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Pope Francis waves as he leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Aug. 15, the feast of the Assumption.

Avoid temptation, don't engage with the devil, Pope says at Angelus

VATICAN – When facing temptation, Christians should follow Jesus' example by not engaging in fruitless talk with the father of lies, Pope Francis said.
World Youth Day pilgrims learn what different religious communities have to offer at a vocations festival in a Panama City park Jan. 24, 2019.

Answering God's call demands courage to take a risk, Pope Francis says

VATICAN – Answering the Lord's call demands the courage to take a risk, but it is an invitation to become part of an important mission, Pope Francis said.
The Temptation of Christ in the Wilderness, Sebastiano Ricci (Belluno 1659-1734 Venice)

God's Word on Sunday: It’s a good time to count God’s blessings

First Sunday of Lent, March 10 (Year C) Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Psalm 91; Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13

Pope Francis hears the confession of a priest March 7, 2019, at Rome's Basilica of St. John Lateran. The pope administered the sacrament to several priests during his annual Lenten meeting with the priests of the Diocese of Rome.

God is purifying the church with 'unbearable' pain of abuse scandal, Pope Francis says

ROME – The clerical abuse scandal has caused everyone in the Catholic Church "pain and unbearable suffering," Pope Francis said, but it also is a call to repentance and the renewal of the church.
Cardinal Thomas Collins at St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica in Toronto 2017.

Cardinal Collins sends a message of giving for Lent

Cardinal Thomas Collins is calling on Catholics to remember the importance of almsgiving this Lenten season.

Pope Francis arrives in procession to celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass at the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome March 6, 2019.

Lent begins with reminder of all that fades away, Pope Francis says

ROME – Marked with ashes, Christians set off on a Lenten journey where they strive to leave behind everything that will turn to dust and instead focus on drawing closer to God and God's promise of eternal life, Pope Francis said.
The “grace of tears” has been cherished throughout the Christian tradition. Jesus Himself was not immune to tears, as seen in James Tissot’s Jesus Wept.

Mary Marrocco: The gift of tears unlocks healing spirit

Her body is thin and tense. It carries the anguish, the hurts and false steps, of years. Her face does not as yet reveal the pain she’s known in her young life. She doesn’t cry. Alone, sometimes, she has bursts of uncontrollable stormy tears. Never the gentle kind and never for long. 

The popular discipline of Lent — giving up something for the sake of others — is deeply rooted in stewardship if we do it with 'a renewed spirit and a contrite heart', Fr. Yaw writes.

Fr. Yaw Acheampong: Lent is an invitation to a fruitful stewardship

The start of every new season is exciting and full of possibilities. Think of how happy people are when they see the first signs of spring, or, when the first day of school arrives, or, for baseball fans, the excitement they feel on the day of the season opener.

Pope Francis greets guests during an audience at the Vatican Feb. 28, 2019. The audience was with participants marking the 50th anniversary of the death of German Cardinal Agostino Bea, whom the pope called "a model and source of inspiration for ecumenical and intereligous dialogue."

Pope Francis encourages joint community service by rabbis, parish priests

VATICAN – The fruitful friendship and dialogue between Jews and Christians must go beyond the world of experts and academia, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis greets a baby as he arrives for his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 27, 2019.

God's holiness is a force; 'evil's days are numbered,' Pope says

VATICAN – The holiness of God is a power that is constantly expanding and will defeat all evil once and for all, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis greets a bishop during his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Feb. 20, 2019.

Making corrections without love is the devil's work, Pope tells pilgrims

VATICAN – Catholics should speak up when things go wrong in the church, but theirs must be constructive criticism delivered with love, Pope Francis said, otherwise the devil is at work.
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