ROME—As soon as news of Pope Francis’ passing on Easter Monday broke, many people from all walks of life flocked to the Vatican to pay their last respects to the beloved shepherd. The streets of Rome erupted in a frenzy as traffic snarled along the long lines of Via della Conciliazione, with priests and nuns...
Tag: Pope Francis
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Pope Francis’ funeral is a simplified but still grand celebration of a pastor and disciple of Jesus
Till the end, Francis wished to keep to the simple style he had set for his papacy. On March 13, 2013, after his election as pope, he broke with tradition when he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica wearing a plain white cassock. He had chosen not to wear the traditional red ermine-trimmed...
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When the Pope and priests wear pink
“Gracia” was dismayed to see the parish priest wearing pink while celebrating Sunday Mass. She said a priest should be neutral and not openly declare himself a “kakampink” (literally, pro-pink), a supporter of then presidential candidate Leni Robredo. Pink was then the campaign color of choice of Robredo and her supporters. Was the parish priest a “kakampink”?...
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Marking Ash Wednesday and recalling Pope Francis’ call to ‘return to God with all our heart’
The Holy See Press Office announced on Feb. 28 that Pope Francis would not preside over the traditional celebration of the Ash Wednesday liturgy on Aventine Hill, which is to take place on March 5. The Pope has been confined for more than two weeks in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital to receive treatment for bilateral pneumonia...
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Workers’ equality in the kingdom of God
Jackieh, a library assistant, had to walk fast or run to be on time for work. Tardiness would mean a salary deduction if her reason for being late is not acceptable. During the pandemic when the norm was to work from home, she set the alarm 10 minutes before 10 a.m., her time in, so...
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Pope Francis: Learn from the Transfiguration of Jesus
In his message for Lent 2023, which was released on Feb. 17, Pope Francis urged the faithful to “listen to Jesus” as he recalled God the Father’s command to the disciples during the Transfiguration. In the story, which is proclaimed every Second Sunday of Lent (March 5 this year), Jesus is transfigured on a mountain...