hand and heart

The recent post office troubles have impacted our regular fundraising efforts. Please consider supporting the Register and Catholic journalism by using one of the methods below:

  • Donate online
  • Donate by e-transfer to accounting@catholicregister.org
  • Donate by telephone: 416-934-3410 ext. 406 or toll-free 1-855-441-4077 ext. 406
Christ as the True Vine.

God's word on Sunday: Christ nourishes our life on the vine

Fifth Sunday of Easter, April 29 (Year B) Acts 9:26-31; Psalm 22; 1 John 3:18-24; John 15:1-8

Pope Francis speaks with top officials of the Roman Curia and Vatican City State and with cardinals living in Rome in the Clementine Hall Dec. 2017.

Pope, Council of Cardinals discuss new document on Roman Curia

VATICAN – Pope Francis and his international Council of Cardinals have reviewed a complete draft of the apostolic constitution that would govern the Roman Curia, the Vatican spokesman said.
Sergio Guidi, president of the Italian tree conservation association, "Patriarchi della Natura," presents a potted tree to Pope Francis at his general audience April 18. The association presented eight saplings from tree species that are threatened or endangered with extinction. The saplings were planted in the Vatican Gardens.

Be fruitful and multiply: Threatened trees planted in Vatican Gardens

VATICAN – The Vatican Gardens has branched out and added a small orchard to its hillsides, becoming a safe haven for a number of endangered native Italian fruit and nut tree species.
Pope Francis smiles as a papal security guard holds up a baby during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican April 18.

Name given at baptism gives sense of identity, belonging, Pope says

VATICAN – Naming a child is an important task for parents, because it gives children a sense of identity and belonging to their family and to God, Pope Francis said.
Rachel Lambert, the wife of Vincent Lambert, sits behind lawyers as she waits for the start of a hearing concerning the case of her husband at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, in this Jan. 7, 2015, file photo. Vincent Lambert, 42, a quadriplegic since an automobile accident in 2008, has been on a feeding tube at a hospital in Reims. The hospital has ordered his food and water be removed April 19.

Respect life of severely ill patients like Alfie Evans, Pope says

VATICAN – Highlighting the plight of a seriously ill toddler in Great Britain and a severely brain-damaged man in France, Pope Francis called for greater respect for every patient's life and dignity.
Pope Francis greets the crowd during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican April 11.

Pope urges Catholics to be moved by the joy of the Resurrection

ROME – On Sunday Pope Francis visited a Roman parish, telling Mass-goers to allow themselves to be moved by the immense joy of the resurrection, which overcomes sin and renews believers, allowing them to have a youthful heart.
Pope Francis is pictured as he delivers 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 1.

Pope issues holiness challenge, expands 'pro-life' meaning

Pope Francis has once again expanded the Catholic definition of being pro-life. 

Pope Francis greets a baby during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican April 11.

Trust in the Holy Spirit, baptize your children, Pope says

VATICAN – Parents who prefer not to baptize their children in the hopes that they will "understand and ask for baptism" as adults lack faith that the Holy Spirit will act in their child's life, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis holds a chalice while concelebrating Mass with hundreds of priests who are missionaries of mercy in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 10. The pope has continued the mandate of the missionaries of mercy.

Repentant sinners need merciful confessors, not inquisitors, Pope says

VATICAN – Priests must give hope to men and women seeking forgiveness, encouraging them in their struggle away from the slippery slope of sin, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis poses for a selfie during a pre-synod gathering of youth delegates at the Pontifical International Maria Mater Ecclesiae College in Rome March 19.

As young people speak to church, they must listen to Jesus, Pope says

VATICAN – The Catholic Church wants to listen to young people and know where they are coming from, but young Catholics must be ready to listen to Jesus and discover where he wants to lead them, Pope Francis said.
The cover of the English edition of Pope Francis' exhortation, "Gaudete et Exsultate" ("Rejoice and Be Glad"), on the "call to holiness in today's world." Released April 9, 2018.

Holiness means bearing witness in everything we do, being 'saints next door', Pope says

VATICAN – God calls all Christians to be saints – not plastic statues of saints, but real people who make time for prayer and who show loving care for others in the simplest gestures, Pope Francis said in his new document on holiness.
Page 129 of 378