Tuesday 7 October 2014


Pope Francis asks families to read the Bible

2014-10-06
Following the Opening Mass for the Synod, Pope Francis prayed the Angelus along with thousands of pilgrims in St. Peter's Square.

Pope Francis reminded them about the start of the Synod on the Family and recalled the imagery of the vineyard to talk about God's people, and specifically, the family.

POPE FRANCIS
"Taking care of the family is a way to work on the Lord's vineyard so it can produce the fruit of the Kingdom of God”.

In order for families to move forward, Pope Francis recommended that they read the Word of God. Pauline Publishing gave a Bible to every person at the square to commemorate their founding. Pope Francis called on families to use them.

POPE FRANCIS
"It is not for putting in a shelf, but rather for having it at hand. It is for reading it often, every day, either individually or in groups, husband and wife, parents and children; maybe at night, especially on Sundays. That way, the family can move forward with the light and the power of the Word of God!”

Before leaving, Pope Francis asked the pilgrims not to forget to pray in the upcoming days for the Synod on the Family.

Wednesday 1 October 2014





Pope Francis to United Bible Societies: Thanks for making it easy to understand the Bible

2014-09-30
A delegation of the United Bible Societies met with Pope Francis at the Vatican. They showed him a new version of the Bible in Italian, the result of the cooperation between Catholics and Evangelicals.

POPE FRANCIS
"Preparing an inter-confessional version is an effort particularly meaningful, especially since discussions over the Scripture have influenced divisions, especially in the West.”

Two children gave Pope Francis the Bible. During his speech, the Pope explained that translating it into common language helps simple people understand fully its message.

POPE FRANCIS
"It is a very good idea, because people can understand it, simple people... Because it is a true language, a real one, but close to the people. In the missions we carried out in our parish in Buenos Aires we always went by the Bible society to buy these. They made me a special price, eh? And we gave it to the people and the people understood the Bible. They understood.”

Pope Francis greeted all the members of the delegation one by one, and showed his sense of humor.

"We have to see each other.”
"When?”
"I don't know, but you're bringing the pizza.”

The United Bible Societies promotes the reading of the Bible in the world. 30 people attended the meeting with the Pope, who described their work as "patient, careful, fraternal and faithful.”