JEWISH KING JESUS IS COMING AT THE RAPTURE FOR US IN THE CLOUDS-DON'T MISS IT FOR THE WORLD.THE BIBLE TAKEN LITERALLY- WHEN THE PLAIN SENSE MAKES GOOD SENSE-SEEK NO OTHER SENSE-LEST YOU END UP IN NONSENSE.GET SAVED NOW- CALL ON JESUS TODAY.THE ONLY SAVIOR OF THE WHOLE EARTH - NO OTHER
DANIEL 7:23-25
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast (EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TRADING BLOCKS-10 WORLD REGIONS/TRADE BLOCS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings(10 NATIONS-10 WORLD DIVISION WORLD GOVERNMENT) that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(THE EU (EUROPEAN UNION) TAKES OVER IRAQ WHICH HAS SPLIT INTO 3-SUNNI-KURD-SHIA PARTS-AND THE REVIVED ROMAN EMPIRE IS BROUGHT BACK TOGETHER-THE TWO LEGS OF DANIEL WESTERN LEG AND THE ISLAMIC LEG COMBINED AS 1)
EU leaders nominate Juncker for EU commission presidency
Today @ 16:37-JUNE 27,14-By EUOBSERVER
EU leaders Friday nominated Jean-Claude Juncker to be the next EU commission president, despite strong opposition from the UK. "Decision made. The European Council proposes Jean-Claude Juncker as the next President of the European Commission," EU council president Herman Van Rompuy tweeted. Juncker must also be elected by the EP.
Juncker chosen for EU commission job, Cameron defeated
27.06.14 @ 17:15-By Honor Mahony-EUOBSERVER
BRUSSELS - EU leaders on Friday (27 June) nominated Jean-Claude Juncker to be European Commission president, simultaneously doling out a major diplomatic defeat for London and handing a large chunk of power to the European Parliament."Decision made. The European Council proposes Jean-Claude Juncker as the next President of the European Commission," EU council president Herman Van Rompuy tweeted during the meeting.The decision was taken by a vote – a first for an EU summit – after British PM David Cameron led a strong campaign against the Luxembourger, opposing both the way the 59-year-old came to be nominated, as well as the man – who he has called the "ultimate Brussels insider" – himself.The nature of Cameron's pre-summit rhetoric and his refusal to take some kind of trade-off for the UK in return for accepting Juncker saw EU leaders have a show of hands on the issue.Only Hungary's Viktor Orban joined Cameron in voting no.The decision represents a diplomatic defeat for Cameron – who started the campaign convinced he would win – but also a new shift in the balance of power in the EU capital, to the European Parliament's gain.Juncker's appointment came on the back of a novel process pushed through by MEPs in which they insisted the lead candidate of the party winning the May EU vote – in this case Juncker for the centre-right EPP – should be nominated for the commission presidency by EU leaders.Grumbling that MEPs were taking an over-expansive interpretation of the treaty, EU leaders went half-heartedly along with the idea.However, they were soon overtaken by events on the ground as the various Spitzenkandidaten started taking part in TV debates and touring member states as commission candidates.For a while it looked like German chancellor Angela Merkel – not a huge fan of Juncker – would stop the process, but a backlash by domestic press saw her reiterate her support.The Luxembourger and former head of the eurogroup, who has maintained a media blackout over recent weeks, still has to be elected into office by a majority in the EP (376 out of 751 MEPs), with the vote to take place on 16 July.EU leaders are then to meet later that same day to decide on the post of EU foreign policy chief and EU Council president.If Juncker makes it through parliament, it will represent the first time in EU history that the commission president has not been chosen by EU leaders.It would also likely strengthen the Spitzenkandidate process for 2019, the next EU vote.While campaigning for the post Juncker admitted that few voters would know his name and suggested that the next time round, political groups would have to choose their candidates around two years ahead, instead of just a few months before ballot day.Meanwhile, Socialist MEP Richard Corbett, recently remarked that the process' first outing had showed political groups that they should choose better quality candidates next time round, with few convinced that Juncker is the best person for the job.Cameron, for his part, told his counterparts they "could live to regret the new process for choosing the commission president".
EU leaders to review 'Spitzenkandidat' process
Today @ 19:08-JUNE 27,14-EUOBSERVER-By Honor Mahony
BRUSSELS - EU leaders have said they plan to review the way they choose EU commission presidents in the future after having found themselves left with little room for manoeuvre following a parliament-pushed process.Shortly after nominating Jean-Claude Juncker to be head of the EU executive, leaders agreed conclusions indicating they want to derail the Spitzenkandidat system."Once the new European Commission is effectively in place the European Council will consider the process for the appointment of the president of the European Commission for the future, respecting the European treaties," the statement says.Under the Spitzenkandidat system, used for the first time this year, the top candidate of the most popular party after the EU vote - in this case Juncker of the centre-right EPP - is nominated for the post.It represents a stretching of the wording in the EU treaty, which only binds EU leaders to take election results into account.However, leaders are also aware that they contributed to this being the first EU summit where they had no free hand to choose a commission president.They went along with the process of political parties nominating candidates only to see it taking off and becoming more cemented as the various candidates attended debates and toured member states, while presenting themselves as running for office.This meant that Juncker was nominated although leaders had privately expressed concern about whether he is the right person for the job.EU Council president Herman Van Rompuy, himself an opponent of the system, acknowledged this dilemma after the summit."Most of the leaders belonged to European parties and they were involved in the process of appointing future candidates for the European Commission. So we have to take this into account. And this was also reflected in the discussions," he said.But he added: "Is everybody happy with the procedure? That is something else."British PM David Cameron, who led a strong campaign against Juncker, said "this process developed a momentum of its own. We need to ask ourselves how this happened."He added that the dynamics of the system means it is "impossible" to choose a sitting head of state, "we have to wait for someone who has retired".German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who from the outset was against the new system but retreated in the face of a backlash by domestic press, also said the issue would have to be revisited.However the European Parliament was jubilant, indicating that it is likely to cement the Spitzenkandidat process when it comes to the next EU election in 2019."Juncker's proposal to be next Commission President marks a turning point for European democracy," said the EP's current chief Gianni Pittella.“The voice of the European citizens has been heard," said the centre-right EPP party chairman, Manfred Weber, with many parliamentarians noting the 2014 vote for the first time provided a much-needed link between EU citizens and Brussels by politicising the selection process.
EU issues Russia sanctions ultimatum
Today @ 13:57-JUNE 27,14-By EUOBSERVER
EU countries Friday indicated they will impose further "targeted measures" on Russia unless it meets a series of conditions by Monday. Conditions include: contributing to "substantial" peace talks; agreeing to international oversight of the conflict; returning three border checkpoints to Ukraine; and the release of all hostages by pro-Russia rebels.
Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine cement EU ties
Today @ 16:09-JUNE 27,14-EUOBSERVER-By Andrew Rettman
BRUSSELS - Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine have said their signature of EU free trade treaties is a first step to accession.Leaders of the former Soviet republics and the 28 EU countries signed the accords in Brussels on Friday (27 June).The move crowns seven years of technical negotiations and comes despite Russian efforts to disrupt the process with trade bans, gas disputes, and military aggression.Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko used the same pen that his predecessor, Viktor Yanukovych, was supposed to have used at an EU summit in Vilnius last November before he changed his mind and pro-EU demonstrators swept him from power.Poroshenko told press in Brussels that Lithuanian President Dalia Grybausakite had kept the pen for him.“It [the signature] didn’t happen then, but the pen is the same, demonstrating that historical events are inevitable,” he said.He called the signature “a tribute to those who gave their life … to make this happen”.He said: “By signing the agreement with the European Union, Ukraine, as a European state … is underlining its sovereign choice in favour of future membership”. He added that he expects the EU to give Ukraine a “membership perspective” in “a short time”.Moldovan PM Iurie Leanca said he will file an official EU entry application next year. “Moldova has made a choice and this choice is definitive - European integration”, he noted.Georgia’s Irakli Garibashvili said: “Unofficially, we applied today. Officially, it [Georgia’s application date] depends on the progress that we make in terms of reforms”.The “deep” free trade accords oblige the three states to make far-reaching reforms to comply with EU single market rules.They can still have free trade with Russia, but they are bound to stay out of Russia’s Eurasian Union.The signature prompted a small celebration in Kiev city centre, where some of the people who fought riot police in February reconvened on Friday to mark the event.Latest polls say 61 percent of Ukrainians favour EU membership, compared to 54.5 percent in March before Russia began its assault.All three leaders tried to dampen popular expectations by saying the EU pacts will, for the time being, mean years of “painful” economic and political reforms.Poland and some other ex-Iron Curtain EU members would like the Union to expand further east, but they are in a minority.For his part, European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso described the trade treaties as “the most ambitious the European Union has entered into” with non-candidate countries.“We are well aware of our partners' aspirations to go further; and we acknowledge their European choice. As we have stated before, these agreements do not constitute the endpoint of the EU's co-operation with its partners. Quite the opposite”, he said.EU Council chief Herman Van Rompuy added the three states “rightfully belong” in the “European family”.Poroshenko described their remarks as the strongest ever pro-accession EU statements.But some EU diplomats say the Union is still unsure how to handle the consequences of the Ukraine revolution despite its warm words.“So far in the history of the EU, no country had to fight for the sake of EU integration. This is the first such country and the West doesn’t know how to react. It's surprised that some people are actually ready to give their lives for European values”, said one contact.
FALSE POPE FROM THE VATICAN
REVELATION 13:11-13
11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth;(FALSE VATICAN POPE) and he had two horns like a lamb,(JESUS IS THE LAMB OF GOD) and he spake as a dragon.(HES SATANICALLY INSPIRED,HES A CHRISTIAN DEFECTOR FROM THE FAITH)
12 And he (FALSE RELIGIOUS LEADER) exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him,(WORLD DICTATOR) and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.(THE WORLD DICTATOR CREATES A FALSE RESURRECTION AND IS CROWNED LEADER OF THE NEW WORLD ORDER).
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
REVELATION 17:1-5,9,15-18
1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication,(VATICAN IN POLITICS) and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
4 And the woman (FALSE CHURCH) was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour,(VATICAN COLOURS)(ANOTHER REASON WE KNOW THE FALSE POPE COMES FROM THE VATICAN) and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.(THE VATICAN IS BUILT ON 7 HILLS OR MOUNTAINS)
15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.(VATICAN-CATHOLICS ALL AROUND THE WORLD OVER 1 BILLION)
16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast,(WORLD DICTATOR) these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.(BOMB OR NUKE THE VATICAN)
17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city,(VATICAN) which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
06/26/2014 -Synod of Bishops: Church must be merciful with the divorced, same-sex couples and teen mothers-One of the messages from the Synod's text:Let the Church not be a judge that condemns the divorced-The Vatican has released the working document for the double synod on the family that will be taking place between 2014 and 2015. It denounces femicide and paedophilia-Iacopo Scaramuzzi
vatican city-The reality of de facto couples, the divorced and the possibility of administering communion to them, but also the condemnation of femicide and paedophilia, the homosexuality question (the Church says “no” to same-sex marriage but pastoral care should be offered to same-sex couples), the courage of teen mothers, streamlining the marriage annulment process, contraception and the difficulty the people of God face in following Paul VI’s Humanae Vitae. Today the Vatican published the Instrumentum Laboris, the core document which is going to be the basis for the discussions that will be held during the double synod on the family called by Pope Francis (an Extraordinary Synod this coming October and an Ordinary Synod in 2015). The title of the 77-page document is “The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization”. The text has been translated into six languages and provides a summary of “the great number of detailed responses” to the questionnaire, which the Synod’s secretariat sent out to all dioceses last November, to gather together the ideas of Catholics across the world. These responses arrived from “the synods of the Eastern Catholic Churches sui iuris, the episcopal conferences, the departments of the Roman Curia and the Union of Superiors General, but also a significant number of dioceses, parishes, movements, groups, ecclesial associations and families, not to mention academic institutions, specialists, both Catholic and non-Catholic, all interested in sharing their reflections.”The text does not avoid controversial questions. It asks a lot of questions and puts forward Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s approach: “From the beginning of his pontificate,”Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, the Synod’s secretary recalls in the introduction, “Pope Francis has emphasized that “the Lord never tires of forgiving: never! It is we who tire of asking his forgiveness.” This accent on mercy has had a great impact even in matters relating to marriage and the family, in that, far removed from every kind of moralism, it confirms the Christian outlook on life and opens new possibilities for the future, no matter what the personal limitations or the sins committed. God’s mercy is an opening to an ongoing conversion and a continuous rebirth.” The Instrumentum Laboris aims to communicate “the values of the Gospel … to people today in a more intelligible manner.” “The pastoral care of families, far from limiting itself to a legal point of view, has a mission to recall the great vocation of love to which each person is called and to help a person live up to the dignity of that calling.” One sentence in the text clearly reflects the Synod’s collegiality: “To meet this urgency, the episcopate throughout the world is being called, cum et sub Petro, to listen humbly to the Holy Spirit and reflect on today’s pastoral challenges.”The text is split into three parts and covers the eight themes included in the questionnaire. The title of the first section is “Communicating the Gospel of the Family in Today’s World”. It emphasises “the People of God’s knowledge of conciliar and post-conciliar documents on the Magisterium of the family seems to be rather wanting” and that “some responses clearly state that the faithful have no knowledge of these documents.” Furthermore, “many respondents confirmed that, even when the Church's teaching about marriage and the family is known, many Christians have difficulty accepting it in its entirety.” More specifically, the concept of “natural law” “today turns out to be, in different cultural contexts, highly problematic, if not completely incomprehensible.”The second part of the Instrumentum Laboris titled “The Pastoral Challenges of the Family” is particularly intense. This section presents all the difficult situations faced by families today, including specific regional questions (wars, migrations, polygamy and the misogyny of certain cultures). Violence and abuse were prominent issues in many responses and feature among the pastoral challenges of the family: “The responses unanimously make reference to psychological, physical and sexual violence and abuse in families which has a particularly damaging effect on women and children, a phenomenon which, unfortunately, is neither occasional nor isolated, particularly in certain parts of the world,” the document reads, with an explicit reference to femicide, incest and paedophilia. Some of the factors that cause crises in families include “the economic crisis and the instability of the labour market,” migration, a consumerist culture, careerism and competitiveness, as well as sinful acts within the Church, namely paedophilia, “a conspicuously lavish lifestyle by some of the clergy” which “shows an inconsistency between their teaching and their conduct.”The growing number cohabiting couples who live together without marrying. “In this regard, any possible response to this situation through pastoral care must assist young people overcome an overly romantic idea that love is only an intense feeling towards each other and teach them that it is, instead, a personal response to another person as part of a joint project of life, which reveals a great mystery and great promise.” The Church must be a loving presence that takes care of couples, encouraging them “to become true partners among themselves and with others.”Teen mothers. “The responses give particular attention to mothers who have no husbands and who, alone, must care for their children, a situation which is often the result of much suffering and, very often, abandonment. Above all, they are to be esteemed for the love and courage with which they welcomed the life conceived in their womb and now provide for the upbringing and education of their children.”
Remarried divorcees and Communion. “A good number of responses speak of the very many cases, especially in Europe, America and some countries in Africa, where persons clearly ask to receive the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist. This happens primarily when their children receive the sacraments. At times, they express a desire to receive Communion to feel “legitimized” by the Church and to eliminate the sense of exclusion or marginalization. In this regard, some recommend considering the practice of some Orthodox Churches, which, in their opinion, opens the way for a second or third marriage of a penitential character. In light of this suggestion, countries having a major number of Orthodox Christians noted that, from their experience, this practice does not reduce the number of divorces. Others request clarification as to whether this solution is based on doctrine or is merely a matter of discipline.”Marriage annulment. “Very many responses, especially in Europe and North America request streamlining the procedure for marriage annulments. In this regard, they see a need to investigate the question of the relationship between faith and the Sacrament of Matrimony, as suggested by Pope Benedict XVI, on several occasions.” “Some responses urge caution and point out the following risks in streamlining, simplifying or reducing the process: injustices and errors could result; the impression might be given that the indissolubility of the Sacrament is not respected; the change might lead to abuses and create in young people’s minds the idea that marriage is not a life-long commitment; and the action might bolster the mistaken idea that an annulment is simply “Catholic divorce.””Same-sex couples. “Every bishops’ conference voiced opposition to “redefining” marriage between a man and a woman through the introduction of legislation permitting a union between two people of the same sex. The episcopal conferences amply demonstrate that they are trying to find a balance between the Church's teaching on the family and a respectful, non-judgmental attitude towards people living in such unions. On the whole, the extreme reactions to these unions, whether compromising or uncompromising, do not seem to have facilitated the development of an effective pastoral programme which is consistent with the Magisterium and compassionate towards the persons concerned.” “However, when people living in such unions request a child’s baptism, almost all the responses emphasize that the child must be received with the same care, tenderness and concern which is given to other children.”The last two issues discussed in the Instrumentum Laboris are dealt with in the thirst section titled “An Openness to Life and Parental Responsibility in Upbringing”. The argument presented regarding the subject of contraception is based on Paul VI’s encyclical Humanae Vitae: This “certainly had a prophetic character in reiterating the unbreakable link between conjugal love and the transmission of life.” “When treating a couple’s openness to life and their knowledge of the Church’s teaching, with particular reference to Humanae Vitae, the responses clearly admit that, in the vast majority of cases, the positive aspects are unknown.” “A vast majority of responses emphasize how the moral evaluation of the different methods of birth control is commonly perceived today as an intrusion in the intimate life of the couple and an encroachment on the autonomy of conscience.” “From the pastoral point of view, the responses, in very many cases, see the need to make better known what was stated in Humanae Vitae and to propose a coherent anthropological vision in revitalized language, not only in pre-marriage preparation but also in instructional courses on love in general.”Regarding education, “the responses mention that pastoral activity needs to express more of a sensitivity based on a respect for persons living in these irregular situations and capable of offering effective support to them in the upbringing of their children. The pastoral guidance of parents living in these situations should be ongoing and more attentive to their needs.”In document’s concluding remarks mention “three main areas … under discussion in the Church” which aim to help it “come to some idea of how to respond to the new demands in the People of God.” It ends with a “Prayer to the Holy Family”.During the press conference for the presentation of the document, Cardinal Baldisseri announced that the subject of the ordinary general assembly that is due to be held between 4 and 25 October 2015, will be “Jesus Christ reveals the mystery and vocation of the family”. The press conference was moderated by the Holy See’s spokesman, Fr. Federico Lombardi. The cardinal said that 85% of the world’s 114 bishops’ conferences completed the questionnaire and that approximately 800 individuals or groups of faithful, associations and single dioceses sent in their responses. There will be 188 Synod members, in addition to the members the Pope will nominate.The number of attendees will be higher in 2015 because it will include not only the presidents of the national episcopates but also other bishops. This is in order to ensure a proportional representation of the various bishops’ conferences.In response to journalists’ questions, the Archbishop of Budapest and relator general of the upcoming Synod, Cardinal Peter Erdő, gave some examples of the issues raised by the Catholic Church in each of the various countries: polygamy in Africa, the Indian caste system, teen mothers in Latin America and emigration in Eastern Europe.In answer to questions about the “successful models” for the pastoral care offered to same-sex couples, presented in the Synod’s working document, Italian archbishop Mgr. Bruno Forte who is also special secretary of the assembly, explained that the aim is to avoid a “crusade-like” attitude on one hand and an attitude of “permissiveness and relativism” on the other. However, from the responses received, it emerged that what is needed is “a dialogue that will distinguish between the bond of marriage between a man and a woman and the need to recognize people’s right to unions, not just between members of the same sex. Clarity and respect are essential in doing so.” Mgr. Forte commented on former Irish president Mary McAleese’s criticisms against the plans for the Synod, which she called “bonkers”. She said there was “just something profoundly wrong and skewed” about asking “150 male celibates” to re-examine Catholic teaching on family life. The monsignor said her comment was “rash” as it is not true that “those who have not married in order to follow God’s calling are incapable of understanding these problems.”Other figures who spoke at the press conference included: the Archbishop of Paris and president delegate of the Synod, Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, two lay spouses, the former president of Catholic Action Italy, Franco Miano, and Pina De Simone.
06/27/2014 -Pope cancels visit to Rome’s Gemelli hospital due to mild illness Francis-Archbishop Scola will celebrate mass on his behalf-vatican insider staff
Turin-Pope Francis’ visit to Rome's "Agostino Gemelli" hospital was cancelled at the last minute because the Pope is not feeling too well. The visit was scheduled to take place this afternoon.The General Ecclesiastical Assistant, Claudio Giuliodori, communicated the news to the crowd that was waiting for the Pope’s arrival. The bishop said the mass would be celebrated by the Archbishop Milan, Angelo Scola instead.
06/27/2014 -Holy See: “It’s only natural the Pope should suffer fatigue given the life he leads”Archbishop Scola celebrates Mass on behalf of the Pope at the Gemelli hospital-The Vatican explains why the Pope missed today’s scheduled visit to Rome’s “Agostino Gemelli” hospital: “It was his own decision to postpone his visit to the Gemelli”-GIACOMO GALEAZZI
vatican city-“His fatigue is down to the intense and busy life he leads. This is not the first time a visit has been called off.” This was the explanation the Vatican gave for the Pope’s no-show at Rome’s “Agostino Gemelli” hospital where a large crowd of faithful excitedly awaited his arrival this afternoon. In doing so, the Vatican slashed speculations regarding the Pope’s health, straight away.“Even before his visit to the Holy Land the Pope decided by himself not to complete his scheduled visit the Sanctuary of Divine Love.” “And again now, the Holy Father decided of his own accord not to go.”Francis’ decision not to visit the University of the Sacred Heart’s Rome campus is down to an “unexpected indisposition”, at the end of a very trying week.The hospital’s directors were disappointed by the unexpected, last minute cancellation of the Pope’s visit which would have lasted three hours and was due to take place this afternoon. It is hoped that the visit will be rescheduled and take place soon given that the statement issued by the Holy See does not speak of the visit being “cancelled” but “called off”. The television channels that gathered to cover the event dispersed and the crowds left in an orderly fashion, folding the various welcome banners that had been prepared for the occasion. The Vatican gendarmerie left the Popemobile in the square for a few minutes so that those who had gathered for the papal visit could at least take a few snapshots by the jeep.The news was announced by Bishop Claudio Giuliodori, Ecclesiastical Assistant of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, who explained that the visit had been postponed. When asked about the reasons for the Pope’s scheduled visit, the Master of Ceremonies, Mgr. Guido Martini, said: “If you don’t know that, well…”The Vatican was not alarmed by the Pope’s decision to postpone his visit to the hospital. He also cancelled at the last minute on four other occasions, only to appear in top form the following day. In some cases, skipping a meeting in his packed schedule has been a way for him to save some energy ahead of other meetings. The last time this happened was on 9 June, when he called off a number of meetings (including the audience with the Supreme Council of Magistrates) the day after his Vatican “prayer summit” with Palestinian president Abu Mazen, Israeli president Shimon Peres and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. But the following Wednesday his General Audience went ahead as normal (and it was tiring because, as usual, he greeted hundreds of sick people individually). The Sunday after that he went to meet a multitude of poor people and foreign friends, friends of the Community of Sant’Egidio.The first time Francis skipped a scheduled meeting was a year ago, when people awaited his arrival at a concert in his honour to mark the Year of Faith in vain. A dismayed Mgr. Rino Fisichella had to explain that the Pope was busy receiving Holy See representatives to hear about the serious problems the Church faced across the world. His empty seat became a symbol of the Pope “from the other side of the world’s “rejection of worldliness.On 4 December Francis cancelled his audience with Angelo Scola and representatives of Expo Milano 2015 who wanted to invite him to the event. Last 28 February, Francis cancelled his visit to the Roman Seminary because of a slight fever.In order to recharge his batteries, he also called off the visit to the Sanctuary of Divine Love on 15 May, as well as the audiences scheduled for 16 May, so that he could rest a bit before his trip to the Holy Land.The homily for today’s mass at the “Agostino Gemelli” hospital - celebrated by the Archbishop of Milan and President of the Toniolo Institute, Angelo Scola, in the end - was entirely dedicated to Jesus’ love for humanity. “We can experience and taste the tenderness of this love at every stage of our lives: in times of joy and in times of sadness, in times of health and in times of infirmity and illness,” the Pope’s text read.
