#PopeFrancis asks, “from the bottom of my heart,” that no country do anything to increase “the spiral of violence” in the Middle East

#PopeFrancis sends telegram to Abp Fisher of Sydney offering the 'assurance of his spiritual closeness to all affected by this senseless tragedy.' #BondiJunction

#PopeFrancis in msg to Al Arabiya Network: 'Deserts of hatred can bring forth shoots of hope only if we learn how to grow together ... learn to respect the beliefs of others ... recognize the right to existence of every people & right of every people to have their own State...

#PopeFrancis ' intention to visit Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore in September confirmed. No word yet on possible addition of Vietnam.

'If the synod is going to be a success, it really needs to keep its roots in the Sunday pew,” Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory told Catholic News Service Rome, noting the lack of involvement of parish priests in the first synodal assembly.

catholicherald.com/article/global…

Indonesia's foreign affairs ministry says #PopeFrancis will visit Sept. 3-6 on a trip that will include Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Singapore.
kemlu.go.id/portal/en/read…

The parish priest is the church’s “point of contact and if we lose contact with our people through their priests, it disables the mission of the church.”
Catholic News Service Rome OSV News
thedialog.org/vatican-news/s…

“Ciao Papa!”

Cardinal Wilton Gregory: Parish priests are lifeline to church's mission - 'The success of the Synod of Bishops on synodality will much depend on also including parish priests in the process' scross.co.za/2024/04/cardin…

In January, Abp Fisichella said Pope Francis would have a 'school of prayer' in 2024, similar to his 'Fridays of Mercy' during the Jubilee of Mercy, when he visited people on the 'peripheries,' including babies in a neonatal unit, a center for the blind and a housing project.

First look at #PopeFrancis joining 200 kids at their catechism class, inaugurating the 'School of Prayer' in preparation for the Holy Year.

#PopeFrancis has initiated the 'School of Prayer' in preparation for the Holy Year 2025 by meeting this afternoon with 200 children at St. John Vianney parish in Rome's Borghesiana neighborhood. ... (Not publicized; still waiting for photos)

Pope Francis continued his catechesis series on vices and virtues by reflecting on the virtue of fortitude.
'Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of good.'

At end of audience, Bishop Parkes of Diocese of St. Pete greets #PopeFrancis ... and then the wind kicks up again.

#PopeFrancis by Pablo Esparza

There's a bit of a breeze in St. Peter's Square this morning as #PopeFrancis leads his general audience.

#PopeFrancis : Most of our fears 'are unrealistic, and do not come true at all. It is better, then, to invoke the Holy Spirit and face everything with patient fortitude: one
problem at a time, as we are able, but not alone! The Lord is with us.'

#PopeFrancis : A person without passions 'would be a stone. Passions are not necessarily the residue of a sin; but they must be educated, channeled, purified with the water of Baptism, or better with the fire of the Holy Spirit.'

Starting the day with a hug. #PopeFrancis .

Happy Wednesday! It's audience day. #PopeFrancis .