VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXII - # 010
DATE 16-01-2015

Summary:
- The Pope speaks with journalists on the flight to Manila
- Francis praises the heroic strength of the Filipino people in the face of
natural disasters
- Pope Francis celebrates Mass in the Cathedral of Manila
- To families: be aware of your calling as Jesus' missionary disciples
- Conclusion of the meeting of presidents of Doctrinal Commissions
- Other Pontifical Acts

___________________________________________________________

 The Pope speaks with journalists on the flight to Manila
 Vatican City, 15 January 2015 (VIS) - Following the first part of his seventh
apostolic trip, on the flight from Colombo to Manila, Pope Francis spent forty
minutes answering questions posed by the journalists who accompanied him on a
number of issues relating not only to his trip to Sri Lanka and the
Philippines, but also the attacks in Paris, freedom of worship and expression,
security on papal trips and his forthcoming encyclical. This latter, he said,
is likely to be completed around the end of March and published in June or
July.
 The following is a summary of some of the Pope's answers.
 On suicide and kamikaze attacks
 "Behind every suicide attack there is an element of human imbalance; I do not
know if this can be considered mental imbalance, but human. There is something
that does not function in this person. He is not balanced in terms of the
meaning of his life, of his own life and that of others. He gives his life,
but he does not do so in the right way. Many people work - missionaries, for
example - giving their own lives, but constructively. This, instead, is
self-destruction in order to destroy".
 On security during papal trips and terrorist threats
 "The best way to respond is with gentleness. To be gentle, humble. ... I
worry about the safety of the faithful, and have spoken about this with the
Vatican security officials. ... Am I afraid? I have a fault, a large dose of
recklessness ... but I know that it is necessary to take security measures,
prudent but sure".
 On freedom of worship and expression
 "I believe that these are both fundamental human rights. ... We are talking
about Paris, let''s be clear. Everyone has the right to practice their own
religion freely, without offending. ... One cannot offend, make war and kill
in the name of their religion, that is, in God's name. What is happening
shocks us. But let us think about how many wars there have been in the name of
religion, throughout history. ... We too are sinners in this respect. But we
must not kill in the God's name. This is an aberration. ... Every person has
not only the freedom, the right, but also the duty to say what he or she
thinks in aid of the common good ... but without offending. It is true that
one should not react violently, but if my friend insults my mother he can
expect a punch! It is normal, one should not provoke, one should not insult
other people's faith. There is a limit, and there are limits to the freedom of
expression".

___________________________________________________________

 Francis praises the heroic strength of the Filipino people in the face of
natural disasters
 Vatican City, 16 January 2015 (VIS) - This morning, local time, the Pope paid
a visit to the Presidential Palace, where he signed the Golden Book and then
proceeded to the Music Room, where he was received by Benigno Simeon
Conjuangco Aquino III, president of the Republic of the Philippines and his
family. Forty-five minutes later the Pope addressed the authorities and the
diplomatic corps in the Rizal Ceremonial Hall.
 "In a particular way, this visit is meant to express my closeness to our
brothers and sisters who endured the suffering, loss and devastation caused by
Typhoon Yolanda", he began. "Together with many people throughout the world, I
have admired the heroic strength, faith and resilience demonstrated by so many
Filipinos in the face of this natural disaster, and so many others. Those
virtues, rooted not least in the hope and solidarity instilled by Christian
faith, gave rise to an outpouring of goodness and generosity, especially on
the part of so many of the young. In that moment of national crisis, countless
people came to the aid of their neighbours in need. At great sacrifice, they
gave of their time and resources, creating networks of mutual help and working
for the common good.
 "This example of solidarity in the work of rebuilding teaches us an important
lesson", he continued. "Like a family, every society draws on its deepest
resources in order to face new challenges. Today the Philippines, together
with many other countries in Asia, faces the challenge of building on solid
foundations a modern society - a society respectful of authentic human values,
protective of our God-given human dignity and rights, and ready to confront
new and complex political and ethical questions. As many voices in your nation
have pointed out, it is now, more than ever, necessary that political leaders
be outstanding for honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good. In
this way they will help preserve the rich human and natural resources with
which God has blessed this country. Thus will they be able to marshal the
moral resources needed to face the demands of the present, and to pass on to
coming generations a society of authentic justice, solidarity and peace".
 Essential to the attainment of these national goals, he explained, "is the
moral imperative of ensuring social justice and respect for human dignity. The
great biblical tradition enjoins on all peoples the duty to hear the voice of
the poor. It bids us break the bonds of injustice and oppression which give
rise to glaring, and indeed scandalous, social inequalities. Reforming the
social structures which perpetuate poverty and the exclusion of the poor first
requires a conversion of mind and heart. The bishops of the Philippines have
asked that this year be set aside as the 'Year of the Poor'. I hope that this
prophetic summons will challenge everyone, at all levels of society, to reject
every form of corruption which diverts resources from the poor, and inspire
concerted efforts to ensure the inclusion of every man and woman and child in
the life of the community".
 A fundamental role in the renewal of society is played "by the family and
especially by young people. A highlight of my visit will be my meetings with
families and with young people here in Manila. Families have an indispensable
mission in society. It is in the family that children are trained in sound
values, high ideals and genuine concern for others. But like all God's gifts,
the family can also be disfigured and destroyed. It needs our support. We know
how difficult it is for our democracies today to preserve and defend such
basic human values as respect for the inviolable dignity of each human person,
respect for the rights of conscience and religious freedom, and respect for
the inalienable right to life, beginning with that of the unborn and extending
to that of the elderly and infirm. For this reason, families and local
communities must be encouraged and assisted in their efforts to transmit to
our young the values and the vision which can help bring about a culture of
integrity - one which honours goodness, truthfulness, fidelity and solidarity
as the firm foundation and the moral glue which holds society together.
 "Mr President, distinguished authorities, dear friends, as I begin my visit
to this country, I cannot fail to mention the Philippines' important role in
fostering understanding and cooperation among the countries of Asia. I would
also mention the oft-neglected yet real contribution of Filipinos of the
diaspora to the life and welfare of the societies in which they live. It is
precisely in the light of the rich cultural and religious heritage of which
your country is proud that I leave you with a challenge and a word of
prayerful encouragement. May the deepest spiritual values of the Filipino
people continue to find expression in your efforts to provide your fellow
citizens with an integral human development. In this way, each person will be
able to fulfil his or her potential, and thus contribute wisely and well to
the future of this country. I am confident that the praiseworthy efforts to
promote dialogue and cooperation between the followers of the different
religions will prove fruitful in the pursuit of this noble goal. In a
particular way, I express my trust that the progress made in bringing peace to
the south of the country will result in just solutions in accord with the
nation's founding principles and respectful of the inalienable rights of all,
including the indigenous peoples and religious minorities".
 Following his address, Pope Francis proceeded by car to the Cathedral of
Manila.

___________________________________________________________

 Pope Francis celebrates Mass in the Cathedral of Manila
 Vatican City, 16 January 2015 (VIS) - The Holy Father made the five-kilometre
journey from the Presidential Palace to the Cathedral of Manila by car,
arriving shortly before 11 a.m. The Cathedral, dedicated to Our Lady of the
Immaculate Conception, is considered the mother of all the churches of the
Philippines. The current structure dates from the 1950s when the status of
Minor Basilica was granted by St. John Paul II, but the Cathedral has been
rebuilt eight times since its initial construction in 1581. It has been
destroyed by a typhoon, a fire, various earthquakes, and bombing during the
Second World War. It was rebuilt entirely as a result of private donations
from major businesses and from the faithful. Closed since 2012, it reopened in
April 2014 with a solemn celebration by Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle,
archbishop of Manila, attended by senior state figures including the president
of the Republic, Benigno Aquino III.

--- MPost/386 v1.21
 * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS=Huntsville AL=bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)