NEWS

TORONTO - In a west end Toronto neighbourhood, the 200-year legacy of St. John Bosco lives on.

Pope urges end to corruption, which he says keeps people poor

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MANILA, Philippines - In a nation plagued repeatedly by corruption scandals, Pope Francis urged "everyone, at all levels of society, to reject every form of corruption, which diverts resources from the poor."

Pope tells Filipinos same-sex marriage threatens family

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MANILA, Philippines - Appealing to the traditional values of Filipino Catholic families, Pope Francis made one of his strongest calls as Pope against movements to recognize same-sex unions as marriage.

O’Gara ecumenical essays published

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TORONTO - One of Canada’s greatest theologians is still publishing more than two years after she died.

Transform yourselves to transform world, Pope tells Philippine clergy

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MANILA, Philippines - The Gospel has the power to transform society, ensuring justice and care for the poor, but that can happen only if Christians -- beginning with the church's ministers -- allow the Gospel to transform them, Pope Francis said.

Pope's canonization announcement surprises Franciscan's promoters

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WASHINGTON - Surprising even the people who have been promoting the sainthood cause of Blessed Junipero Serra, Pope Francis announced Jan. 15 that in September, he hopes to canonize the 18th-century Spanish Franciscan who founded a string of missions across Mexico and California.

Surprise papal meeting with former street kids features songs, hugs

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MANILA, Philippines - Pope Francis did not disappoint hundreds of former street children who were part of a massive campaign to show him one of the centres where they have found safety and love.

Buddhist centre breaks tradition, shows Pope revered relic

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MAKOLA, Sri Lanka - When Pope Francis made a surprise visit to a prominent Buddhist temple in Colombo Jan. 14, the head of the Maha Bodhi Society of Sri Lanka reciprocated by showing the Pope historical relics of Buddhas' disciples, normally exposed only for the annual Buddhist feast in May.

Pope says respect for religion should limit freedom of expression

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ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Commenting on recent killings by Islamist terrorists at a Paris newspaper, Pope Francis condemned killing in the name of God, but said freedom of expression should be limited by respect for religion and that mockery of faith can be expected to provoke violence.

Exuberant crowds greet Pope in unofficial welcome to Philippines

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MANILA, Philippines - Although it was not called a welcoming ceremony, Pope Francis was greeted by government and church officials and an exuberant crowd Jan. 15 at Manila's Villamor Air Base.

‘Catholic’ is removed from Montreal social agency’s name

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MONTREAL - Montreal’s Catholic Community Services is no longer Catholic.