Vatican City, 11 January 2014 (VIS) - This morning in the Sistine Chapel the Holy Father presided at a Eucharistic celebration during which he baptised thirty-three children of Vatican employees. In his homily, citing the first reading, the Pope remarked that the Lord is concerned for his children, like a parent, and therefore ensures they receive substantial nourishment. "God, like a good father or a good mother, wishes to give good things to his children. And
what is this nourishment that God gives us? It is His Word".
The Word "enables us to grow and to be fruitful in life, like the rain and the
snow are good for the earth and make it fecund. Therefore you, parents and godparents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, will help these children to grow well if you give them the Word of God, te Gospel of Jesus. And also offer this to them by example! Every day, get used to reading a passage from the Gospel, a
short one, and always carry a copy of the Gospel in your pocket, in your bag, so you can read it. And this will be an example for your children - seeing their father, mother, godparents, grandfather, grandmother, aunts and uncles all reading the Word of God".
"You, mothers, give you children milk - and even now, if they cry with hunger,
feel free to feed them. Let us give thanks to the Lord for the gift of milk and
pray for those mothers - there are many, unfortunately - who are not able to give their children food to eat. Let us pray and try to help these mothers. So,
what the milk does for the body, the Word of God does for the spirit: the Word of God enables faith to grow. As we heard in the words of the apostle John: 'Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God". Your children are baptised in this faith. Today it is your faith, dear parents and godparents. It is the faith of the Church, in which these little ones will receive Baptism. But tomorrow, but the grace of God, it will be their faith, their personal 'yes' to Jesus Christ, who gives us the love of the Father".
He continued, "Baptism brings us within the body of the Church, as part of God's holy people. And in this body, in this journeying people, faith is transmitted from generation to generation: it is the faith of the Church. It is
the faith of Mary, our mother, the faith of St. Joseph, of St. Peter, of St. Andrew, of St. John, of the apostles and the martyrs, that has arrived with us through Baptism: a chain that transmits faith".
"The candle of faith is passed from one hand to another", explained the Pope, alluding to the Paschal candle that is lit during Baptismal rites and which represents Christ, resurrected and living in our midst. You, families, take from Him this light of faith to transmit to your children. You take this light from the Church, the body of Christ, the people of God that journeys through every time and every place. Teach your children that it is not possible to be Christian outside the Church, and it is not possible to follow Christ outside the Church, as the Church is our mother, and lets us grow in the love of Jesus Christ".
Francis then turned to the final aspect to emerge from today's biblical readings: that in Baptism we are consecrated in the Holy Spirit. "The word 'Christian' means consecrated like Jesus, in the same Spirit in which Jesus was
immersed in all his earthly existence. He is the 'Christ', the anointed, the consecrated, and the baptised are Christians, that is, consecrated, anointed. And therefore, dear parents and godparents, if you want your children to become
true Christians, help them to grow 'immersed' in the Holy Spirit, that is, in the warmth of God's love, in the light of His Word".

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Angelus: deafness to the voice of the Holy Spirit leads to muteness in evangelisation
Vatican City, 11 January 2014 (VIS) - The feast of the Baptism of the Lord concludes the season of the Nativity and the Pope, during the Angelus at midday
today, commenting on the passage in the Gospel of St. Mark - when the heavens open at the moment at which John the Baptist baptises Jesus in the Jordan - affirmed that this event marks the end of "the time of the closed heavens, which indicated the separation of God and man as a consequence of sin".
Sin "alienates us from God and ruptures the bond between earth and heaven, causing misery and failure in our lives. The open heavens indicate that God has
given His grace so that the earth may bear His fruit. Thus the world transforms
into God's dwelling amid humanity, and each one of us has the opportunity to meet the Son of God, experiencing all of His love and infinite mercy. We find Him truly present in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist. We are able to recognise Him in the face of our brothers, especially the poor, the sick, the imprisoned, and refugees; they are the living flesh of the suffering Christ and
the visible image of the invisible God".
With the Baptism of Jesus, not only did the heavens open, but also "God speaks, making his voice resound anew: 'You are my beloved Son: with you I am well pleased'. ... And then the Holy Spirit descends, in the form of a dove: this enables Christ, the consecrated of the Lord, to inaugurate His mission, which is our salvation". The Holy Father remarked that the Holy Spirit is forgotten in our prayers: "We need to ask for His help, His strength, His inspiration. The Holy Spirit, that fully inspired the life and ministry of Jesus, is the same Spirit that today guides Christian existence, the existence of a man and a woman who say they wish to be Christians. Placing under the action of the Holy Spirit our life as Christians and the mission that we have all received by virtue of our Baptism means rediscovering the apostolic courage
necessary to overcome easy worldly comforts. ... A Christian or a community that is deaf to the voice of the Holy Spirit, Who urges us to take the Gospel to the outermost limits of the world and of society, also becomes a mute Christian or community, unable to speak or to evangelise".
"Remember to pray often that the Holy Spirit might help us and give us strength and inspiration, leading us forward", concluded Pope Francis who, following the Angelus prayer, asked the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, especially those from Sri Lanka and the Philippines, to pray for him during his apostolic trip to these two countries, to commence tomorrow.

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Rebuilding the country means rebuilding the person: the Pope at the conference
on Haiti
Vatican City, 10 January 2014 (VIS) - This morning Pope Francis received in audience the participants in the conference "The communion of the Church: memory and hope for Haiti five years after the earthquake", organised by the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum" and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America in collaboration with the bishops of Haiti. He began by thanking those who "in numerous ways came to the aid of the Haitian people following that tragedy which left in its wake so much death, destruction and desperation". He emphasised that, "through the help given to our brothers and sisters in Haiti, we have shown that the Church is a great body, one in which the various members
care for one another. It is in this communion, prompted by the Holy Spirit, that our charitable service finds its deepest motivation".
"How much has been done toward rebuilding the country in these five years! Nevertheless, we cannot ignore the fact that much remains to be done. All that has been done, and all that, with God's help, will yet be done, rests on three solid pillars: the human person, ecclesial communion, and the local Church", added the Pope, who went on to further explain these three pillars.
Firstly, "the person is at the centre of the Church's activity. We have just celebrated Christmas, and it is precisely the Incarnation which tells us how important man is to God, who wished to assume our human nature. Our first concern must thus be that of helping everyone, each man and woman, to live fully as persons. There can be no true rebuilding of a country without also rebuilding each person in his or her totality. This means ensuring that the material needs of every person in Haiti be met, and that they be able to be free, to assume their responsibilities and to further their own spiritual and religious lives. The human person has a transcendent dimension, and the Church first of all cannot neglect this dimension, which finds its fulfilment in the encounter with God. Consequently, in this phase of reconstruction, humanitarian
and pastoral activities are not in competition with one another, but rather are
complementary: each needs the other, and together they help Haitians to be mature persons and Christians capable of devoting themselves to the good of their brothers and sisters".
With regard to the second fundamental aspect, ecclesial communion, the Holy Father remarked that Haiti has seen "effective cooperation between many ecclesial institutions - dioceses, religious institutes, charitable organisations" alongside many laypersons, all of whom have carried out important charitable works. "This variety of agencies, and thus of ways of offering assistance and development, is a positive factor, since it is a sign of the vitality of the Church and of the generosity of so many. ... But charity
is even yet more authentic and more incisive when it is lived in communion. Communion shows that charity is not merely about helping others, but is a dimension that permeates the whole of life and breaks down all those barriers of individualism which prevent us from encountering one another. Charity is the
inner life of the Church and is manifested in ecclesial communion. Communion between bishops and with bishops, who are the first ones responsible for the service of charity. Communion among the various charisms and charitable institutions, since none of us works for or by themselves, but rather in the name of Christ who has shown us the way of service. It would be a contradiction
to live charity apart from one another! I invite you therefore to strengthen every possible means of working together. Ecclesial communion is reflected as well in collaboration with the civil authorities and international organisations, so that all may strive for authentic progress for the Haitian people, in the spirit of the common good".
Finally, Pope Francis underlined the importance of the local Church, "because it is here that the Christian experience is made tangible. The Church in Haiti must become always more alive and fruitful, to witness to Christ and to make its contribution to the development of the nation". In this regard, he encouraged the bishops of Haiti, all the priests and those engaged in pastoral work on the island to "inspire in the faithful renewed efforts in Christian formation and in joyful and fruitful evangelisation. The witness of evangelical
charity is effective when it is sustained by a personal relationship with Jesus
in prayer, in listening to the word of God, and in receiving the Sacraments. This is the true 'strength' of the local Church".
The Pope concluded by reiterating his heartfelt gratitude, and urging those present to continue along their path, assuring them of his prayers and his blessing.

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Meeting of the presidents of the European Episcopal Conferences
Vatican City, 10 January 2014 (VIS) - The presidents of the European Episcopal
Conferences and the superiors of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
will meet from 13 to 15 January in Esztergom, Hungary.

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which unites and favours the promotion of moral values, justice, freedom and peace. Dialogue is a school of humanity and a builder of unity, which helps to build a society founded on tolerance and mutual respect".
For this reason, "interreligious dialogue cannot be limited merely to the few, to leaders of religious communities, but must also extend as far as possible to all believers, engaging the different sectors of civil society. Particular attention must be paid to young men and women who are called to build the future
of this country. It is always worth remembering, however, that for dialogue to be authentic and effective, it presupposes a solid identity: without an established identity, dialogue is of no use or even harmful. I say this with the
young in mind, but it applies to everyone.
"I sincerely appreciate all that you have managed to accomplish up to this point and I encourage each of you in your efforts for the cause of peace of which you, as religious leaders, are the first guardians here in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I assure you that the Catholic Church will continue to offer her full support and willingness to help", the Pope emphasised. "We are all aware that there is a long way yet to go. Let us not be discouraged, however, by the difficulties, but rather continue with perseverance along the way of forgiveness
and reconciliation. While we seek to recall the past with honesty, thereby learning the lessons of history, we must also avoid lamentation and recrimination, letting ourselves instead be purified by God Who gives us the present and the future: He is our future, He is the ultimate source of peace.
"This city, which in the recent past sadly became a symbol of war and destruction, this Jerusalem of Europe, today, with its variety of peoples, cultures and religions, can become again a sign of unity, a place in which diversity does not represent a threat but rather a resource, an opportunity to grow together. In a world unfortunately torn by conflicts, this land can become a message: attesting that it is possible to live together side by side, in diversity but rooted in a common humanity, building together a future of peace and brotherhood. You can live life being a peacemaker!".
Following his discourse, and before asking all those present to pray for him and assuring them of his prayers, Pope Francis recited the following prayer "to the Eternal, One and True Living God, to the Merciful God":
"Almighty and eternal God,
good and merciful Father;
Creator of heaven and earth, of all that is visible and invisible;
God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob,
King and Lord of the past, of the present and of the future;
sole judge of every man and woman,
Who reward Your faithful with eternal glory!
We, the descendants of Abraham according to our faith in You, the one God,
Jews, Christians and Muslims,
humbly stand before You
and with trust we pray to You
for this country, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
that men and women, followers of different religions, nations and cultures
may live here in peace and harmony.
We pray to You, O Father,
that it may be so in every country of the world!
Strengthen in each of us faith and hope,
mutual respect and sincere love
for all of our brothers and sisters.
Grant that we may dedicate ourselves
courageously to building a just society,
to being men and women of good will,
filled with mutual understanding and forgiveness,
patient artisans of dialogue and peace.
May each of our thoughts, words and actions
be in harmony with Your holy will.
May everything be to Your glory and honour and for our salvation.
Praise and eternal glory to You, our God!
Amen".

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The Pope to the young of Bosnia and Herzegovina: keep the hope that inspires life
Vatican City, 8 June 2015 (VIS) - The final stage of the Pope's apostolic trip to Sarajevo was his meeting with young people at the St. John Paul II diocesan Youth Centre, in a outskirts of the city. The centre, operative since 2006, is open to young people of different ethnic backgrounds and religions, and organises a variety of sports, social and voluntary activities, as well as pastoral and religious formation for Catholics. Francis was received by the rector of the Centre and some children who accompanied him to the gymnasium where he was awaited by around 800 people, to unveil the plaque dedicating the institution to St. John Paul II.
After greetings from the auxiliary of Banja Luka, Bishop Marko Semren, the Holy
Father began a conversation with those present, setting aside the prepared text of his discourse, published in full below.
One of the young people asked why the Pope did not watch television any more, and he answered, "Yes, from the mid-1990s onwards, I felt one night that watching television was not good for, it distanced me, and led me away... and I decided not to watch any more. When I wanted to see a good film, I went to the television room in the Archbishop's residence and watched it there. But just that film. The television used to make me feel alienated from myself. And yes, I
am from the Stone Age, I am ancient! Now, I understand that the times have changed; we live in an age of images. And this is very important. In an age of images we must do what was done in the age of books: choose what is good for us!
Out of this come two consequences: the responsibility of television networks to offer programs which encourage the good, which promote values, which build up society, which help us advance, not ones that drag us down. And then to produce programs that help us so that values, true values, may be reinforced and may help to prepare us for life. This is the responsibility of television networks. Secondly: knowing how to choose what programs to watch, and this is our responsibility. If I watch a program that is not good for me, that disparages my
values, that leads me to become vulgar, even filthy, I need to change the channel. As was done in my Stone Age: when a book was good, you read it; when a book was not good for you, you would throw it away. And this leads to a third point: the point of evil fantasy, of those fantasies which kill the soul. If you
who are young live attached to your computers and become slaves to the computer,
you lose your freedom! And if you use your computer to look for dirty programs, you lose your dignity. Watch television, use the computer, but for good reasons,
for great things, things which help us to grow. This is good".
The second question was whether he had felt the joy and the love that all of the young people of Bosnia and Herzegovina had for him. "To tell you the truth, every time I meet with young people I feel their joy and love", he answered. "Not only for me, but for ideals, for life. They want to grow! But there is some
particular about you: you are, I think, the first post-war generation. You are the first flowers of spring ... you want to go forwards and never go back to destruction, to those things that make us enemies of each another. I see in you this desire and this enthusiasm. And this is new for me. I see that you do not want destruction: you do not want to become each other's enemies. You want to journey together. And this is great! ... It is not a case of 'them and us', but rather of 'we'. We want to be 'us', to not destroy our homeland, to not ruin our
country. You are a Muslim, you are a Jew, you are Orthodox, you are Catholic... but we are 'us'. This is how to make peace. This distinguishes your generation, and it is your joy. You are called to great things. A great vocation: build bridges, not walls. And this is the joy that I see in you".
The final question was, "What can you say to us, what is your message of peace for us young people?"
"Everyone speaks of peace", said the Holy Father. "Some world leaders speak of peace, and say beautiful things about peace, but behind it all they still sell weapons. From you, I expect honesty, coherence between what you think, what you feel and what you do: these three things together. The contrary is called hypocrisy. Some years ago I watched a movie on this city, I don't remember the name, but the German version (the one that I saw), was called 'Die Brⁿcke' ('The
Bridge'). I don't know what it's called in your language. And in the film I saw how bridges always unite. When a bridge is not used to go toward another person,
but is closed off, it leads to the ruin of a city, the destruction of existence.
Hence, from you, from this first post-war generation, I expect honesty and not hypocrisy. Be united, build bridges, but also let yourselves cross the bridges that you build. This is brotherhood".
As he bid farewell to the young, and while doves were released as a sign of peace, the Pope exclaimed, "Mir Vama! This is the task I leave you. Make peace, together! These doves are a sign of peace which brings joy. And peace is made among all, between everyone: Muslims, Jews, Orthodox, Catholics and others. We are all brothers and sisters! We all adore the One God! Never ever let there be separation among you. Brotherhood and union. And now I must depart and I ask you, please, to pray for me. May the Lord bless you".
Following the encounter, the Pope transferred by car to the airport in Sarajevo
where he was greeted by the Croat member of the Tripartite Presidency, Dragan Covic, and at 8 p.m. he left for Rome, where he arrived an hour and a half later.
Discourse prepared by Pope Francis:
"Being here in this Centre dedicated to St. John Paul II, I cannot forget how much he did for young people, meeting them and encouraging them all around the world. To his intercession I entrust each of you, as well as every initiative which the Catholic Church has undertaken in your land to express her closeness to young people and indeed her confidence in them. We are on this journey together. I know the doubts and the hopes that you have in your hearts", he continued. "Some of these have been expressed by Bishop Marko Semren and your representatives, Darko and Nadezda. In a special way, I join you in hoping that new generations may be offered real prospects for a dignified future in your country, thus avoiding the sad phenomenon of mass migration. In this regard, institutions are being called upon to put in place timely and courageous plans that will help young men and women to realise their legitimate aspirations; they
will thus be able to contribute energetically to the upbuilding and growth of the country. The local Church, for her part, can contribute by means of suitable
pastoral projects, focusing on educating the civic and moral conscience of the youth, and so help them to be protagonists in society. The Church's commitment can already be seen, especially through the precious work of her Catholic schools, which are rightly open not only to Catholic students but to students of
other Christian communities and other religions. However, the Church must always
dare to hope for more, starting from the Gospel and driven by the Holy Spirit

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