by Lise Alves RIO DE JANEIRO (CNS) – The dream of trying to see Pope Francis up close ended at a police barricade for 74-year-old Odaleia Bastos. “I don’t understand why we can’t get closer,” she said as she argued with police officers. “The population will protect the pope,” she kept telling them. Bastos, like […]
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Pope Francis Says Young People Should Have Jobs
by Cindy Wooden ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT TO BRAZIL (CNS) – With economic hard times as an excuse not to hire young people, the world risks tossing them aside and endangers its own future, Pope Francis said. Speaking to reporters aboard the papal flight to Rio de Janeiro July 22, the pope declined to answer […]
The Light of Faith – The First Encyclical by Pope Francis June 29, 2013
Lumen Fidei 1. The light of Faith: this is how the Church’s tradition speaks of the great gift brought by Jesus. In John’s Gospel, Christ says of himself: “I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness” (Jn 12:46). St. Paul uses the same image: “God […]
Local Youth Ready to Meet Pope in Rio – Local Pilgrims Ready For Youth Day in Rio (with slideshow)
In the final week before departing for World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio called together all the diocesan pilgrims to gather in prayer and preparation. He reminded them that even though the pilgrimage should be fun, it is not meant to be a vacation. “We are going because we are pilgrims,” […]
Pope: Immigration Reform Begins with Repentance
by Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Before saying a word publicly, Pope Francis made the sign of the cross and tossed a wreath of white and yellow flowers into the Mediterranean Sea in memory of the estimated 20,000 African immigrants who have died in the past 25 years trying to reach a new life […]
An Open Letter To Pope Francis
by Father James H. Sweeney This April, I celebrated my 32nd year as a priest. I’ve spent the vast majority of that time in inner-city or poor neighborhoods – South Brooklyn, pre-hipster Williamsburg and Brownsville-East New York. The description “poor” has to do with the economic reality of those neighborhoods. It is not a reflection […]
Pope Wants Priests, Nuns To Have Happy Faces
by Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Be joyous, authentic and loving while resisting fly-by-night commitments, catty gossip and sleek cars, Pope Francis told future priests, brothers and nuns. Vocations don’t come from catchy campaigns or pursuing personal goals; the consecrated life is the result of prayer and answering an “unsettling” yet loving invitation from […]
Pope Francis Says That Priests Should Want to Give Life, Like Good Fathers
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis said the desire to be a father is ingrained in all men, even priests, who are called to give spiritual life, care and protection to others. “Something is wrong” if a man does not have the drive to be paternal, “something is missing in this man,” the pope said […]
Pope Says Benedict’s Resignation Was a Matter of Conscience
by Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation was “a great example” of what it means to follow one’s conscience through prayer, Pope Francis said during his Sunday Angelus address June 30 to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square. Following one’s conscience doesn’t mean chasing after one’s own self-interests; it calls for […]
Pope to Visit Refugees, Immigrants On Italian Island of Lampedusa
by Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis will visit a tiny Italian island to greet refugees and immigrants, pray for those who have lost their lives at sea and call for greater solidarity. The Vatican said Pope Francis was “deeply affected” by a recent tragedy in mid-June in which at least seven people […]