Angelus

Pope at Angelus: Mary’s life marked by service and praise

Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno!

Today, Solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, we contemplate her ascending in body and soul to the glory of Heaven. Today’s Gospel also presents her to us as she ascends, this time “into the hill country” (Lk 1:39). And why does she go up there? To help her cousin Elizabeth, and there she proclaims the joyful canticle of the MagnificatRead more »

Pope Francis: Call on and welcome the Lord in life’s storms

Għeżież ħuti, il-jum it-tajjeb!

Illum l-Evanġelju jirrakkuntalna miraklu partikolari ta’ Ġesù.  Billejl, Hu jimxi fuq l-ilma tal-għadira tal-Galilija biex jiltaqa’ mad-dixxipli li qed jaqsmu min-naħa għall-oħra bid-dagħjsa (cfr (Mt 14, 22-33).  Insaqsu: għaliex għamel hekk Ġesù?  Biex jagħmel spettaklu?  Le!  Allura għaliex?  Forsi minħabba xi ħtieġa urġenti u imprevedibbli, biex jgħin lil tiegħu li jinsabu mwaħħlin minħabba r-riħ kontra?  Le, iżda għaliex kien Hu li fassal kollox, li qalilhom biex jitilqu billejl u saħansitra – jgħidilna t-test – “ġagħalhom” (cfr v… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: You are a sign of peace for the world

On the occasion of World Youth Day

  Parque Tejo, Lisbon

Dear brothers and sisters,

There is an expression that we have heard frequently during these days: “thank you”, or rather, “obrigado”. The Patriarch of Lisbon just told us something very important: that obrigado not only conveys a sense of gratitude for what we have received but also the desire to give in return. In this grace-filled event, we have all received much… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: We must have this attitude – to seek

  Saint Peter's Square, The Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno!

Today the Gospel tells the parable of a merchant in search of precious gemstones, who, Jesus says, “on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it” (Mt 13:46). Let us pause a little on the actions of this merchant, who first seeks, then finds and finally buysRead more »

Pope at Angelus: One cannot do good by hastily destroying what is bad

  Saint Peter's Square, Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno!

Today’s Gospel offers us the parable of the wheat and the weeds (cf. Mt 13:24-43). A farmer, who has sown good seed in his field, discovers that an enemy by night has sown darnel in it, a plant that looks very similar to wheat, but is a weed.

In this way, Jesus talks about our world, which in effect is like a large field, where God sows wheat and the evil one sows darnel, and therefore good and bad grow together… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: Do I sow goodness?

  Saint Peter's Square, The Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno!

Today the Gospel presents us the parable of the sower (cf. Mt 13:1-23). “Sowing” is a very beautiful image, and Jesus uses it to describe the gift of his Word. Let us imagine a seed: it is tiny, barely visible, but it makes plants grow that bear fruit. The Word of God is thus: think of the Gospel, a small book, simple and within reach of all, that produces new life in those who receive it… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: God reveals himself by liberating and healing the human person

  Saint Peter's Square

Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno!

Today the Gospel contains a very beautiful prayer Jesus addresses to the Father, saying, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children” (Mt 11:25). But what things is Jesus talking about? And then, who are these little children to whom such things are revealed? … Read more »

Pope at Angelus: What do I fear?

  Saint Peter's Square, Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, Buongiorno, Good Sunday!

In today’s Gospel, Jesus repeats to his disciples three different times: “have no fear” (Mt 10:26, 28, 31). Shortly prior to this, he had spoken to them about the persecutions they would have to undergo for the Gospel, a fact that is still a reality. Since its beginning, in fact, the Church has experienced, together with joys – of which she has had many – many persecutions… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: Do we confide in Him?

  Saint Peter's Square, Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno!

I wish to express my gratitude to those who, during the days of my stay at the Gemelli Hospital, showed me affection, care and friendship, and assured me of the support of prayer. This human closeness and spiritual closeness were of great help and comfort to me. Thank you all! Thank you! Thank you from my heart! … Read more »

Pope at Angelus: God is a communion of love

Solemnity of the Holy Trinity

  St Peter's Square, the Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno!

Today, Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, the Gospel is taken from the Jesus’ dialogue with Nicodemus (cf. Jn 3:16-18). Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, passionate about the mystery of God: he recognizes in Jesus a divine master and goes to speak to him in secret, in the night. Jesus listens to him, understands he is a man on a quest, and then first he surprises him, answering that to enter the Kingdom of God one must be reborn; then he reveals the heart of the mystery to him, saying that God loved humanity so much that he sent his Son into the world… Read more »