Two things – one political and the other ecclesiastical – tell the story of 2016. The election of Donald J. Trump as president of the United States and Pope Francis’ issuance of “Amoris Laetitia” were the signature moments of the year. Both point to revolutionary moments in the history of the country and the Church.
Each month, Pope Francis entrusts two special intentions to his worldwide prayer network, known as the Apostleship of Prayer. For December, he asks that we pray for an end to child-soldiers and for the evangelization of the peoples of Europe.
Pope Francis greets the crowd during an audience with young volunteers, government officials and organizations involved in Italy’s national civil service programs, in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican Nov. 26.
Pope Francis greets British theoretical physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking, during an audience with participants attending a plenary session of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences at the Vatican Nov. 28.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – After meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said the pope confirmed he will visit Ireland in 2018 and that trip organizers would look at the possibility of a stop in Northern Ireland.
IF THE CIVIL NEW YEAR is an occasion to resolve to “do better” in the future, the liturgical new year, the real new year that begins at First Vespers on the First Sunday of Advent, is an even better moment for such resolutions. So permit me to suggest a Real New Year’s resolution to those who think it necessary to support Pope Francis by rewriting recent Church history: Stop it.
In a brief, two-paragraph telegram in Spanish, Pope Francis extended his condolences to Cuban President Raul Castro on the “sad news” of “the death of your dear brother.”
The day before Donald Trump was elected president of the United States, Pope Francis said he would make no judgments about the candidate and was interested only in the impact his policies would have on the poor.
Nearing the end of the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis paid a visit to seven families formed by men who left the priesthood to marry.
Each month, Pope Francis entrusts two special intentions to his worldwide prayer network. This month’s intentions are for countries accepting displaced persons and refugees, and for collaboration within parishes.
