NEW YORK — “Boxers & Saints” (First Second Books), a two-volume graphic novel written and drawn by Gene Luen Yang, is an example of comic art at its best. Author Yang is a practicing Catholic who teaches computer science at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, Calif., (where Bishop Larry Silva graduated). But “Boxers & […]
Vatican spokesman: Pope’s phone call didn’t change church teaching
VATICAN CITY — Reports that Pope Francis told an Argentine woman civilly married to a divorced man that she can receive Communion “cannot be confirmed as reliable,” said Jesuit Father Federico, the Vatican spokesman. Julio Sabetta, 50, wrote on his Facebook page that Pope Francis phoned his wife, Jacquelina Lisbona, April 20 at their home […]
Pope Francis at Easter: Love gives life; share it with others
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis urged Christians to remember how they first encountered Christ and to share his love and mercy with others, especially through acts of caring and sharing. Proclaiming the good news of Jesus’ resurrection means giving concrete witness “to unconditional and faithful love,” he said April 20 before solemnly giving his blessing […]
Pope Francis on Good Friday: Evil will not have the last word
ROME — Standing in the midst of a giant cross outlined with small torches, Pope Francis said the cross is a reminder of how much evil people are capable of and how much love Jesus had for a sinful humanity. “It was a heavy cross like the night for those who are abandoned, heavy like […]
Pope Francis on Holy Thursday: Serve others with love
VATICAN CITY — In the humble act of washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus is showing all Christians how he wants them to serve others with love, Pope Francis said. “This is the legacy that Jesus leaves us,” and he wants it to be passed down through people’s loving service to others, he said. During the […]
Pope Francis goes to confession: Bless me, Father
Leading a penitential liturgy in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis surprised his liturgical adviser by going to confession during the service. After an examination of conscience March 28, the pope and 61 priests moved into confessionals or to chairs set up against the walls to offer the sacrament to individual penitents. However, as Msgr. Guido […]
Bishops call for compassion, immigration reform with a visit to the Mexico-U.S. border
NOGALES, Ariz. With the backdrop a few feet away of the rusted iron slats of the 30-foot wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, Boston Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley and a dozen other bishops from three countries prayed April 1 for compassion and for a return to ideals that welcome immigrants. More than 300 people formed the […]
Pope Francis to married couples: Be icons of God’s love
VATICAN CITY Through the sacrament of matrimony, married couples are called to be living icons of God’s love in the world, Pope Francis said; and when they fight — and all couples do — they don’t have “to call the United Nations,” but find simple words and gestures to say they are sorry. Concluding a […]
Pope, Obama discuss religious freedom, life issues, immigration
U.S. President Barack Obama shares a laugh with Pope Francis as he receives a copy of the pope’s apostolic exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudium” (“The Joy of the Gospel”), during a private audience at the Vatican March 27. (CNS photo/Stefano Spaziani, pool) VATICAN CITY In their first encounter, Pope Francis received U.S. President Barack Obama at the […]
Pope Francis to fathers: Be at your children’s side
VATICAN CITY — On the feast of St. Joseph, patron saint of the universal church and Jesus’ earthly father, Pope Francis urged all dads in the world to stick by their children’s side, teaching them, guiding them and loving them. “I ask that you have the grace to be very close to your children, letting […]
