By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM SINGAPORE — The 87-year-old Pope Francis not only survived the longest trip of his pontificate, but he drew energy from the crowds who came to see him, and he seemed to enjoy his 12-day visit to Asia and the Pacific. Unity, respect for one’s […]
‘Sow seeds of love’: Pontiff calls on faithful to overcome divisions
Catholic News Service Pope Francis embarked this month on the longest foreign trip of his papacy, a long-planned four-nation apostolic visit to Southeast Asia and Oceania. Among his goals, according to one of the cardinals traveling with the pope, was to “encourage Catholics in all the contexts in which they find themselves.” Filipino Cardinal Luis […]
Pope Francis condemns rejection of migrants
By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Working to turn migrants away from the prospect of peace and security in a new country is “a grave sin,” Pope Francis said. “It needs to be said clearly: There are those who systematically work by all means to drive away migrants, and this, when done […]
Pope to tackle wide range of issues on 4-nation trip
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis’ trip to Asia and Oceania in September will be a trip of religious, economic and social contrasts. Visiting four nations Sept. 2-13, the 87-year-old pope will be making the longest trip of his pontificate, both in terms of distance covered and days away from […]
Faithful must work to defend democracy, pope says
By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Catholics are called to be active participants in political life and be a force against the decline of democracy worldwide, Pope Francis said. “In today’s world, democracy — let’s be honest — is not in good health,” the pope told some 1,200 participants at an event […]
Former nuncio to U.S., found guilty of schism, is excommunicated
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, former nuncio to the United States, has been excommunicated after being found guilty of schism, the Vatican said. Members of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith met July 4 to complete an extrajudicial penal process against Archbishop Vigano, who was […]
Creation must be cared for, not preyed upon, pope says
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Being obedient to God’s commandment and spirit of love can radically change attitudes and actions to convert people from “predators” of natural resources to “tillers” of God’s great garden of planet Earth, Pope Francis said. “The earth is entrusted to our care, yet continues to belong […]
Planning begins for solar energy project to power Vatican City
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis appointed two special commissioners to start work on building an agrivoltaic system on a Vatican property outside of Rome that could supply the whole of Vatican City’s energy needs. “There is a need to make a transition to a model of sustainable development that […]
Pope Francis praises comedians in lighthearted audience
By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — As they waited for Pope Francis to arrive at the Clementine Hall in the Vatican Apostolic Palace for an early-morning audience, late-night comedy stars looked at each other and thought, “something’s wrong.” “We’re in this beautiful, beautiful space in the Vatican and for some reason they’ve […]
Libraries must be open to all, pontiff urges
Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The troves of knowledge stored in archives and libraries must be made available and accessible to all people, especially as they increasingly depend on technological means for their knowledge, Pope Francis said. Scholars overseeing archives and managing libraries must have “a great openness to discussion and dialogue,” Pope Francis […]
