Pope Francis preaches on End Times and 'blasphemy' of Paris attacks

Pope Francis used his Angelus message on Sunday to preach about the end times, encouraging a focus on living in the present and Jesus' victory.

The Pope also explicitly addressed the Paris attack, expressing his "deep sorrow for the terrorist attacks that bloodied France late on Friday, causing many casualties."

"We wonder how can it come to the heart of man to conceive and carry out of such horrible events", he said.

"The road of violence and hatred does not resolve humanity's problems. And using the name of God to justify this road is blasphemy."

Reading from Sunday's scripture, the Pope spoke of Jesus' preaching on the end of the world containing "apocalyptic elements, like war, famine, and cosmic catastrophes."

Although he acknowledged these signs, he highlighted that they are not the most important things. Rather, "our final goal is the meeting with the resurrected Lord."

Rather than focusing on when or how the end will come, Francis compelled his audience to "live in the present."

"This is our goal: this meeting. We do not expect a time or a place, but we encounter a person: Jesus."

At the end of the world, Francis said, "Jesus' triumph will be the triumph of the cross, the demonstration that the sacrifice of oneself out of love for one's neighbour, in imitation of Christ, is the only victorious power and the only stable point in the midst of the upheavals and tragedies of the world."

related articles
Apocalypse Right Now: Why the end-timers keep getting it wrong
Apocalypse Right Now: Why the end-timers keep getting it wrong

Apocalypse Right Now: Why the end-timers keep getting it wrong

How to read the Book of Revelation

How to read the Book of Revelation

Three immediate responses to the Paris attacks
Three immediate responses to the Paris attacks

Three immediate responses to the Paris attacks

Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby respond in prayer to Paris attacks
Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby respond in prayer to Paris attacks

Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby respond in prayer to Paris attacks

Dawkins, Paris and Digital Luminaries: How Paris calls us to a different way of being on social media
Dawkins, Paris and Digital Luminaries: How Paris calls us to a different way of being on social media

Dawkins, Paris and Digital Luminaries: How Paris calls us to a different way of being on social media

News
Darlington nurse describes brave stand for biological reality in US speech
Darlington nurse describes brave stand for biological reality in US speech

The NHS has been "ideologically captured" by transgenderism, nurse Bethany Hutchison said at an event on Capitol Hill in Washington DC.

Scots families send clear signal to government over home education
Scots families send clear signal to government over home education

Proposals could disproportionately impact children with special needs or disabilities.

Is New Zealand experiencing its own 'Quiet Revival'?
Is New Zealand experiencing its own 'Quiet Revival'?

The so-called “Quiet Revival” report by the Bible Society noting an upsurge in Christianity among young people in the U.K. is also seen to an extent among young New Zealanders, according to a report by Baptists. 

Worship leader Ron Kenoly dies at 81
Worship leader Ron Kenoly dies at 81

Ron Kenoly, a pioneering Christian worship leader whose anthems helped shape modern praise music and whose ministry emphasized worship as service rather than performance, has died. He was 81.