VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis said that the Catholic Church must consider various ways to integrate the divorced and civilly remarried in the life of the church — not merely allowing them to receive Communion, but letting them serve as eucharistic ministers and godparents — and to make it easier for Catholic families to accept […]
Pope Francis in Turkey: A look at Christianity on the margins
Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople embrace during a prayer service in the patriarchal Church of St. George in Istanbul Nov. 29. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) VATICAN CITY — Ankara and Istanbul were gray and cold, at least compared to Rome, during Pope Francis’ Nov. 28-30 visit to Turkey. And the general reception, […]
Pope Francis urges Muslim leaders to condemn violence done in name of Islam
ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM ISTANBUL — Pope Francis called on political and religious leaders across the Muslim world to condemn violence done in the name of Islam. The pope said he told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Nov. 28 that “it would be beautiful if all Islamic leaders — whether they be political leaders, […]
Synod ends affirming tradition, leaving controversies alive
Pope Francis attends the morning session of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family at the Vatican Oct. 18. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) VATICAN CITY — After several days of animated debate over its official midterm report, the Synod of Bishops on the family agreed on a final document more clearly grounded in traditional […]
Pope Francis talks in flight about airstrikes in Iraq, his health, possible U.S. visit
Pope Francis speaks to journalists aboard the papal flight from Seoul, South Korea, to Rome Aug. 18. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM SEOUL, South Korea — Pope Francis said the use of force can be justified to stop “unjust aggressors” such as Islamic State militants in northeastern Iraq, but he declined […]
Vatican questions accuracy of latest papal interview
VATICAN CITY The Vatican said the latest published interview with Pope Francis, in which he says fighting sex abuse and the mafia will be priorities of his pontificate, should not be considered a record of his exact words. According to the article, published July 13 in the Rome daily La Repubblica, the pope also spoke […]
Pope to presidents: Only God can bring peace to Holy Land
Israeli President Shimon Peres, Pope Francis and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attend an invocation for peace in the Vatican Gardens June 8. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) VATICAN CITY Praying for peace in the Holy Land alongside leaders of long-antagonistic nations, Pope Francis called on God to act where human efforts had failed, to end what […]
Pope Francis interview: World economic system inevitably leads to war
VATICAN CITY Pope Francis said the world economic system inevitably promotes military conflict as a way to enrich the most powerful nations. He also condemned religious fundamentalism, defended the controversial record of Pope Pius XII and said he does not worry about his personal security because, “at my age I don’t have much to lose.” […]
Pope Francis in Holy Land: Easing fears, raising hopes, posing questions
Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople kiss the Stone of Unction in Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher May 25. The two leaders marked the 50th anniversary of the meeting in Jerusalem between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras. (CNS photo) VATICAN CITY Given the Holy Land’s long and complex history of […]
The pontiff invites Israeli, Palestinian leaders to Rome to pray for peace
JERUSALEM Pope Francis invited Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli President Shimon Peres to pray together at the Vatican for peace between their nations. The pope made the announcement May 25, after praying the “Regina Coeli” at the end of Mass that Abbas attended in Manger Square, in Bethlehem, West Bank. Later in the day, […]