Assassinated French priest joins procession of martyrs, Pope says
VATICAN CITY – To kill in the name of God is satanic, Pope Francis said at a special requiem Mass for a French priest assassinated by youths claiming allegiance to the Islamic State.
Overcome indifference, build a culture of encounter
Pope Francis says "an encounter with Jesus overcomes our indifference" and warned against bad habits that, even within a family, prevent us from truly listening to others and empathising with them. The Pope’s comments came during his homily at Tuesday’s Mass celebrated at the Santa Marta residence.
Pope praises bishops' guidelines on helping divorced, remarried couples
VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis thanked a group of bishops in Argentina for providing their priests with concrete guidelines for implementing the section of his apostolic exhortation on the family about circumstances in which divorced and civilly remarried couples might eventually be allowed to receive Communion.
Pope gives confirmation sacrament to gravely ill teen
VATICAN CITY – In a brief outdoor ceremony, Pope Francis administered the sacrament of confirmation to 16-year-old Giuseppe Chiolo, who had come to the Vatican by ambulance from Florence.
Evangelizing not a rote task
Pope Francis said Mass in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta on Friday morning. In remarks to the faithful following the readings of the day, the Holy Father focused on the nature of the work of Evangelization: it is an art and a discipline – never a vaunt and never a task to be done by rote – and the work of evangelization is never, never, “a walk in the park.”
Religions must take lead in protecting creation, Pope says
VATICAN CITY – Religions can play an important role in protecting the environment and defending human rights in their countries, their communities and their schools, Pope Francis said.
Peace in the heart leads to peace in the world, Pope says
VATICAN CITY – Peace cannot be achieved by huge protests or international conferences unless it begins in people's hearts, Pope Francis said.
Conferences won't achieve peace if the heart is at war
Resuming the daily Mass at the Casa Santa Marta after the summer break, Pope Francis, in his homily, spoke about the importance of working for peace in small, daily actions – because, he said, it is in small daily gestures that peace on a global scale is born.
Benedict says governance wasn't his gift, but Francis is good at it
VATICAN CITY – While retired Pope Benedict XVI said organization and governance are not his strong suits, he also said, "I am unable to see myself as a failure."
Benedictines keep spiritual oases alive in hectic world, Pope says
VATICAN CITY – The world's Benedictines offer precious gifts by providing quality education, quiet refuge in a hectic world and loving hospitality to anyone in need, Pope Francis said.
York Region christens school after Pope Francis
When students attend a new school named Pope Francis, principal Anthony Arcadi hopes children will embrace the Pope’s qualities of caring, compassion and conversation.
Pope prays for Spanish nun murdered in Haiti
VATICAN CITY – Remembering religious women who too often are the targets of violence around the world, Pope Francis led prayers for a Spanish sister murdered Sept. 2 in Haiti.
St. Teresa of Calcutta will always be 'Mother' Teresa, Pope says
VATICAN CITY – With a large tapestry bearing the portrait of the woman known as the "Saint of the Gutters" suspended above him, Pope Francis proclaimed the sainthood of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, hailing her courage and love for the poor.
St. Teresa reliquary reflects her life, her works, priest says
VATICAN CITY – At every canonization ceremony, people connected to the new saint carry to the altar a relic – often a bone shard from the new saint's body. The relic presented at the Mass for St. Teresa of Calcutta was a few drops of her blood.
An appeal to Pope Francis in Sudanese pastors’ espionage case
NAIROBI, Kenya – As the high-profile espionage trial of two evangelical pastors resumes in Khartoum, Sudan, this week, a human rights group is calling on Pope Francis to intervene on their behalf.