by Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Ideologies and practices that destroy human life arise from false ideas of freedom without God, Pope Francis told a crowd in St. Peter’s Square, including thousands of pro-life activists from around the world. “Whenever we want to assert ourselves, when we become wrapped up in our own […]
The International Criminal Court (ICC) declined a request from victims of clergy sexual abuse to investigate Vatican officials and their responsibility for the abuse of children by Catholic priests around the world. In a two-page letter May 31, the court told the New York-based Center for Constitutional Rights, which represented the victims, that the offenses […]
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The goal of politics and economics is to serve all of humanity, starting with the poorest, the most vulnerable and the unborn, Pope Francis told British Prime Minister David Cameron, president of the Group of Eight industrialized nations. “Money and other political and economic means must serve, not rule,” the pope […]
by Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis and Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury, spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, pledged to support each other with their prayers and to continue the search for full unity between their communities. Meeting at the Vatican June 14, praying together in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel in […]
by Deacon Jun Hee Lee Recently, I was given an amazing opportunity to meet our Holy Father, Pope Francis. I went with my chalice – the chalice that I will be using after I am ordained a priest for the Brooklyn Diocese on June 29 – with the hope and desire to see him and […]
by Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis ditched a 1,250-word prepared speech to students saying it would be “a tad boring” to read out loud and opted instead to quickly hit the high points and spend the rest of the time answering questions. “Would you like that?” he asked as some 9,000 students, […]
by Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Unlike many of his predecessors since the early 1600s, Pope Francis has decided not to spend the summer at the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo although he will observe a reduced schedule in July and August. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, told reporters that Pope Francis has […]
by George Weigel When he was elected as Paul VI just 50 years ago, Giovanni Battista Montini seemed the perfectly prepared pope. He was the son of a middle-class family of Italian professionals with good Vatican ties. A competent linguist who had enjoyed a distinguished career in the Holy See’s diplomatic service, he was also […]
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The horror of war, the valor of peacemaking and the gift of the Eucharist were on Pope Francis’ mind June 2, the day Italy celebrates its establishment as a republic and the day most dioceses around the world celebrated the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. Pope Francis began […]
by Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis told 800 superiors of women’s orders from around the world that the Catholic Church needs religious women and that religious women need to be in harmony with the faith and teachings of the Church. “What would the Church be without you?” the pope told the women. […]
