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WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations says there's no question Russia was involved in the U.S. presidential election and insists President Donald Trump would fully support strong action against the Kremlin once investigations are complete....
MOCOA, Colombia (AP) -- People in a small city in southern Colombia searched desperately Sunday for loved ones after heavy rains sent floodwaters, mud and debris surging through homes, killing at least 207 and leaving many injured or missing....
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday told the faithful not to remain trapped in the rubble of life, but to rise from the rubble and rebuild their lives with the help of God.The Pope’s words came during the homily as he celebrated Mass for about 70 thousand people gathered in the central square of Italy’s northern town of Carpi.His one-day visit to the Emilia Romagna region comes after a pair of deadly earthquakes five years ago and where extensive restoration efforts have been cited as exemplary.Reaching out to those who lost loved ones and livelihoods during the 2012 quake, Pope Francis said God does not magically make bad things vanish, but He is close to those who suffer and faith has the power to transform that suffering.Reflecting on the Gospel reading that tells of the resurrection of Lazarus, the Pope recalled that Jesus himself wept for the death of Lazarus, but “within the mystery of suffering in which rationality is shattered and crushed like flies ag...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday told the faithful not to remain trapped in the rubble of life, but to rise from the rubble and rebuild their lives with the help of God.
The Pope’s words came during the homily as he celebrated Mass for about 70 thousand people gathered in the central square of Italy’s northern town of Carpi.
His one-day visit to the Emilia Romagna region comes after a pair of deadly earthquakes five years ago and where extensive restoration efforts have been cited as exemplary.
Reaching out to those who lost loved ones and livelihoods during the 2012 quake, Pope Francis said God does not magically make bad things vanish, but He is close to those who suffer and faith has the power to transform that suffering.
Reflecting on the Gospel reading that tells of the resurrection of Lazarus, the Pope recalled that Jesus himself wept for the death of Lazarus, but “within the mystery of suffering in which rationality is shattered and crushed like flies against a glass pane” he said, “Jesus does not allow himself to be imprisoned by pessimism”.
Before that sepulcher, he said, on the one hand there is sorrow, delusion, precariousness; on the other there is hope “that conquers death and evil”. “Jesus, he continued, did not offer a remedy to lengthen life, but proclaimed: ‘I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live’”.
Pope Francis said that we are called to decide on what side to stand, and either close ourselves in sadness or be open to hope.
“There are those who remain buried in the rubble of life, and there are those, like you, who with the help of God rise from the rubble to rebuild” he said.
Francis invited the faithful to avoid the temptation to be imprisoned in hopelessness and self-commiseration, to not yield to the useless and inconclusive logic of fear and resignation.
“Jesus’ words to Lazarus are also meant for us: leave sadness and hopelessness behind; with Jesus hope is reborn and pain is transformed into peace. He is always there to help us rise” he said.
“Let us ask for the grace, the Pope concluded, to be witnesses of life and hope in a world that is thirsting for it.”
Before celebrating Mass the Pope visited the quake-damaged Duomo cathedral of Carpi, where he laid a bouquet of white flowers at the foot of a statue of the Madonna inside. After years of restoration, the cathedral reopened just last weekend.
During his daylong visit, Pope Francis is also scheduled to meet with families who lost loved ones in the quake, lunch with clergy and meet privately with priests, nuns and seminarians for an open discussion.
The Emilia Romagna model of rebuilding after the magnitude 6.1 and 5.8 quakes that killed 28 people in 2012 has often been cited as exemplary. It included bringing together politicians, entrepreneurs and bishops to decide common priorities.
The papal visit is seen as a sign of gratitude for the rebuilding and as a sign of hope that rebuilding is possible for the people of central Italy, who suffered an earthquake in 2016 that killed nearly 300 people, displaced tens of thousands and wreaked extensive damage to homes, businesses, Churches and infrastructure.
Vatican City, Apr 2, 2017 / 09:41 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Sunday Pope Francis encouraged people from earthquake-damaged communities to continue the process of rebuilding with courage and strength, never losing hope in God’s steadfast love.“You have endeavored to face, with an evangelical spirit, the precarious situation caused by the earthquake,” Francis said April 2, “recognizing and accepting in the painful events the mysterious presence of a Father who is always loving even in the toughest trials.”Though you may think that the wounds have healed, the scars may persist for a lifetime, he said. “Remain firm in your intent not to give in to discouragement at the difficulties that still remain.”Pope Francis met April 2 with people affected by earthquakes in the northern region of Italy in May 2012. The meeting took place at the end of his day trip to the northern Italian town of Carpi, where he celebrated Mass and had a private meeting with prie...
Vatican City, Apr 2, 2017 / 09:41 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Sunday Pope Francis encouraged people from earthquake-damaged communities to continue the process of rebuilding with courage and strength, never losing hope in God’s steadfast love.
“You have endeavored to face, with an evangelical spirit, the precarious situation caused by the earthquake,” Francis said April 2, “recognizing and accepting in the painful events the mysterious presence of a Father who is always loving even in the toughest trials.”
Though you may think that the wounds have healed, the scars may persist for a lifetime, he said. “Remain firm in your intent not to give in to discouragement at the difficulties that still remain.”
Pope Francis met April 2 with people affected by earthquakes in the northern region of Italy in May 2012. The meeting took place at the end of his day trip to the northern Italian town of Carpi, where he celebrated Mass and had a private meeting with priests, seminarians and religious.
He then traveled by car to the town of Mirandola to speak to people from earthquake-struck communities. The meeting took place in a square outside of the town’s Cathedral, which is being rebuilt after experiencing significant damage from a quake.
Before speaking, Francis went into the church to say a prayer and lay flowers on the altar, which he said were “in memory of those who died in the earthquake.”
Afterwards, the Pope went by car to the Parish of St. James in the nearby village of Roncole to place flowers and pay homage at a monument in memory of the victims of the earthquake.
The two 2012 earthquakes, which occurred May 20 and May 29, killed 27 people and caused widespread damage to the area. The Pope’s visit to northern Italy was intended as a sign of encouragement during the rebuilding process.
“I think of the discomfort that you have endured: the wounds to houses, to productive activities, to the churches and other monuments, rich in history and art and a symbol of the spirituality and civilization of a people,” he said.
“But I think especially of the inner wounds: the suffering of those who have lost their loved ones and those who have seen dispersed among them the sacrifices of an entire lifetime.”
In two weeks we will celebrate Easter, the Resurrection of Christ, Francis noted, praying that the strength of the Risen Lord will sustain them and give them hope as they continue to restore and rebuild their communities.
“Indeed, much has been done in the work of reconstruction,” he said, “but it is more important than ever to make a strong commitment to also recover historical centers: they are places of historical memory and are essential areas of social and ecclesial life.”
“My wish is that there is never less fortitude, hope, and the qualities of industriousness that will set you apart.”
Observing that he stood in front of their cathedral, Pope Francis said that the church was “a symbol of the faith and tradition of the area,” asking those present to join him in offering a prayer for the victims of the earthquake and their families, and for those still in precarious situations.
“May the Lord make each of you feel his support!” he said.
“Today I am among you to strengthen the affection of the whole Church and to testify to each of you my closeness and my encouragement for the journey that remains to be done in the reconstruction.”
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