The teachings of Lord Jesus Christ introduced a call within the human family for mercy, compassion, and universal charity. Of all his parables and sayings, few emphasized these points as beautifully and succinctly as the story of the Good Samaritan.

While the story is a shining example of love and concern, it also has an interior theological meaning. What’s the basic storyline on this notable allegory? What is the deeper meaning for Christian believers?

Politicians, journalists, photographers and a few other professional persons often share the dizzying experience of being able to observe the course of history while it happens. One such privileged observer is none other than Most Rev. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, since 2016 and, a long time before, Custos of the Holy Land.

"What man among you having a hundred sheep
and losing one of them
would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert
and go after the lost one until he finds it?”
(Luke 5:4)

These words of Our Lord, drawn from the Gospel reading for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, reveal both profound truths about God’s heart — the Sacred Heart — and deeply practical wisdom for our daily life and work.

Human and Divine Assumptions

Vladimir Putin's visit to the Vatican on July 4, 2019 began in a "traditional" way, the first stage of the ten-hour trip to Rome. And that is with the delay of the president of the Russian Federation that, as already in the previous hearings with the Pope of 2013 and 2015 (on this last occasion the minutes of waiting had been seventy), was presented by Francesco at around 14.05. So about an hour later than the scheduled time on the agenda, 1.15pm.

Each in a different way gathered together the one family of Christ. And revered together throughout the world, they share one martyr’s crown.

St. Peter was a fisherman. Fishing nets and tilapia were his daily reality. Born without distinction in a backwater of the Roman Empire, he presumably would have lived and died in total obscurity, had not Our Lord called him to a higher ministry. The green hills of Galilee might have been his entire world.

The Pastoral Orientations of the Holy See for Bishops and priests facing the government’s requests for civil registration: safeguarding Catholic doctrine and conscience.

One of the most beautiful Eucharistic hymns is: “Ave verum Corpus natum de Maria Virgine” – “Hail, true Body, born of the Virgin Mary!” The Body of Christ which we receive was formed in the womb of the Immaculata, Body from her body, Blood from her blood. Without her consent there would be no Eucharist. Thanksgiving for Holy Communion is therefore always thanksgiving also to her as the source of this Most Blessed Sacrament.

The nativity of St. John the Baptist is remembered on June 24 in the Catholic Church.

And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. ―Luke 1:43–44

“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