A number of feast days over the Advent and Christmas seasons gave Pope Francis a fresh opportunity to pay homage to the world’s mothers and insist further on how and why he wants the entire Church to become more maternal.
International News
Pope’s New Year Request: Do a Good Deed Daily
Whether the new year will be good or not depends on us choosing to do good each day, Pope Francis said.
Pope to Resume ‘Ad Limina’ Visits with World’s Bishops
For Pope Francis, the Year of Mercy will be followed by the Year of the “Ad Limina” Visits.
Pope’s New Year’s Eve
Pope Francis visits the Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square after leading vespers on New Year’s Eve at the Vatican Dec. 31.
World Scarred by War, Greed Must Welcome Prince of Peace, Pope Says
The angels’ song that heralded the birth of Christ urges men and women to seek peace in a world divided by war, terrorism and greed, Pope Francis said.
A Baby in Bethlehem
A pilgrim from India holds her baby in front of a painting of the Mary and the Christ Child in the grotto of the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank.
World Youth Day 2016
About 600 young people from Brooklyn and Queens attended World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, July 25-31.
Germany’s Christmas Angel Spreads Joy Through Service
She is Nuremberg’s embodiment of a female angel, the “Christkind” – or Christ child angel – and she brings Christmas joy as she promotes charitable causes.
Pope Mourns ‘Homicidal Madness’ Of Most Recent Terrorist Attacks
Expressing his condolences to victims and their families, Pope Francis called for an end to terrorism following a string of deadly attacks in Berlin and Ankara.
Attack Is Stopped at Grotto in Nazareth
Priests and worshippers thwarted an attack by a man armed with sticks in the lower grotto of the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, Israel, on Sunday, Dec. 18.