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Pope Francis called on Palestinian militant group Hamas to free hostages abducted from Israel, adding that he is “concerned” over Israel’s siege of the Gaza Strip. “I continue to follow what is happening in Israel and Palestine with tears and apprehension: many people killed, others injured,” Francis said Wednesday in his address to the general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. “I pray for those families who have seen a feast day transformed into a day of mourning, and I ask that the hostages be released immediately.” “It is the right of those who are attacked to defend...

[Catholic Caucus]On Eve of Vatican Synod, Bishop Warns of Move to Impose ‘Counterfeit Church’ROME — Kazakh Bishop Athanasius Schneider has joined the many Catholic prelates warning of nefarious plotting behind the scenes of the upcoming Vatican “Synod on Synodality.”O Lord, “prevent the enemies of the Church from exulting in a victory over the authentic Catholic Church obtained by imposing a counterfeit church under the guise of ‘synodality,’” Bishop Schneider wrote in a September 29 prayer for the synod.“For where sin and apostasy in the Church abounds, the victory of Your grace will abound the more,” the bishop added.In his prayer,...

Pope Francis on Imperialism: Is Russia a Special Case?A month after Pope Francis spoke in favorable terms about Russia’s imperial past, the diplomatic ramifications still reverberate. Last week, the Holy Father received the credentials of the new Russian ambassador, a rather routine encounter, though with a Vatican statement about how friendly the meeting was.A few days later, on Friday, the Holy Father received the Ukrainian ambassador to the Holy See in a private audience, which is absolutely not a routine encounter. Ambassadors to the Holy See get two meetings with the pope, both pro forma — one when they present...

Pope Francis urges Chinese Catholics to be ‘good citizens’As Pope Francis concluded Mass on Sunday in the Hun Theatre in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar, he took a moment to invite two Chinese bishops to stand with him at the altar for a moment.The Pope greeted Cardinal John Tong Hon, bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, and Cardinal-elect Stephen Chow Sau-yan, SJ, bishop of Hong Kong.As he held up their hands, Pope Francis sent greetings to the “noble people of China” and wished “all the people the best.”He encouraged the people of China to “strive ahead, always advancing.”Turning to the faithful...

The Church’s morals didn’t change until Vatican II in the 1960s. Before that, you had nearly two thousand years of consistency. If you speak to neo-Catholics now, they will tell you that there was a great revelation in the 20th century, and they realized that morality is constantly in flux, and that basically, all the fundamental premises of the historic Church are wrong. The Pope has gone from promoting gay anal to now actively attacking the people pushing back on it. He must be feeling he’s in a good position, to move from encouraging gay sex to actively organizing anyone...

Pope Francis blasted what he described as groups of "very strong, reactionary" American Catholics, warning against becoming "backwardists" who oppose change in the Catholic Church. "The situation in the United States is not easy: There is a very strong, reactionary attitude. It is organized and shapes the way people belong, even emotionally," said the pope. "I want to remind these people that backwardism is useless, and it is necessary to understand that there is a correct evolution in the understanding of questions of faith and morals."

MAY 10 MORNING For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.Forasmuch ... as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death. that is, the devil.And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them. I heard...

EVENING MAY 9 It is I; be not afraid.When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Woe is me! for I am undone; ... mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord...

Proverbs 9 NKJV The Way of Wisdom 1Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; 2 She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table. 3 She has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city, 4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, 5 “Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed. 6 Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding. 7 “He...

MORNING MAY 9 Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. If in this life if we only hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit.After that ye believed ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession. Jesus saith unto him,...

MAY 6 MORNIN Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. A just God and a Saviour. The Lord is well pleased for His righteousness' sake; He will magnify the law, and make it honourable. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His Blood to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forebearance of God; to declare I say at this time His righteousness: that He might be Just...