“Jesus said to him, ‘Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.’”

Who would not doubt their senses if they saw a formerly dead person walking around and asking for a bite of fish? Who would not want to know if this were some sort of sick joke by those who wanted to prove that these followers of Christ were delusional in the worst way? Thomas doubted because Thomas knew what we all think we know. Dead men don't come back to life.

Following is the text of the address by Mr. Andrea Tornielli, editorial director of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communications, during the first session of the international conference titled, "Media and their role in defending the truth" which was held at Le Royal Hotel in Amman on June 18-19, 2019 under the patronage of Minister of State for Media Affairs Ms. Jumana Ghnaimat:

Excellences, Dear friends

This Sunday, June 16, throughout the entire world, the Church is giving particular adoration to the Most Holy Trinity, which is the central mystery of the Christian faith. In looking at the chronology of holy days, it’s interesting that Pentecost is always followed by Holy Trinity Sunday.

Why would Trinity Sunday follow Pentecost? What lesson is given in this placement of feast days?

Following are the general remarks by H.E. Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, at the Consultations on a United Nations Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites:

New York, 11 June 2019

Mr. High Representative,

The Holy See Delegation would like to thank you for all your efforts in making preliminary consultations, including with religious leaders, in view of today’s meeting to start discussions on a United Nations Plan of Action to safeguard places of worship and other religious sites.

‘The hope of the poor shall not perish for ever’

Following is the Vatican-provided text of Pope Francis’ message for the third World Day of the Poor, which is to be celebrated on Nov. 17, 2019, on the theme: ‘The hope of the poor shall not perish for ever’

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MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS

THIRD WORLD DAY OF THE POOR

34th Sunday in Ordinary Time
17 November 2019

The hope of the poor shall not perish for ever

Following is the text of Pope Francis' address while receiving members of the 92nd Plenary Session of ROACO, the Reunion of Aid Agencies that provides aid to the Oriental Catholic Churches on Monday, on June 10, during which he revealed that it is his wish to travel to Iraq in the coming year.

Dear Friends,

The Easter Season is coming to a surprising, triumphant, and powerful conclusion. After the Lord ascended, he told his apostles to wait. They went to a place they knew, a place that was familiar - even intimate - to them. They returned to the Upper Room, the very place where the Lord had celebrated the Last Supper and where he appeared to them after his Resurrection. There the apostolic community, joined by Mary, prayed and wondered what would come next.

A mighty wind has blown, fires descend, voices cry out, and ears hear the gospel for the first time. Barriers broken down, all creation embraced, and social, gender, and economic divisions overcome.

In many ways, Pentecost resembles Easter and Christmas as challenge for homiletical creativity. The Pentecost preacher is presented with a scripture and theme – on this birthday of the church – that is so familiar that he or she wonders if anything new can be said. Repetition is good provided our words and rituals are relevant and life-giving.

Full Text of Holy Father’s Press Conference Returning from Romania to Rome

Pope Francis on June 2, 2019, talked with reporters on the return flight to Rome after his May 31 – June 2 apostolic journey to Romania. The discussion was moderated by the Director “ad interim” of the Holy See Press Office, Alessandro Gisotti.

Following is the ZENIT translation of the press conference provided by the Vatican:

Alessandro Gisotti:

Since the tragic conflagration of Notre-Dame de Paris, no one talks about anything other than its reconstruction. It is a noble project. It will be a spectacular construction site. But it is also the sign of great ingenuousness, even a pretentious naïveté.