Pope Francis makes surprise 'Year of Mercy'-style visit
VATICAN CITY – Although the Jubilee Year of Mercy has officially ended, Pope Francis today made a surprise “Mercy Friday” visit to a centre for the blind and visually impaired in Rome – showing that he doesn't think works of mercy are just for special occasions – or years.
Editorial: We pray that hope becomes as pervasive as joy this Christmas
VATICAN CITY – Initiatives undertaken during the special Year of Mercy must continue, including granting absolution to those who confess to having an abortion, Pope Francis said.
Year of Mercy affirmed dignity, sacredness of life, Pope says
VATICAN CITY – Visiting young women rescued from forced prostitution and meeting with a mother inconsolable over the loss of one of her newborn triplets are images from the Year of Mercy that Pope Francis said remain impressed on his heart.
Time of mercy: Holy doors close, but mission of mercy continues
VATICAN CITY – The Year of Mercy brought more than 20 million pilgrims to Rome, but for Pope Francis, the idea always was that the celebration of God's mercy would be local: have people experience God's love in their parishes and send them out into the world to commit random acts of mercy.
Cuba grants pardons to 787 prisoners
Cuba is granting pardons to to 787 prisoners in response to Pope Francis' call for clemency during the Year of Mercy.
Holy Door pilgrimage builds community
TORONTO – Seeking to build for a stronger sense of community, Fr. Keith Wallace took his parishioners on a Holy Door pilgrimage around the Archdiocese of Toronto.
Mass for Jubilee of Catechists
Pope Francis celebrated Mass to mark the Jubilee of Catechists on Sunday – the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time and the Jubilee of Catechists in the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.
Mother Teresa: A saint’s legacy transformed a city, its people
Mother Teresa isn’t a saint because she ran a good clinic or organized an effective religious order or articulated novel theological insights. She becomes St. Teresa of Calcutta on Sept. 4 because she broke into our lives and stole our hearts.
Chilean homeless in tears at cathedral feast for Year of Mercy
SANTIAGO, Chile – Outside the cathedral, Ricardo Reyes, dressed in a black tracksuit, waited with nearly 250 other homeless people to pass through white metal barriers for a special dinner to celebrate the Year of Mercy. Inside the nave, 10 tables were covered with red and white tablecloths, waiting for the food and guests.
Mercy received must be mercy shared, Pope says
Bishops issue Year of Mercy text on Sacrament of Reconciliation
OTTAWA – The Canadian bishops are emphasizing the beauty of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in a newly released text.
VATICAN CITY – The tears shed by men, women and children around the world each day cry out for mercy, compassion and consolation, Pope Francis said during a special Year of Mercy prayer service for those who weep.
VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis led Christians in praying for Catholic and Orthodox clergy and religious kidnapped in Syria and around the world.
VATICAN CITY – Happiness "is not an 'app' that you can download on your phones nor will the latest update help you become free and great in loving," Pope Francis told thousands of teenagers.