Pope Francis warns Trump: ‘Populism is evil’

pope-francis“Pope Francis has warned in an interview with a German newspaper of the dangers of rising populism in western democracies. The pope told Die Zeit on Thursday “populism is evil and ends badly as the past century showed.” He also said he rejects any kind of cult around the papacy and that he’s a normal believer just like everyone else.” –Source

First off this Jesuit Pope aka prophesied man of sin stated that “populism is evil.” And do you know why he says that? You may be a bit shocked in this because he is banking on the “dumbing down” of the masses to slip this one by as well as having hope the elite that do understand will circle the wagons for him. But for some of you that may not know what that word “populism” means, I will define it for you.   Continue reading

Hallam: Living Laudato Si’ where we are

WP_20170225_009The Catholic Diocese of Hallam and the Anglican Diocese of Sheffield came together to host an ecumenical Study Day on Pope Francis’ encyclical on Saturday, 25th February. A packed room at Sheffield’s Quaker Meeting House came away enthused and inspired to foster care for creation in their home parishes. “The suggestion to explore Laudato Si’ together came from the Anglican diocese”, explained Greg Ryan, adult formation advisor for Hallam. “Not only have we been studying together, but we’ve learned from each other, often in practical ways. It’s been an experience of ‘receptive ecumenism”’.   Continue reading

Vatican to begin ‘systematic surveillance’ of ‘illegal’ uses of Pope’s image amid growing criticism

tea_party_faction_810_500_55_s_c1The Vatican announced Wednesday that it will crack down on unauthorized use of the Papal crest and images.

The move comes amid obvious concern from Vatican officials about the growing criticism of Pope Francis.

For example, a recent attempt to criticize the Pope – in traditional Roman sarcastic manner – with posters was condemned by a senior Vatican cardinal as a “work of the devil.”

A press statement published by the Vatican Wednesday announced that the Secretariat of State will widen its surveillance over the Papal insignia and put an end to any possible “illegal” uses of the crest.   Continue reading

Muslim refugee hails Pope Francis as the example of religion

Pope_Francis_hosts_a_lunch_with_Syrian_refugees_at_his_residence_in_Vatican_City_Aug_11_2016_Credit_LOsservatore_Romano_CNAROME – Nur Essa, a Muslim Syrian woman whose family was brought to Rome from Lesbos by Pope Francis last April, said that the openness he has shown to those of different faiths has deeply impressed her.

“For me, I was surprised,” she told CNA. “(He is) very open to all of the cultures, all of the religions, and he sets an example for all the religious people in the world, because he uses religion to serve the human being.”

Essa, 31, has met the pope on several occasions, most recently during the pope’s visit on February 17th to Roma Tre University, a public research university in Rome where she currently studies. Continue reading

Knights of Columbus leader meets Pope, presents $1.6 million

anderson_conv-690x450ROME – Pope Francis on Thursday met with Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, who presented the pope with a $1.6 million donation and also discussed his organization’s efforts on behalf of persecuted Christians in the Middle East.

The Knights of Columbus have played a lead role in raising consciousness about the realities of anti-Christian violence around the world. Among other things, a report prepared by the Knights was instrumental in triggering a finding from the U.S. State Department in March 2016 that Christians, Yazidis and other minorities are the victims of an ISIS-led genocide in Iraq and Syria.

The Knights of Columbus, the largest Catholic fraternal organization in the world, are also the primary partner of Crux.   Continue reading

How Pope Francis can become the global voice against President Trump

GettyImages-470618986The movement that propelled Donald Trump into the White House is not isolated to the United States. It is a global phenomenon. All over the West, a populist backlash is brewing against the elites of society. And that backlash all too often takes the shape of authoritarianism and ethnonationalism.

If so much weren’t at stake in this matchup between these two warring factions, I’d be tempted to reprise Henry Kissinger’s infamous phrase about the Iran-Iraq War: “It’s a pity both sides can’t lose.” The global elite has been on an extended vision quest up its own derrière. It has been responsible for countless dramatic failures, and still seems unable to question itself and its own failed paradigms. At the same time, the special mix of fear mongering, incompetence, and corruption that the Trumps and and Nigel Farages and Marine Le Pens of the world promote is just as bad, if not worse.   Continue reading

This is how Pope Francis keeps his peace amid Vatican ‘corruption’

– In a lengthy, unscripted dialogue with 140 male religious superiors, Pope Francis admitted that there is “corruption” inside the Vatican, but said that despite this, his secret to maintaining peace comes from St. Joseph and a strong prayer life.

He also spoke at length on religious life, offering advice to the superiors on how to deal with different scandals in their communities, and explained why he chose youth and discernment as the topic for the next synod of bishops.

When asked how he keeps peace amid tension and opposition, the Pope jested, saying “I don’t take tranquilizers!” and said he’s learned to take the advice given to him by Italians, to maintain “a healthy couldn’t-care-less attitude.”   Continue reading

Pope takes a stand for persecuted Muslim group

GettyImages-631451938-640x427Pope Francis appealed Wednesday for the Rohingya, a Muslim minority group forced to flee violence and persecution in Myanmar.

The pope singled out the group during his weekly audience at the Vatican, asking pilgrims to pray with him “for our Rohingya brothers and sisters who are being chased from Myanmar and are fleeing from one place to another because no one wants them.”

“They are good people, they are not Christians, they are peaceful people, they are our brothers and sisters. And for years they have been suffering. They are being tortured and killed, simply because they uphold their Muslim faith,” Francis said as he marked the church’s International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking.   Continue reading

Pope Francis: ‘Let Us Pray for Babies in Danger of Being Aborted’

Pope-with-baby-1-640x480“After his weekly Angelus prayer Sunday in Saint Peter’s Square, the pontiff said that he joined the Italian Bishops in “supporting bold educational action in favor of human life. Every life is sacred!” “Let us promote the culture of life in response to the logic of disposability and a declining population,” he said. “Let us join together and pray for babies who are in danger of being aborted, as well as for people who are at the end of life. All life is sacred!” he said. “Let no one be left alone and may love defend the meaning of life.” –Source

Let me ask you this. If Satan himself was to manifest before your eyes or even move about you in a permissive manner in your life, how do you suppose he would go about doing that? He would appear as an angel of light, right? Of course, that’s exactly what Paul stated in 2 Corinthians 11:14 when he said, “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” And so Satan would never come to you in his true form dripping with rotted flesh with millions of flies following after him in the hopes of a quick meal. No, he will come to you as your best friend, a gentle stranger, a so called Christian and as we see here a Pope.   Continue reading

Pope Francis praises German Protestants and Catholics for cooperation

37431230_303As Reformation Year begins, Pope Francis welcomed a high-ranking Protestant delegation from Germany to the Vatican on Monday. The pontiff urged both denominations to put all remaining differences aside.

In a meeting in Rome with Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, the chair of the Council of the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD), Pope Francis called for the Reformation’s 500th anniversary to be an opportunity for increased efforts to achieve ecumenism.

“We must, with imploring prayer and all of our strength, strive to overcome the obstacles that still exist,” Pope Francis said.   Continue reading