, “in the heart of the Father, who had this idea . . . of love. So this love story began, a story that has gone on for so long, and is not yet ended. We, the women and men of the Church, we are in the middle of a love story: each of us is a link in this chain of love. And if we do not understand this, we have understood nothing of what the Church is."

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Pope celebrates his saint's day with cardinals: 'absurd' to look for Jesus without the Church

April 23, 2013. (Romereports.com) Pope Francis celebrated the feast day of St. George, his patron saint, with a Mass as the Pauline Chapel, along with the resident cardinals in Rome. At the start of the ceremony, Cardinal Dean Angelo Sodano congratulated him on behalf of others. During the hour-long ceremony, Pope Francis gave a brief homily similar to the ones he offers at the Casa Santa Marta Chapel.

POPE FRANCIS
“I also thank all of you who wanted to come today: Thank you. Because I feel welcomed by you. Thank you. I feel good with you, and I like that.”

Without written remarks, but basing himself on the Gospel of the day, he spoke about the Church's expansion, starting with the first persecution of Christians.

POPE FRANCIS
“And this is how the Church moved forward. Whose was this initiative to speak to the Greeks? This was not clear to anyone but the Jews. But ... it was the Holy Spirit, the One who prompted them ever forward ... But some in Jerusalem, when they heard this, became 'nervous and sent Barnabas on an "apostolic visitation": perhaps, with a little sense of humor we could say that this was the theological beginning of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.”

The Pope also cited Paul VI twice, when explaining that in order to find Jesus, one has to be a part of the Church.

POPE FRANCIS
“But the Christian identity is not an identity card: Christian identity is belonging to the Church, because all of these belonged to the Church, the Mother Church. Because it is not possible to find Jesus outside the Church. The great Paul VI said: 'Wanting to live with Jesus without the Church, following Jesus outside of the Church, loving Jesus without the Church is an absurd dichotomy.'”

Even without prepared notes, Pope Francis continued speaking on three topics: the relationship between the missionary spirit of the Church and the persecution of early Christian, the role of the Mother Church, and the joy apostles experienced in evangelization.

Near the end, he urged everyone present to seek that same apostolic fervor, citing St. Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits.

POPE FRANCIS
“And let us ask the Lord for this "parresia", this apostolic fervor that impels us to move forward, as brothers, all of us forward! Forward, bringing the name of Jesus in the bosom of Holy Mother Church, and, as St. Ignatius said, "hierarchical and Catholic."

In addition to Pope Francis, other prelates celebrating their saint day of St. George include: Benedict's brother, Georg Ratzinger, who is at Castel Gandolfo; and the prefect of the Papal Household, Georg Gaenswein, who co-celebrated Mass with Pope Francis at the Pauline Chapel.

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Vatican plans huge pro-life, evangelization gathering

A major highlight for the Year of Faith will be a two-day celebration in Rome on the Church’s teaching about the dignity of life and how it fits with the New Evangelization.

Father Geno Sylva, the English-language official for the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, hopes the event will speak so clearly to the secular world that it is “going to have to listen and say, ‘well, there is a culture of life coming out of the Church.’”

The June 15-16 international gathering will begin on Saturday morning with a catechesis session on “The Gospel of Life and the New Evangelization.”

The event will “explore the enduring and timeless truths of Blessed John Paul II's 1995 encyclical, ‘Evangelium Vitae,’ and the central role that the Gospel of Life continues to have in the Church's mission of the New Evangelization,” according to organizers. More

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Adult stem cells helping teen with 'brittle bone disease' grow

Terry, Elizabeth and Mary Lobato pose with the Pontifical Hero Award on April 11, 2013. Credit: Stephen Driscoll/CNA.

Another endorsement for adult stem cell therapy:



Here's the story from CNA:

A girl whose bones used to break every two months was awarded for her courage in successfully battling her disease during a stem cell research conference at the Vatican.

“It feels amazing to win an award like this,” said Elizabeth Lobato, who was given the Pontifical Hero Award April 11 at the Second International Adult Stem Cell Conference in Vatican City.

“I heard I was the first to get this award from Rome and that’s awesome,” said the 14-year-old in an interview with CNA.

Elizabeth was diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta, commonly known as brittle bone disease, when she was just 10 months old. People affected by illness – which is caused by a genetic defect – often suffer from muscle weakness, hearing loss, loose joints, curved bones, scoliosis, brittle teeth and short stature.

But the teenager has grown over 13 inches since she began the adult stem cell treatment that involves her receiving bone marrow-derived stem cells from her father.

Read more.

Related story: STEM CELLS: Vatican honors Riverside girl for medical treatment

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Vatican hosts conference on advancements in adult stem cell therapy

April 9, 2013. (Romereports.com) The results on adult stem cell research and therapy are still not widely known, and will become a focus on the upcoming conference on regenerative medicine at the New Synod Hall in the Vatican.

Among the topics, will be the latest findings and testimony on researcher's work to repair tissues damaged by multiple sclerosis, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

DR. ROBIN SMITH
President, Stem for Life Foundation
“These cells come from all of us. They're in your teeth, in your fat, in your bone marrow. They come from the umbilical chord and the placenta, that's an adult stem cell therapy. So the idea is that you can get these cells without having to destroy a fetus.”

She highlights there are currently there are 4,300 clinical trials for adult stem cell research, as opposed to 26 for embryonic cells.

The conference, from April 11-13, is also set to highlight the Catholic Church's active participation in adult stem cell research and therapy, especially in their pastoral mission to care for the sick.

Dr. Smith adds such religious support is critical, because believers won't be forced to choose between their morals and a cure.

DR. ROBIN SMITH
President, Stem for Life Foundation
“The idea is to have everyone understand that they can support this and not be in violation of any faith. And that there is truly a bridge between science and religion.”

One of the main events will be a keynote speech on Friday by Dr. John Gurdon, the recipient of the 2012 Nobel Prize for Medicine. His work focused on reprogramming adult stem cells to adapt to the tissues of other body parts.

In addition to religious and medical leaders, the conference will bring together philanthropic and political delegates, in hopes of boosting support and funding for ongoing and new research. For the first time it will also focus on youth.

DR. ROBIN SMITH
President, Stem for Life Foundation
“We've brought over 25 students from universities from around the world; to bring back the message back to their communities, to help educate the young scientists and the younger generation, to understand how important this adult stem cell science will be for the future.”

The first conference on adult stem cells brought together close to 300 people in November 2011 under Benedict XVI. Because of his recent election, organizers say Pope Francis' involvement in this year's conference will be minimal.

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Pope's General Audience: God is our Strength, God is our Hope

April 10, 2013. (Romereports.com)-During Wednesday's general audience, Pope Francis continued his catechesis on faith. He explained that Christianity is not just about following the ten commandments, but about being transformed by the love, grace and hope of God.

With more than 30,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope explained that faith needs to be cared for and nourished on a daily basis, through reflection, prayer, charity and the Sacraments.

CATECHESIS IN ENGLISH:

“In our continuing catechesis on the Creed during this Year of Faith, we now consider the meaning of Christ’s resurrection for us and for our salvation.  The Lord’s death and resurrection are the foundation of our faith; by his triumph over sin and death, Christ has opened for us the way to new life.

Reborn in Baptism, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and become God’s adoptive sons and daughters.  God is now our Father: he treats us as his beloved children; he understands us, forgives us, embraces us, and loves us even when we go astray.

Christianity is not simply a matter of following commandments; it is about living a new life, being in Christ, thinking and acting like Christ, and being transformed by the love of Christ!

But this new life needs to be nourished daily by hearing God’s word, prayer, sharing in the sacraments, especially Penance and the Eucharist, and the exercise of charity.  God must be the center of our lives!

By our daily witness to the freedom, joy and hope born of Christ’s victory over sin and death, we also offer a precious service to our world, helping our brothers and sisters to lift their gaze heavenward, to the God of our salvation.”

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