With many “thanks” and “best wishes,” a group of 10 asylum-seekers greeted Pope Francis on his birthday Dec. 17.
Pope Francis
Despite Age, Surgery, the Pope is Still Energetic, His Nephew Says
Pope Francis will turn 85 years old Dec. 17. And according to his nephew, Jesuit Father José Luis Narvaja, he is still rarin’ to go.
Only In Print: Archdiocese Officially Hands Dorothy Day’s Sainthood Cause to the Vatican
Documents supporting the cause for sainthood for social activist and devout Catholic Dorothy Day are now signed, sealed, and about to be delivered to the Vatican.
Pope Francis Tells Greek Youth Not to Give in to ‘Sirens’ of Passing Pleasures
On his last day in Greece, Pope Francis met with young people, telling them to get off social media and invest in real relationships and to avoid the “siren calls” of passing fads, finding their worth in God’s love instead.
God’s Power is Revealed in Love, Pope Francis Says at Mass in Athens
Celebrating Mass Dec. 5 in Athens’ Megaron concert hall, the pontiff touched on a theme he had explored in depth with Catholic leaders the day before: the blessing and spiritual advantage of being a small community without power and without pretenses.
Pope, Diplomats Point to Migration as Key Theme of Greece-Cyprus Trip
Just days ahead of Pope Francis’ Dec. 2-6 visit to Greece and Cyprus, both he and the Cypriot ambassador to the Holy See have issued statements highlighting, among other things, the urgency of the migration issue for the island nation and the broader Mediterranean region.
Pope Francis Gives Papal Knighthood to Veteran Journalists
Honoring two reporters who have covered the Vatican for more than 40 years, Pope Francis paid tribute to all journalists who work to explain what is going on in the world and “make it less obscure.”
Vatican Releases Program for Papal Trip to Cyprus, Greece
Visiting Cyprus and Greece in early December, Pope Francis will have several meetings with the countries’ Orthodox leaders and with the migrants and refugees their nations host.
At World Day of the Poor Mass, Pope Francis Says Take a Close Look at Most Vulnerable
In his homily at a Mass for the World Day of the Poor Nov. 14, the pontiff said that true Christian hope is not “the naive, even adolescent optimism of those who hope things may change” but is instead built daily through concrete gestures that manifest “the kingdom of love, justice and fraternity that Jesus inaugurated.”
Poor, Volunteers Deepen Faith, Friendship on Assisi Pilgrimage
With a mix of awe and excitement, pilgrims from many parts of Europe conquered the exhaustion of a long road trip and prepared to celebrate the World Day of the Poor with Pope Francis.