Retired pope has full support of Pope Francis, aide says
By Carol Glatz | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis was among those showing their support for retired Pope Benedict XVI, sending his predecessor “a beautiful letter,” according to the former pope’s secretary. In the letter,...
Vatican confirms pope to visit Malta in April
By Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis will visit Malta April 2-3, a Vatican spokesman said. Accepting the invitation of the president, civil authorities and bishops of the Mediterranean country, the pope will visit the cities of Valletta,...
Pope: Synodality about listening to the Spirit, not a ‘majority consensus’
By Junno Arocho Esteves | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The synodal process is a path of engagement that makes room for the Holy Spirit, and not a “majority consensus like a parliament” to guide the universal church, Pope Francis said....
Denying dignity of work is an ‘injustice,’ pope says
By Junno Arocho Esteves | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — St. Joseph’s work as a humble carpenter serves as an example of the dignity of hard work that today is often denied to those in need, Pope Francis said. “Many young people, many...
Vatican publishes regulations for official promoters of sainthood causes
By Cindy Wooden | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — To avoid any appearance of impropriety or undue influence, a cardinal or bishop who is a member of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes and anyone officially appointed as a consultant to the...
Pope plans day of listening, prayer with the poor in Assisi
By Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis will prepare for his celebration of the World Day of the Poor by spending time listening to and praying with 500 poor people from across Europe, who will be gathered in Assisi in November, the Vatican...
By listening to Holy Spirit, synod can be process of healing, pope says
By Carol Glatz | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — A synod calls on everyone to become an expert in “the art of encounter” in a way that is uplifting and transformative, Pope Francis said, formally opening the process leading up to the...
Pope to begin synodal process with Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica
By Junno Arocho Esteves | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The Vatican announced that Pope Francis will formally launch the process of the Synod of Bishops with a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Oct. 10 Mass, which officially opens the...
Vatican: Racial, religious bigotry leads to human rights violations
By Junno Arocho Esteves | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — World leaders must commit to rooting out the evil of racism, xenophobia and racial discrimination through meaningful legislation and action, said Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Vatican foreign...
Pope plans to visit climate change conference in Glasgow
By Junno Arocho Esteves | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis said he plans to make several papal trips before the end of the year, including to Scotland in early November to attend the U.N. Climate Change Conference. During an...
Pope prays for peace in Afghanistan as Taliban takes control
By Junno Arocho Esteves | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Hours before the Taliban took control of Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, Pope Francis expressed his hope for the peace and safety of the country’s citizens. “I join in the...
Seek God through a relationship with Christ, others, pope says at Angelus
By Carol Glatz | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — God can be found in the humanity of Jesus and in the people one meets in life, Pope Francis said. “Jesus affirms that the true bread of salvation, which transmits eternal life, is his very flesh;...
Pope encourages people to rediscover importance of Sunday liturgy
By Carol Glatz | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis encouraged new courses of action for parishes to help people understand the importance of Sunday Mass and parish ministries, a top Vatican official wrote in a message. The message was sent...
Pope released from hospital, prays at Rome basilica
Ten days after undergoing intestinal surgery, Pope Francis was released from Rome’s Gemelli hospital, the Vatican confirmed.
Hundreds gather outside hospital to greet recovering pope
Pilgrims and well-wishers gathered at Rome’s Gemelli hospital to greet Pope Francis as he made his first public appearance in a week after undergoing intestinal surgery.
Pope in ‘good condition’ after surgery at Rome’s Gemelli hospital
Pope Francis was hospitalized July 4 for previously scheduled colon surgery, the Vatican press office said. He is pictured at the Vatican June 9. (CNS photo | Paul Haring) By Cindy Wooden | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The morning after...
Pope undergoes surgery at Rome’s Gemelli hospital
Pope Francis was hospitalized July 4 and underwent surgery on his sigmoid colon, the lowest part of the large intestine, the Vatican press office said.
Pope to undergo surgery at Rome’s Gemelli hospital
Pope Francis was hospitalized July 4 for previously scheduled colon surgery, the Vatican press office said.
Pope asks all Catholics to step up commitment to saving creation
By Carol Glatz | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — To help lead the world’s Catholics along a journey of intensified action in caring for creation, Pope Francis asked everyone to join a new global grassroots movement to create a more...
Pope appeals for peace in Holy Land
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The injury and death of so many innocent people, especially children, caused by escalating violence between Israel and the Gaza Strip is “terrible and unacceptable,” putting the area at risk of sinking into “a spiral of...
Monthlong global rosary begins
Pope prays resources move from military to pandemic prevention By Cindy Wooden | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Under the gaze of a seventh-century icon of Mary, Pope Francis launched a monthlong, global recitation of the rosary, pleading for...
Pope: Christ’s victory over death proclaims a second chance for all
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Easter liturgies — with the fire, sharing of light from the paschal candle, the renewal of baptismal promises, and the proclamation that Jesus has risen — assure people that it is never too late to start again, Pope Francis...
Easter season is time to seek the risen Lord, experience joy, pope says
By Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Easter season, which lasts until Pentecost, is a time for rejoicing and for always seeking out the risen Christ, Pope Francis said. “To find Christ means to discover peace of heart,” he said April 5...
Hostility, violence are ‘betrayals’ of religion, pope says in Iraq
By Cindy Wooden | Catholic News Service UR, Iraq (CNS) — Traveling to the birthplace of Abraham, Pope Francis urged believers to prove their faith in the one God and father of all by accepting one another as brothers and sisters. From a stage set on a dusty hill...
Pope arrives in Iraq, promoting peace, tolerance, equality
By Cindy Wooden | Catholic News Service BAGHDAD (CNS) — To consolidate peace and ensure progress, the government and people of Iraq must never treat anyone as a second-class citizen and must work each day to promote harmony, Pope Francis said. “Fraternal...
Pope: Honor martyrs by remaining faithful, working for a better Iraq
By Cindy Wooden | Catholic News Service BAGHDAD (CNS) — Visiting a Baghdad cathedral “hallowed by the blood of our brothers and sisters” murdered in a terrorist attack that shook the world, Pope Francis said their sacrifice must motivate faith...
Every call of God is a call of love, pope says
“Each one of God’s calls is an initiative of his love,” the pope said Jan. 17 before reciting the Angelus prayer. “God calls to life, he calls to faith and he calls to a particular state in life: ‘I want you here.'”
Popes Francis, Benedict receive their first doses of COVID-19 vaccine
By Carol Glatz | Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Both Pope Francis and retired Pope Benedict XVI have received the first dose of the vaccine against COVID-19 after the Vatican started vaccinating its employees and residents Jan. 13. Matteo Bruni,...
