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Vatican told to get tough on those caught laundering money

Vatican told to get tough on those caught laundering money

VATICAN CITY - A European financial crimes watchdog on Tuesday (Dec. 15) called on the Vatican to prosecute those caught money laundering, stating the Holy See must act to ensure the success of its financial reforms.

Pilgrims hold up images of Our Lady of Guadalupe during an annual pilgrimage in her honor at the cathedral in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Dec. 12. The Vatican announced Dec. 12 that the pope will visit Mexico from Feb. 12-17. His trip will include a stop in Ciudad Juarez, the city across from El Paso, Texas, that is known for drug-related violence

Pope's visit to border expected to highlight Church's outreach to poor

CHICAGO - With the poverty on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, Pope Francis' visit to the region in February will be an important opportunity for the Catholic Church "to emphasize the mercy of God that is at the core of the Christian faith."

A covered makeshift bathroom is seen in late October in a low-income neighborhood in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Ciudad Juarez is one of the marginalized communities Pope Francis will visit in Mexico during his trip in February.

Pope to visit marginalized communities in Mexico in February

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis will visit some of the most marginalized communities in Mexico and seek to bring hope to a country deeply suffering from crime, corruption and inequality when he visits in February.

Franciscan Brother Juan Turios of Action Network prays in 2013 with immigration reform advocates in Washington. To help appreciate and better promote the vocation of religious brothers, the Vatican released a 50-page reflection on the importance of their life and mission of evangelization, fraternity and sacrifice.

Vatican releases instruction on identity, mission of religious brothers

VATICAN CITY - To help appreciate and better promote the vocation of religious brothers, the Vatican released a 50-page reflection on the importance of their life and mission of evangelization, fraternity and sacrifice.

Pilgrims pass through the Holy Door of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome Dec. 13. U.S. Cardinal James M. Harvey, archpriest of the basilica, opened the Holy Door Dec. 13 as part of the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

Time for forgiveness has begun, Pope says as holy doors open worldwide

VATICAN CITY - With the opening the Holy Door at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, Pope Francis declared that the time for tenderness, joy and forgiveness had begun.

Pope Francis gives the homily during a Mass marking the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 12.

Pope Francis will venerate Mary at Mexico shrine next year

VATICAN CITY - On the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pope Francis announced that he would travel to the Marian shrine in Mexico City and pray to Mary so that Christian communities "may become oases and rivers of mercy."

Even the prisoner can partake in the Year of Mercy. The Pope has decreed that the inmate’s cell door is equal to a holy door for this Year of Mercy

Mercy and indulgences, love and freedom

The daily pilgrimage of every prisoner takes on new meaning this year, thanks to Pope Francis and the Jubilee Year of Mercy that began on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8. From now until the end of November 2016, each time a prisoner walks across the threshold of his jail cell mercy and relief from the pain of sin awaits.

Pope reaffirms new annulment reforms as they come into effect

Pope reaffirms new annulment reforms as they come into effect

VATICAN CITY - As reformed rules for marriage annulment cases came into effect, Pope Francis said the new norms are to be adhered to in order to help bring healing to failed marriages.

Czech Rabbi Karol Efraim Sidon lights the menorah of Hanukkah inside Europe's oldest active synagogue, The Old New Synagogue, in Prague, Czech Republic, in this Dec. 2, 2010, file photo. Although Catholics are called to witness to their faith, the church "neither conducts nor supports" any institutional missionary initiative directed toward Jews, according to a new document from a Vatican commission

Catholics shouldn’t try to convert Jews, says new Vatican document

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican has said that Catholics should witness to their faith but not undertake organized efforts to convert Jews, a significant step forward in the once tense relations between the two faiths.

People walk past an image of a Menorah projected on a wall surrounding the Old City of Jerusalem Dec. 8. Although Catholic are called to witness to their faith, the church "neither conducts nor supports" any institutional missionary initiative directed toward Jews, according to a new document from a Vatican commission.

New Vatican document reflects on relations between Catholics, Jews

VATICAN CITY - Catholics are called to witness to their faith in Jesus before all people, including Jews, but the Catholic Church "neither conducts nor supports" any institutional missionary initiative directed toward Jews, says a new document from a Vatican commission.

Msgr. Antoine Camilleri, undersecretary for relations with states and head of the Vatican delegation to the Moneyval plenary, is pictured during a 2013 news conference in Rome.

Vatican continues steps to fight serious financial crime, agency says

VATICAN CITY - The Holy See and Vatican City State have continued to strengthen their institutional, legal and operational frameworks for combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism, an international monitoring organization said.

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