Canonizing Sri Lanka’s first saint, who ministered to Catholics under persecution three centuries earlier, Pope Francis proclaimed what he called the “fundamental human right” of religious freedom.
Pope Francis
Serra Announcement Surprised Everyone
Even people who have been promoting the sainthood cause of Blessed Junipero Serra were surprised when Pope Francis said that he hopes to canonize the 18th-century Spanish Franciscan who founded missions across Mexico and California.
Common Sense Makes Little Sense to Some
In his remarks about the attack on Charlie Hebdo, the pope is not justifying killing someone who insults one’s faith, but he is saying that no one has the right to insult another’s religion and if they do so, they are going to provoke a reaction.
Pope Confirms US Visit
Pope Francis said his September trip to the U.S. will take him to Philadelphia, New York and Washington – where he intends to canonize Blessed Junipero Serra – but probably no other stops. Pope Francis made his remarks Jan. 19, in an hourlong news conference with reporters accompanying him back to Rome from a weeklong […]
Pope Urges Filipinos to Protect the Family Unit
By Francis X. Rocca MANILA, Philippines (CNS) – Pope Francis told a crowd of an estimated six million gathered in a Manila park to protect the family “against insidious attacks and programs contrary to all that we hold true and sacred, all that is most beautiful and noble in our culture.” The pope’s homily at […]
Papal Style Adapts to the People
By Cindy Wooden MANILA, Philippines (CNS) – New situations are opportunities to learn new things, even about the 78-year-old Pope Francis. After two days of watching the pope tenaciously keep his appointments in the Philippines despite pouring rain Jan. 17-18, one lesson is that the papal wardrobe needs to be expanded to include rain gear. […]
Pope, at Mass With Millions, Tells Filipinos to Protect the Family
The pope’s homily at the Jan. 18 Mass, which drew an estimated 6-7 million people, also reprised several other themes he had sounded during the four-day visit, including environmental problems, poverty and corruption.
Crowds in Manila Just Get Glimpses of Pope on His First Popemobile Ride
By Simone Orendain MANILA, Philippines (CNS) — Pope Francis shot past the crowd very quickly during his first popemobile drive-by in Manila Jan. 15, but nobody seemed to mind that he was gone in a matter of seconds. Ferdinand Agood, a retired overseas contract worker who lives on the opposite side of Manila from the […]
Exuberant Crowds Greet Pope in Philippines
By Cindy Wooden MANILA, Philippines (CNS) — Although it was not called a welcoming ceremony, Pope Francis was greeted by government and church officials and an exuberant crowd Jan. 15 at Manila’s Villamor Air Base. The pope arrived 13 minutes earlier than scheduled at the base near Manila’s international airport following a six-hour flight from […]
Pope: Market Won’t Solve Poverty
“Markets and financial speculation cannot enjoy absolute autonomy,” the Pope said. There must be “programs, mechanisms and procedures aimed at a better distribution of resources, job creation and the integral advancement of those who are excluded.”