By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service ROME — Lent is a time to receive God’s breath of life, a breath that saves humanity from suffocating under the weight of selfishness, indifference and piety devoid of sincerity, Pope Francis said. “Lent is the time to say no to the asphyxia born of relationships that exclude, […]
Pope: Don’t worry how it’s spent, always give homeless a handout
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — People who don’t give money to the homeless because they think it will be spent on alcohol and not food should ask themselves what guilty pleasures they are secretly spending money on, Pope Francis said. “There are many excuses” to justify why one doesn’t lend a […]
In tuxes and gowns, newlyweds look to pope for blessings, strength
By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Each week dozens of newlyweds, dressed again in their wedding gowns and tuxedoes, come to the Vatican to receive a special papal blessing as they begin their lives together. “It’s always been a dream of mine, since I was little, to come to the audience […]
Proclaim Christ king of mercy, pope says, closing Holy Year
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Following Christ the King, whose regal power is love and mercy, means the whole church and each Christian must “follow his way of tangible love,” Pope Francis said. Celebrating the feast of Christ the King Nov. 20 and officially closing the extraordinary jubilee celebration of the […]
Francis calls 17 new cardinals to be agents of reconciliation
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The Catholic Church’s 17 new cardinals must dedicate their lives to being ministers of forgiveness and reconciliation in a world — and sometimes a church — often marked by hostility and division, Pope Francis said. Even Catholics are not immune from “the virus of polarization and […]
Mercy Fridays give pope a year of stories, tears, hugs
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Tears, prayers, caresses — but most of all, listening — were the hallmarks of Pope Francis’ “Mercy Friday” visits during the Year of Mercy. As the jubilee began last December, Pope Francis said he would ditch the media one Friday afternoon each month and personally try […]
Pope, Lutherans begin Reformation commemoration with prayer
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service LUND, Sweden — Urging Catholics and Lutherans to take decisive steps toward unity, Pope Francis nevertheless offered no new openings to the idea of sharing Communion before full unity is achieved. “We Christians will be credible witnesses of mercy to the extent that forgiveness, renewal and reconciliation are daily […]
Papal summer residence opens to the public for the first time
By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy — Pope Francis is throwing open the doors to the papal apartment — including the bedroom where popes have slept — in the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo. The palace was for centuries the summer residence of the Roman pontiffs, but Pope Francis has decided […]
Off the beaten path: Pope looks far afield for new cardinals
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Choosing new members of the College of Cardinals, Pope Francis once again looked to countries and particularly to dioceses that were not and never had been represented in the body that advises the pope and bears responsibility for electing his successor. Announcing the names of 17 […]
Gay, transgender people deserve pastoral care, pope says
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM AZERBAIJAN — Catholics who are homosexual, confused about their sexuality or convinced they were born in the wrong body deserve the same attentive pastoral care as anyone else, Pope Francis said. Flying back to Rome Oct. 2 after a visit to Georgia and […]
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