RIO DE JANEIRO (CNS) – Pope Francis has pledged a donation of almost $5 million to help pay part of the debt incurred by the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day, said the Local Organizing Committee. A statement from the committee said the pope recognized “the great effort made by the Local […]
International News
Pope: Religious Need Dialogue with Bishops
by Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis said he has ordered a revision of what he called outdated Vatican norms on the relations between religious orders and local bishops, in order to promote greater appreciation of the orders’ distinctive missions. The pope’s words were published Jan. 3 in the Italian Jesuit magazine […]
Pope Blesses Creche Figures
A girl in St. Peter’s Square holds Baby Jesus figurines for Pope Francis to bless during his Angelus at the Vatican, Dec. 15. Children observed an annual tradition by bringing their Nativity figurines for the pope to bless.
Vatican Christmas Tree Arrives Ahead of Time
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – If Germans are known for being punctual, it turns out even their trees show up early. This year’s Christmas tree from Bavaria’s Bohemian Forest was scheduled to arrive on the feast of St. Nicholas, Dec. 6. Instead, cameramen and photographers had to scramble Dec. 5, when images starting showing up on […]
Pope Rejects Marxist Label; Says ‘No’ to Women Cardinals
by Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – In another wide-ranging interview with an Italian journalist, Pope Francis denied he was a Marxist but said he took no offense at the label; dismissed the notion of women cardinals; and reflected on Christmas as an occasion of joy, tenderness and hope. The pope made his remarks […]
Homeless Men Join Pope For a Birthday Breakfast
by Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – As part of a low-key celebration of his 77th birthday, Pope Francis had breakfast with three people who live on the streets near the Vatican. A small dog, belonging to one of the homeless men, was also on the guest list. The pope started the day with his […]
Pope’s Exhortation Draws Reactions from All Sides
WASHINGTON (CNS) – Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium” (“The Joy of the Gospel”) has prompted plenty of commentary – and not exclusively from Catholic circles. “Pope Francis is a living model of the new evangelization,” said Bishop David L. Ricken of Green Bay, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis. The […]
Pope: Sense of the Faithful Does Not Mean Majority Vote
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis said the Church must pay attention to the “sense of the faithful” (“sensus fidelium”) when exercising its teaching authority but never confuse that sense with popular opinion on matters of faith. The pope made his comments in an address to members of the International Theological Commission, a Vatican advisory […]
Bishop Seals Approval Of Astoria Renovations
by Ed Wilkinson The first parish established in Queens is now the first church in the diocese to house a stained-glass window honoring Pope Francis and one depicting Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio’s coat of arms. Bishop DiMarzio dedicated the colorful new windows at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Astoria, Dec. 7, as part of a […]
Pope Advances 13 Sainthood Causes
by Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of 13 candidates, including the “father of Puerto Rican public education” and the Canadian founder of a religious order dedicated to helping unwed mothers. During a meeting Dec. 9 with Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes, the […]