VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Writing to the 20 new cardinals he will create in February, Pope Francis said they should graciously accept that their friends, family and faithful will want to celebrate, but they also should ensure that the celebrations are not exaggerated. “As good Christians, they will celebrate because Christians rejoice and know how […]
International News
Pope Says Annulments Should Be Free of Charge
Pope Francis, addressing the Vatican tribunal primarily responsible for hearing requests for marriage annulments, said: “How I wish that all processes were free.”
Niger Bishop Says Churches Will Rebuild
By Jonathan Luxmoore OXFORD, England (CNS) – An archbishop in Niger said the church would rebuild after rioters destroyed its places of worship during protests over cartoons mocking depictions of Muhammad by the French satirical newsweekly Charlie Hebdo. “We’re still trying to understand the savagery which erupted here – but it’s certain it was well […]
Pope Supports ‘Responsible Parenthood’
ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM MANILA, Philippines (CNS) — Pope Francis stressed that, despite Church doctrine against contraception, Catholics fail to practice “responsible parenthood” when they have too many children. He also denounced the teaching of “gender theory” in schools, likening it to indoctrination of children by the Nazis and fascists. The pope made his […]
Nigerian Bishop Asks West to Intervene
Underlining the failure of the Nigerian government to stop the violent rampage of Boko Haram, a Catholic bishop has called for Western military intervention.
Pope Makes a Surprise Visit to Buddhist Temple
By Anto Akkara MAKOLA, Sri Lanka (CNS) – When Pope Francis made a surprise visit to a prominent Buddhist temple in Colombo Jan. 14, the head of the Maha Bodhi Society of Sri Lanka reciprocated by showing the pope historical relics of Buddhas’ disciples, normally exposed only for the annual Buddhist feast in May. “The […]
First Sri Lankan Saint Is Symbol of Harmony
Canonizing Sri Lanka’s first saint, who ministered to Catholics under persecution three centuries earlier, Pope Francis proclaimed what he called the “fundamental human right” of religious freedom.
Serra Announcement Surprised Everyone
Even people who have been promoting the sainthood cause of Blessed Junipero Serra were surprised when Pope Francis said that he hopes to canonize the 18th-century Spanish Franciscan who founded missions across Mexico and California.
Europe and Nothingness
In the wake of the horrific jihadist attack on the Paris-based journal Charlie Hebdo, the trope “satirical magazine” was regularly deployed to explain Charlie’s character and content. But that’s not-quite-right. And what’s wrong about it – when linked to the sentiment expressed on placards reading “We are all Charlie Hebdo”– suggests just how much trouble Europe […]
Pope Confirms US Visit
Pope Francis said his September trip to the U.S. will take him to Philadelphia, New York and Washington – where he intends to canonize Blessed Junipero Serra – but probably no other stops. Pope Francis made his remarks Jan. 19, in an hourlong news conference with reporters accompanying him back to Rome from a weeklong […]