VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXII - #
DATE 28-12-2015

Summary:
- ''Family Life: A Pilgrimage for Experiencing the Joy of Forgiveness''
- Angelus: The Holy Family: Domestic Church and True School of the Gospel
- Pope Calls Attention to Migrant Cubans in Difficulty
- Pope?s Message to Young Adults at the European Meeting of the Taize Community
- Telegram on the Attacks in the Philippines
- Pope?s Condolences on Gas Plant Accident in Nigeria
- Angelus: ''Never Tire of Asking for Divine Forgiveness''
- Christmas Message: ''Only God?s Mercy Can Free Humanity from the Many Forms
of
Evil''
- Christmas Eve Mass: ''The Mission of Making Known ''The Princeof Peace'''
- Other Pontifical Acts

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 ''Family Life: A Pilgrimage for Experiencing the Joy of Forgiveness''
Vatican City, 27 December 2015 (VIS) ? At 10:00 this morning, on the Feast of
the Holy Family, Pope Francis celebrated Mass in St. Peter?s Basilica. During
the celebration, attended by Roman and pilgrim families for the Jubilee of
Family, he gave the following homily:
''The biblical readings which we just heard presented us with the image of two
families on pilgrimage to the house of God. Elkanah and Hannah bring their son
Samuel to the Temple of Shiloh and consecrate him to the Lord. In the same way,
Joseph and Mary, in the company of Jesus, go as pilgrims to Jerusalem for the
feast of Passover.''
''We often see pilgrims journeying to shrines and places dear to popular piety.
These days, many of them are making their way to the Holy Door opened in all
the
cathedrals of the world and in manyshrines. But the most beautiful thing which
emerges from the word of God today is that the whole family goes on pilgrimage.
Fathers, mothers and children together go to the house of the Lord, in order to
sanctify the holy day with prayer. It is an important teaching, which is meant
for our own families as well. Indeed, we could say that family life is a series
of pilgrimages, both small and big.''
''For example, how comforting it is for us to reflect on Mary and Joseph
teaching Jesus how to pray! This is a sort of pilgrimage, the pilgrimage of
education in prayer. And it is comforting also to know that throughout the day
they would pray together, and then go each Sabbath to the synagogue to listen
to
readings from the Law and the Prophets, and to praise the Lord with the
assembly. Certainly, during their pilgrimage to Jerusalem, they prayed by
singing the Psalm: ?I was glad when they said to me, ''Let us go to the house
of
theLord!'' Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem?.''
''How important it is for our families to journey together towards a single
goal! We know that we have a road to travel together; a road along which we
encounter difficulties but also enjoy moments of joy and consolation. And on
this pilgrimage of life we also share in moments of prayer. What can be more
beautiful than for a father and mother to bless their children at the beginning
and end of each day, to trace on their forehead the sign of the cross, as they
did on the day of their baptism? Is this not the simplest prayer which parents
can offer for their children? To bless them, that is, to entrust them to the
Lord, just like Elkanah and Anna, Joseph and Mary, so that he can be their
protection and support throughout the day. In the same way, it is important for
families to join in a brief prayer before meals, in order to thank the Lord for
these gifts and to learnhow to share what we have received with those in
greater
need. These are all little gestures, yet they point to the great formative role
played by the family in the pilgrimage of everyday life.''
á
''At the end of that pilgrimage, Jesus returned to Nazareth and was obedient to
his parents. This image also contains a beautiful teaching about our families.
A
pilgrimage does not end when we arrive at our destination, but when we return
home and resume our everyday lives, putting into practice the spiritual fruits
of our experience. We know what Jesus did on that occasion. Instead of
returning
home with his family, he stayed in Jerusalem, in the Temple, causing great
distress to Mary and Joseph who were unable to find him. For this little
?escapade?, Jesus probably had to beg forgiveness of his parents. The Gospel
doesn?t say this, but I believe that we can presume it. Mary?s question,
moreover, contains a certainreproach, revealing the concern and anguish which
she and Joseph felt. Returning home, Jesus surely remained close to them, as a
sign of his complete affection and obedience. Moments like these become part of
the pilgrimage of each family; the Lord transforms the moments into
opportunities to grow, to ask for and to receive forgiveness, to show love and
obedience.''
''In the Year of Mercy, every Christian family can become a privileged place on
this pilgrimage for experiencing the joy of forgiveness. Forgiveness is the
essence of the love which can understand mistakes and mend them. How miserable
we would be if God did not forgive us! Within the family we learn how to
forgive, because we are certain that we are understood and supported, whatever
the mistakes we make.''
''Let us not lose confidence in the family! It is beautiful when we can always
open our hearts to one another, and hide nothing. Where thereis love, there is
also understanding and forgiveness. To all of you, dear families, I entrust
this
most important mission ? the domestic pilgrimage of daily family life ? which
the world and the Church need, now more than ever.''

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 Angelus: The Holy Family: Domestic Church and True School of the Gospel
Vatican City, 27 December 2015 (VIS) ? After celebrating the Mass for the Feast
of the Holy Family, the Holy Father appeared at the window of his study in the
Apostolic Palace to pray the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's
Square. Before the Marian prayer, the Pope recalled this past September''s
meeting with families in Philadelphia, USA as well as all the families he has
met during his apostolic trips and all the families around the world with these
words:
''I would like to greet you all with affection and gratitude, especially at
this
present time when the family is subjected to various kinds of misunderstandings
and difficulties that weaken it. Today's Gospel,'' he continued, ''invites
families to capture the light of hope coming from the house of Nazareth where
Jesus grew up injoyfulness.''
''The family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is, for every believer and especially
for families, a true school of the Gospel. Here we admire the fulfillment of
God's plan to make the family a special community of life and love. Here we
learn that every Christian family is called to be a ?domestic church'', to make
the light of the Gospel virtues shine forth and to become leaven for the good
in
society. The typical characteristics of the Holy Family are meditation and
prayer, mutual understanding and respect, a spirit of sacrifice, labor, and
solidarity.''
''Each family can draw valuable guidance for lifestyles and life choices and
can
draw strength and wisdom for the everyday journey from the example and witness
of the Holy Family. Our Lady and St. Joseph teach us how to welcome children as
a gift from God, to generate and educate them by cooperating in a wonderful way
with theCreator's work; giving the world a new smile with every child. It is in
the united family that children bring their existence to maturity, living a
meaningful and effective experience of gratuitous love, of tenderness, of
reciprocal respect, of mutual understanding, of forgiveness, and of joy.''
''The true joy experienced in the family is not something casual or accidental.
It is a joy born of the profound harmony among persons, which gives us a taste
of the beauty of being together, of supporting one another along the journey of
life. But at the heart of that joy is always God's presence, his welcoming,
merciful, and patient love toward all. If the doors of the family are not
opened
to the presence of God and his love, the family loses its harmony, selfishness
prevails, and joy is extinguished. Instead, the family that lives the joy of
life, the joy of faith, spontaneously communicating it, is the salt of the
earth
and light of theworld. It is the leaven for all of society.''

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 Pope Calls Attention to Migrant Cubans in Difficulty
Vatican City, 27 December 2015 (VIS) ? After praying the Angelus, Pope Francis
spoke on behalf of the ''numerous Cuban migrants who are in difficulty in
Central America,'' many of whom are victims of human trafficking. He called on
the countries in the region to generously renew the necessary efforts to
finding
a timely solution to this humanitarian tragedy.
At the same time, the pontiff also greeted the families and the pilgrims from
around the world present in the square, thanking them for their witness. He
thanked everyone for their well wishes and prayers.

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 Pope?s Message to Young Adults at the European Meeting of the Taize Community
Vatican City, 27 December 2015 (VIS) ? Pope Francis, through a telegram sent by
Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, addressed the participants in the
38th European Meeting of Young Adults organized by the Taize Community, which
will take place from Monday, 28 December 2015 until 1 January 2016, in
Valencia,
Spain.
The Holy Father encouraged the more than 30,000 expected participants to ''have
the courage of mercy, which will guide you not only to receive it in your lives
but also to be close to those who are in distress. You know that the Church is
here for all of humanity and where there are Christians everyone should find an
oasis of mercy. This,'' he emphasized, ''particularly applies to the many
migrants in such need of your welcome.'' The Pope also expressed his hope that
''during thesebeautiful days ? you might better discover Christ, ?the face of
the Father?s mercy'', and he sent them his blessing.

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 Telegram on the Attacks in the Philippines
Vatican City, 27 December 2015 (VIS) ? Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro
Parolin sent a telegram of condolences on behalf of the Pope Francis to Msgr.
Giuseppe Pinto, apostolic nuncio in Manila, following the attacks on the island
of Mindanao, in the south of the country.
''The Holy Father was deeply saddened to learn of the senseless killing of
innocent people in Mindanao, and he sends condolences to the families of those
who lost their lives. His Holiness prays that security and safety will be
established for all people in the region, so that dialogue, tolerance and peace
may enable each person to live free from fear. He asks all believers to reject
violence in the name of God who is love, and invokes abundant divine gifts of
consolation, mercy and strength upon those affected by this tragedy.''

___________________________________________________________

 Pope?s Condolences on Gas Plant Accident in Nigeria
Vatican City, 27 December 2015 (VIS) ? Pope Francis, through Cardinal Secretary
of State Pietro Parolin, has sent the following telegram of condolences to
Msgr.
Augustine Kasuja, apostolic nuncio in Abuya, following the tragic accident that
occurred in the Nigerian city of Nnewi when a truck exploded in a gas plant.
''The Holy Father was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic explosion at a gas
plant in Nnewi, in which so many people died or were seriously injured. He
sends
heartfelt condolences to the relatives of the deceased and injured, to the
authorities and to the entire Nation. His Holiness, commending the souls of the
departed to the tender mercy of God, invokes the abundant divine gifts of
consolation and strength upon those who mourn and upon all who have been
affected by this tragedy.''

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 Angelus: ''Never Tire of Asking for Divine Forgiveness''
Vatican City, 25 December 2015 (VIS) ? ''Today we celebrate the Feast of St.
Stephen,'' said the Pope today at noon from the window of his study in the
Apostolic Palace, when he prayed the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St.
Peter?s Square. ''This memorial of the first martyr follows immediately after
the Solemnity of Christmas. Yesterday we contemplated the merciful love of God
who became man for us. Today we see the consistent response of Jesus? disciple
who gives his life. Yesterday, the Savior was born on earth; now his faithful
witness is born in heaven. Yesterday as today, the darkness of the denial of
life looms, but the light of love that overcomes hatred and inaugurates a new
world shines still stronger.''
''There is a particular aspect in today?s story from the Acts of the Apostles
thatties St. Stephen to the Lord. It is the forgiveness he offered before he
died from being stoned. Nailed to the cross, Jesus said: ?Father, forgive them
for they know not what they do?. Likewise, Stephen ?bent his knees and cried
out: ''Lord, do not charge them with this sin''.? Stephen, therefore, is a
martyr, which means witness because he does as Jesus does. In fact, the true
witnesses are those who act as does Jesus: those who pray, those who love,
those
who give, but above all, those who forgive because forgiveness, as the word
implies, is the greatest expression of giving.''
''But ? we might ask ? what is the use of forgiving?'' the pontiff continued.
''Is it just a good deed or does it bring results? We find the answer precisely
in Stephen?s martyrdom. Among those for whom he begged forgiveness was a young
man named Saul who persecuted the Church and tried to destroy it.

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