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Participants leave the morning session of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon at the Vatican Oct. 8, 2019.

Synod participants call for greater role of women in ministry

VATICAN CITY -- Synod participants offered several proposals to address the lack of priests in the Amazon region, including revising the formation program for candidates to the priesthood and instituting new ministries for lay men and women.

Pope Francis speaks as Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes, relator general of the Synod of Bishops on the Amazon, looks on at the start of the first session of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon at the Vatican Oct. 7, 2019.

First synod talks focused on climate, priests, inculturation

VATICAN CITY -- Climate change, water resources, inculturation and indigenous practices were among the topics discussed during the first afternoon session of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon.

People participate in a prayer service in St. Peter's Basilica at the start of the first session of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon at the Vatican Oct. 7, 2019.

Synod speakers praise diversity brought by indigenous

VATICAN CITY -- People in Western countries need to see the different cultural expressions of faith that exist in other parts of the world, said some participants at the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon.

Pope Francis speaks at the start of the first session of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon at the Vatican Oct. 7, 2019.

Cardinal Hummes introduces synod topics: Don't fear what is new

VATICAN CITY -- With its mandate to seek "new pathways for the church and for an integral ecology," the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon follows Pope Francis' call for the church to move forward without fear, Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes told participants.

Pope Francis prays at the start of the first session of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon at the Vatican Oct. 7, 2019. Also pictured is Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops.

Cardinal Baldisseri explains how Amazon synod works

VATICAN CITY -- While the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon is focused on one small, but important geographical area, the issues involved impact the universal Catholic Church, said Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops.

People participate in a prayer service in St. Peter's Basilica at the start of the first session of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon at the Vatican Oct. 7, 2019.

Synod is a time to listen, not despise, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY -- The Synod of Bishops for the Amazon is a time of reflection, dialogue and listening to the needs and sufferings of indigenous people, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis arrives in procession to celebrate the opening Mass of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Oct. 6, 2019.

Status quo smothers God's love, Pope Francis says at synod Mass

VATICAN CITY -- The Catholic Church's mission in the world is to spread the fire of God's love and must not be limited to the "'ordinary maintenance' of those who already know the Gospel," Pope Francis said.

The story of St. Francis of Assisi and the wolf of Gubbio is a lesson in our relationship with nature, at once both feared and revered. In the story, Francis’ presence heals fears — the people’s and the wolf’s.

Mary Marrocco: Casting off fear for the sake of love

Showing a young French couple our summer youth camp, we chatted about our part of the world and theirs. André, an intense observer of human nature, lamented the lost connection with nature he sees everywhere. His greatest sorrow was not that people are distant from nature, but that they are not sad about it.

God's Word on Sunday: Unleash the power of spiritual healing

God's Word on Sunday: Unleash the power of spiritual healing

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Oct. 13 (Year C) 2 Kings 5:14-17; Psalm 98; 2 Timothy 2:8-13; Luke 17:11-19

When pain and suffering become unbearable most people are willing to try anything. 

Pope Francis places a red biretta on new Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny during a consistory for the creation of 13 new cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Oct. 5, 2019.

Canada's Michael Czerny made a cardinal by Pope Francis

VATICAN CITY -- In a ceremony in which Canadian Michael Czerny was installed as a cardinal, Pope Francis reminded new and old members of the College of Cardinals how much their ministry and service depends on their realizing how much God loves them and has been compassionate with them.

Pope Francis greets members of an indigenous community of the Amazon during a celebration marking the feast of St. Francis in the Vatican Gardens Oct. 4, 2019.

Pope Francis plants tree in Vatican with Amazonians on feast of St. Francis

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis joined Amazonian church workers and indigenous people Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, to plant a tree in the Vatican Gardens.

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