Romans and tourists crowded outside Alessandro Spiezia’s shop on Via del Babuino near Piazza di Spagna to catch a glimpse of the pope as he had his eyes measured.
International News
Pope: European Parishes Should House Refugees
Given the ongoing crisis of people fleeing from war and poverty, Pope Francis asked every parish and religious community in Europe to take in a family of refugees as a concrete sign of hope and God’s mercy.
Francis Simplifies the Annulment Process
Rewriting a section of the Latinrite Code of Canon Law and of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, Pope Francis said he’s not “promoting the nullity of marriages,” but a quicker, cheaper and much more pastoral process.
11 Cardinals Urge No Changes on Marriage
Eleven cardinals have urged Church leaders to maintain Church rules on marriage and strengthen Catholic education on marriage and family life.
Pope Asks For an End to Modern Martyrdoms
Pope Francis asked the international community to “put a stop to the violence and oppression” after calling attention once again to the fate of persecuted Christians.
Pope Will Allow Priests to Forgive Sin of Abortion
In an extraordinary gesture for the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has extended to priests worldwide the authority to absolve women for the sin of abortion.
Pope Leads Prayers for The Care of Creation
Pope Francis prayed people would learn to contemplate God in the universe and protect life on the World Day of Care for Creation.
Church in Cuba Has Been in Survival Mode
As the Catholic Church opened the Second Vatican Council in 1962, addressing and changing the Church’s relationship with the modern world, the church on the island of Cuba was entering a period of mere survival.
Mafia Don’s Funeral Causes a Stir in Rome
Television programs, coffee bars, Italian Twitter accounts and the corridors of political power were abuzz Aug. 20-21 with news and commentary about the extravagance surrounding the funeral of the reputed boss of an organized crime ring in Rome.
Pilgrims Make Reservations to Enter Through the Holy Door
Drawing on the experience of the public exposition of the Shroud of Turin, Vatican officials are adopting a free, online reservation system for pilgrims who want to cross the threshold of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica during the Year of Mercy.