Vatican Welcomes Nuclear Deal with Iran

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The Holy See welcomed Iran’s historic nuclear deal and expressed hopes that more future breakthroughs be on the horizon on other issues.

Papal Visits Emphasize Poor, Forgotten

Pope Francis did not call for an end to capitalism, but for an end to selfishness, exclusion and an attitude that sees the “unproductive” – whether they are unemployed, elderly or the unborn – as disposable.

Pope to Bishops: Be Not Afraid to Be Persecuted

The Church wants pastors who are unafraid of persecution, are angels of hope and charity and are convincing witnesses with a life rooted in prayer and the Gospel, Pope Francis told new archbishops.

Vatican Issues Itinerary For Pope’s Visit to US

Pope Francis will take his vision of a Catholic’s approach to family life, parish life, charity, economics, immigration and good governance to Cuba and the United States during a Sept. 19-27 visit.

Laudato si’ : A Study Guide and Summary

The following offers an overview of the 191 pages of the encyclical Laudato si’ and its key points, along with a summary of each of its six chapters (“What is happening to our common home,” “The Gospel of Creation,” “The human roots of the ecological crisis,” “Integral ecology,” “Lines of approach and action” and “Ecological education and spirituality”).

Laudato si’ Study Guide: Chapter One

Laudato si’ Study Guide: Chapter One – WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR COMMON HOME
(Pollution and climate change; Pollution, refuse and the culture of waste; Climate as a common good; The issue of water; Loss of biodiversity; Decline in the quality of human life and the breakdown of society; Global inequality; Weak responses; A variety of opinions).

Laudato si’ Study Guide: Chapter Two

Laudato si’ Study Guide: Chapter Two – THE GOSPEL OF CREATION
(The light offered by faith; The wisdom of the Biblical accounts; The mystery of the universe; The message of each creature in the harmony of creation; A universal communion; The common destination of goods; The gaze of Jesus).

Laudato si’ Study Guide: Chapter Three

Laudato si’ Study Guide: Chapter Three – THE HUMAN ROOTS OF THE ECOLOGICAL CRISIS
(Technology: creativity and power; The globalization of the technocratic paradigm; The crisis and effects of modern anthropocentrism; Practical relativism; The need to protect employment; New biological technologies).

Laudato si’ Study Guide: Chapter Four

Laudato si’ Study Guide: Chapter Four – INTEGRAL ECOLOGY
(Environmental, economic and social ecology; Cultural ecology; Ecology of daily life; The principle of the common good; Justice between the generations).