"The reform of the church then... means ... grafting yourself to and rooting yourself in Christ, leaving yourself to be guided by the Spirit -- so that all will be possible with genius and creativity."

http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/catholicism-can-and-must-change-francis-forcefully-tells-italian-church-gathering

Pope Francis: " There are two paths in life: the path exclusion of persons from our community and the path of inclusion. The first can be little but is the root of all wars: all calamities, all wars, begin with an exclusion. One is excluded from the international community, but also from families, from friends – How many fights there are! – and the path that makes us see Jesus and teaches us Jesus is quite another, it is contrary to the other: to include.”

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/11/05/pope_francis_the_christian_includes;_pharisees_exclude/1184551

Pope Francis: Christians must work for "abolition of war"

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/10/26/pope_francis_christians_must_work_for_abolition_of_war/1182053

Must read: "I think he is speaking to all of our consciences, and we all have to then search ourselves to see if there are ways that we can do better."

http://www.people.com/article/president-obama-pope-francis-inspired-me-be-better

Charles Pierce nailed it: The Vatican confirms Pope Francis was “ratf*cked” into meeting Kim Davis

http://www.salon.com/2015/10/02/the_vatican_confirms_that_pope_francis_was_ratfcked_into_meeting_kim_davis/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

***** Behind the Scenes with Pope Francis in America

http://time.com/4053669/pope-francis-us-visit-cuba-catholic/

"God is in everyone's life. Even if the life of a person has been a disaster, even if it is destroyed by vices, drugs or anything else_God is in this person's life." Francis

"God is in everyone's life. Even if the life of a person has been a disaster, even if it is destroyed by vices, drugs or anything else_God is in this person's life."

As I posted the other day: "If one has the answers to all the questions_that is the proof that God is not with him. It means that he is a false prophet using religion for himself. The great leaders of the people of God, like Moses, have always left room for doubt. You must leave room for the Lord, not for our certainties; we must be humble." Francis

As I posted the other day:  "If one has the answers to all the questions_that is the proof that God is not with him. It means that he is a false prophet using religion for himself. The great leaders of the people of God, like Moses, have always left room for doubt. You must leave room for the Lord, not for our certainties; we must be humble." Francis

***** I don't recall ever feeling more hopeless than I do at the moment about the future for humankind and creation. During the 35 days on the road....

I don't recall ever feeling more hopeless than I do at the moment about the future for humankind and creation.  During the 35 days on the road I was forced to escape the many many hours a day looking at what is happening in the world, Palestine in particular, but Syria, United States, well, pretty much everywhere. In the last 3 weeks I have been able to devote many hours a day, as I have, looking at things square in the face.

Early on felt moments of elation with words from Francis on his current tour, but in the last several days I have seen him gravitating toward meaningless dogmatic doublespeak and there by diluting his earlier, crystal clear message, of living universal family.

Several days ago there was a physical attack on the vehicle where I store it at night stealing $200 worth of electronics that are useless to anyone but me. A grim reminder of what hideous creatures we've devolved to in this loveless, godless, lost... culture. Yes, this victimizer was undoubtedly poor, probably homeless. More deadly by far are the ultra wealthy vulturous creatures on Capitol Hill.

Yesterday I was subject to a withering verbal attack by a psycho in the shelter.

At the moment I can't think of a more sane, moral applicable tale than that of Don Quixote. The only hope is for personal salvation in this life from living the material and spiritual hell that is earth today. To do so by fighting the unwinnable fight, dreaming the impossible dream, fighting when the odds are impossible.... Yes, truly, with no hope of winning.

Must watch: I think that was the message that Francis was trying to share, a politics that’s rooted in seeing in a new way, in which we see each other as brothers and sisters, and children of one God, and not as opposed to each other.

http://m.democracynow.org/stories/15536

***** "Our daily routine can often lead us to a kind of glum apathy which gradually becomes a habit, with a fatal consequence: our hearts grow numb.... Jesus gives the answer. He said.......

***** "Our daily routine can often lead us to a kind of glum apathy which gradually becomes a habit, with a fatal consequence: our hearts grow numb.... Jesus gives the answer. He said to his disciples then and he says it to us now: Go forth! Proclaim! The joy of the Gospel [ do unto others ALL you would have them do unto you ]is something to be experienced, something to be known and lived only through giving it away, through giving ourselves away."

Obama, the Pope, and the President Of China Are Teaming Up To Save the World

http://m.motherjones.com/environment/2015/09/three-amigos-climate-change-are-here-and-they-mean-business

Pope wraps up Cuba visit with call for ‘revolution of tenderness’

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/pope-wraps-up-cuban-visit-at-symbol-of-national-unity-before-us-leg/2015/09/22/c38b7d2a-611b-11e5-9757-e49273f05f65_story.html

Vatican, in Switch, Will Join Palestine in Flying Flag at U.N.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/09/22/world/europe/vatican-in-switch-will-join-palestine-in-flying-flag-at-un.html?referrer=

Pope Francis Calls for Ending Tax-Exempt Status of Churches That Don’t Help the Needy

http://usuncut.com/world/pope-francis-calls-for-ending-tax-exempt-status-of-churches-that-dont-help-the-needy/

Vatican 'Welcomes' Obama's Iran Deal

http://www.newsweek.com/vaticanbacksirandeal-372383

***** vlog. go hear Francis? Why would anyone waste one second?

***** must read article. Pope Francis. “You just can’t say that, just as you can’t say that all Christians are fundamentalists. We have our share of them (fundamentalists). All religions have these little groups,” Pope Francis said.......

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/12/03/the-pope-has-a-message-for-christian-fundamentalists-youre-no-better-than-isis/

Pope urges Europe's Catholic churches to host refugees By

http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/06/europe/europe-migrant-crisis/

Pope Francis Blesses a Lesbian, Her Family, and Her Writing For Kids

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/08/29/pope-francis-blesses-a-lesbian-her-family-and-her-writing-for-kids.html