The Catholic Church needs the extraordinary Holy Year to become an effective witness of God’s divine mercy, Pope Francis said.
International News
Work of Salvadoran Martyrs Continues
North Americans and Salvadorans gathered Dec. 2 at the precise spot where four churchwomen were killed 35 years ago to emphasize that their work for the country’s poor remains alive.
Pope: Combat Poverty And Climate Change
Heads of states at the U.N. climate change conference in Paris must do everything possible to mitigate the effects of both climate change and poverty “for the good of our common home,” Pope Francis said.
Pope Begins Jubilee Year Of Mercy
On a cloudy, damp morning, Pope Francis’ voice echoed in the atrium of St. Peter’s Basilica: “Open the gates of justice.” With five strong thrusts, the pope pushed open the Holy Door, a symbol of God’s justice, which he said will always be exercised “in the light of his mercy.”
The Vatican Christmas Stamp Features 15th Century Painting
This year’s Vatican Christmas stamps feature a 15th-century manuscript illumination of the Holy Family. The special edition stamps went on sale Nov. 19 in two denominations of 80 euro cents and 95 euro cents in sheets of 10.
Vatican Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree is positioned in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. It arrived earlier than usual to be ready for the Dec. 8 opening of the Holy Year of Mercy.
Preparedness Is Key as Philippines Still at Risk
Two years after Super Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines, community members in a small town met to discuss how to survive another typhoon, what to do in case of an earthquake and how to plan for a tsunami.
From Africa, Francis Delivers Global Message
The image of an inverted pyramid where leaders minister to people is how Pope Francis sees the Church. His trip to Africa shows this is how he views the world. After Kenya and Uganda the pope defied security worries and put his own personal safety at risk in order to travel to the war zone of the Central African Republic (CAR) as an “apostle of hope.”
Catholic Groups Support Climate Control Meeting
Hundreds of thousands of people in at least 150 countries around the world demanded action on climate change on the eve of a U.N. conference that aimed to find agreement on greenhouse gas emissions.
Pope in Africa Continues Frank Talk
The Pope used his first full day in Africa to deliver some direct messages: the first to clergy and religious and the second to world leaders.