Pope Francis issued an apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, The joy of the Gospel. I advocate that you read the actual text. In some ways this is articulating the shift in tone at the Vatican. His first encyclical, Lumen Fidei, was completing a text started by Pope Benedict XVI. This is his own. This text has
The Joy of the Gospel Read More »
The above image appears to be going viral, being posted by even some of my most sensible friends. So it is worth a moment of reflection. Some people heatedly want a Western return to the priest presiding ad orientem (facing East) rather than the popular versus populum (facing the people). This type of person rejoiced
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“Filioque” refers to the Latin, “and the Son”, added to the ecumenically agreed creed unilaterally in the West. Whatever your opinion about the inner workings of the Trinity – I see no reason to add words to the creed when reciting it. [Note this is not a discussion about Jesus giving us the Holy Spirit
Pope Benedict had started drafting an encyclical on faith to complete the trilogy, on the three theological virtues, Deus Caritas Est (2005) on charity and Spe Salvi (2007) on hope. On July 5 Pope Francis released Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith). He writes, “[Pope Benedict XVI] himself had almost completed a first draft of
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The photo on the left, of Pope Francis Saturday morning, 20 April, presiding at Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, has been doing the rounds. Young lads as servers. Not vested. Simple cross on the altar. Two candles to one side… Many of those who were disappointed (in disagreement) with the direction
reform of the reform of the reform? Read More »
The shocked reaction, by some, to the above photo, is to assure people that it is photoshopped. You can, they tell us, notice by a crease on the pope’s leg, and by the shiny triangle… etc. etc. Yes, Pope Francis’ style is a bit different. The photo isn’t photoshopped. Here are two images for people
Habemus Papam! Sede Occupata! Yesterday morning just after 7am I was having my breakfast when the noise from my computer, from the live Vatican feed I had embedded on this site (I had tweeted about this), alerted me. White smoke. My impression, when Jorge Bergoglio, Pope Francis, came out onto the balcony was a moment
The Vatican Website: The pope’s twitter profile: Benedict XVI decided he is to be known as “emeritus pope” or “emeritus Roman pontiff” in his retirement. He continues to be called “Your Holiness”, and continues to wear the white cassock/soutane. [On his last day as pope, he seemed to be wearing a white, double-breasted long coat.]
