VATICAN CITY — Marking the 50th anniversary of the Synod of Bishops, Pope Francis outlined his vision for a church that is “synodal” at every level, with everyone listening to one another, learning from one another and taking responsibility for proclaiming the Gospel.
Pope says synod is not parliament, but place to listen to the Holy Spirit
Pope Francis and members of the Synod of Bishops on the family concelebrate the opening Mass of the synod in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Oct. 4. (CNS/Paul Haring) VATICAN CITY — The world Synod of Bishops on the family is not a parliament where participants will negotiate or lobby, Pope Francis said, […]
Pope Francis shows Americans who he is
Pope Francis looks out at the Statue of Liberty while flying over New York Harbor on his way from New York to Philadelphia Sept. 26. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters) PHILADELPHIA — Pope Francis speaks often about memory and motion, the importance of remembering where you came from and setting off without fear to […]
Vatican says pope’s meeting with Kentucky clerk is not endorsement
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis’ meeting with Kim Davis, the county clerk from Kentucky who was jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses, does not equate support for her “position,” the Vatican spokesman said after discussing the issue personally with the pope. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the spokesman, issued a statement Oct. 2 saying the […]
Pope Francis in Cuba: ‘We do not serve ideas, we serve people’
People cheer as Pope Francis arrives for Mass in Revolution Square in Holguin, Cuba, Sept. 21. (CNS photo/Edgard Garrido, Reuters) HAVANA — As Cubans finally face the prospects of calmer relationships and greater ease of communication and commerce with the United States, Pope Francis told the Cuban people that love and service, not anyone’s […]
Pope makes annulments quicker, cheaper, more pastoral
Byzantine Bishop Dimitrios Salachas of Greece, second from left, speaks at a a press conference for the release of Pope Francis’ documents concerning changes to marriage annulments at the Vatican Sept. 8. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) VATICAN CITY — While a juridical process is necessary for making accurate judgments, the Catholic Church’s marriage annulment process […]
The pope’s ‘staycation’: Correspondence, trip preparation fill his days
VATICAN CITY — Returning to the Vatican in the midst of a heat wave after an eight-day, three-country trip to South America, Pope Francis took the kind of vacation he said he prefers: what has become known as a “staycation.” With the exception of a July 21 meeting with a group of mayors from around […]
Pope pushes Putin for peace in Ukraine
VATICAN CITY — When Pope Francis met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Vatican June 10, the ongoing crisis in eastern Ukraine was the principal topic of their conversation and was a concern for many others as well. Putin arrived at the Vatican more than an hour late, beating the 45-minute tardiness he chalked up […]
Mother and son: Pope Francis shares a personal and intimate devotion to Mary
VATICAN CITY — From Easter to Pentecost — and especially during the Marian month of May — Catholics recite the “Regina Coeli” prayer “with the emotion of children who are happy because their mother is happy” that Jesus has risen from the dead, Pope Francis said. Although his devotion to the Mother of God is […]
Pope urges prayers, action on behalf of migrants, poor
VATICAN CITY — The poor, migrants in search of a better life and the unemployed want what all human beings want: life, dignity and a chance to earn a decent living, Pope Francis said in several speeches urging compassion and assistance by both governments and individuals. Reciting the “Regina Coeli” prayer April 19, just hours […]