Pope beatifies Blessed Paul VI, the 'great helmsman' of Vatican II
VATICAN CITY - Beatifying Blessed Paul VI at the concluding Mass of the Synod of Bishops on the family, Pope Francis praised the late pope as the "great helmsman" of the Second Vatican Council and founder of the synod, as well as a "humble and prophetic witness of love for Christ and his church."
Synod ends by affirming tradition, leaving controversial questions open
VATICAN CITY - After several days of animated debate over its official midterm report, the Synod of Bishops on the family agreed on a final document more clearly grounded in traditional Catholic teaching. Yet the assembly failed to reach consensus on especially controversial questions of Communion for the divorced and civilly remarried and the pastoral care of homosexuals.
Synod of Bishops sends message of encouragement to traditional families
VATICAN CITY - On its last day of business, the Synod of Bishops on the family approved and released a three-page message expressing solidarity with Christian families around the world.
Endangered Sistine Chapel to be opened for outside fundraisers
VATICAN CITY - Despite worries about the impact of millions of tourists on Michelangelo’s precious frescoes, the Sistine Chapel is opening its doors for the first time to a new kind of tourist to support Pope Francis’ charities.
Paul VI was Pope of firsts, a Pope of dialogue, cardinal says
VATICAN CITY - Retired Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who comes from the same diocese as Pope Paul VI did and worked for him in the Vatican Secretariat of State, described the late pope as a man rich in spirituality, a thinker and a pastor "very sensitive to the challenges of the modern world."
Hunger in a world of wasted food is a tragic paradox, Pope says
VATICAN CITY - Providing food aid to people in need is not enough to eradicate world hunger, Pope Francis said.
Synod says no to 'secular agenda,' Cardinal Pell says
VATICAN CITY - Cardinal George Pell said working-group reports from the Synod of Bishops on the family finally give a true picture of the assembly's views, counteracting what he characterized as a misleading midterm report.
Synod working groups emphasize beauty of marriage, church teaching
VATICAN CITY - The extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family must put greater focus on the beauty of the Christian vision of marriage and not let an approach of "welcoming" and mercy override the Church's duty to call people to turn away from sin, according to a number of reports from the Synod's small groups.
Bishops’ debate over gays: Lost in translation?
VATICAN CITY - The tug-of-war at the Vatican over calls for the Catholic Church to be more open to gays and cohabiting couples intensified Oct. 16 as conservative bishops sought to rein in or renounce draft language they feared might condone lifestyles not in accord with Church teachings.
Canadian saints example of missionary good
VATICAN CITY - At a Mass of thanksgiving for the canonization of Canada’s two newest saints, Pope Francis said missionaries do enormous good for the Church by bringing God’s love to the far corners of the Earth and by keeping the Church healthy and fruitful.
Cardinal says balancing truth, mercy always difficult, always needed
VATICAN CITY - Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna, one of the Catholic Church's best known cardinal-theologians, said the Catholic Church must hold together truth and mercy, even if it is criticized for its attempt.