By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) – “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” broke box office records and restored a new hope in the franchise to the delight of fans worldwide with a few exceptions, including the Vatican’s newspaper. Emilio Ranzato, author and frequent movie critic for L’Osservatore Romano, wrote Dec. 18 that the first […]
International News
Little Town of Bethlehem A Tough Sell These Days
Though the Christmas tree was lit in Bethlehem’s Nativity Square, few tourists are visiting the holy sites – or souvenir shops – this Christmas season because of the recent violence between Israelis and Palestinians.
Did Pope Bring Peace to Africa?
A Catholic leader in the Central African Republic said Christian-Muslim ties were affected positively by Pope Francis’ Nov. 29-30 visit and his simple message of living peacefully.
Mexican Nun Wins Human Rights Award
Sister Consuelo Morales, a member of the Congregation of Our Lady: Canonesses of St. Augustine, has advocated for and accompanied families whose loved ones disappeared in violence or problematic security crackdowns.
Vatican Calls for ‘Equal Dignity’ for Brothers
To help appreciate and better promote the vocation of religious brothers, the Vatican released a 50-page reflection in five languages on Dec. 14 on the importance of their life and mission of evangelization, fraternity and sacrifice.
Pope’s Mexican Trip to Highlight Marginalized
Pope Francis will visit marginalized communities in Mexico to bring hope to a country suffering from crime, corruption and inequality during his Feb. 12-17 trip.
Pope: Church Needs This Jubilee Year
The Catholic Church needs the extraordinary Holy Year to become an effective witness of God’s divine mercy, Pope Francis said.
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.”