VATICAN CITY (CNS) — When each individual makes a small act of charity, like getting the Covid-19 vaccine, every gesture added together can transform the world, Pope Francis said in a global ad campaign. “Being vaccinated with vaccines authorized by the competent authorities is an act of love. And contributing to ensure the majority of […]
Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising, Germany, has submitted his resignation to Pope Francis, saying that bishops must begin to accept responsibility for the institutional failures of the church in handling the clerical sexual abuse crisis. The pope did not immediately accept the cardinal’s resignation. Cardinal Marx is pictured in a Feb. 12, 2015, […]
Pope Francis holds his crosier during the ordination Mass for nine new priests for the Diocese of Rome in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 25. CNS photo/Donatella Giagnori, pool VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The priesthood “is not a career, it is a service,” Pope Francis told nine men just before ordaining them to […]
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Increasing vocations to the priesthood, improving the way laypeople and priests work together and ensuring that service, not power, motivates the request for ordination are all possible outcomes of a major symposium being planned by the Vatican in February 2022. ”A theological symposium does not claim to offer practical solutions to […]
Pope Francis celebrates a Mass with cardinals in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Paolo Galosi, pool) VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With the need to reduce costs and make sure employees are not laid off, Pope Francis has approved pay cuts for cardinals, clergy, religious and upper management officials who work in the Roman […]
A same-sex couple is pictured in a file photo exchanging rings during a ceremony in Salt Lake City. The Vatican’s doctrinal office says in a new note that any form of blessing of same-sex unions is “illicit,” but that the negative judgment is on the blessing of unions, not the people, who must be respected. […]
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Marking the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph being declared patron of the universal church, Pope Francis proclaimed a yearlong celebration dedicated to the foster father of Jesus. In a Dec. 8 apostolic letter, “Patris Corde” (“With a father’s heart”), the pope said Christians can discover in St. Joseph, who often goes […]
Pope Francis started feast of the Immaculate Conception early this morning with outing that began with praying at a Marian statue at the Spanish Steps. Followed by Mass in the Chapel of the Nativity Scene at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome and praying in front of the Marian icon “Salus Populi Romani” […]