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Good priests don't own gloves, they get their hands dirty, says Pope Francis

VATICAN CITY – Like the Good Shepherd, good priests do not privatize their time and demand to be left alone, but rather are always willing to risk everything in search of the lost sheep, Pope Francis said at the closing Mass of the Jubilee for Priests and Seminarians.  

Church needs courageous women like Mary, Pope says at morning Mass

VATICAN CITY – The Church needs the service of the many women who continue to follow Mary's example of courage and service despite the odds, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis tells Internet celebrities to take 'path of optimism and hope'

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis is already a celebrity and an internet sensation in his own right, so it was perhaps no surprise that he had words of wisdom for some of YouTube’s top stars in a meeting over the weekend — and that a few Hollywood A-listers were also lining up for a photo-op.

Ignore the church schedule and serve the people, pope tells deacons

VATICAN CITY – Deacons are called to be servants who set aside their own self-serving plans and are generous with their lives, Pope Francis said.

Woodworker creates ministry building caskets out of reclaimed lumber

FRONT ROYAL, Va. – Above the hum of the table saw, one story was told, then another.

In Lebanon, Muslims and Christians visit Marian shrine at Harissa

HARISSA, Lebanon – High on a summit overlooking the Mediterranean, Our Lady of Lebanon stands majestically with her arms outstretched, welcoming her children.

New Polish saint calls people to 'contemplate God's mercy,' bishops say

WARSAW, Poland – The founder of the first Polish male religious order, who will be canonized in Rome June 5, calls people "to contemplate God's mercy and proclaim that God's heart is open to all," said Poland's bishops.

Deacons gather in Rome, share reflections on ministry, challenges

ROME – Thousands of permanent deacons and their wives began their Year of Mercy celebration by cutting straight to the heart of what it means to be a deacon, how the ministry impacts their families and the challenge of explaining their vocation to others, including bishops and priests.

In Eucharist, find strength to share bread, faith with others, pope says

ROME – A Corpus Christi procession should honor Christ's gift of himself in the Eucharist, but also should be a pledge to share bread and faith with the people of the cities and towns where the processions take place, Pope Francis said.

Vatican bank supervisory members step down over management differences

VATICAN CITY – Two members of the Vatican bank's board of supervisors handed in their resignation over a difference in opinion concerning the bank's management.

Prayer is no magic wand; it strengthens faith in tough times, pope says

VATICAN CITY – Prayer is not a magic wand that fulfills your desires, but it is what helps you keep the faith when you don't understand God's will, Pope Francis said.