Being human: Pope Francis delights many, frustrates some
VATICAN CITY - The Pope is human. Pope Francis demonstrated that in Mexico, as he does wherever he goes, and most people find it attractive most of the time.
Synods should get more input from lay faithful, church experts say
VATICAN CITY - An assembly of bishops at the Vatican should have more input from the lay faithful, said church experts attending a seminar hosted by the head of the Synod of Bishops.
Vatican invites head of al-Azhar to meet with pope to restart dialogue
VATICAN CITY - The Vatican's interreligious council invited the head of a leading Muslim institution to meet with Pope Francis as part of an effort to restart dialogue.
God is always faithful, merciful, compassionate
Third Sunday of Lent (Year C) Feb. 28 (Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15; Psalm 103; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12; Luke 13:1-9)
God often appears in the midst of the ordinary and mundane. Moses was only doing what he had done for so long — minding the flocks of his father-in-law. The bush that burned without being consumed was a flash of the transcendent and extraordinary.
If you let it, the book you need will find you
They say that the book you most need to read finds you when you most need to read it. I’ve had that experience many times, most recently with Heather King’s book Shirt of Flame, A Year with St. Therese of Lisieux.
Pope praises former U.N. secretary-general's generous service to world
VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis praised the "generous service" of the former secretary-general of the United Nations, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and offered his condolences and prayers in the wake of his death.
Devil wants church resigned to violence; resist him, Pope says
MORELIA, Mexico - The devil loves Christians -- especially priests and nuns -- who are resigned to the violence and corruption around them, Pope Francis said.
Talk to new bishops does not change guidelines on abuse, Vatican says
VATICAN CITY - A talk given to new bishops during a Vatican-sponsored course does not represent new guidelines on the church's response to abuse against minors by religious, a Vatican spokesman said.
Cookies, sombrero and a shoe shine: Even reporters give Pope gifts
ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT TO HAVANA - Making his 12th trip abroad, Pope Francis was accustomed to collecting interview requests, notes and gifts from the journalists who travel on the plane with him.
Padre Pio’s body leaves the Vatican after drawing thousands of pilgrims
VATICAN CITY - The body of one of Italy’s favourite saints, Padre Pio, has left the Vatican, carried out in a distinctive crystal coffin after nearly a week on display inside St. Peter’s Basilica as part of the Jubilee of Mercy.
Henry VIII’s chapel hosts Catholic prayers for the first time in 450 years
CANTERBURY, England - For the first time in 450 years, a citadel of Protestant worship in England — the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace — echoed to the sound of Roman Catholic prayers and music.