In a wide-ranging conversation with Jesuits in Portugal during his visit to Lisbon for World Youth Day earlier this month, Pope Francis touched on several hot-button topics, including criticism of his papacy among U.S. Catholics, outreach to the LGBTQ+ community, and problems of chastity among clergy.
The top-ranking U.S. military officer told reporters he and Pope Francis discussed the war in Ukraine, especially the war’s impact on the people there.
The man known as the Pope’s astronomer came to Fontbonne Hall Academy in Bay Ridge to encourage students attending a science-oriented summer camp to learn more about the wonders of the universe that God created.
After leading the recitation of the Angelus prayer Aug. 13, Pope Francis again assured the people of Hawaii of his prayers.
Pope Francis closed his five-day trip to Portugal Sunday, Aug. 6, thanking the 24,000 volunteers who helped organize the global World Youth Day gathering, saying service to others helps them grow in love of God.
World Youth Day is returning to Asia in 2027 and will be hosted in Seoul, South Korea.
Pope Francis insisted Sunday that restricting access to sacraments such as priestly ordination, as the Catholic Church does for women, and marriage, in the case of the LGBTQ+ community, is not a sign of close-mindedness.
Pope Francis, having not mentioned the war in Ukraine throughout his 5-day visit to Portugal, offered explicit prayers for peace in the country on his final day, while also telling young people they are signs of peace for the world.
In a sign of the rapidly expanding influence that Asian Catholicism is having in the global Church, Pope Francis announced Sunday at the close of World Youth Day (WYD) in Portugal that the next such gathering will be held in Seoul, South Korea.
During a meeting with interreligious leaders Aug. 4 in Lisbon, Pope Francis spoke to a Russian Orthodox bishop who voiced regret for the Ukraine war and thanked the pontiff for his repeated efforts and words on behalf of the Ukrainian people.
