At the end of Pope Francis’ meeting with priests, seminarians and religious in the cathedral of Naples, the vial of dried blood of the city’s patron saint appeared to miraculously liquefy.
International News
At the Holy Stairs, All Prayers Rise to Heaven
Located across a busy street from the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs remains “a place of prayer” even as thousands of people stream through its doors every day.
Traditionalist Bishop Incurs Automatic Excommunication
British Bishop Richard Williamson, who has denied the Holocaust, has been automatically excommunicated along with the priest he illicitly ordained a bishop.
Ivory Coast Bishops Wary of ‘Apparition’
The Catholic bishops of Ivory Coast have denounced the increasingly recurrent circulation in their country of emails and text messages claiming to include messages from Mary.
UN: Pope Will Speak on Sept. 25
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the announcement that Pope Francis would address the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 25.
Pope Visits Poor, Immigrants in Naples
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Hope is the first act of resistance to evil, Pope Francis told the people of Naples as he pleaded for respect for the dignity of immigrants, jobs for the unemployed and the conversion of the city’s notorious mafia families. “The Gospel teaches that the truly blessed are the […]
Exact Location Doesn’t Matter to Those Walking Via Dolorosa
The Via Dolorosa represents the route taken by Jesus on the way to His crucifixion. Although the route followed for this devotion has changed over the centuries, the need of the faithful to walk in Jesus’ footsteps has not.
Pope Announces Holy Year of Mercy
The biblical theme of the year, he said, will be “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful,” an admonition that applies “especially to confessors,” the pope said with a smile.
What is a Holy Year?
For the Catholic Church, a holy year remains a time of great spiritual significance, and emphasis is placed on the examination of conscience and conversion, the forgiveness of sins, reconciliation, concrete acts of solidarity and initiatives to restore justice.
Vatican Sets Date for Romero’s Beatification
Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero will be beatified in San Salvador May 23, said Italian Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, the chief promoter of the archbishop’s sainthood cause.