New Pope Greets the World Francis I

RomeReports.com

Just moments after being elected, the new Pope of the Catholic Church, Francis I, gave his first Papal 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing as he stood on the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square.

Francis I said that during the conclave the papal electors wanted someone from farther away but with the qualities of Benedict XVI. Before imparting his blessing, the new Pope asked the people to pray for him and his task ahead.

The new leader of the Catholic Church also said a few words to the thousands of people who came out to greet him. Giving a short improvised speech, was actually a tradition that John Paul I began when he was elected.

An Extended Look at "The Bible" Miniseries

The History Channel - "The Bible" Miniseries

CBN.com: Catch a glimpse of the 10-hour TV drama that tells the Biblical story of Genesis to Revelation, from executive producers Mark Burnett ("The Voice", "Survivor") and Roma Downey ("Touched by an Angel").

Pray for a New Pope to be Selected for the Catholic Church

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Please join in prayer for the Holy Spirit to guide the hearts of all Cardinals as they prepare to vote and select a new Pope in the Catholic Church.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Follow us on Facebook!

'The Bible' is a History Channel Hit

The following excerpt is from The Clicker

By Drusilla Moorhouse, TODAY contributor

"The Bible" was a television ratings miracle when the History Channel miniseries premiered on Sunday (March 3, 2013).

With 13.1 million tuning in to the five-part docudrama's debut, "The Bible" smote the competition -- including the networks -- and became cable's most-watched program this year.

"Today, more people are discussing God's chosen people -- Moses and Abraham -- in one day than ever before," said Mark Burnett and his wife and producing partner Roma Downey in a History Channel statement.

But the über-producer isn't taking all the credit for "The Bible's" miraculous success.

"The hand of God was on this," Burnett told EW. "The edit came together perfectly, the actors came together perfectly, it just comes to life."

Read More: The Bible

Priorities for Next Pope: Successful Communication

News Story from RomeReports.com

Having a good message, is no longer enough. In today's world, it's essential to communicate it clearly. The Vatican has long perceived that communication is an ongoing issue, in which it needs to raise its game.

One of the last measures Benedict XVI took was hiring American journalist Greg Burke as the Vatican's media adviser, a formal role supervised by the Secretariat of State

GREG BURKE
Vatican Communications Adviser

“Things move very slow in the Vatican. I don't think we are totally up to date. But certainty in recent months, we saw the Pope go on Twitter, and I think that was positive. We saw also a hub, news.va. There had been a lot of criticism the Vatican had a website early on, but it's very slow to change. But the hub of news.va, bringing many of the Vatican news sources together, it's been very positive.”

To dialogue with society, outreach is essential. The Vatican recognized it and increased its online presence, as well as on social networks and mobile devices. But, there's one more thing the Vatican improve upon.

GREG BURKE
Vatican Communications Adviser

“I think we can learn from things that work. We can learn from things that work in other Church institutions, in local churches and we can learn from other institutions. I always use an example that might be slightly heretical, but of the UN World Food Program. They have a great website, they offer video, the have all their spokespeople, their names, the faces, the emails, the cells phone. And I thinks that's a very good kind of example.”

Communication of an international institution like the Church will pose a great challenge for whoever takes over the @Pontifex Twitter account.

Prayer to Our Lady of Mental Peace

Our Lady of Mental Peace by Stephen B. Whatley

New painting released by artist Stephen B Whatley | Flickr.com

A new 2013 tribute to the Blessed Virgin Mary by expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley; inspired by a prayer to Our Lady of Mental Peace (below) from the prayer book, The Illustrated Book of Mary (2010, William J. Hirten Co., RI, USA).

O Lady of Mental Peace,
Mother of Tranquility
and Mother of Hope,
look upon me in this time
of my weakness and unrest.
Teach my searching heart
to know that God's Love
for me is unchanging and
unchangeable, and, that
true human love can only
begin and grow by touching
His Love.

Let your gentle Peace -
which this world cannot give
- be always with me.
And, help me to bring this
same Peace into the lives
of others.

Our Lady of Mental Peace,
- Pray for me!

***

Our Lady of Mental Peace - Pastel on paper
Created on March 3, 2013
23.4 x 16.5in

To order prints from the artist, please visit his website at www.stephenbwhatley.com