The day before Donald Trump was elected president of the United States, Pope Francis said he would make no judgments about the candidate and was interested only in the impact his policies would have on the poor.
International News
Cardinals Ask Clarification on Communion for the Divorced
Four cardinals said they formally asked Pope Francis to clarify his teaching on Communion for the divorced and civilly remarried. Not receiving a response after two months, they released their letter and opinions to the press.
Pope Makes Final Year of Mercy Visit to Former Priests
Nearing the end of the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis paid a visit to seven families formed by men who left the priesthood to marry.
Questions and Answers About Interment of Ashes
On “Ad resurgendum cum Christo” (“To Rise With Christ”), an instruction “regarding the burial of the deceased and the conservation of the ashes in the case of cremation,” issued Oct. 25.
Chinese Bishops Must Be Approved by the Pope
No matter what the motivation or how seriously threatened one may believe the Catholic Church in China is, the ordination of bishops without a mandate from the pope is a serious violation of church law, the Vatican said.
Pope Warns About Rigidity
People rigidly bound to the law suffer pain, pride and often live a double life, Pope Francis said. God’s law was made not “to make us slaves but to make us free, to make us children” of God, he said in his homily at a recent Mass at Domus Sanctae Marthae.
Pope: Desire for Power Can Stifle Duty to Serve
To serve God, Christians must learn to be at the service of all and not be dominated by a desire to exert power and authority over others, Pope Francis said.
Priests in Stricken Areas to Celebrate Mass Outdoors
Priests in central Italy were instructed to celebrate Mass outdoors following another devastating earthquake that rocked the region and brought one its most spiritually and historically significant churches tumbling down.
In Sweden, Pope Francis Offers New Beatitudes
On an ecumenical trip to Sweden, Pope Francis said Christ’s followers are called “to confront the troubles and anxieties of our age with the spirit and love of Jesus,” and offered a new list of beatitudes for modern Christians.
Church Clarifies Guides on Cremation
While the Catholic Church continues to prefer burial in the ground, it accepts cremation as an option, but forbids the scattering of ashes and the growing practice of keeping cremated remains at home.