Secrecy of confession must never be violated, Vatican says
VATICAN CITY -- In the light of "a worrying negative prejudice" against the Catholic Church, Pope Francis ordered the publication of a document affirming the absolute secrecy of everything said in confession and calling on priests to defend it at all costs, even at the cost of their lives.
Pope Francis: Goal of ecumenism is unity, not leveling differences
VATICAN CITY -- At the end of Mass on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Pope Francis and Orthodox Archbishop Job of Telmessos walked down the stairs under the main altar in St. Peter's Basilica and prayed together at the apostle's tomb.
God's Word on Sunday: Let God relate to us in encouraging ways
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 7 (Year C) Isaiah 66:10-14; Psalm 66; Galatians 6:14-18; Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
Is God more than a warrior or a father?
Retired Pope Benedict: Unity in church prevails over division
VATICAN CITY -- "The unity of the church is always at risk" and has been throughout its history, but "its unity always has been stronger than its internal struggles and wars," said retired Pope Benedict XVI.
Vatican tells clergy in China to follow their conscience
VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican has told bishops and priests in China that they must follow their own consciences in deciding whether to register with the government, and it urged Catholics in the country not to judge them for the choices they make.
Married priest debate set to rise again
When bishops start talking this fall about ordaining married men to serve as priests in their own, remote, Indigenous communities in the Amazon, bishops in northern Canada will be listening closely.
Pope Francis gives seafarer chaplains special powers
VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis gave priests who minister to seafarers special permission to grant absolution for sins that usually would require the intervention of a bishop or the Vatican itself.
Pope Francis: Must overcome indifference, apathy to fight hunger
VATICAN CITY -- If the world is to succeed in eradicating the scourge of hunger, it must first fight against the indifference, apathy and broken promises that allow the crisis to continue, Pope Francis said.
Doctors are called to be ‘servants’ of life
VATICAN CITY -- Catholic doctors have a mission to show God’s compassionate love to those who are suffering and to defend life at all stages, Pope Francis said.
U.S. bishops join Pope Francis reacting to photos of drowned migrant father, child
WASHINGTON -- U.S. bishops joined Pope Francis in expressing sadness after seeing photos of the lifeless bodies of a migrant father and his daughter who drowned near the U.S. border with Mexico.