Pope Francis to Visit Colombia in 2017

Pope Francis is planning to visit Colombia next year…

The 79-year-old Argentine pontiff, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, will travel to the South American country in 2017, the president of Colombia’s Episcopal Conference, Luis Augusto Castro, announced after meeting with the pontiff at the Vatican.

Pope Francis

“The conclusions (of the meeting) are not so extraordinary but they are certain. The first is that the pope will definitely go to Colombia. He simply reaffirmed his pleasure at visiting us in Colombia,” he said.

He said the second conclusion of the meeting is that the Pope’s visit to the Latin American nation “will only be possible in the first or second quarter” of 2017, because “his agenda this year is full.”

Castro added that “the pope wants to meet with the largest possible number of Colombians who want to hear him and be with him.”

“We’re not going to pick a sanctuary in some little private place. No. He wants to be accessible to the greatest number of Colombians possible,” he told the press.

He added that it is “almost certain” he will visit Quibdo in the western province of Choco.

“He wants to meet with ethnic minorities, with those of African descent. So I believe that is settled. The rest has to be worked out,” said the head of the Episcopal Conference, who is also the archbishop of Tunja.

“The Pope wants to do so much; he told us he also wants to visit other places. He said ‘Brazil is waiting for me and Argentina is yelling.’ But Colombia is the priority,” he laughed.

As for the peace process between the Colombian government and the guerrillas, Castro Quiroga said “the pope is very interested in the matter,” but “the peace process won’t influence his visit.”

Taking part in the papal audience besides Castro were the archbishop of Bogota, Cardinal Ruben Salazar Gomez; Msgr. Oscar Urbina Ortega, the archbishop of Villavicencio and vice president of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia; and the secretary general of the conference, Jose Daniel Falla Robles, bishop of Calama and auxiliary bishop of Cali.

Juanes to Perform for Pope Francis at World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia

Juanes is about to have an experiencia religiosa

The 42-year-old Colombian superstar will perform for Pope Francis as part of the World Meeting of Families on September 26.

Juanes

The event, which takes place every three years, will mark the first time Pope Francis visits the United States during his papacy.

Juanes joins a roster that includes Andrea Bocelli and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

“Our most important mission in this voyage of life is learning how to love, and what better way to do it than through family,” said Juanes. “I’m deeply honored to sing for Pope Francis.”

The World Meeting of Families is a triennial event that seeks to strengthen family bonds globally. In choosing who would perform at the Festival, the notion was to “bring together performers that represented the world,” said executive director Donna Crilley Farrell.

Performing for the pope has been a big goal for many acts through the years, particularly acts from predominantly Catholic Latin America.
Those who’ve performed for popes in recent memory include Gloria Estefan (for Pope John Paul II in 1995), Argentina’s Diego Torres (In 2003 for John Paul II) and Mexico’s Lucero (also for Pope John Paul II in 1997).

Last year, Argentine Martina Sotessel, who plays Violetta in the popular music-minded Argentine soap opera, sang for Pope Francis in Rome.

Pope Francis is the Subject of an Upcoming Biopic

It may be easy to learn more about Pope Francis’ story without flipping a single page…

Entitled Llamenme Francisco, an upcoming biopic is currently being filmed in Buenos Aires. It will trace the life of Jorge Mario Bergoglio from his youth in the Argentine capital all the to his election as Pope Francis at the Vatican.

Pope Francis
“We want to tell the human journey of this man who today is the greatest spiritual leader of our time,” Italian director Daniele Luchetti said during the presentation of the project.

Llamenme Francesco begins in 1963 with Bergoglio in his late 20s, depicts his life during turbulent times in Argentina, including the 1976-1983 military dictatorship and the country’s devastating 1998-2002 economic depression, and charts his rise to archbishop of Buenos Aires and eventually the papacy.

The Spanish-language film will look back at Bergoglio’s youth, showing “his path, his doubts, his mistakes, his strong points,” Luchetti said.

Rodrigo De la Serna, an Argentine actor best known for his role as Alberto Granado, future revolutionary Che Guevara’s traveling companion, in The Motorcycle Diaries, will star as the young Bergoglio in what he calls a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Argentine actress Mercedes Moran, for her part, will portray Esther Ballestrino, an exiled Paraguayan communist who – despite their differences – strikes up a friendship with Bergoglio during the dictatorship.

“The figure of the pope takes on a very human and very real dimension, and the film provides … a look at a really special historical period for us,” Moran said.

Chilean actor Sergio Hernandez, who depicts Bergoglio in the latter stages of the film, said his role is “a really big challenge.”

Argentina’s Martin Salinas wrote the screenplay, which is based on the bestselling book Francisco. El Papa de la gente by his countrywoman, journalist Evangelina Himitian.

Pope Francis Attracts Record-Breaking Crowd in the Philippines

There’s no denying Pope Francis’ influence in the Philippines…

The 76-year-old Argentine pontiff attracted an estimated 6 million people, who braved steady rain on Sunday to catch a glimpse of the leader of the Catholic Church at Manila’s Rizal Park, on his final full day in the island nation.

Pope Francis in Manila

The turnout breaks the record set by the last pontiff to say mass in the same venue – Pope John Paul II in 1995, when five people million attended, according to the Vatican.

Pope Francis dedicated his final homily of his tour to the young and urged protection for children so they aren’t tempted by sin or the devil or distracted by “promises of ephemeral pleasures, superficial pastimes.”

“We need to care for our young people, not allowing them to be robbed of hope and condemned to a life on the streets,” he said.

The Mass took place on the third and final day of the pope’s visit to the Philippines, whose roughly 80 million Catholics comprise about 7% of the world’s total.

The pontiff arrived Sunday on a popemobile based on the design of a jeepney, the modified U.S. Army World War II jeep that is a common means of public transport in the Philippines, wearing the same plastic yellow rain poncho handed out to the masses during his visit to the central Philippine city of Tacloban a day earlier.

The pontiff was forced to cut his trip short to Tacloban — hard-hit by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 — ahead of the approaching Tropical Storm Mekkhala. About 150,000 people, including survivors of the typhoon and of the earthquake on the island of Bohol that killed more than 200 people in October 2013, braved the approaching storm to attend Mass with the pope.

The pope’s tour, which also took him to Sri Lanka, was his second trip to Asia in five months, in a nod to the region’s growing importance for the Catholic Church as it faces declining support in Europe and the United States.

It was also the fourth papal visit to the Philippines, and the rapturous reception given to him throughout his stay cemented the nation’s status as the Church’s Asian role model.

Pope Francis: The Most Admired Living Latino in the World

Pope Francis is the most admired Latino in the world…

The 78-year-old Argentine pontiff of the Catholic Church appears on Gallup’s poll of the most admired living men and women on the planet.

Pope Francis

Pope Francis, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, comes in at No. 2 on the list of the most admired living men with 6% of the count, behind President Barack Obama with 19%.

Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI in February 2013, a papal conclave elected Bergoglio as his successor in March of that year.

Throughout his public life, both as an individual and a religious leader, Pope Francis has been heralded for his humility, his concern for the poor and his commitment to dialogue as a way to build bridges between people of all backgrounds, beliefs and faiths.

Pope Francis is the only Hispanic person to appear on either list.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, meanwhile takes the top spot on the list of admired living women for the 13th year in a row. Oprah Winfrey ranks second.

Pope Frances Headed to Philadelphia in September 2015

Pope Francis is headed across the pond…

The 77-year-old Argentine pontiff will trek to the United States next year.

Pope Francis

Pope Frances has announced that he’ll be visiting Philadelphia in late September, according to ABC News.

“I wish to confirm according to the wishes of the Lord, that in September of 2015, I will go to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families,” Pope Francis said to a crowd at the Vatican. “Thank you for your prayers with which you accompany my service to the Church. Bless you from my heart.”

The World Meeting of Families is organized by the Catholic Church and focuses on strengthening family bonds.

“I am overjoyed by Pope Francis’ announcement that he will join with us for the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia next year,” Archbishop Charles J. Chaput said in a statement, according to ABC News.

“A hallmark of his papacy has been a keen focus on the many challenges that families face today globally. His charisma, presence and voice will electrify the gathering.”

Pope Francis Celebrated with Special Korean Musical Tribute

Pope Francis is getting a special musical tribute as he prepares for his trip to Asia in August.

The director of Psy‘s “Hangover” music video, Cha Eun-taek, has gathered a number of Korean stars to honor the 77-year-old Argentine pontiff in time for His Holiness’ South Korean tour. Top local stars have also taken part in the charity project.

Pope Francis

The director made a music video for “Koinonia,” a song composed by K-pop veteran Noh Young-shim, the title of which means camaraderie and communion in Greek.

The video premiered this week at Myeongdong Cathedral, the country’s highest Catholic prelate, ahead of the Pope’s visit to South Korea from August 14-18.

Won Dong-yeon, known for the 2012 hit Korean film Masquerade, produced the project that features A-list actors Ahn Sung-ki, Kim Tae-hee, Kim Ha-neul and Kim Woo-bin, among other celebrities known to be devout Catholics. Prima ballerina Kim Joo-won and Olympic short track speed skater Park Seung-hi also make appearances. All proceeds from the video project will go to charity.

“We created this music video in order to help the underprivileged, which is a main concern for the Pope,” said Won. “All of the celebrities felt it was a great honor to take part in such a project.”

“We will dedicate this video to the Pope as a gift,” said Huh Young-yeop, a spokesperson for the committee.

The video, which already has more than 100,000 views on YouTube, will be screened during some of the key events set to be carried out during His Holiness’ stay in Korea.

Fergie & Josh Duhamel Baptize Their Son Axl Jack

Fergie’s little man is officially a member of the Catholic Church

The 38-year-old part-Mexican American singer and Josh Duhamel baptized their son, Axl Jack, on Thursday December 12.

Fergie & Axl Jack

The couple, who welcomed their first child in August, gathered with a small group of family at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Brentwood, California for an intimate ceremony and celebration.

“Baby Axl wore all white and seemed very calm about being baptized,” an eyewitness told People magazine, “He didn’t cry at all.”

Fergie has been open about her Catholic faith in the past, admitting that she and Duhamel were married in the church and continue to attend mass weekly.

And the new parents plan to bring up Axl Jack in the faith, as well.

“They seemed happy when they left the church,” an eyewitness said, “Axl had fallen asleep in his dad’s arms and he looked adorable.”

Pope Francis Named to Barbara Walters’ Most Fascinating People of the Year List

Since being proclaimed the new leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has captivated the world with his charm and humility… And, now the first Pope of the Americas has been named one of this year’s most fascinating people.

The 76-year-old Argentinean church leader, whose birth name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio, has been named to Barbara Walters list of the Most Fascinating People of the Year, the broadcast journalist’s annual batch of the people who’ve enthralled the masses during the past year.

Pope Francis

In March, Pope Francis was chosen to lead the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics as the first pontiff from Latin America.

Bergoglio, the first non-European pope in nearly 1,300 years, is the first pontiff to pick the name Francis, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, revered among Catholics for his work with the poor.

One month later, Time magazine named him to its list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Walters’ other picks include Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Lawrence, the cast of A&E‘s Duck Dynasty, Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts, NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, and Duchess Kate and Prince William’s baby George.

Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of the Year will air on December 18 at 9:30 pm ET on ABC.

Walters will unveil her pick for most fascinating person during the 90-minute special.

Bergoglio Becomes the Catholic Church’s First Latin American Pope

It’s official… The Catholic Church has its first pontiff from the Americas… And his name is Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

The 76-year-old Argentinean church leader, who served as the archbishop of Buenos Aires, appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica shortly after white smoke poured from a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, signaling that 115 cardinal electors had chosen him to lead the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics as the first pontiff from Latin America.

Pope Francis I

Bergoglio, the first non-European pope in nearly 1,300 years, is the first pontiff to pick the name Francis, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, revered among Catholics for his work with the poor. St. Francis is considered a reformer of the church, who answered God’s call to “repair my church in ruins.”

During his first public address to 150,000 people packed in St. Peter’s Square, the new pope broke with tradition, asking the crowd to pray for him before blessing the crowd.

“Let us say this prayer, your prayer for me, in silence,” he told the enthusiastic crowd below.

Pope Francis, wearing white papal robes, appeared the crowd shortly after being elected by cardinals in what apparently was the fifth round of voting on the second day of the conclave.

“It seems to me that my brother cardinals have chosen one who is from faraway. But here I am. I would like to thank you for your embrace,” he said.

He’s the first South American pope, representing the largest Catholic population in the world. Latin America is home to 480 million Catholics. By choosing Bergoglio, the cardinals sent a strong message about where the future of the church may lie.

“As the first pope from the Americas, his selection also speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world, and alongside millions of Hispanic Americans, those of us in the United States share the joy of this historic day,” said President Barack Obama of Bregoglio’s election.

The new pontiff – he 266th pontiff in the Church’s 2,000-year history –will deliver the traditional Angelus blessing from the Vatican on Sunday, according to the Vatican.

Francis will be formally installed as pope at a Mass on Tuesday.