Faith

Pope Francis greets family members during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican April 15.

War of the sexes: Gender theory is the problem, not solution, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY - Eradicating male and female identities does nothing to solve the problem of unfair or disrespectful treatment based on people's gender, Pope Francis said.

The Vatican is expected to host a major conference on climate change ahead of Pope Francis’ upcoming encyclical on the environment on April 28.

Pope Francis uses weight of his office to tackle climate change

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The Vatican is set to host a major conference on climate change this month that will feature leading researchers on global warming and an opening address by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

In a message delivered at the Summit of the Americas, Pope Francis said he hoped the leaders would guarantee the rights of the poor to the “basic needs” of land, shelter, jobs, health care, education and security.

Do more to help the poor, Pope tells leaders at Summit of the Americas

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VATICAN CITY - With an obligation to lead and protect everyone in their nations, government officials cannot be content "to hope that the poor collect the crumbs that fall from the table of the rich," Pope Francis said in a message to the Summit of the Americas.

Pope Francis presents a document officially proclaiming the 2015-2016 extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy to a cardinal in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 11. The pope handed copies of the document to the archpriests of the major basilicas of Rome and to Vatican officials representing Catholics around the world.

Pope says Year of Mercy will be time to heal, to help, to forgive

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VATICAN CITY - Mercy is at the heart of the Church's credibility and the Church has a duty to profess it and live it, Pope Francis said in a document that officially proclaims the 2015-2016 extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy.

Women light candles in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City April 5, Easter Sunday.

Share Easter joy, defend persecuted Christians, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY - Christians live the joy of the Resurrection when they share a smile with someone, weep with those who mourn and defend the rights of those persecuted for their faith, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis walks to the altar during Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican April 5. Also pictured is Cardinal Franc Rode.

Humility is key to understanding Easter, sharing its joy, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY - To enter Christ's empty tomb like the disciples and see that he has risen, Christians today also must "bend down," Pope Francis said in his Easter message.

Pope Francis presides at the Way of the Cross outside the Colosseum in Rome April 3.

Papal preacher: Passion continues today as world ignores persecution

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VATICAN CITY - Widespread indifference to the violent persecution of Christians and other communities suggests the world is full of Pontius Pilates who eagerly wash their hands of all responsibility, the papal preacher said.

Pope Francis kisses the foot of a female inmate at Rome's Rebibbia prison April 2.

Pope asks prisoners to pray that Christ make him a better servant

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VATICAN CITY - In a moving ceremony that recalled how Jesus loved the world so deeply that He lowered Himself to serve and died for everyone's sins, Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 prison inmates, plus a small toddler who lives with his incarcerated mother.

Pope Francis leaves after celebrating Holy Thursday chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 2.

Pope to priests: Exhaustion is part of ministry; find renewal in Christ

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VATICAN CITY - Priestly ministry is hard, sometimes lonely or dangerous work serving the neediest with an open, vulnerable heart, Pope Francis told the world's priests.

Worshippers carry a statue of the risen Christ during an Easter procession in Escazu, Costa Rica, April 8, 2012.

Church directives seek to keep mafia out of Easter processions

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VATICAN CITY - The bishop of a southern Italian diocese has issued new directives aimed at keeping the mafia out of this year's Easter processions.

Pope Francis talks with Italian Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi as they leave the concluding session of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family at the Vatican Oct. 18.

Pope names Cardinal Versaldi new prefect of education congregation

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis named 71-year-old Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, president of the Prefecture of the Economic Affairs of the Holy See since 2011, to be the new prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education.

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