Religions are meant to build bridges, pursue peace, Pope says
VATICAN – Religions, which are meant to build bridges, contradict their very nature if they stop pursuing the path of peace, Pope Francis said.
Relics offer physical reminder that saints were real people, Pope says
VATICAN – Pope Francis and many people attending the canonization Mass in St. Peter's Square were alive when St. Paul VI and St. Oscar Romero were alive, but the new saints' relics and those of five other people canonized Oct. 14 still were present at the Mass as reminders that the saints were flesh-and-blood people who lived holy lives.
'Young people are tired of Pharisees, we need fathers,' synod observer says
VATICAN – The Catholic Church must be a place of justice and mercy, and its members must be catalysts for change, some young observers said at the Synod of Bishops Oct. 11.
Adults must keep eyes on Christ to help young people, Cardinal Cupich tells synod
VATICAN – Unless they recognize themselves as sinners rescued by Jesus, adults cannot be effective in helping young people find the path to faith and doing God's will, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago told the Synod of Bishops.
Canada’s Salvadoran community unites to celebrate Romero
It’s a nine-hour flight from Toronto to Vatican City. It’s seven hours by jet to El Salvador. But Msgr. Oscar Romero’s canonization on Oct. 14 will not be a distant event for many Catholics.
Listen to young people, make 'courageous choices' to renew church, cardinal tells synod
VATICAN – Members of the Synod of Bishops are called to recognize the challenges young people face in living their faith, interpret those challenges in the light of faith and make "courageous choices" to renew the Catholic Church and its ministry to teens and young adults, said Brazilian Cardinal Sergio da Rocha.
Prayer to St. Michael makes resurgence in response to sex abuse crisis
WASHINGTON – In response to the church abuse crisis, many parishes around the country have been bringing out the big guns in a spiritual sense -- calling on St. Michael the Archangel to help the church.
'Do you listen to your angel?': Guardian angels accompany us to God, Pope says
VATICAN – Christians have guardian angels to encourage and guide them so they won't become sluggish on their journey in life, Pope Francis said.
Loving the terminally ill can make shadow of euthanasia disappear, Pope says
VATICAN – Caring for the sick, especially those near death, cannot be reduced simply to giving them medicine, but must include providing healing and comfort that gives their lives value and meaning, Pope Francis said.
Church's problems are created by 'winds of scandal' by its own members, Pope says
VATICAN – The barque of the church is being buffeted by strong winds of scandal created by its own members, Pope Francis told a group of priests from France.
Pray the rosary daily to step up abuse fight, protect church from the devil, Pope says
VATICAN – Signaling his belief that the Catholic Church is facing a serious crisis, Pope Francis asked every Catholic in the world to pray for the protection of the church from attacks by the devil, but also that the church would be more aware of its sins and stronger in its efforts to combat abuse.