Imitate St. Pio’s life, don’t forget poor, marginalized, pope says
SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO, Italy (CNS) -- Many people admire St. Padre Pio, but too few imitate him, especially in his care for the weak, the sick and those who modern culture treats as disposable, Pope [...]
Blurred lines: Vatican manipulation of photo becomes the story (commentary)
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- What was meant to be an intellectual tribute to Pope Francis has instead become the backdrop to the latest tempest over transparency and this pontificate. On the eve of the fifth anniversary [...]
It takes more than one ‘Our Father’ to ask for God’s help, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Praying for God's intercession takes courage, dogged persistence and patience, said Pope Francis. "If I want the Lord to listen to what I am asking him, I have to go, and [...]
Second Update: Retired pope says criticism against Pope Francis is ‘foolish prejudice’
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- On the eve of the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis' election, retired Pope Benedict XVI defended the continuity of the church's teaching under his successor and dismissed those who criticize the [...]
Five years a pope: Francis’ focus has been on outreach
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected pope just a few days after telling the College of Cardinals that the Catholic Church faced a clear choice between being a church that "goes [...]
Wonder and wit: Five years of Pope Francis’ unique turns of phrase
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A native-Spanish speaker who grew up with Italian-speaking relatives in Argentina, Pope Francis has a striking way with words. Bringing a background in literary themes and devices with him to the [...]
A small sampler of Pope Francis quotes
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In his formal documents, many speeches and unscripted morning homilies the past five years, Pope Francis has given the church plenty of "food for thought" on many issues of great importance. [...]
Confessors should seek to bring penitents closer to Jesus, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A good confessor is a good listener, Pope Francis said. By truly listening to the penitent during confession, "we listen to Jesus himself, poor and humble; by listening to the Holy [...]
Miracles attributed to Pope Paul VI, Romero clear way for sainthood
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis has cleared the way for the canonizations of Blesseds Paul VI and Oscar Romero. At a meeting March 6 with Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' [...]
Don’t hold grudges; forgiveness comes from forgiving others, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Christians must let go of resentments and forgive those who have wronged them so that they may experience God's forgiveness, Pope Francis. This can be particularly difficult when "we carry with [...]
Claims of heresy over ‘Amoris Laetitia’ are out of place, cardinal says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis' exhortation on the family should prompt discussion and even debate, but accusing him and others of heresy is completely out of place, said German Cardinal Walter Kasper. "A heresy [...]
Salvation is gift of God, brings people into community, document says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Salvation in Christ is a gift of God that cannot be earned by human efforts alone, and it is not simply some kind of interior transformation, but touches the way Christians [...]