ReflectionsFeatureVer2

Pope Francis prays during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 10.

Devil uses friendliness to destroy, encouraging people to be lukewarm, Pope says

VATICAN – The devil is more dangerous when he is polite and friendly, persuading people to be "lukewarm" and worldly, than when he shows his true face and blatantly pushes people to sin, Pope Francis said.
  • October 12, 2018
Pope Francis performs an impromptu wedding ceremony for Latam Airlines employees Carlos Ciuffardi Elorriaga, 41, and Paula Podest Ruiz, 39, aboard the pontiff's flight from Santiago, Chile, to Iquique Jan. 18.

Reach out to cohabitating couples, support newlyweds, Pope urges

ROME – The Catholic Church must reach out to couples living together without being married, Pope Francis told those involved in family ministry in the Diocese of Rome.

  • September 28, 2018
Pope Francis prepares to meet bishops during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Sept. 19.

Some cry 'scandal' to cover their own faults, Pope says at Mass

VATICAN – While God's holy church is made up of sinners, it also has its share of hypocrites who love to cry "scandal" to point out the failings of others and make themselves appear pure, Pope Francis said at morning Mass.
  • September 20, 2018
Pope Francis gives the homily as he celebrates morning Mass in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, at the Vatican Sept. 11. The Pope said the devil seeks to reveal sins in order to scandalize the people of God.

Satan is attacking bishops by revealing their sins, Pope says

VATICAN – Bishops must remember, particularly when under attack, that their role is to pray, be humble in knowing God chose them and remain close to the people, Pope Francis said in his morning homily.
  • September 11, 2018
Pope Francis prays during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Sept. 5.

Being a Christian demands that we accuse ourselves, not others, Pope says

VATICAN – Christian conversion does not entail accusing others, but is shamefully recognizing and sincerely repenting one's own sins, Pope Francis said.
  • September 6, 2018
Pope Francis delivers the homily as he celebrates Mass Sept. 4 in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae. In his homily, the pope described the Christian life as a battle between "the spirit of God that leads us to do good deeds, to charity, to brotherhood, to adore God, to know Jesus, to do many works of charity, to pray" and "the spirit of the world that leads us to vanity, pride, arrogance, gossip."

Everyday is a fight against worldly mentality, pride, gossip, Pope says

VATICAN – Christians must engage in spiritual combat every day against a worldly spirit that leads down a path of arrogance and petty gossip, Pope Francis said.
  • September 4, 2018
Pope Francis listens to a question from reporter Anna Matranga of CBS News aboard his flight from Dublin to Rome Aug. 26. Matranga asked the pope about a statement made by Italian Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, the former apostolic nuncio to the United States, concerning Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick.

Christ responded to lies, divisiveness with silence, Pope says at Mass

VATICAN – Jesus himself showed that the best way to respond to scandal and divisiveness is to stay silent and pray, Pope Francis said Sept. 3 as he resumed his early morning Masses with invited guests.
  • September 4, 2018
Pope Francis receives the gifts as he celebrates a Mass for migrants in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican July 6. The pontiff celebrated the Mass to commemorate the fifth anniversary of his visit to the southern Mediterranean island of Lampedusa.

Pope's homily: 'Sterile hypocrisy' behind mistreatment of migrants

VATICAN – Hearts that are closed to welcoming migrants and refugees are similar to those of the Pharisees, who often would preach sacrifice and following God's law without exercising mercy to those in need, Pope Francis said.
  • July 6, 2018
New archbishops are seen as Pope Francis celebrates Mass marking the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican June 29. At the conclusion of the Mass the pope presented palliums in boxes to dozens of new archbishops from around the world.

Bring God's love to everyone, even if it costs you your 'good name', Pope says

VATICAN – God wants his disciples to bring his mercy and love to everyone, everywhere on earth, which means it may cost them their "good name," comfort and their life, Pope Francis said on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.
  • June 29, 2018
New archbishops are seen as Pope Francis celebrates Mass marking the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican June 29. At the conclusion of the Mass the pope presented palliums in boxes to dozens of new archbishops from around the world.

Bring God's love to everyone, even if it costs you your 'good name', Pope says

VATICAN – God wants his disciples to bring his mercy and love to everyone, everywhere on earth, which means it may cost them their "good name," comfort and their life, Pope Francis said on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.
  • June 29, 2018
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