Pope Francis

2024 - 3 - 25

Pope Francis: A Year of Challenges and Hope

Christus Vivit - Nigerian Community - Pope Francis - Vatican - Youth Engagement

From facing persecution to empowering youth, Pope Francis continues to make waves in 2023 and 2024 with his impactful messages and actions.

In a tumultuous year filled with challenges, Pope Francis faced bumps in the road in 2023. The expulsion of the papal nuncio by the Ortega regime in Nicaragua highlighted the increasing persecution of the Church, shedding light on the difficulties the Pope encountered. Despite these obstacles, Pope Francis remained steadfast in his mission to spread hope and positivity. On the fifth anniversary of the Apostolic Exhortation 'Christus vivit', he called on young people to voice their opinions and be the driving force of a Church that is constantly evolving.

In a proactive move to engage with the younger generation, the Vatican launched a social media campaign to rediscover the essence of 'Christus vivit' in 2024. This initiative aims to reconnect and inspire the youth, emphasizing the importance of their active participation in the Church's journey. As Pope Francis continues to pave the way for a more inclusive and dynamic Church, his efforts resonate with millions around the globe, igniting a sense of purpose and empowerment.

Ending on a poignant note, the message of 'Christus vivit' continues to reverberate five years after its publication, acting as a beacon of hope for the future of the Church. Pope Francis's dedication to uplifting the youth as the bearers of this hope reinforces his vision of a vibrant and progressive Church that embraces change and innovation.

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Image courtesy of "First Things"

A Year of Bumps in the Road for Pope Francis | Raymond J. de Souza (First Things)

In March 2023, the Ortega regime in Nicaragua expelled the papal nuncio—a dramatic sign of increasing persecution of the Church. This act was of a piece with ...

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Image courtesy of "Vatican News"

Pope Francis: Youth are living hope of a Church on the move (Vatican News)

On the fifth anniversary of the Apostolic Exhortation 'Christus vivit', Pope Francis invites young people to “make their voices heard” as they “bear ...

Vatican launches social media campaign to rediscover 'Christus vivit' (Malaysian Christian News)

VATICAN: In 2024, the Church will celebrate the fifth anniversary of the publication of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christus vivit.

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Image courtesy of "National Catholic Register"

Pope Francis to Young People: 'Christ Is Alive and He Wants You to ... (National Catholic Register)

The Pope's message marked five years since the pope wrote a post-synodal apostolic exhortation on young people, faith and vocational discernment.

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Image courtesy of "Catholic News Agency"

Pope Francis gives thanks to young Nigerian priests and nuns who ... (Catholic News Agency)

In a meeting with Nigerians living in Rome on March 25, the pope said that he was grateful for all that Nigerian Catholics have done to bear witness to the ...

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Image courtesy of "Vatican News"

Pope to Rome's Nigerian community: Embrace unity, reject division (Vatican News)

Pope Francis meets with Nigerians resident in Rome, thanking them for their witness to the Gospel, and stressing that "the diversity of ethnicities, ...

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Image courtesy of "Vatican News"

Pope Francis' schedule released for pastoral visit to Venice (Vatican News)

The Vatican releases the programme for Pope Francis' pastoral visit to the Italian city of Venice, on April 28, to explore the Holy See Pavilion of ...

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Image courtesy of "National Catholic Register"

Pope Francis to Offer Mass in Venice's St. Mark's Square (National Catholic Register)

The papal day trip will be Sunday, April 28, the Vatican announced.

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Image courtesy of "National Catholic Register"

Pope Francis Gives Thanks to Young Nigerian Priests and Nuns ... (National Catholic Register)

Pope Francis gave thanks on Monday for the many young Nigerians who have answered God's call to the priesthood or religious life.

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Image courtesy of "The Catholic Review"

Pope asks Nigerians in Rome to be models of dialogue - Catholic ... (The Catholic Review)

Meeting hundreds of Nigerian Catholics who live, work and study in Rome, Pope Francis asked them to make their Rome parishes places where cultural, ...

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Image courtesy of "Catholic Courier"

Vatican releases details of Pope Francis' visit to Venice April 28 ... (Catholic Courier)

Pope Francis' visit to Venice will include a Mass in St. Mark's Square, a meeting with young people and a meeting with female detainees.

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Image courtesy of "Detroit Catholic"

Young people are the living hope of a missionary church, pope says ... (Detroit Catholic)

The pope's message was released by the Vatican March 25 to mark the fifth anniversary of his apostolic exhortation "Christus Vivit" ("Christ is Alive"), ...

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Image courtesy of "Aleteia EN"

Diversity shouldn't become isolation, Pope Francis says (Aleteia EN)

In a meeting with Rome's Nigerian community, Pope Francis praised Nigeria's "richness in diversity" but warned against "tribal" isolation or attitudes.

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Image courtesy of "USCCB"

Young people are the living hope of a missionary church, pope says (USCCB)

In a message to Catholic young people around the world, Pope Francis marked the fifth anniversary of "Christus Vivit," the document he wrote after the synod ...

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Image courtesy of "Catholic Leader"

Young people are the living hope of a missionary church, Pope ... (Catholic Leader)

The Pope's message was released on March 25 to mark the fifth anniversary of his apostolic exhortation Christus Vivit (Christ is Alive), published in 2019 and ...

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Image courtesy of "manilastandard.net"

'Make a mess, but in a good way,' Pope Francis urges young people ... (manilastandard.net)

On the fifth anniversary of his Apostolic Exhortation, Christus vivit (Christ is alive) on Holy Monday, Pope Francis reminded young Catholics worldwide to ...

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Image courtesy of "Aleteia EN"

Pope Francis' new letter to youth, “artisans of the future” (Aleteia EN)

On the fifth anniversary of Christus vivit, Pope Francis encourages young people to make their voices heard and keep "making a mess" in a good way.

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Image courtesy of "Vatican News"

Pope Francis writing meditations for Good Friday Way of the Cross (Vatican News)

By Deborah Castellano Lubov. Each year for the annual tradition of the Via Crucis, presided over by Pope Francis in Rome's Colosseum on the evening of Good ...

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Image courtesy of "Florida Catholic"

Vatican releases details of Pope Francis' visit to Venice April 28 (Florida Catholic)

VATICAN CITY | Pope Francis' planned visit to Venice will include a Mass in the city's famous St. Mark's Square, a meeting with young people from the ...

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Image courtesy of "The Catholic Thing"

Pope Francis and the Demise of Ascetic Christianity - The Catholic ... (The Catholic Thing)

Richard A. Spinello: We rarely hear Pope Francis talk about chastity and purity nor do these virtues find a home in his papal documents.

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Image courtesy of "USCCB"

Pope writes meditations for Via Crucis at Colosseum, Vatican says (USCCB)

St. John Paul II started the tradition in 1985 of asking different people to write the prayers and meditations on the Stations of the Cross for the annual ...

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Image courtesy of "Aleteia EN"

Pope Francis is writing this year's Way of the Cross meditations (Aleteia EN)

The last pope to have written the meditations for the annual prayer in the Colosseum was John Paul II in 2003, two years before his death. Donations made by ...

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Image courtesy of "Aleteia EN"

Pope Francis feeds Catholic virtues in Lenten street art (Aleteia EN)

The Vatican marked the start of Holy Week with its seventh and final Maupal vignette, capping off a unique Lenten art campaign.

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Image courtesy of "America Magazine"

Interview: Pope Francis' foreign minister on Gaza, Ukraine and the ... (America Magazine)

Does the Holy See think Israel is conducting a genocide in Gaza? Did Pope Francis call on Ukraine to surrender? Gerard O'Connell asks these questions and ...

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Image courtesy of "National Catholic Register"

Pope Francis to Write Meditations for Good Friday Way of the Cross ... (National Catholic Register)

The reflection will be based on the theme 'In Prayer With Jesus on the Way of the Cross.' The Pope will write a unique treatment for each station, ...

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