Prayer for peace in Congo, South Sudan a call to action, cardinal says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis' call for a day of prayer and fasting for peace in war-torn countries like South Sudan and Congo is also a reminder for world leaders to protect their countrymen [...]
Pope reassures foster kids, says life events can make adults ‘fragile’
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- When people are unable to love or accept a child with problems or illness, many times it's because they are too weak themselves to be able to bear someone else's vulnerabilities, [...]
Updated: Pope told Jesuits he regularly meets abuse survivors, journal reports
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis told a group of Jesuits in Peru that he often meets on Fridays with survivors of sex abuse. The meetings, which he said do not always become public knowledge, [...]
Lent is time to notice God’s work, receive God’s mercy, pope says
ROME (CNS) -- Lent is a time for Christians to get their hearts in sync with the heart of Jesus, Pope Francis said. "Let the Lord heal the wounds of sin and fulfill the prophecy [...]
Pilgrim pope: Benedict says he’s journeying toward God
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- "I am on a pilgrimage toward Home," retired Pope Benedict XVI wrote, capitalizing the Italian word "casa" or "home." Almost exactly five years after announcing his intention to be the first [...]
Lent is time to become aware of false prophets, cold hearts, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Catholics should use the season of Lent to look for signs and symptoms of being under the spell of false prophets and of living with cold, selfish and hateful hearts, Pope [...]
Pope supports pro-life movement, sets day of prayer for peace in Africa
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With so many direct attacks on human life, from abortion to war, Pope Francis said he is worried that so few people are involved in pro-life activities. Reciting the Angelus prayer [...]
Going for God: Vatican invited to attend Olympic opening ceremony
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- For the first time, the International Olympic Committee has invited a Vatican delegation not only to take part in the opening ceremony of the Winter Games, but also to attend its [...]
Dialogue dilemma: Vatican’s China overture sparks controversy
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Vatican efforts to honor those who suffer and die for their faith while trying to negotiate with oppressive regimes to expand religious freedom have been fraught with criticism and real pain [...]
Vatican spokesman insists pope, aides are united on approach to China
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Catholics who have accused top members of the Roman Curia of making overtures to China's communist government without the knowledge of Pope Francis are "fostering confusion and controversy," said the director [...]
Lord’s Prayer: Germans stick with wording; Italians to change at Mass
ROME (CNS) -- After special study, the German bishops' conference decided to stick with the traditional wording in the Lord's Prayer while the Italian bishops' conference has decided to change the words of the prayer [...]
Don’t compromise on protecting minors from abuse, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis said he told the bishops and priests of Chile to be uncompromising when it comes to protecting minors from sexual abuse and to trust that God will purify and [...]