Humility, service attract people to church, not power, pride, Pope says
VATICAN CITY - As a series of consultations aimed at the reform of the Vatican bureaucracy began, Pope Francis told his group of cardinal advisers that humility and service attract people to the church, not power and pride.
Pope establishes advisory panel as permanent Council of Cardinals
VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis made his international advisory panel on Church governance a permanent council of cardinals, thereby emphasizing the importance and open-endedness of its work among his pontificate's various efforts at reform.
Pope to canonize Blessed John XXIII, John Paul II April 27
VATICAN CITY - Recognizing that Blessed John XXIII and John Paul II have widespread reputations for holiness and that years of studying their lives and actions have proven their exceptional virtue, Pope Francis announced he would declare his two predecessors saints at a single ceremony April 27.
Our motivation should be for others
The famed and feisty psychologist Fritz Pearls was once asked by a well-meaning Christian if he was saved. He responded by saying, I am still trying to figure out how to be spent!
A faith-filled life should be our response to world
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Oct. 6 (Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4; Psalm 95; 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14; Luke 17:5-10)
How long, O Lord? When are you going to hear our prayers? When is all of this going to stop? This has probably been the reaction of many to the world that assaults us through the media each day. It seems like an endless flood of violence, hatred, corruption, suffering and the failure of institutions. Scenes like the slaughter of children in an elementary school or the massacre of shoppers in a Kenyan shopping mall can leave us numb. There is a temptation to turn away and get lost in distractions, or to become bitter and cynical, perhaps even ceasing to believe in anything.
Pope: Church must show what unity looks like, avoid divisions, gossip
VATICAN CITY - Backstabbing and gossip hurt people and harm God's desire for a united human family, Pope Francis said.
Pope Benedict challenges atheist, says he never hid abuse cases
VATICAN CITY - In a letter to an atheist Italian mathematician, retired Pope Benedict XVI defended his own handling of allegations of the sexual abuse of minors by clergy and politely criticized the logician's total reliance on scientific facts for meaning.
Hidden behind Pope's summer residence is land of milk and honey
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy - Not a sound bounced off the smooth white walls and vaulted brick ceiling as a Vatican gardener hunched over a large, empty glass jar. Two other men peered over his shoulder, waiting for the finished product to ooze slowly from the stainless steel spout.
Pope condemns abortion as product of 'throwaway culture'
VATICAN CITY - In his strongest public words to date on the subject of abortion, Pope Francis affirmed the sacredness of unborn human life and linked its defense to the pursuit of social justice.
Pope says focus on morality can obscure Gospel message
VATICAN CITY - In a lengthy and wide-ranging interview with one of his Jesuit confreres, Pope Francis spoke with characteristic frankness about the perils of overemphasizing Catholic teaching on sexual and medical ethics; the reasons for his deliberate and consultative governing style; and his highest priority for the church today.
Our time on this Earth should be lived ethically
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Sept. 29 (Amos 6:1, 4-7; Psalm 146; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31)
There isn’t much of a market for ivory beds today but many other symbols of luxury have taken their place. Amos wrote in the eighth century B.C. and addressed both the Northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. His stinging denunciations were meant to awaken the upper classes from their spiritual and moral lethargy.