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)