The biblical theme of the year, he said, will be “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful,” an admonition that applies “especially to confessors,” the pope said with a smile.
Vatican
What is a Holy Year?
For the Catholic Church, a holy year remains a time of great spiritual significance, and emphasis is placed on the examination of conscience and conversion, the forgiveness of sins, reconciliation, concrete acts of solidarity and initiatives to restore justice.
Vatican Sets Date for Romero’s Beatification
Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero will be beatified in San Salvador May 23, said Italian Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, the chief promoter of the archbishop’s sainthood cause.
A Short Papacy?
Last week, we celebrated two years in the Petrine office for Pope Francis and as is his way, he gave an interview to a television network, Televisa. In the course of the interview, the Holy Father stated: “I have the feeling that my pontificate will be brief… four or five years. I don’t know, even […]
Pope Talks About a Brief Papacy
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – When Pope Francis went out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica for the first time, he said he did not prepare what he was going to say, but “I felt deeply that a minister needs the blessing of God, but also of his people.” He did not […]
Church Seeks End to Death Penalty Around the World
Archbishop Silvano Tomasi told the U.N. Human Rights Council: “My delegation contends that bloodless means of defending the common good and upholding justice are possible.”
The Reformer Pope Has Enemies Inside And Outside the Church
A prominent church historian says that Pope Francis is a radical reformer who is facing enemies opposed to at least some parts of his agenda.
Vatican Security on Full Alert
Islamic State militants have threatened the Vatican, but there are no indications of any planned attack, according to the head of Vatican security.
Pope Greets Newlywed Couple from Brooklyn
By Paul and Alison Morisi On Valentine’s Day 2014 we were lucky enough to travel to Rome to listen to Pope Francis address to engaged couples. Not only was our trip amazing, but the experience of being there and listening to His Holiness speaking about marriage and how to prepare for not just our wedding […]
New Doctor of the Church
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – A 10th-century Armenian monk has been named among the doctors of the church. Pope Francis approved the designation for St. Gregory of Narek during a meeting Feb. 21 with Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes. The church confers this designation on saints whose writings are considered to […]