By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has cleared the way for the canonizations of three blesseds: an Armenian Catholic archbishop martyred during the Armenian genocide, a lay catechist from Papua New Guinea killed during World War II and a Venezuelan religious sister who dedicated her life to education and the […]
Young people energize pontiff on historic trip
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 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 […]