When an aide suggested Pope Francis offer to fly some Syrian refugees back to Rome with him, the pope said he agreed immediately because it was “an inspiration of the Holy Spirit.”
International News
Nuns Among the Dead After Ecuador Quake
Six members of the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother, including a young nun from Northern Ireland, are among the dead in the strongest earthquake to strike Ecuador since 1979.
Bernie at Vatican Not Political
U.S. presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said attending a Vatican conference on Catholic social teaching did not represent a political endorsement of his run for higher office.
Saint’s Relics Found In Terrorists’ Rubble
The relics of Syrian St. Elian, which originally were thought to have been destroyed by members of the so-called Islamic State militia, have been found amid the rubble of the desecrated Mar Elian Church in Qaryatain, Syria.
Pope Seeks End to Death Penalty, Debt
Pope Francis urged additional support in abolishing the death penalty worldwide and eradicating the external debt of developing countries. Working to build dialogue, peace and justice in “our complex and violent world” is a huge and difficult task that requires seeking the common good, he said in a written message.
Pope Focuses on Excluded Members of Family
Church leaders from around the world hailed the tone of mercy in Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, “Amoris Laetitia” (“The Joy of Love”), but cautioned against a hurried reading of the document.
A Little Bit Country: Pope Looks at the Nitty Gritty of Family Life
In “Amoris Laetitia” (“The Joy of Love”), Pope Francis’ postsynodal apostolic exhortation on the family, there is passion and devotion, but also heartache and sweat. The “magic” he wrote about is not momentarily sparkly, but the result of prayer, grace, hard work and a willingness to apologize – time and time again.
Share Truth of Family with Mercy, Help Those Struggling, Pope Says
The same mercy and patience that are essential for building a strong family must be shown to those whose families are in trouble or have broken up, Pope Francis said in his highly anticipated postsynodal apostolic exhortation.
Medieval Franciscan Convent Will Offer Refugees Shelter
With the support of the Order of Friars Minor in Umbria, the local Caritas will provide educational, cultural and language assistance to 13 men from Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria.
Almost One-Fifth of the World Is Catholic
According to the recently published Vatican Yearbook, there are 1.27 billion Catholics in the world, comprising 17.8 percent of the world’s population.