Pope Francis apologizes for 'incident' with woman in St. Peter's Square
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis began the New Year with an apology for losing his patience the night before with a woman who grabbed his hand and yanked him closer to her while he was greeting people in St. Peter's Square.
God is at work in the world, Pope Francis says at prayer service closing 2019
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- God sent his only begotten son into the world, where he continues to dwell in the hearts of men and women, "urging them to believe, to hope despite everything, and to love by working for the good of all," Pope Francis said.
Urbi et Orbi: May Christ soften hard hearts to bring peace
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- The light of peace, hope and salvation brought into the world with the birth of Jesus is stronger than the darkness of war and despair, but spreading that light requires the cooperation of every person of good will, Pope Francis said in his Christmas address.
'Christendom no longer exists,' Pope Francis says, explaining revamp to Curia
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- The ongoing reform of the Roman Curia is a necessary part of the Catholic Church's fidelity to its mission to proclaim the Gospel, recognizing that very few countries today can be described as "Christian" and that new ways of evangelizing are necessary, Pope Francis said.
Old age is time of grace, Pope Francis tells elderly peers
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- On the eve of his 83rd birthday, Pope Francis met with a group of his peers -- although many were a few years younger -- and told them that "old age is a time of grace."
People's hearts yearn for God, not possessions, Pope Francis says
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- The Christmas season is a time to reflect on what life is all about, Pope Francis told an international group of performers.
Pope Francis prays for 'Normandy Summit'
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis offered prayers for a summit in France that will seek to bring an end to the ongoing war in eastern Ukraine.
Defend dignity of persons with disabilities, Pope Francis says
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- The dignity and rights of people with disabilities are increasingly threatened by a society that discriminates and views them as a burden, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis celebrates Mass with Congolese at St. Peter's
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- The sounds of ululations and drums and a litany of saints filled St. Peter's Basilica Dec. 1 as Pope Francis celebrated Mass according to what is commonly called the Zairean Rite.
Pope Francis returns part of relic of Jesus' crib to Holy Land
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- As Advent approached, Pope Francis gave a small fragment of Jesus' crib back to Catholics in the Holy Land.
Pope Francis encourages faithful to set up Nativity scenes
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- A Nativity scene is a simple reminder of something astonishing: God became human to reveal the greatness of his love "by smiling and opening his arms to all," Pope Francis said in a letter on the meaning and importance of setting up Christmas cribs.