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(Vatican Radio) In his reflection ahead of the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis spoke about the day’s Gospel, which told the story of Jesus meeting, and dining with, Zacchaeus, a publican. Because he was a public sinner, and because of his small stature, Zacchaeus had to climb a tree in order to see Jesus when He came to Jericho. When the Lord arrived, He called out, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.”

“We can imagine the amazement of Zacchaeus!” Pope Francis said. Jesus’ mission of salvation, he said, includes all humanity, and even extends to Zacchaeus, “a dishonest man, despised by all.” But the gaze of Jesus, the Pope said, “goes beyond sins and prejudices. He sees the person with the eyes of God, which does not stop at past evil, but sees the good future.”

The Holy Father said that, although we sometimes seek to correct or convert sinners by rebuking or reproaching them, Jesus shows us another way: helping someone who has made mistakes to see their true worth, “the worth God continues to see despite everything, despite their mistakes.” This approach, he said, sometimes leads to a positive surprise, it can help the person to grow and change.

Pope Francis concluded his reflection with the prayer: “May the Virgin Mary help us to see the good that is in the people we encounter each day, so that all might be encouraged to bring out the image of God impressed on their hearts.”

Following the Angelus, and after his greetings to various pilgrim groups, Pope Francis asked for prayers for his upcoming voyage to Sweden on the occasion of the commemoration of the Protestant Reformation: “I ask all of you to pray that this voyage might be a new stage in the journey of fraternity toward full communion.”

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Vatican City, Oct 30, 2016 / 06:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Sunday Pope Francis expressed his nearness to everyone affected by an earthquake which hit central Italy Sunday morning, asking for the Blessed Virgin Mary to watch over them.

 

“I express my closeness to the central Italy earthquake victims,” he said after the Angelus Oct. 30. “Even this morning there was a strong shock. I pray for the injured and for the families that have suffered major damage, as well as for the personnel involved in rescue and assistance.”

 

“The Risen Lord give them strength and Our Lady guard them,” he said.

 

The Pope’s prayer was made after an earthquake hit central Italy around 7:40 am local time Oct. 30. According to BBC News, the quake, which hit near the town of Norcia, had a magnitude of 6.6, larger than the 6.2-magnitude quake which hit near the towns of Norcia and Amatrice on Aug. 24.

 

At a depth of .9 miles, tremors were felt in the capital of Rome and as far north as Venice. A number of injuries have been reported, but so far there have been no deaths. Many locals were evacuated from Norcia after two smaller earthquakes occurred there Oct. 26.

 

Damage to buildings, however, has been extensive. The Basilica of St. Benedict in Norcia, which according to tradition is built over the site of the birthplace of Saints Benedict and Scholastica, has been destroyed, according to the Benedictine Monks who reside there.

 

Rome’s basilicas of St. Paul Outside the Walls and St. Lawrence both experienced some minor damage, according to the Italian news agency, ANSA. St. Paul Outside the Walls is currently closed for inspection of the damage.

 

The Pope’s message for the Angelus centered on the day’s Gospel on the tax collector Zacchaeus, a “public sinner,” who cannot get close to Jesus and so instead climbs a tree in order to see him.

 

“When he gets close to that tree,” Pope Francis said,” Jesus looks up and tells him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.’”

 

“We can imagine the astonishment of Zacchaeus!” But why does Jesus say he must stay at Zacchaeus’ house? What is his duty? the Pope asked.

 

The highest duty of Jesus, Pope Francis explained, is his death and resurrection, the fulfillment of the Father’s plan for humanity.

 

The salvation of humanity takes place through the Father’s mercy, the same salvation which is given to Zacchaeus, “a dishonest man,” who is “despised by all, and therefore in need of conversion,” the Pope noted.

 

But, “the gaze of Jesus goes beyond sins and prejudices,” he said. “He sees the person with the eyes of God, who does not stop at the bad past, but distinguishes a good future.”

 

“He is not resigned to closures, but opens up new areas of life; He does not stop at appearances, but looks at the heart,” Francis continued.

 

Sometimes we try to correct and convert sinners by scolding them for their mistakes, the Pope said. Instead, the attitude of Jesus and Zacchaeus shows us another way. The way of showing the sinner his or her value, “the value that God continues to see in spite of everything.”

 

“This may cause a positive surprise, which softens the heart and drives a person to bring out the good that he has within himself,” he said. “It is giving confidence to people that makes them grow and change.” This is how God treats all of us – overcoming our sin with his love.

 

After the Angelus, Pope Francis also asked pilgrims for prayers for his apostolic trip to Sweden for the commemoration of the Reformation, to take place Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. “I ask you all to pray that this trip is a new stage in the path of fraternity toward full communion,” he said.

 

“May the Virgin Mary help us to see the good that there is in the people we meet every day, so everyone is encouraged to bring out the image of God imprinted in their hearts,” Pope Francis said. “So we can rejoice in the surprises of God’s mercy!”

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Amatrice, Italy, Oct 30, 2016 / 08:56 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A large earthquake struck the central Italian town of Norcia this morning, leveling the Basilica of St. Benedict and several other buildings in the town.

The earthquake, which occurred around 7:40 a.m. local time, had a magnitude of 6.6 on the Richter scale, making it larger than the 6.2-magnitude quake which hit near the towns of Norcia and Amatrice on Aug. 24.

The Basilica of St. Benedict, built between 1290 and 1338 was located on what is traditionally held as the birthplace of St. Benedict and his twin sister, St. Scholastica. A bell tower built in the 14th century was damaged in an earthquake in 1703 and replaced by a smaller tower. The church had undergone a complete renovation in the 18th century, and contained many valuable paintings and frescos.

Born in Norcia to upper-class parents during the year 480, St. Benedict became the founder of the Benedictine rule and is known as the “Father of Western Monasticism.” He is also one of the co-patron saints of Europe.

The Benedictine Monks of Norcia, the caretakers of the Basilica, reported on Twitter that the monks were safe and were searching for those who may be in need of last rites, but the Basilica was destroyed.

The Basilica of St. Benedict is destroyed, flattened by most recent earthquake. #Terremoto pic.twitter.com/GQDl64LhFn

— The Monks of Norcia (@monksofnorcia) October 30, 2016  

Several injuries but no fatalities have been reported thus far, as many locals including the monks were evacuated from the town after previous earthquakes in August and October.

The aftershocks of the earthquake were felt in the capital of Rome and as far north as Venice. 

STONG aftershock in Rome just now! This is my apt a few moments ago:#terremoto #earthquake pic.twitter.com/DPi9GnvIOX

— Mary Shovlain (@maryshovlain) October 30, 2016 Pope Francis prayed for all those affected by the earthquake after his Angelus address Sunday morning, asking the Blessed Virgin Mary to watch over the victims.

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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis prayed for victims of an earthquake that struck Italy near the town of Norcia on Sunday. The powerful temblor was felt as far away as Rome and Venice.

“I express my closeness to the people of central Italy,” the Pope said. “I pray for the wounded and the families that have suffered major damage; as well as for the personnel” involved in rescue efforts and in aiding the victims.

The Holy Father concluded his remarks with the prayer “May the Risen Lord give them strength, and the Madonna watch over them.”

Sunday’s earthquake was the latest in a series of seismic events to strike central Italy. Earlier this month, Pope Francis visited the area to express his closeness to victims of magnitude 6.2 quake that hit the region in August, killing almost 300 people.

The earthquake that struck Norcia on Sunday was even stronger, measuring approximately 6.5 on the Richter scale. It is believed to be the strongest quake in Italy in decades. No deaths have been reported, but a number of people have been gravely injured. There was widespread devastation, with many buildings, already compromised by earlier quakes, suffering severe damage. The Basilica of St Benedict, built over the birthplace of Sts Benedict and Scholastica; and the nearby Cathedral of Norcia, were both completely destroyed.

The region is still suffering from aftershocks, and victims of the quake have asked for prayers. 

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(Vatican Radio) At the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis noted the beatification in Madrid of four Spanish martyrs: Blessed José Antón Gómez, Antolín Pablos Villanueva, Juan Rafael Mariano Alcocer Martínez and Luis Vidaurrázaga Gonzáles. The four Benedictine priests were killed during the Spanish Civil War.

In his remarks following the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis said, “We praise the Lord, and we entrust to their intercession our brothers and sisters who unfortunately still today, in various parts of the world, are persecuted for their faith in Christ. 

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