By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — In its annual report on Catholic missionaries murdered during the year, the Vatican-based news agency, Fides, noted what many of them had in common was living a normal life in areas where violence had become common. “They did not carry out any sensational actions or […]
The pope’s 2023: Health challenges, travel, the synod
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis’ 2023 was a year of important trips made or postponed, a predecessor’s funeral and his own 10th anniversary as pope, a call to the world to act on climate change and a call to the Catholic Church to strengthen its mission by learning “synodality.” […]
Pope’s 2023 Christmas message
Say ‘yes’ to the Prince of Peace, ‘no’ to war By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Celebrating the birth of Jesus, the prince of peace, should mean making a commitment to opposing all war, to cherishing human life, feeding the hungry and speaking up for those who have no voice, Pope […]
Pope marks 800th anniversary of Nativity scene
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Away in a cave near Greccio, Italy, St. Francis of Assisi had the first Nativity scene — a live one — staged for the faithful on Christmas Eve in 1223. A 15th-century fresco now decorating the cave inspired the Nativity scene erected in St. Peter’s Square […]
Vatican office explains how, when gay couples can be blessed by priest
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — A Catholic priest can bless a gay or other unmarried couple as long as it is not a formal liturgical blessing and does not give the impression that the Catholic Church is blessing the union as if it were a marriage, the Vatican doctrinal office […]
Photo: Happy birthday to you
Pope Francis blows out the candle on his birthday cake during an audience with children assisted by the Vatican’s pediatric clinic in the Paul VI Hall Dec. 17, 2023, his 87th birthday. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope planning to withdraw Cardinal Burke’s Vatican salary, sources say
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis told the prefects of Vatican dicasteries that he saw no reason for the Vatican to continue giving U.S. Cardinal Raymond L. Burke a monthly salary and questioned why the Vatican should be providing him with a free apartment in Rome, various sources have confirmed. […]
Francis calls on world leaders to fight climate change
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The future of humanity depends on what people choose now, Pope Francis said in his message to global leaders at the World Climate Action Summit of the U.N. Climate Change Conference. “Are we working for a culture of life or a culture of death?” he asked […]
Vatican dicastery says transsexuals can be baptized
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — If it would not cause scandal or confusion among other Catholics, “a transsexual — even one who has undergone hormone treatment and gender reassignment surgery — may receive baptism under the same conditions as other faithful,” said a document from the Dicastery for the Doctrine […]
Clinic at St. Peter’s extends hours ahead of World Day of the Poor
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Idris, who sleeps on a sidewalk a couple blocks from the Vatican, waited more or less patiently under the colonnade surrounding St. Peter’s Square to speak to his physician, Dr. Massimo Ralli. The doctor was giving interviews Nov. 13 about the Vatican’s “Madre di Misericordia” (Mother […]