FAITH/STORIES
Iraqi police intercepted terrorists planning to assassinate him, Pope Francis says
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceOn Pope Francis' 88th birthday, two major newspapers on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean published two different excerpts from his new book on hope.
As Pope Francis became the first pope to celebrate Mass on the French island of Corsica Dec. 15, the usual excitement of an open-air Mass with the pope was combined with the flair and pageantry of a Renaissance fair.
Making his customary visit to the Rome Basilica of St. Mary Major to pray before his trip to the French island of Corsica, Pope Francis also met and prayed with dozens of actors staging a living Nativity scene.
Pope Francis, Palestinian president meet at Vatican
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceAs the fighting in Gaza drags on, Pope Francis welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the Vatican.
Hope is an 'active virtue' that makes good things happen, Pope Francis says
The "most beautiful gift" the Catholic Church and its members can give the world is a reason to live with hope, Pope Francis said.
Vatican launches virtual College of Cardinals 'dashboard'
By Justin McLellan, Catholic News ServiceAnyone interested in Catholic Church can now see a detailed, interactive breakdown of the body that will elect the next pope.
Preparations begin for opening Holy Doors at Vatican, Rome basilicas
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceHours after the last visitors and pilgrims left St. Peter's Basilica for the day, a chisel clanged and dust flew as a group of prelates chanted their prayers before a simple wall marked with a cross.
Final synod document is magisterial, must be accepted, Pope Francis says
By Justin McLellan, Catholic News ServiceDoubling down on the centrality of synodality in the Catholic Church, Pope Francis said that it is now up to local churches to accept and implement proposals from the final document approved the Synod of Bishops on synodality.
Cardinal Parolin warns war in Ukraine could spiral out of control
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceThe situation in Ukraine is very "worrisome" and could spiral out of control, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.
Pope Francis says he'll canonize Acutis, Frassati, host meeting on child's rights
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServicePope Francis announced that he will canonize Blesseds Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati next year and that the Vatican will host a world meeting on the rights of the child Feb. 3.
Pope Francis meets Ukrainian first lady, decries war as 'shameful tragedy'
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceWith Ukraine's first lady seated in the front row, Pope Francis told people at his general audience that it is "a shameful tragedy for all humanity" that Russia's war on Ukraine has lasted more than 1,000 days.
Pope Francis meets Israeli citizens freed from captivity in Gaza
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServicePope Francis met with a group of Israelis and their family members who were freed after being held hostage in Gaza by Hamas and other Palestinian militants.
Marking 1,700 years, Rome's cathedral testifies to Christianity's perseverance
By Maria Wiering, OSV NewsSituated on the outskirts of ancient Rome along the still-visible Aurelian Walls is the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of Rome. The site of the pope's residence for nearly 1,000 years, five of the church's ecumenical councils, and the signing of a pivotal 1929 treaty between Italy and the Holy See, St. John Lateran is celebrated by the whole church annually with the Nov. 9 feast of its dedication.