Pope Francis speaks to members of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments during their plenary meeting at the Vatican Feb. 14, 2019. The pope urged the congregation to promote a love of and appreciation for the liturgy, avoiding "sterile ideological polarizations" and attitudes that would view the Mass as a place for "do-it-yourself" adaptations.

Hearts, not just books, need to change to improve liturgy, Pope says

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VATICAN – The sacred liturgy is meant to help the people of God conform their heart, mind and actions more closely to Christ, Pope Francis said.
Dominican Father Gustavo Gutierrez speaks at a press conference at the Vatican May 12. "If anybody had said back then that the prefect of the CDF would have brought Gutierrez to concelebrate with the Pope, they would have taken him for a drunk," the Pope Francis told the Jesuits in Panama Jan. 26.

Pope Francis reflects on changed attitudes toward 'purified' liberation theology

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VATICAN – Time, experience and reflection have "purified" liberation theology and its attempts to make clear what the Gospel says about social injustice, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis delivers his blessing during his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Feb. 13.

In Christian prayer, there is an absence of the word 'I', Pope says

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VATICAN – Prayer is not just a private and intimate dialogue between a person and God, but rather an opportunity for Christians to bring the needs of others before the Lord, Pope Francis said.
Cardinal Henry Newman in May 1890.

Pope advances sainthood causes of Blessed Newman, Cardinal Mindszenty

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VATICAN – Pope Francis has signed a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed John Henry Newman, the English cardinal, clearing the way for his canonization.
Sr. Carmelina spent 24 years in hospital.

Mary Marrocco: The priceless power of the gift of self

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Our collective annual engagement in gifts at Christmas-time has wound up for the year. Consumer Christmas can be frustrating and painful, but still it recognizes and develops in us the power of gift. 

Pope Francis leads an audience with students and staff of the Accademia Alfonsiana at the Vatican Feb. 9, 2019.

People need liberation and healing, not condemnation, Pope says

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VATICAN – Taking their cue from Christ, moral theologians can see that people need to be liberated and healed, not condemned, Pope Francis said.
The prophet Isaiah, fresco painted by Michelangelo (1475-1564), Sistine Chapel Ceiling (1508-1512) Rome, Vatican

God's Word on Sunday: When God calls, response is clear

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Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Feb. 10 (Year C) Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8; Psalm 138; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11

Pope Francis greets a woman during an audience with members of the Missionaries of Africa and the Missionaries of Our Lady of Africa at the Vatican Feb. 8, 2019.

Simple friendship, discipleship are key to missionary work, Pope Francis says

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VATICAN – Proclaiming the Gospel is not the same thing as proselytism and often means simply being a neighbor and friend to someone while living an authentically Christian life, Pope Francis said.
St. Teresa of Kolkata is pictured in 1982 with Jesuit Father Pedro Arrupe in Rome. The sainthood cause for Father Arrupe was formally opened in Rome at the Basilica of St. John Lateran Feb. 5, 2019, the 28th anniversary of his death. He was superior general of the Jesuits from 1965 to 1983.

Jesuit Father Arrupe's sainthood cause officially opens

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ROME – The sainthood cause of Jesuit Father Pedro Arrupe was formally opened in Rome at the Basilica of St. John Lateran Feb. 5, the 28th anniversary of Father Arrupe's death.
People attend the blessing of the new St. Theresa Chapel within the newly constructed St. Joseph's Cathedral parish center in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 10, 2014. Pope Francis is scheduled to visit the United Arab Emirates Feb. 3-5.

Pope Francis praises respect for diversity in United Arab Emirates

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VATICAN – "Al Salamu Alaikum," Arabic for "peace be with you," Pope Francis said at the beginning of a video message to the people of the United Arab Emirates, which he will visit Feb. 3-5.
Pope Francis poses for a photo Jan. 29, 2019, during a meeting with members of the Roman Rota, a Vatican tribunal handling mostly marriage cases.

Marriage, priesthood requires fidelity and unity, Pope Francis says

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VATICAN – Unity and fidelity are indispensable cornerstones of Christian marriage, Pope Francis said.
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