News/International
VATICAN CITY - Of the several widely acknowledged priorities in the run-up to the conclave that chose Pope Francis, including the challenge of secularism and the growth of the Church in the global South, none was more prominent than a need to reform the Roman Curia, the Church’s central administration in the Vatican.
Pope expresses his closeness to victims of flooding in Buenos Aires
By Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Affirming his closeness to his "beloved Argentine people," Pope Francis offered his prayers for the victims of recent flooding in Buenos Aires and surrounding areas, and he urged government offices and private citizens to help those most in need.
Safeguarding creation expected to be major theme at WYD in Rio
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - When hundreds of thousands of young Catholics gather with Pope Francis in Rio de Janeiro in the summer, reflections on safeguarding the environment will be part of the program.
A few of the Pope's favourite things
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Here are a few of Pope Francis' favourite things, which he revealed in a series of interviews granted while he was archbishop of Buenos Aires.
Pope recites St. Peter's Gospel professions of faith at apostle's tomb
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Kneeling before the tomb of St. Peter, Pope Francis repeated the three professions of faith the Gospels report the apostle making: "Lord, you are the Christ, the son of the living God," "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life," and "Lord, you know everything; you know I love you."
Ouellet happy to serve new Pope
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterUnverifiable reports in the Italian daily Il Sole 24 Ore and MacLean’s magazine have clarified Cardinal Marc Ouellet didn’t just tell media before the conclave that becoming pope would be a nightmare, he also threw his support to Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio before the fifth and final vote that chose Pope Francis.
Benedict leaves Francis with a starting point on social justice, Jesuit says
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterPope Emeritus Benedict XVI has left his successor with some unfinished business that Jesuit economist and theologian Fr. Bill Ryan would like to put at the top of the new pontiff ’s agenda.
At Easter Pope calls Christians to be channels of mercy, justice, peace
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - With Jesus' resurrection "love has triumphed, mercy has been victorious," Pope Francis said in his first Easter message "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world).
Fate allows students to experience papal history
By Ruane Remy, The Catholic RegisterMISSISSAUGA, ONT. - Travelling to Rome under normal circumstances can be a trip of a lifetime, but for high school students Julia Orsini and Aniela Opolski, it gave them the chance to be a little part of history.
Pope washes feet of 12 young detainees to serve them 'from the heart'
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis told young inmates that, just as Jesus came to help and serve others, he, too, was at their service as a priest and bishop.
U.S. definition of marriage less a focus than who's defining it
By Patricia Zapor, Catholic News ServiceWASHINGTON - In its second day of oral arguments about aspects of laws related to same-sex marriage March 27, the Supreme Court spent little time discussing the actual definition of marriage, focusing instead on issues of jurisdiction, state's rights, motives behind the federal Defense of Marriage Act and timing.