The Weekly Francis – 4 October 2022

This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week, from 5 May 2022 to 4 October 2022.

Angelus

General Audiences

Homilies

Messages

Speeches

Papal Tweets

  • “#Prayer is an indispensable aid for spiritual #discernment, especially when it involves the affections, enabling us to address God with simplicity and familiarity, as one would speak to a friend. #GeneralAudience” @Pontifex, 28 September 2022
  • “Jesus feeds the multitude (Lk 9:10–17) and asks the disciples to ensure nothing is wasted. When food is not wasted, but is shared fairly, with solidarity, no-one is deprived of what they need, and the community can meet the needs of its poorest members. #FLWDay” @Pontifex, 29 September 2022
  • “Let us today entrust ourselves to the #HolyArchangels Michael, Raphael and Gabriel, so they may protect us in the fight against the devil’s seductions, help us bring the Good News, and take us by the hand on life’s journey so we may cooperate in God’s plan of salvation.” @Pontifex, 29 September 2022
  • “Sometimes we human beings believe that we are the masters of everything, or on the contrary, we lose all self-esteem. #Prayer helps us to find the right dimension in our relationship with God, our Father, and with all Creation.” @Pontifex, 30 September 2022
  • “Altius, citius, fortius – communiter. #SportForAll OJIRmiS Speech” @Pontifex, 30 September 2022
  • “We elderly people often have a special sensitivity for care, reflection, and affection. We are, or we can become, teachers of tenderness. In this world accustomed to war, we need a true revolution of tenderness. #IDOP” @Pontifex, 1 October 2022
  • “#ПомолимсяВместе, уповая на милосердие Бога, способного изменить сердца, и на материнское заступничество Царицы мира, духовно объединяясь с верующими во всем мире. #Украина #Россия #Мир” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “#МолімосяРазом, уповаючи на милосердя Бога, Який може перемінити серця, та на материнське заступництво Цариці миру, духовно єднаючись із вірними в усьому світі. #Україна #Росія” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Let’s #PrayTogether, trusting in the mercy of God, who can change hearts, and in the maternal intercession of the Queen of Peace, spiritually united with the faithful all over the world. #Ukraine #Russia #Peace
    pRGQjaN angelus” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “После семи месяцев военных действий давайте использовать все дипломатические средства, даже те, которые, возможно, до сих пор не использовались, чтобы положить конец этой ужасной трагедии. #Украина #Россия #Мир” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Нехай же після семи місяців бойових дій в #Україні будуть введені в дію всі дипломатичні засоби, навіть ті, які, можливо, не застосовувалися досі, щоби покласти край цій величезній трагедії. Війна сама у собі є помилкою та жахіттям! #Росія #Мир” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “After seven months of hostilities in #Ukraine, let us use all diplomatic means, even those that have not been used so far, to bring an end to this terrible tragedy. War is an error and a horror! #Russia #Peace” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Политических лидеров стран я настоятельно призываю сделать всё возможное, чтобы положить конец продолжающейся войне, не втягиваться в опасную эскалацию, продвигать и поддерживать диалог. #Украина #Россия #Мир” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Політичних лідерів країн наполегливо прошу зробити все те, що в їхніх силах, аби покласти край війні в #Україні, не дозволивши втягнутися в небезпечну ескалацію, та просувати й підтримувати діалог. #Росія #Мир” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “I urge the protagonists of international life and the political leaders of nations to do everything possible to bring an end to the war, without being drawn into dangerous escalations, and to promote and support initiatives for dialogue. #Russia #Peace” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Опечаленный безмерными страданиями украинского народа в результате агрессии, я с такой же уверенностью обращаюсь к президенту Украины, призывая его быть открытым для серьёзных мирных предложений. @ZelenskyyUa” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Глибоко засмучений величезними стражданнями українського населення внаслідок зазнаної агресії, скеровую такий же сповнений довіри заклик до Президента #України бути відкритим на серйозні мирні пропозиції. @ZelenskyyUa” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Profoundly saddened by the immense suffering of the Ukrainian people as a result of the aggression they have suffered, I address an equally confident appeal to the President of #Ukraine to be open to serious proposals for peace. @ZelenskyyUa” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Мое обращение адресовано в первую очередь президенту Российской Федерации; я призываю его остановить эту спираль насилия и смерти, в том числе и ради любви к своему народу. #Украина #Россия@KremlinRussia_E” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “My appeal is addressed first and foremost to the President of the Russian Federation, imploring him to stop this spiral of violence and death, also for the sake of his own people. #Ukraine #Russia @KremlinRussia_E” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Да начнутся переговоры, способные привести к решениям, не навязанным силой, а согласованным, справедливым и стабильным, основанным на уважении человеческой жизни, а также суверенитета и территориальной целостности каждой страны и прав меньшинств. #Украина #Россия” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Нехай почнуться переговори, здатні привести до вирішень, які не нав’язані силою, а є узгодженими, справедливими та стабільними, що ґрунтуються на пошані до людського життя, як також до суверенітету та територіальної цілісності кожної країни, а теж до прав меншин. #Україна #Росія” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Let negotiations begin that will lead to solutions that are not imposed by force, but consensual, just and stable, based on respect for human life, as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each country, and the rights of minorities. #Ukraine #Russia” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Я глубоко сожалею о серьёзной ситуации, возникшей в последние дни, и об очередных действиях, противоречащих принципам международного права. Это умножает риск ядерной эскалации, вплоть до неконтролируемых и катастрофических последствий во всём мире. #Украина #Россия” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Я рішуче засуджую серйозну ситуацію, що останніми днями створилася через чергові дії, суперечні з принципами міжнародного права. Так посилюється загроза ядерної ескалації з неконтрольованими і катастрофічними наслідками на світовому рівні. #Україна #Росія” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “I deeply deplore the grave situation that has arisen in recent days, with further actions contrary to the principles of international law. The risk of nuclear escalation thus increases giving rise to fears of uncontrollable and catastrophic consequences worldwide #Ukraine #Russia” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Война в Украине стала крайне серьёзной и угрожающей, и это вызывает большую обеспокоенность. Во имя Бога и во имя чувства человечности, живущего в каждом сердце, я вновь призываю к немедленному прекращению огня. # Украина #Россия #Мир” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Війна в #Україні стала настільки серйозною, нищівною і загрозливою, що викликає велике занепокоєння. У Боже ім’я та в ім’я почуття людяності, що мешкає в кожному серці, повторюю заклик негайно досягнути припинення вогню! #Росія #Мир” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “The war in #Ukraine has become so serious, devastating and threatening as to cause great concern. In the name of God and of the sense of humanity that dwells in every heart, I renew my call for an immediate ceasefire. #Russia #Peace” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Мій заклик, насамперед, звернений до Президента Російської Федерації, благаючи його зупинити, також і з любові до свого народу, цю спіраль насильства та смерті. #Україна #Росія @KremlinRussia_E” @Pontifex, 2 October 2022
  • “Let us #PrayTogether that the Church, ever faithful to the Gospel and courageous in preaching it, may live in an increasing atmosphere of synodality and be a community of solidarity, fraternity, and welcome. #PrayerIntention https://t.co/RZlReEgtOe Video” @Pontifex, 3 October 2022
  • “As we seek to save the planet, we must not neglect those who suffer. Carbon dioxide is not the only pollution that kills; inequality also fatally damages our planet. #SeasonOfCreation” @Pontifex, 3 October 2022
  • “#SaintFrancis of Assisi, who saw himself as brother to the sun, the sea and the wind, sowed seeds of peace everywhere, and walked alongside the poor, the abandoned, the infirm, the outcast, the least. Let us follow his example! #FratelliTutti #SeasonofCreation” @Pontifex, 4 October 2022

Papal Instagram

Hear All, Trust Nothing (LD) – The Secrets of Star Trek

Back to Bajor! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss Lower Decks’ return to Deep Space 9, including appearances by Kira and Quark. They also discuss why this episode appeals to Trek fans so much and the many Easter eggs found in it.

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Will God Give Me Whatever I Want? (Prosperity Gospel, Word Faith, Write Your Own Ticket with God)

The Gospels contain some remarkable statements about prayer. They’re found particularly in the Gospel of Matthew, though there are parallels in Mark and Luke.

These statements sound very positive—as if you can ask God for anything you want, and he’ll give it to you so long as you believe.

When people take these passages in isolation—apart from other things the New Testament says—they can develop a false theology of prayer.

In Protestant circles, there is a movement known as prosperity theology (also known as the prosperity gospel or the health and wealth gospel), according to which God wants all his people to be healthy, wealthy, and highly successful.

If a Christian does not have these blessings, then he either hasn’t asked for them or he hasn’t asked for them in faith. Either way he is at fault.

But a careful reading of the New Testament indicates this view is distorted.

One encouraging prayer text is found in the Sermon on the Mount:

Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened (Matt. 7:7-8).

Jesus doesn’t mention limits on what you may ask for, and you might suppose you could ask for absolutely anything and receive it.

But he also doesn’t give examples. He doesn’t say, “Ask for fabulous wealth, health, and success, and it will be yours.”

He thus may have something more modest in mind, and he may mean this primarily as asking for spiritual rather than material blessings.

In both Matthew and Luke, Jesus immediately gives an analogy based on fathers giving their children things to eat. In Matthew, Jesus concludes that God will give “good things” to his children (7:11), and in Luke he says that God will give them “the Holy Spirit” (Luke 11:13)—suggesting the passage may be primarily about spiritual “good things.”

When we look at the rest of the Sermon on the Mount, we do not find Jesus encouraging dreams of a lavish lifestyle.

In the Lord’s Prayer, he teaches us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (6:11), suggesting a daily, hand-to-mouth reliance on God—not fabulous riches.

Jesus goes on to explicitly state:

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (6:19-21).

He thus indicates earthly riches can be a spiritual distraction from God, and we shouldn’t set our hearts on them. He also says:

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (6:24).

He also tells us:

Do not be anxious, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well (6:31-33).

Jesus thus wants us to focus “first” on spiritual values and treat material needs as secondary. Rather than encouraging people to “dream big” about what God could give them, he encourages humble, ongoing dependence—asking God for what we need, not what we dream.

He certainly does not encourage us to imagine a success-filled life with no troubles, saying, “Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day” (6:34). Again, the goal is living a trusting, spiritual life—not one of runaway success.

Another encouraging prayer text occurs when the disciples ask why they failed to cast a demon out of a boy, Jesus says it was:

Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you (17:20).

This seems paradoxical. Jesus says the disciples have “little faith” but then says that if they had “faith as a grain of mustard seed,” they’d be able to accomplish amazing miracles. If so, shouldn’t their little faith have been enough?

The solution is found by considering who really performs miracles—God—and God’s power is unlimited. Therefore, it ultimately doesn’t matter how big your faith is, because God is the one who performs the miracle.

The reason the disciples failed is that they had inadequate faith and weren’t properly trusting God. Perhaps they thought they had been endowed with magical exorcistic abilities and had lost sight of God when using them.

Another text ripe for abuse occurs in the next chapter:

Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven (18:19).

Sounds good, doesn’t it? Agree on anything, ask God for it, and it will be done.

But not so fast. This statement is introduced by the word “again,” telling us that we need to examine the context, because Jesus is restating a thought he has already been exploring.

When we check the context, we find that it isn’t accumulating property for oneself but Church discipline. Jesus has been telling the disciples how to deal with a fellow Christian who sins. He says that if the offender won’t listen to others, take him to the church, and if he won’t listen to the church, excommunicate him. He then says:

Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (18:18).

The statement about agreeing “on earth” is in the context of exercising the power of binding and loosing, which deals with matters of spiritual discipline—not material prosperity.

When Jesus assures the disciples “again” of what will happen when they agree, he’s assuring them of the ability to bind and loose.

The final passage we should consider occurs when the disciples asked how the fig tree withered so quickly. Jesus replies:

Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and never doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and cast into the sea,” it will be done. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith (Matt. 21:21-21; cf. Mark 11:22-24, Luke 17:6).

This is essentially the same point we saw with the failed exorcism: It doesn’t matter the size of what you’re asking for, because God has the power to do anything. And Jesus puts the matter positively, saying that “whatever you ask” will be received.

But there is an unstated assumption that Jesus expects us to understand—that what we ask is in accordance with God’s will.

First century Jews knew not every prayer request is something God wills, and God’s will is the controlling factor.

Jesus himself bore witness to this in the garden of Gethsemane when he prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (26:39).

If the Son of God himself recognized that God does not will to grant every request, we’d better recognize it, too!

Jesus wants to encourage us to pray, and he may not mention this exception every time, but he expects us to recognize it.

It’s certainly found elsewhere in the New Testament. James warns those who boast of their business plans that they need to take God’s will into account, saying, “Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and we shall do this or that’” (4:15).

He also identifies one of the causes of unanswered prayer: “You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions” (4:3).

Asking for unlimited wealth and success would be precisely the kind of prayer that won’t be answered.

And that may be a good thing, for Jesus also says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Matt. 19:24).

Vampire-Human Hybrids and More Weird Questions – Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World

It’s a fifth Friday so Cy Kellett of Catholic Answers Live is asking Jimmy Akin more weird questions from listeners, including secret societies; binding demons; reenacting Catholic history; killing vampire-human hybrids; Neanderthals in the afterlife; and more.

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Ranking the Companions (300th episode!) – The Secrets of Doctor Who

We’re 300! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha celebrate reaching the 300 episode milestone by discussing all the many Companions the Doctor has had over 6 decades and giving them tier rankings. Plus, who qualifies as a Companion?

Dom's ranking
Dom’s Companions ranking
Fr. Cory's ranking
Fr. Cory’s Companions ranking
Jimmy's ranking
Jimmy’s Companions ranking

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Can Artificial Intelligence Have a Soul? – Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World

Do AI have a soul? In this mysterious bonus episode, Jimmy Akin and Cy Kellett discuss recent claims about artificial intelligence programs, including one at Google, that have a soul.

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The Weekly Francis – 27 September 2022

This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week, from 15 September 2022 to 27 September 2022.

Angelus

Speeches

Papal Tweets

  • “Our models of consumption and production, and our lifestyles, must respect creation and the integral human development of all peoples. Let us renew the covenant between human beings and the environment, a mirror reflecting the creative love of God. #TimeofCreation” @Pontifex, 22 September 2022
  • “Charity inspired by faith has the power to disarm the forces of evil. Saint #PadrePio of Pietrelcina fought evil throughout his life: with humility, with obedience, and with the Cross, offering up suffering for love.” @Pontifex, 23 September 2022
  • “A society and an economy without young people are sad, pessimistic and cynical. We are grateful to God that you are here. I am counting on you! Do not be afraid to bother us! Be an example for us! #EconomyOfFrancesco” @Pontifex, 24 September 2022
  • “In the crucial moments of history, those who left a good mark were able to do so because they translated ideals, desires and values into concrete actions. You will change the economic world if you use your hands together with your heart and head. #EconomyOfFrancesco” @Pontifex, 24 September 2022
  • “Do not forget about workers. Without dignified work and just remuneration, young people will not truly become adults and inequality will increase. Do not forget to create work, good work, work for everyone. #EconomyOfFrancesco” @Pontifex, 24 September 2022
  • “Look at the world with the eyes of the poorest. You too will improve the economy if you look at things from the perspective of victims and the discarded. If you become friends of the poor and share their life, you will have a share in the Kingdom of God. #EconomyOfFrancesco” @Pontifex, 24 September 2022
  • “There is no “Economy of Francesco” without respect, care and love for the poor, for every poor person, for every fragile and vulnerable person, from conception in the womb to the sick person with disabilities, to the elderly person in difficulty. #EconomyOfFrancesco” @Pontifex, 24 September 2022
  • “The first capital of any society is spiritual, for this is what engenders the joy of living that is also necessary for the economy. The fragility of many young people comes from a lack of this precious spiritual capital. #EconomyOfFrancesco” @Pontifex, 24 September 2022
  • “The plant paradigm takes a different approach to earth and environment. Plants cooperate with all the surroundings environment; even when they compete, they cooperate for the good of the ecosystem. Let’s learn from the meekness of plants! #EconomyOfFrancesco #TimeOfCreation” @Pontifex, 24 September 2022
  • “Today, a new economy inspired by Francis of Assisi can and must become an economy of friendship with the earth and an economy of peace. It is a question of transforming an economy that kills into an economy of life, in all its aspects. #EconomyOfFrancesco” @Pontifex, 24 September 2022
  • “Current consumerism seeks to fill the void of human relationships with ever more sophisticated commodities – loneliness is big business in our time! – but in this way it generates a famine of happiness. #EconomyOfFrancesco” @Pontifex, 24 September 2022
  • “Let’s #PrayTogether invoking the intercession of the Virgin Mary for #Myanmar. This week I heard the cry of grief at the death of children in a bombed school. May the lament of these little ones not go unheard! These tragedies must not happen!” @Pontifex, 25 September 2022
  • “I join in the appeal of the bishops of #Cameroon for the liberation of eight people kidnapped in the diocese of Mamfe, including five priests and a religious sister. Let’s #PrayTogether for them and for the peoples of Bamenda: may the Lord grant #peace to that dear country.” @Pontifex, 25 September 2022
  • “Mary, Queen of Peace, comfort the Ukrainian people and obtain from the heads of Nations the strength of will to find immediate, effective initiatives to bring the war to an end. #Peace #PrayTogether” @Pontifex, 25 September 2022
  • “Let us return to the taste of bread, because while injustice and discrimination against the poor continue in the world, Jesus gives us the Bread of Sharing and sends us out daily as apostles of fraternity, justice and peace.” @Pontifex, 25 September 2022
  • “The #Eucharist invites us to conversion: from indifference to compassion, from waste to sharing, from individualism to fraternity, because there is no true Eucharistic worship without compassion for the many “Lazaruses” who walk beside us even today.” @Pontifex, 25 September 2022
  • “#TodaysGospel tells us that bread is not always shared on the world table; the fragrance of communion does not always emanate; it is not always broken in justice: on one side a rich man clothed in purple, on the other a poor man covered in sores.” @Pontifex, 25 September 2022
  • “Today is World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Let us renew our commitment to building a future that puts migrants, refugees, displaced persons and victims of human trafficking at the centre. The Kingdom of God is built together with them. #WDMR2022 @M_RSection” @Pontifex, 25 September 2022
  • “The rich man does not even have a name; instead the poor man has a name, Lazarus, which means “God helps”. Despite his marginalised condition, his dignity is intact because he lives in a relationship with God, the unshakeable hope of his life.” @Pontifex, 25 September 2022
  • “I wish once more to declare that the use of atomic energy for purposes of war is today, more than ever, a crime not only against the dignity of human beings but against any possible future for our common home. #Peace #NuclearDisarmament #TimeofCreation” @Pontifex, 26 September 2022
  • “I pray that the Church, and each of us, may be granted the grace to discover the Lord Jesus in our brothers or sisters who are hungry, thirsty, strangers, lacking clothing and dignity, sick and imprisoned. #Charity #SaintVincentDePaul” @Pontifex, 27 September 2022

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Reflections (LD) – The Secrets of Star Trek

In a mirror, funny. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the humorous variation on a Trek mirror episode, but this one has bigger series implications. Who is the sinister power behind it all. Plus, Starfleet recruiting booth!

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Testing Edgar Cayce’s Psychic Abilities – Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World

Continuing their discussion of Edgar Cayce, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli talk about his startling claims to have genuine psychic abilities and what the evidence says about the famed “Sleeping Prophet.”

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Mysterious Headlines

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The Weekly Francis – 21 September 2022

This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week, from 12 September 2022 to 21 September 2022.

Angelus

General Audiences

Homilies

Speeches

Papal Tweets

  • “May we never justify violence. May we never allow the sacred to be exploited by the profane. The sacred must never be a prop for power, nor power a prop for the sacred! God is peace and guides us always to peace, never to war. #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex, 14 September 2022
  • “Let us invest not in more weapons, but in education, that peace may be the fruit of persevering commitment to education, supporting the aspirations of the young to development and a serene future. #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex, 14 September 2022
  • “Before the mystery of the infinite that transcends and attracts us, religions remind us we are creatures: we are not omnipotent, but men and women journeying towards the same heavenly goal. #ApostolicJourney #Kazakhstan VAMcWci Speech” @Pontifex, 14 September 2022
  • “If we keep our gaze fixed on Jesus, the sting of evil can no longer prevail over us, for on the cross he took upon himself the venom of sin and death, and crushed their destructive power. #ExaltationoftheCross #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex, 14 September 2022
  • “From the cross of Christ we learn love, not hatred; compassion, not indifference; forgiveness, not vengeance. #ExaltationoftheCross #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex, 14 September 2022
  • “Let us #PrayTogether that our world may learn how to build #peace, not least by limiting the arms race and converting the enormous sums spent on war into concrete assistance to peoples. #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex, 14 September 2022
  • “Each day children, born and unborn, migrants and elderly persons, are discarded. Many brothers and sisters die sacrificed on the altar of profit, amid indifference. Yet every human being is sacred. It is the task of religions to remind the world of this!” @Pontifex, 14 September 2022
  • “One cannot profess genuine fidelity to the Creator without showing love for his creatures. #ApostolicJourney #TimeOfCreation” @Pontifex, 15 September 2022
  • “We defend everyone’s right to religion, to hope, to beauty: to Heaven. For every human being, in their absolute uniqueness, if they are in contact with the divine, can radiate a special light in our world. #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex, 15 September 2022
  • “Extremism, radicalism, terrorism and all other incentives to hatred, hostility, violence and war have nothing to do with the authentic spirit of religion and must be rejected in the most decisive terms possible. #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex, 15 September 2022
  • “Thank you for your kind welcome and for the opportunity to spend these days in fraternal dialogue with the leaders of many religions. May the Most High bless the vocation of peace and unity of #Kazakhstan, the country of encounter. #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex, 15 September 2022
  • “Openness, joy and sharing are signs of the nascent Church, and of the Church of tomorrow. #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex, 15 September 2022
  • “Grateful hearts overflowing with praise harbour no regrets, but welcome each day as a grace. #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex, 15 September 2022
  • “On our own spiritual and ecclesial journey, we should always remember those who first proclaimed the faith to us. Indeed, this act of remembrance inspires us to contemplate the wonders that God has worked in history. #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex, 15 September 2022
  • “The state of decay of our common home merits the same attention as other global challenges such as grave health crises and wars. #WorldOzoneDay #TimeOfCreation” @Pontifex, 16 September 2022
  • “The Lord wants us to make our lives masterpieces through the everyday things we do.” @Pontifex, 17 September 2022
  • “Let us not forget that #peace is possible when weapons are silenced and dialogue begins! And let us continue to pray for the suffering people of Ukraine and for peace in every land bloodied by war.” @Pontifex, 18 September 2022
  • “I am saddened by the recent fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia. I express my spiritual closeness to the families of the victims, and I urge the parties to respect the ceasefire in view of a #peace agreement.” @Pontifex, 18 September 2022
  • “In times of crisis, we sometimes allow ourselves to be overcome by discouragement or start to complain. Instead, Jesus in the #GospelOfTheDay tells us to be clever in following the Gospel, attentive in discerning reality and creative in finding good solutions for us and others.” @Pontifex, 18 September 2022
  • “The lamp of faith will always be lit on earth as long as there is the oil of #prayer.” @Pontifex, 19 September 2022
  • “The activity of #prayer is not only to be carried out at times of rest, but also during our daily life as a type of breathing of our living relationship with God.” @Pontifex, 20 September 2022
  • “Being a small flock, should not frighten us, but rather invite us to live this reality with faith, so that we can become leaven, salt and light for others, trusting in the action of the Holy Spirit, who blows freely where He wills.” @Pontifex, 21 September 2022
  • “Let’s #PrayTogether for sufferers of Alzheimer’s, a disease that affects many people, who are often pushed to the margins of society as a result; for their families; and for those who lovingly care for them, that they may be increasingly helped.” @Pontifex, 21 September 2022
  • “The feast of the Evangelist #SaintMatthew, which the Church celebrates today, inspires me to urge everyone to read the #Gospel daily. You will find, in Christ’s words, light and support for your journey.” @Pontifex, 21 September 2022
  • “I would like to mention the terrible situation in martyred #Ukraine. My envoy has told me about the pain of this people, the monstrosities they suffer. Let’s #PrayTogether for this martyred people, and for #peace.” @Pontifex, 21 September 2022

Papal Instagram