The Weekly Francis – Volume 351 – 10 March 2021

This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week from 8 February 2021 to 10 March 2021.

The Weekly Francis is a compilation of the Holy Father’s writings, speeches, etc which I also post at Jimmy Akin’s blog.

Angelus

General Audiences

Homilies

6 March 2021 – Apostolic Journey to the Republic of Iraq: Holy Mass at the Chaldean Cathedral of “Saint Joseph” in Baghdad
7 March 2021 – Apostolic Journey to the Republic of Iraq: Holy Mass at the “Franso Hariri” Stadium in Erbil

Messages

Motu Proprio

8 February 2021 – Apostolic Letter in the form of Motu Proprio of the Supreme Pontiff Francis, on amendments in matters of justice

Prayers

7 March 2021 – Apostolic Journey to the Republic of Iraq: Prayer of Suffrage for the Victims of the War at Hosh al-Bieaa (Church square) in Mosul

Speeches

Papal Tweets

“Through recollection and silent prayer, hope is given to us as interior light, illuminating the challenges and choices we face in our mission. Hence the need to pray and, in secret, to encounter the Father of tender love (Mt 6:6). #Lent” @Pontifex 27 February 2021
“A year ago today the #RomeCall for Artificial Intelligence was signed and I hope that more and more people of goodwill will cooperate to promote the common good, protect the lasts and develop a shared algorethics.” @Pontifex 28 February 2021
“The #GospelOfTheDay (Mk 9:2–10) calls us to contemplate Jesus’s transfiguration. It is an invitation to remember, especially when we pass through a difficult trial, that the Lord is Risen and does not permit darkness to have the last word.” @Pontifex 28 February 2021
“I join my voice to that of the Bishops of Nigeria to condemn the vile kidnapping of the 317 girls, taken away from their school in Jangebe. I am praying for these girls so they might return home soon. I am near to their families.” @Pontifex 28 February 2021
“In the case of rare diseases, a support network among family members is more important than ever. I encourage those initiatives that support research and cures and I express my closeness to those who ill, especially the children, and their families.” @Pontifex 28 February 2021
“I ask government leaders, businesses, international organizations to cooperate and to seek a solution for everyone regarding #Covid: vaccines for everyone, especially for the world’s most vulnerable and needy people. #ZeroDiscriminationDay” @Pontifex 1 March 2021
“All of us are specialists in crucifying others to save ourselves. Jesus, instead, allowed himself to be crucified, to teach us not to shift evil onto others. #Lent” @Pontifex 1 March 2021
“The center of confession is Jesus who waits for us, who listens to us and forgives us.” @Pontifex 2 March 2021
“Let us #PrayTogether that we may experience the sacrament of reconciliation with renewed depth, to taste the forgiveness and infinite mercy of God. #PrayerIntentions” @Pontifex 2 March 2021
“We would not have had the courage to believe in a God who loves humanity, if we had not known Jesus. What kind of God is prepared to die for people? What kind of God loves always and patiently, without demanding to be loved in return? #GeneralAudience” @Pontifex 3 March 2021
“Sad news of bloody clashes and loss of life reach us from Myanmar. I appeal to the authorities involved that dialogue may prevail over repression, and ask the international community to ensure that the aspirations of the people of Myanmar are not stifled.” @Pontifex 3 March 2021
“#Lent is a time to believe, or rather to receive God into our life so that we may “make our home with Him” (Jn 14: 23)” @Pontifex 4 March 2021
“Tomorrow I will go to #Iraq for a three-day pilgrimage. I have long wanted to meet those people who have suffered so much. I ask you to accompany this apostolic journey with your prayers, so it may unfold in the best possible way and bear hoped-for fruits.” @Pontifex 4 March 2021
“My dear Christian brothers and sisters from #Iraq, who have testified to your faith in Jesus amid harsh sufferings: I cannot wait to see you. I am honoured to encounter a Church of martyrs: thank you for your witness! Video Message” @Pontifex 4 March 2021
“I come as a penitent, asking forgiveness from Heaven and our brothers for so much destruction and cruelty; a pilgrim of peace, in the name of Christ, Prince of Peace. How we have prayed, in these years, for peace in #Iraq! God always listens. It is up to us to walk His paths.” @Pontifex 5 March 2021
“Only if we succeed in regarding each other, with our differences, as members of the same human family, can we begin an effective process of reconstruction and leave a better, more just and more human world to the future generations. #ApostolicJourney #Iraq
” @Pontifex 5 March 2021
“Let us remember our brothers and sisters who have paid the extreme price for their fidelity to the Lord. May their sacrifice inspire us to renew our trust in the strength of the Cross and its saving message of forgiveness, reconciliation and rebirth #ApostolicJourney #Iraq” @Pontifex 5 March 2021
“#Peace does not demand winners or losers, but brothers and sisters who, despite past hurts, journey from conflict to unity. Let us ask for this in praying for the whole Middle East, especially for war-torn Syria. #ApostolicJourney #Iraq” @Pontifex 6 March 2021
“Where does the journey of peace begin? From the decision not to have enemies. Anyone who believes in God, has no enemies to fight. He or she has only one enemy to face, one that stands at the door of the heart and knocks to enter: it is hatred. #ApostolicJourney #Iraq” @Pontifex 6 March 2021
“It is up to us, today’s humanity, especially believers, to turn instruments of hatred into instruments of #peace, to appeal firmly to the leaders of nations to make the increasing proliferation of arms give way to the distribution of food for all. #ApostolicJourney #Iraq” @Pontifex 6 March 2021
“Almighty God, our Creator, you love our human family, we, children of Abraham, ask you to welcome into your abode of peace and light all victims of violence and war. #ApostolicJourney #Iraq Speech” @Pontifex 6 March 2021
“To be blessed, we do not need to become occasional heroes, but witnesses day after day. Witness is the way to embody the wisdom of Jesus. That is how the world is changed: not by power and might, but by the Beatitudes. #ApostolicJourney #Iraq” @Pontifex 6 March 2021
“Love is our strength, strength of so many brothers and sisters who here too have suffered prejudice and indignities, mistreatment and persecutions for the name of Jesus. #ApostolicJourney #Iraq Video” @Pontifex 6 March 2021
“Lord, to you we entrust all those whose span of earthly life was cut short by the violent hand of their brothers and sisters; we also pray to you for those who caused such harm. May they repent, touched by the power of your mercy. Video” @Pontifex 7 March 2021
“Fraternity is more durable than fratricide, hope is more powerful than hatred, peace more powerful than war. This conviction can never be silenced by the blood spilled by those who pervert the name of God to pursue paths of destruction. #ApostolicJourney #Iraq” @Pontifex 7 March 2021
“God can bring peace to this land. We trust in him and, together with all people of good will, we say “no” to terrorism and the manipulation of religion. #ApostolicJourney #Iraq” @Pontifex 7 March 2021
““Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (Jn 2:19). Jesus was speaking about the temple of his body, and about the Church as well. By the power of his Resurrection he can raise our communities from the ruins left by hatred. #ApostolicJourney #Iraq
” @Pontifex 7 March 2021
“I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all the women, especially the women of #Iraq, courageous women who continue to give life, in spite of wrongs and hurts. May women be respected and protected! May they be shown respect and provided with opportunities! #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex 8 March 2021
“Iraq will always remain in my heart. I ask all of you, dear brothers and sisters, to work together, united for a future of peace and prosperity that leaves no one behind and discriminates against no one. I assure you of my prayers for this beloved country. #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex 8 March 2021
“#Lent is a journey that involves our whole life, our entire being. It is a time to reconsider the path we are taking, to find the route that leads us home and to rediscover our profound relationship with God, on whom everything depends.” @Pontifex 9 March 2021
“The response to war is not another war. The response to weapons is not other weapons. The response is fraternity. This is the challenge not only for Iraq. It is the challenge for many regions in conflict and, ultimately, for the entire world. #Peace #GeneralAudience” @Pontifex 10 March 2021
“Let us continue to pray for Iraq and for the Middle East. Despite the destruction, in #Iraq, the palm, the country’s symbol, has continued to grow and bear fruit. So it is for fraternity: it does not make noise, but is fruitful and grows. #GeneralAudience #PrayTogether” @Pontifex 10 March 2021
“Thinking of the many Iraqis who have emigrated, I would like to say to them: you have left everything, like Abraham; like him, keep the faith and hope and be weavers of friendship and of fraternity wherever you are. And if you can, return. #Iraq #GeneralAudience” @Pontifex 10 March 2021
“After my Visit in #Iraq, I am filled with gratitude to God and to all those who made it possible: the President of the Republic,
@BarhamSalih
, and the Government, the Patriarchs and Bishops.” @Pontifex 10 March 2021
“I am grateful to the religious Authorities as well, beginning with the Grand Ayatollah Al-Sistani, with whom I had an unforgettable meeting. May God, who is peace, grant a future of fraternity to Iraq, the Middle East and the entire world!” @Pontifex 10 March 2021
“A message of fraternity came from Erbil as well, the city in which I was received by the President of the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan,
@IKRPresident
, and its Prime Minister, by the Authorities and by the people. I thank the dear Kurdish population for their warm welcome.” @Pontifex 10 March 2021