by Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Before a congregation of more than 100,000 in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis formally entrusted the world to Mary. “We are confident that each of us is precious in your sight,” the pope said Oct. 13, facing the statue of Mary that normally stands in the shrine […]
by Marie Elena Giossi Creatures, both great and small, gathered with their human companions at St. Francis College’s inaugural animal blessing on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Oct. 4, in Brooklyn Heights. As locals hurried to work and students arrived for classes, Father Brian Jordan, O.S.F., college chaplain, welcomed an array of “friends […]
by Francis X. Rocca ASSISI, Italy (CNS) – Making his first pilgrimage as pope to the birthplace of his papal namesake, Pope Francis called on the whole Church to imitate St. Francis of Assisi, embracing poverty and stripping itself of the “spirit of world.” “A Christian cannot coexist with the spirit of the world,” he […]
WASHINGTON (CNS) – A new poll shows that nearly 70 percent of U.S. Catholics agree with comments made by Pope Francis in his recent extensive interview with a Jesuit Italian journal where he stressed that Catholics cannot “insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods.” According to the […]
by Carol Glatz WASHINGTON (CNS) – Boston Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley urged Catholics to “share the truth about human life” with the world in his Respect Life Month message. The cardinal, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, said any work on behalf of life must be grounded in “love that seeks to […]
by Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis made his international advisory panel on Church governance a permanent council of cardinals, thereby emphasizing the importance and open-endedness of its work among his pontificate’s various efforts at reform. The Vatican made the announcement Sept. 30, a day before Pope Francis was scheduled to meet […]
by Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – In his latest wide-ranging interview, Pope Francis said that he aimed to make the Catholic Church less “Vatican-centric” and closer to the “people of God,” as well as more socially conscious and open to modern culture. He also revealed that he briefly considered turning down the papacy […]
by Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Recognizing that Blessed John XXIII and John Paul II have widespread reputations for holiness and that years of studying their lives and actions have proven their exceptional virtue, Pope Francis announced he would declare two of his predecessors saints at a single ceremony April 27, 2014. The pope […]
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has represented the Brooklyn Diocese in Rome on several occasions. Bishop DiMarzio greets Pope John Paul II during his 2004 ad limina visit to the Vatican… Pope Benedict XVI shakes hands with Bishop DiMarzio, during the pope’s general audience at the Vatican on July 6, 2005… Bishop DiMarzio meets Pope Francis for […]
by Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – In a lengthy and wide-ranging interview with one of his Jesuit confreres, Pope Francis spoke with characteristic frankness about the perils of overemphasizing Catholic teaching on sexual and medical ethics; the reasons for his deliberate and consultative governing style; and his highest priority for the Church today. […]
