April 12, 2014

'The Pope and the People' - Linda Bordoni reports on the heartfelt appeal of Pope Francis for peace in Syria where so many continue to suffer and die. An appeal made following his weekly general audience with pilgrims from across the world. While Emer McCarthy reports on his catechesis which this week focused on the 'Gifts of the Holy Spirit', in particular that of wisdom .
Looking ahead to Holy Week on a musical note - Monsignor Philip Whitmore presents a musical meditation in which he looks ahead to Passiontide. In this feature you can hear sound clips from the German version of the hymn 'O sacred head sore wounded'. It comes from J.S.Bach's wonderful setting of the Passion according to Saint Matthew.
Blessed John XXIII and his social revolution - Half a century ago Blessed John XXIII published an encyclical focusing on peace on earth, known by its Latin title 'Pacem in Terris'. Professor of Catholic Social Teaching at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas here in Rome, Dominican Alejandro Crosthwaite, puts the revolutionary encyclical into context.
Blessed John Paul II - A number of guests , including an American cardinal and sister share their memories relating to the towering figure of Blessed John Paul II focusing in a special way on his courage in the face of suffering.

Listen: