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Pictured are six of seven Romanian Catholic bishops who died during a fierce anti-religious campaign waged under the communist regime in Romania. Pope Francis will beatify them in Romania June 2. Clockwise: Auxiliary Bishop Vasile Aftenie of Fagaras and Alba Iulia; Bishop Ioan Balan of Lugoj, Auxiliary Bishop Tit Liviu Chinezu of Fagaras and Alba Iulia; Bishop Valeriu Traian Frentiu of Oradea Mare; Bishop Ioan Suciu, apostolic administrator of Fagaras and Alba Iulia; and Bishop Alexandru Rusu of Maramures. Not pictured is Cardinal Iuliu Hossu of Gherla.

Martyred Romanian bishops symbolize church's 'resurrection from darkness'

WARSAW, Poland - A cardinal incarcerated for 18 years after refusing to abandon his church and a bishop thrown in an unmarked grave after starving to death in an "extermination prison" are among seven communist-era martyrs who will be beatified by Pope Francis during his upcoming visit to Romania.

Blessed Dulce Lopes Pontes, the "Mother Teresa" of Brazil

Pope advances sainthood causes, including Brazil's 'Mother Teresa'

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of four men and four women, including Blessed Dulce Lopes Pontes, the "Mother Teresa" of Brazil.

Pope Francis is pictured after delivering his Easter message and blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 21, 2019. That day he prayed for Burkina Faso, and on May 13 he expressed his closeness to and prayers for the victims of a May 12 shooting at a Catholic Church there.

Pope saddened by church attack in Burkina Faso, Vatican spokesman says

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis expressed his closeness to and prayers for the victims of a shooting at a Catholic Church in Burkina Faso, which claimed the lives of six people.

A statue of Mary is seen outside St. James Church in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, in this Feb. 27, 2011, file photo. Pope Francis has decided to allow parishes and dioceses to organize official pilgrimages to Medjugorje; no decision has been made on the authenticity of the apparitions.

Not ruling on apparitions, pope allows pilgrimages to Medjugorje

VATICAN CITY - Parishes and dioceses are now allowed to organize official pilgrimages to Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, but it must be clear that the Catholic Church has not recognized as authentic the alleged Marian apparitions there.

The Basilica of St. Francis with its bell tower is pictured through corn in Assisi, Italy, Sept. 6, 2011. Pope Francis has invited young economists and entrepreneurs to take part in an initiative to be launched in Assisi March 26-28, 2020. The initiative seeks to find new ways to do business, promote human dignity and protect the environment.

Pope invites young people to pledge to build a new economy

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis has invited young economists and entrepreneurs around the world to help create a "new and courageous culture" that finds new ways to do business, promote human dignity and protect the environment.

Newly ordained priests stand as Pope Francis celebrates an ordination Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican May 12, 2019. The pope ordained 19 new priests.

Be merciful ministers of Christ, pope tells new priests

VATICAN CITY - The priesthood is not a "cultural association or a union," but a ministry of mercy anchored on Christ's mission to bring hope to the downtrodden and comfort to those who suffer, Pope Francis told new priests.

God's Word on Sunday: Church needs constant spiritual support

God's Word on Sunday: Church needs constant spiritual support

Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 19 (Year C) Acts 14:21b-27; Psalm 145; Revelation 21:1-5a; John 13:1, 31-33a, 34-35

There were two important tasks for the early apostles of the Lord. The first was to build faith communities while the second was to impart encouragement and hope.

Pope Francis gestures as he addresses more than 1,000 diocesan leaders, both clergy and laity, May 9, 2019, at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome. Seated next to the pope is Cardinal Angelo de Donatis, vicar of Rome.

Pope: Without Holy Spirit, dioceses can become worldly businesses

VATICAN CITY - A diocese that cares more about being an organized workplace rather than announcing the good news can fall prey to clericalism and distance itself from Christ, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis listens to men sing during a meeting with Italy's Roma, Sinti and Gypsy communities at the Vatican May 9, 2019.

Never lose hope for a better future, pope tells Gypsy communities

VATICAN CITY - Members of Italy's Gypsy communities must look to God to hold on to the hope of a future where they are no longer discriminated against or segregated, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis prays in front of a candle in memory of victims of sexual abuse as he visits St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral in Dublin Aug. 25, 2018. Pope Francis has revised and clarified norms and procedures for holding bishops and religious superiors accountable in protecting minors as well as in protecting members of religious orders and seminarians from abuse.

Pope issues new rules on abuse reporting, bishop accountability

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has revised and clarified norms and procedures for holding bishops and religious superiors accountable in protecting minors as well as in protecting members of religious orders and seminarians from abuse.

Pope Francis greets the crowd during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican May 8, 2019.

Catholic minorities can still change the world, pope says at audience

VATICAN CITY - Visiting the small Catholic communities in Bulgaria and North Macedonia offered an opportunity to encourage the faithful to remember God's miracle of being able to feed a multitude with just a few loaves and fishes, Pope Francis said.

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