VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In more than seven years as leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has issued numerous new laws and guidelines for handling accusations of clerical sexual abuse and its cover-up by church officials. He also has insisted that church leaders must take the lead as true shepherds and guardians to protect […]
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — People sometimes forget life’s ultimate purpose is to prepare for the kingdom of heaven, Pope Francis said. “People do everything as if they will never depart for the other life. And so, people care only about possessing, of standing out, settling down,” the pope said in his remarks before praying the […]
VATICAN CITY — Cardinal-designate Marcello Semeraro did not have to look far for a heavenly patron to assist him when he took on a new job at the age of 72 and then found out 10 days later that he would be made a cardinal. He chose Blessed Carlo Acutis, an Italian who died in […]
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Prayer has the power to take all those things in life that seem like a condemnation and turn them into something good, Pope Francis said. “The trials of life thus change into opportunities to grow in faith and charity,” the pope said Nov. 4 during his weekly general audience, which was […]
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — After someone attending Pope Francis’ weekly general tested positive for COVID-19, the Vatican announced the audiences would return to being livestreamed without the presence of pilgrims and visitors. In a statement published Oct. 29, the Vatican said that beginning Nov. 4, the general audiences will be “broadcast from the library of […]
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis often has expressed openness to the idea of laws recognizing civil unions, including for gay couples, to protect their rights. The pope’s comments in a brief passage in the documentary film, “Francesco,” are similar to the position he took while archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and echo remarks he […]
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In an apostolic letter dedicated to Sacred Scripture, Pope Francis said that even today, Christians can learn new things from the countless translations of the Bible that exist. The variety of translations of the Bible in the world today “teaches us that the values and positive forms of every culture represent […]
VATICAN CITY — In the period to follow the coronavirus pandemic, people should remember they are made for communion with others and with God, Pope Francis said. “Now more than ever the claim to focus everything on ourselves is illusory – to make individualism the guiding principle of society has proved to be illusory,” Pope […]
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has asked Christians around the world to unite in praying the Our Father prayer at noon on March 25 in response to the coronavirus pandemic. “In these days of trial, while humanity trembles at the threat of the pandemic, I would like to propose to all Christians to unite their […]