Pope Mourns Copts Beheaded for Their Faith

Pope Francis called for prayers for the Egyptian Christians beheaded by Islamic State militants in Libya and asked that God recognize these men killed for their faith.

Pope, Cardinals Discuss Reform of Roman Curia

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Cardinals meeting at the Vatican discussed better ways to balance the responsibilities of local bishops and of the Roman Curia, said the Vatican spokesman. A recurring theme in the cardinals’ Feb. 12-13 meeting was “what is it that is done best where,” Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, told journalists Feb. […]

Pope Says Women Must Have Greater Roles in the Church

“I am convinced of the urgency of offering space to women in the life of the church and to welcoming them, taking into account specific and changing cultural and social sensitivities,” Pope Francis said.

Pope’s Detour Surprises Immigrants

ROME (CNS) – When Pope Francis walked through the gate surrounding a group of shacks and very humble homes, it took a while for people to notice. In fact, when a couple of people looked out their doors, the pope’s chief security guard motioned them to come over. “Papa Francisco!” someone shouted in Spanish, and […]

Understanding the Pope

It has been suggested that Catholic newspapers spend too much time interpreting the words of the Holy Father, explaining away his thought so that it coincides more with traditional Catholic teaching. It has been suggested that perhaps the Catholic Press should just let the words stand as they are.

Pope Announces He’ll Go to Bosnia

The one-day trip, scheduled for June 6, is an effort to bolster a minority Catholic population and encourage dialogue and friendship among once-warring ethnic and religious communities.

Ukrainian Pope

Dear Editor: I disagree with Albert Licata’s referral (Jan. 24, Readers’ Forum) to Kirel I, starring Anthony Quinn in the movie, “Shoes of the Fisherman,” as being the “first non-Italian Pope, in this case, a Russian.” In both his novel and the movie, Australian writer, Morris West, portrays Kirel I as the first elected Ukrainian Pope. However, I […]

Understanding the Pope

It seems that just about every time Pope Francis makes wonderfully “shocking” statements, there are those in the Church who try to slice and dice the value of his words by adding phrases such as “taking his words out of context,” “not what the Church teaches,” “this is what the Pope really means,” and so on.