Sep

13

Lourdes: Experiencing Closeness Between Heaven and Earth

September 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment

At 4 p.m. today, the Holy Father departed from the apostolic nunciature in Paris and travelled to the city’s Orly airport. There he boarded a plane which took him to Tarbes, whence he continued his journey to Lourdes by helicopter.
In his popemobile, the Pope covered the first three stages of the Jubilee Way, the itinerary [...]

Sep

13

Press Conference With the Pope

September 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Here is a translation of a 10-minute press conference Benedict XVI gave while en route to France on Friday.
* * *
Q: In 1980, during his first trip, John Paul II asked “France, are you faithful to your baptismal promises?” What is your message today for the French? Do you think France is losing its Christian [...]

Sep

13

Papal Homily at Mass in Paris

September 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Here is a Vatican translation of Benedict XVI’s homily today at a Mass celebrated in Paris at the Esplanade des Invalides.
* * *
Dear Cardinal Vingt-Trois,
Dear Cardinals and Brother Bishops,
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Jesus Christ gathers us together in this remarkable place, in the heart of Paris, on this day when the universal Church commemorates [...]

Sep

13

Pope Says Hope Still Strong in France

September 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Though some speak of Europe turning its back on Christianity, Benedict XVI today in Paris affirmed that hope will continue to be stronger than all else.
The Pope spoke of hope in his homily at a Mass celebrated at the Esplanade des Invalides, which gathered some 260,000 people.
“Hope will always remain stronger than all else,” he [...]

Sep

13

Shun the Worship of Idols

September 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment

At 10 a.m. today, Benedict XVI celebrated Mass on the esplanade of Les Invalides in Paris, a complex of buildings that includes a hospital for war veterans, a military museum and the church of Saint-Louis des Invalides with a great dome under which is the grave of Napoleon Bonaparte.
“In the First Letter of St. Paul [...]

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