VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Even during a global pandemic, the World Day of the Poor will be an important opportunity for parishes to highlight the importance of charity and spiritual comfort for those in need, said a Vatican official. Although restrictions meant to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus have meant some initiatives had to […]
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 […]
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY – Father Michael J. McGivney, the Connecticut-born founder of the Knights of Columbus, moved one step closer to sainthood during a ceremony at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, Conn. Father McGivney entered Our Lady of Angels Seminary, the precursor of Niagara University, in 1871 and attended through the summer of 1872. Cardinal Joseph […]
Blessed Michael J. McGivney was “an outstanding witness of Christian solidarity and fraternal assistance” because of his “zeal” for proclaiming the Gospel and his “generous concern for his brothers and sisters,” Pope Francis said in his apostolic letter of beatification of the founder of the Knights of Columbus. Representing the pope, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin […]
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) — Europeans must not see their rich history simply as a fond memory of a time long gone, but they must look to it as a guide to overcoming divisions and challenges aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis said. Pope Francis reflected on the current state of the European Union in […]
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis announced he will create 13 new cardinals Nov. 28, including Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Washington. The pope made the announcement at the end of his Angelus address Oct. 25, telling the crowd in St. Peter’s Square the names of the nine cardinals under the age of 80, who […]
