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A same-sex couple is pictured in a file photo exchanging rings during a ceremony in Salt Lake City. The Vatican's doctrinal office says in a new note that any form of blessing of same-sex unions is "illicit," but that the negative judgment is on the blessing of unions, not the people, who must be respected.

Vatican says no blessing of gay unions

VATICAN CITY -- While homosexual men and women must be respected, any form of blessing a same-sex union is "illicit," said the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Father Jiha Lim listens to a penitent’s confession March 7, 2021, at St. Aloysius Church in Great Neck, N.Y., during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Vatican says general absolution still is permissible where infections continue to rise.

Vatican says general absolution still permissible during pandemic

VATICAN CITY -- Offering general absolution to the faithful without having them personally confess their sins first may still be done in places seeing serious or increasing levels of coronavirus infections, a Vatican official said.

Sister Nuria Calduch-Benages, an Old Testament scholar, and professor at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University, is pictured in an undated photo. Pope Francis named her to be secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission.

Pope Francis names woman Scripture scholar as secretary of biblical commission

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has named Sister Nuria Calduch-Benages, an Old Testament scholar and professor at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University, to be secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission.

Pope Francis speaks with journalists aboard his flight from Baghdad to Rome March 8, 2021. At right is Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office.

Returning from Iraq, Pope Francis talks about 'risks' taken on trip

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM IRAQ -- The Catholic Church's commitment to dialogue with other churches and with other religions flows from the Gospel, but Pope Francis said he knows some Catholics disagree.

Pope Francis participates in a memorial prayer for the victims of the war at Hosh al-Bieaa (church square) in Mosul, Iraq, March 7, 2021.

Life triumphs over death as Christians rebuild in Iraq, Pope Francis says

QARAQOSH, Iraq -- Amid the rubble and bombed out remains of four churches destroyed by Islamic State militants, Pope Francis paid tribute to Iraqi Christians who endured persecution and even death.

Pope Francis talks with religious leaders during an interreligious meeting on the plain of Ur near Nasiriyah, Iraq, March 6, 2021.

Hostility, violence are 'betrayals' of religion, Pope Francis says in Iraq

UR, Iraq -- Traveling to the birthplace of Abraham, Pope Francis urged believers to prove their faith in the one God and father of all by accepting one another as brothers and sisters.

Pope Francis and Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, one of Shiite Islam's most authoritative figures, meet during a courtesy visit in Najaf, Iraq, March 6, 2021.

Pope Francis, Iraqi Shiite leader affirm importance of dialogue, respect

NASIRIYAH, Iraq -- In a low-key meeting followed closely in Iraq and beyond, Pope Francis and Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the influential leader of Shiite Muslims in Iraq, spent 45 minutes speaking privately.

Marian summit part of rosary novena

Marian summit part of rosary novena

A spirit of veneration for Mary is at work during the 2021 Lenten and Easter seasons as the Marian Devotional Movement (MDM) launched a Canada54 National Rosary Novena and Marian Summit on Ash Wednesday.

Pope Francis signs a book with a message for Syriac Catholics at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Deliverance in Baghdad March 5, 2021. Also pictured, from left: Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan, Syriac Catholic Archbishop Ephrem Yousif Mansoor Abba of Baghdad and Chaldean Patriarch Louis Sako of Baghdad.

Honour martyrs by remaining faithful, working for a better Iraq, Pope Francis says on visit

BAGHDAD -- Visiting a Baghdad cathedral "hallowed by the blood of our brothers and sisters" murdered in a terrorist attack that shook the world, Pope Francis said their sacrifice must motivate faith and a commitment to working for the common good.

Pope Francis and Iraqi President Barham Salih walk inside the presidential palace in Baghdad March 5, 2021.

Pope Francis arrives in Iraq, promoting peace, tolerance, equality

BAGHDAD -- To consolidate peace and ensure progress, the government and people of Iraq must never treat anyone as a second-class citizen and must work each day to promote harmony, Pope Francis said.

Pope Benedict XVI reads his resignation in Latin during a meeting of cardinals at the Vatican in this Feb. 11, 2013, file photo. Speaking of his resignation, the retired pope recently told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that "it was a difficult decision, but I made it in full awareness, and I believe it was correct."

Benedict XVI discusses his resignation, Francis' trip to Iraq in interview

VATICAN CITY -- Although it took obvious effort to pronounce each word and sometimes his secretary repeated what he said to make it clear, retired Pope Benedict XVI spoke to an Italian newspaper about his retirement and about Pope Francis' planned trip to Iraq.

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