Pope Francis calls for ‘vaccines for all’ as he gives Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing

[Vouthon]

Pope Francis calls for ‘vaccines for all’ as he gives Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing

Vatican City, Dec 25, 2020 / 05:30 am MT (CNA).- Giving his traditional Christmas “Urbi et Orbi” blessing Friday, Pope Francis called for coronavirus vaccines to be made available to the world’s neediest people.

The pope made a special appeal to leaders to grant the poor access to vaccines against the virus which has claimed more than 1.7 million lives worldwide as of Dec. 25.

He said: “Today, in this time of darkness and uncertainty regarding the pandemic, various lights of hope appear, such as the discovery of vaccines. But for these lights to illuminate and bring hope to all, they need to be available to all. We cannot allow the various forms of nationalism closed in on themselves to prevent us from living as the truly human family that we are.”

"Nor can we allow the virus of radical individualism to get the better of us and make us indifferent to the suffering of other brothers and sisters. I cannot place myself ahead of others, letting the law of the marketplace and patents take precedence over the law of love and the health of humanity.”

“I ask everyone -- government leaders, businesses, international organizations -- to foster cooperation and not competition, and to seek a solution for everyone: vaccines for all, especially for the most vulnerable and needy of all regions of the planet. Before all others: the most vulnerable and needy!”

The pandemic forced the pope to break with the custom of appearing on the central balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square to deliver his blessing “To the City and the World.” To avoid a large gathering of people, he spoke instead in the Benediction Hall of the Apostolic Palace. Around 50 people were present, wearing masks and seated on red chairs running down the sides of the hall.

In his message, delivered at noon local time and livestreamed on the internet, the pope invoked his latest encyclical, “Fratelli tutti,” which called for greater fraternity between people around the world.

He said that the birth of Jesus enabled us to “call one another brothers and sisters” and prayed that the Christ Child would inspire acts of generosity amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“May the Child of Bethlehem help us, then, to be generous, supportive and helpful, especially towards those who are vulnerable, the sick, those unemployed or experiencing hardship due to the economic effects of the pandemic, and women who have suffered domestic violence during these months of lockdown,” he said.

Standing at a transparent lectern beneath a tapestry of the nativity, he continued: “In the face of a challenge that knows no borders, we cannot erect walls. All of us are in the same boat. Every other person is my brother or my sister. In everyone, I see reflected the face of God, and in those who suffer, I see the Lord pleading for my help. I see him in the sick, the poor, the unemployed, the marginalized, the migrant and the refugee: brothers and sisters all!”

The pope then focused on the war-stricken countries of Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, as well as other hotspots around the world.

The pope concluded: “On this festive day, I think in a special way of all those who refuse to let themselves be overcome by adversity, but instead work to bring hope, comfort and help to those who suffer and those who are alone.”

“Jesus was born in a stable, but was embraced by the love of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. By his birth in the flesh, the Son of God consecrated familial love. My thoughts at this moment turn to families: to those who cannot come together today and to those forced to remain at home.”

"May Christmas be an opportunity for all of us to rediscover the family as a cradle of life and faith, a place of acceptance and love, dialogue, forgiveness, fraternal solidarity and shared joy, a source of peace for all humanity.”​

 

[viole]

Pope Francis calls for ‘vaccines for all’ as he gives Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing

Vatican City, Dec 25, 2020 / 05:30 am MT (CNA).- Giving his traditional Christmas “Urbi et Orbi” blessing Friday, Pope Francis called for coronavirus vaccines to be made available to the world’s neediest people.

The pope made a special appeal to leaders to grant the poor access to vaccines against the virus which has claimed more than 1.7 million lives worldwide as of Dec. 25.

He said: “Today, in this time of darkness and uncertainty regarding the pandemic, various lights of hope appear, such as the discovery of vaccines. But for these lights to illuminate and bring hope to all, they need to be available to all. We cannot allow the various forms of nationalism closed in on themselves to prevent us from living as the truly human family that we are.”

"Nor can we allow the virus of radical individualism to get the better of us and make us indifferent to the suffering of other brothers and sisters. I cannot place myself ahead of others, letting the law of the marketplace and patents take precedence over the law of love and the health of humanity.”

“I ask everyone -- government leaders, businesses, international organizations -- to foster cooperation and not competition, and to seek a solution for everyone: vaccines for all, especially for the most vulnerable and needy of all regions of the planet. Before all others: the most vulnerable and needy!”

The pandemic forced the pope to break with the custom of appearing on the central balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square to deliver his blessing “To the City and the World.” To avoid a large gathering of people, he spoke instead in the Benediction Hall of the Apostolic Palace. Around 50 people were present, wearing masks and seated on red chairs running down the sides of the hall.

In his message, delivered at noon local time and livestreamed on the internet, the pope invoked his latest encyclical, “Fratelli tutti,” which called for greater fraternity between people around the world.

He said that the birth of Jesus enabled us to “call one another brothers and sisters” and prayed that the Christ Child would inspire acts of generosity amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“May the Child of Bethlehem help us, then, to be generous, supportive and helpful, especially towards those who are vulnerable, the sick, those unemployed or experiencing hardship due to the economic effects of the pandemic, and women who have suffered domestic violence during these months of lockdown,” he said.

Standing at a transparent lectern beneath a tapestry of the nativity, he continued: “In the face of a challenge that knows no borders, we cannot erect walls. All of us are in the same boat. Every other person is my brother or my sister. In everyone, I see reflected the face of God, and in those who suffer, I see the Lord pleading for my help. I see him in the sick, the poor, the unemployed, the marginalized, the migrant and the refugee: brothers and sisters all!”

The pope then focused on the war-stricken countries of Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, as well as other hotspots around the world.

The pope concluded: “On this festive day, I think in a special way of all those who refuse to let themselves be overcome by adversity, but instead work to bring hope, comfort and help to those who suffer and those who are alone.”

“Jesus was born in a stable, but was embraced by the love of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. By his birth in the flesh, the Son of God consecrated familial love. My thoughts at this moment turn to families: to those who cannot come together today and to those forced to remain at home.”

"May Christmas be an opportunity for all of us to rediscover the family as a cradle of life and faith, a place of acceptance and love, dialogue, forgiveness, fraternal solidarity and shared joy, a source of peace for all humanity.”​

Why doesn’t he simply pray that virus out of existence, instead of pontificating things that everybody else would be able to pontificate, as well? Should not be that difficult, being God’s deputy and so.

unless being dressed funny, and be called the pontefix, gives him the unique right to pontificate the obvious.

ciao

- viole

 

[sun rise]

If I were inclined to be a Christian, I would be a Catholic because of Pope Francis.

May his earnest words be a help to us all taking the steps he prays for.

 

[viole]

If I were inclined to be a Christian, I would be a Catholic because of Pope Francis.

May his earnest words be a help to us all taking the steps he prays for.

Pope Francis is to pope Benedict in the same way Mariah Carey is to Bach.

ciao

- viole

 

[Sunstone]

Why doesn’t he simply pray that virus out of existence, instead of pontificating things that everybody else would be able to pontificate, as well? Should not be that difficult, being God’s deputy and so.

unless being dressed funny, and be called the pontefix, gives him the unique right to pontificate the obvious.

ciao

- viole

Is it really any of your business? Can you show how the Pope's words and deeds in this case harm you, @viole?

Look, I'm not a Christian, I have very little tolerance for certain branches of Christianity, etc. but aren't there bigger, more important issues to you that you could tackle besides someone calling for vaccines to be distributed to as many humans as possible regardless of their nationality, status, wealth, religion, politics, or preference in pornography?

As for your criticisms, do they strike you as petty, mean-spirited, and actually irrelevant?

 

[viole]

Is it really any of your business? Can you show how the Pope's words and deeds in this case harm you, @viole?

Look, I'm not a Christian, I have very little tolerance for certain branches of Christianity, etc. but aren't there bigger, more important issues to you that you could tackle besides someone calling for vaccines to be distributed to as many humans as possible regardless of their nationality, status, wealth, religion, politics, or preference in pornography?

As for your criticisms, do they strike you as petty, mean-spirited, and actually irrelevant?

I apologize. I wrongly thought that was in the debate section. And by the way, calling for widespread distribution of vaccines does not take a pope. Especially because vaccines cannot be used for birth control.

ciao

- viole

 

[Sunstone]

I apologize. I wrongly thought that was in the debate section. And by the way, calling for widespread distribution of vaccines does not take a pope. Especially because vaccines cannot be used for birth control.

ciao

- viole

So are you arguing that the Pope should not call for the universal distribution of vaccines simply because he's the Pope? Or are you just stating the obvious when you say it doesn't take a Pope to call for the universal distribution of vaccines? And if you're just stating the obvious, why?

Are you really debating? Or are you merely expressing hatred for the Catholic Church and its clergy?

 

[viole]

So are you arguing that the Pope should not call for the universal distribution of vaccines simply because he's the Pope? Or are you just stating the obvious when you say it doesn't take a Pope to call for the universal distribution of vaccines? And if you're just stating the obvious, why?

Are you really debating? Or are you merely expressing hatred for the Catholic Church and its clergy?

No, what I am saying that asking for a global distribution of vaccines does not cost him anything. Every idiot without a stake on that could say the same.

Come back to me when he calls for the global distribution of condoms, and then you will have a point.

unless you really believe that Corona kills, or will kill, more people than the refusal to official approval of condoms from the CC did.

you are defending one of the most evil organizations in the history of mankind, I am afraid.

ciao

- viole

 

[Sunstone]

No, what I am saying that asking for a global distribution of vaccines does not cost him anything. Every idiot without a stake on that could say the same.

Come back to me when he calls for the global distribution of condoms, and then you will have a point.

unless you really believe that Corona kills, or will kill, more people than the refusal to official approval of condoms from the CC did.

you are defending one of the most evil organizations in the history of mankind, I am afraid.

ciao

- viole

"One of the most evil organizations in the history of mankind". Really? Is that the measure of your insight??

One of the most evil traits that humans possess is the capacity -- and often the inclination -- to fanaticism. The Catholic Church certainly had its share -- and still has its share -- of fanatics, but you, Viole, are flirting with fanaticism in your criticisms of it.

An old Lakota saying goes, "Chose your enemies wisely, because you become like them."

 

[viole]

"One of the most evil organizations in the history of mankind". Really? Is that the measure of your insight??

One of the most evil traits that humans possess is the capacity -- and often the inclination -- to fanaticism. The Catholic Church certainly had its share -- and still has its share -- of fanatics, but you, Viole, are flirting with fanaticism in your criticisms of it.

An old Lakota saying goes, "Chose your enemies wisely, because you become like them."

my personal suggestion is to read « the Criminal history of Christianity » from KH Deschner. There should be English translations in the meantime.

and I am not a fanatic at all. I just base my opinions on facts. It would be like calling fanatics the ones who organized the Nurnberg trial against nazis, on account of their fanaticism against national socialism.

For starters, One is the killing of a multitude of dissenters on the stake. The other is to treat women like inferior beings, today as yesterdays. Another is to have caused a whole lot of avoidable deaths with their callous opposition to condoms. Another is to prevent people from the right to terminate their lives, if they want. Another is the current disgusting policy of forbidding abortion even in case of strong abnormalities, like we see in Poland. Another is their repeated protection of kids rapists, until somebody noticed. Another is to have tried to stop science with violence. Etc. Etc.

how much more do you need? And where is that amazing pope when it comes to the real serious issues, that intersect with his medieval supersticion?

and the smiling face of that pope does not change the fact that he accepted to lead what is nothing short of a criminal organization, which for other organizations would have costed serious jail time to its main leaders, already.

And by the way, he flirted with suboptimal people. Like the fascist dictatorship in Argentina, when he was a young Jesuit. You know, the one which was throwing dissenters from airplanes.

He might fool, you, but he does not fool me.

ciao

- viole

 

[Sunstone]

and I am not a fanatic at all. I just base my opinions on facts. I

I don't know what a fanatic is where you live, but around these parts it's anyone who can only see one side to things, is obsessed with that side, and cannot for the life of them see beyond that side. Sound like anyone you know?

 

[Vouthon]

I don't know what a fanatic is where you live, but around these parts it's anyone who can only see one side to things, is obsessed with that side, and cannot for the life of them see beyond that side. Sound like anyone you know?

BOOM.

Incidentally @viole a few years ago from His Holiness:

Pope Francis: doctrine unites, ideology divides

(Vatican Radio) True doctrine unites; ideology divides. That was the message of Pope Francis in the homily at the morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta on Friday.

The Pope based his reflections on the so-called Council of Jerusalem which, around the year 49 A.D., decided that gentile converts to Christianity would not have to be circumcised.

The Holy Father was commenting on the First Reading, from the Acts of the Apostles. He noted that even in the first Christian community “there were jealousies, power struggles, a certain deviousness that wanted to profit from and to buy power.” There are always problems, he said: “We are human, we are sinners” and there are difficulties, even in the Church. But being sinners leads to humility and to drawing close to the Lord, as Saviour who saves us from our sins.

With regard to the gentiles who the Spirit called to become Christians, the Holy Father recalled that, in the reading, the apostles and the elders chose several people to go to Antioch together with Paul and Barnabas. The reading describes two different kinds of people: those who had “forceful discussions” but with “a good spirit,” on the one hand; and those who “sowed confusion”:

“The group of the apostles who want to discuss the problem, and the others who go and create problems. They divide, they divide the Church, they say that what the Apostles preached is not what Jesus said, that it is not the truth.”
​

The apostles discussed the situation among themselves, and in the end came to an agreement:

“But it is not a political agreement; it is the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that leads them to say: no things, no necessities. Only those who say: don’t eat meat at the time, meat sacrificed to idols, because that was communion with the idols; abstain from blood, from animals that were strangled, and from illegitimate unions.”
​

The Pope pointed to the “liberty of the Spirit” that leads to agreement: so, he said, the gentiles were allowed to enter the Church without having to undergo circumcision. It was at the heart of the “first Council” of the Church: the Holy Spirit and they, the Pope with the Bishops, all together,” gathered together in order “to clarify the doctrine;” and later, through the centuries – as at Ephesus or at Vatican II – because “it is a duty of the Church to clarify the doctrine,” so that “what Jesus said in the Gospels, what is the Spirit of the Gospels, would be understood well”:

“But there were always people who without any commission go out to disturb the Christian community with speeches that upset souls: ‘Eh, no, someone who says that is a heretic, you can’t say this, or that; this is the doctrine of the Church.’ And they are fanatics of things that are not clear, like those fanatics who go there sowing weeds in order to divide the Christian community. And this is the problem: when the doctrine of the Church, that which comes from the Gospel, that which the Holy Spirit inspires – because Jesus said, “He will teach us and remind you of all that I have taught’ – [when] that doctrine becomes an ideology. And this is the great error of those people.”
​

These individuals, the Pope explained, “were not believers, they were ideologized,” they had an ideology that closed the heart to the work of the Holy Spirit. The Apostles, on the other hand, certainly discussed things forcefully, but they were not ideologized: “They had hearts open to what the Holy Spirit said. And after the discussion ‘it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us.’”

Pope Francis’ final exhortation was to not be afraid in the face “of the opinions of the ideologues of doctrine.” The Church, he concluded, has “its proper Magisterium, the Magisterium of the Pope, of the Bishops, of the Councils,” and we must go along the path “that comes from the preaching of Jesus, and from the teaching and assistance of the Holy Spirit,” which is “always open, always free,” because “doctrine unites, the Councils unite the Christian community, while, on the other hand, “ideology divides.”​

 

[viole]

I don't know what a fanatic is where you live, but around these parts it's anyone who can only see one side to things, is obsessed with that side, and cannot for the life of them see beyond that side. Sound like anyone you know?

I am sure there were nice nazis, too. There are stories of SS officers pretending to kill their victims, while actually saving them.Actually, they also built very nice autobhanen that I enjoy driving today at speed limit = c.

according to your theory, me calling for the eradication of nazism would be fanaticism too. Only concentrating on the bad part of the medal. And forgetting all the crimes they committed.

if you are fine with institutionalized misoginists, homophobics, protector of serial pedophiles, and all the other already mentioned evils, because of a smiling pope, be my guest.

And why? Because he said everybody should have access to vaccines? Wow. What am amazing groundbreaking statement. Who would have expected such a revolutionary position concerning vaccines from the pope? I was expecting he would say that only he and his outfit should get them .


ciao

- viole

 

[metis]

my personal suggestion is to read « the Criminal history of Christianity » from KH Deschner. There should be English translations in the meantime.

and I am not a fanatic at all. I just base my opinions on facts. It would be like calling fanatics the ones who organized the Nurnberg trial against nazis, on account of their fanaticism against national socialism.

For starters, One is the killing of a multitude of dissenters on the stake. The other is to treat women like inferior beings, today as yesterdays. Another is to have caused a whole lot of avoidable deaths with their callous opposition to condoms. Another is to prevent people from the right to terminate their lives, if they want. Another is the current disgusting policy of forbidding abortion even in case of strong abnormalities, like we see in Poland. Another is their repeated protection of kids rapists, until somebody noticed. Another is to have tried to stop science with violence. Etc. Etc.

how much more do you need? And where is that amazing pope when it comes to the real serious issues, that intersect with his medieval supersticion?

and the smiling face of that pope does not change the fact that he accepted to lead what is nothing short of a criminal organization, which for other organizations would have costed serious jail time to its main leaders, already.

And by the way, he flirted with suboptimal people. Like the fascist dictatorship in Argentina, when he was a young Jesuit. You know, the one which was throwing dissenters from airplanes.

He might fool, you, but he does not fool me.

ciao

- viole

I think many of us here at RF know religious bigotry when we see it, and we do see it with those who use stereotypes that only hype such negativity. One could attack any and all organizations, religious or not, and do much the same.