Popes seem to have a habit of visiting Kazakhstan amid major crises and conflicts that risk fracturing regional stability and splintering its diverse religious and ethnic communities, and Pope Francis’ visit this week is no exception.
Pope Francis
Pope Says Ukraine, Russia Trip not Currently Possible Due to Knee Pain
In a new interview, Pope Francis laid to rest rumors that a papal visit to Kyiv could happen before his visit to Kazakhstan next week, saying he has been forbidden by doctors from traveling before that due to his ongoing knee troubles.
Blessed John Paul I, ‘The Smiling Pope,’ Showed God’s Goodness, Pope Says
Beatifying Blessed John Paul I, Pope Francis praised the late pope for showing the world God’s goodness and for living the Gospel without compromise.
Conservative Cardinal Calls for Conclaves to be Limited to Rome-Based Cardinals
German Cardinal Walter Brandmüller, a once influential conservative prelate known to be at odds with several aspects of Pope Francis’s papacy, has asked that the right to vote in a conclave be limited to those residing in Rome.
Pope Prays for Victims of Iraq, Says Dialogue is the ‘High Road’
Pope Francis offered prayers Wednesday for the victims of violent political protests in Iraq that have left more than 20 people dead, saying dialogue and fraternity are the only way to resolve its current difficulties.
New Duties Do Not Diminish Call to Evangelize, Pope Tells Cardinals
Jesus’ call to spread the Gospel should fill all Christians, especially those within the church hierarchy, with a sense of wonder and gratitude, Pope Francis said.
Vatican Says Pope Condemns War ‘Initiated by Russia’
After a diplomatic rift caused by one of Pope Francis’s off-the-cuff remarks about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Vatican on Tuesday released a statement saying that he unambiguously condemns the “large-scale war in Ukraine initiated by the Russian Federation.”
New Cardinals Feel Honored, Humbled, Ready to Promote Renewal of Church
Becoming a member of the broad, unique body of the College of Cardinals is both a great honor and an invitation to help promote a renewal of the Catholic Church’s mission of evangelization, some new cardinals said.
Pope Defies Resignation Rumors, Offers Quake Victims a Message of Mercy
To the delight of many, and perhaps the consternation of a few, the wheelchair-bound Pope Francis defied persistent rumors Sunday by not announcing his resignation during a visit to the tomb of the last pontiff to voluntarily step down before Pope Benedict XVI, instead offering locals a message of mercy and consolation amid suffering.
Analysis: In Consistory’s Wake, Debunking Three Persistent Myths About Cardinals
On Saturday Pope Francis created 20 new cardinals, including 16 under the age of 80 and thus eligible to vote for the next pope. It was Pope Francis’ eighth consistory, and whenever we get a new crop of Princes of the Church, several chronic misconceptions tend to head once more into the breach.