VATICAN – God handed down his commandments not for people to hypocritically follow the letter of the law with a proud and righteous heart, but for people to recognize the truth of their weaknesses and acknowledge their need for help, healing and salvation, Pope Francis said.

VATICAN – As the rich get richer, the increasing misery and cries of the poor are ignored every day, Pope Francis said.

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Nov. 18 (Year B) Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 16; Hebrews 10:11-14, 18; Mark 13:24-32

VATICAN – Lying or being inauthentic is seriously wrong because it hinders or harms human relationships, Pope Francis said.

VATICAN – Even in societies increasingly marked by divisions and prejudice, Catholics gather every Sunday "in the Lord's name and acknowledge that they are brothers and sisters," Pope Francis said.

VATICAN – The two international bodies that had been supporting and coordinating the international activities of charismatic Catholics will become one new organization.

VATICAN – Saints are not just the well-known men, women and young people on the liturgical calendar, Pope Francis said on the feast of All Saints.

VATICAN – The Sixth Commandment's mandate against adultery is a call to fidelity that applies not only to married couples, but to all Christians called to love others through their vocation, Pope Francis said.

“I have been half in love with easeful Death.” So wrote poet John Keats two centuries ago. For him it was sorrowful, yet his succinct sentence could well describe our current perspective in this country. 

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Oct. 28 (Year B) Jeremiah 31:7-9; Psalm 126; Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52

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