FAITH/STORIES
VATICAN CITY -- Like their founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle, the Christian Brothers' must continue their educational mission and restore life to areas where poverty and suffering have taken away the hope of a future, Pope Francis said.
Jesus is always ready to help free people from evil, pope says
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Christians recognize life's great paradox that so much evil and temptation exist in the world, but that God is always present, too, ready to help and give people the strength to persevere, Pope Francis said.
Martyred Romanian bishops symbolize church's 'resurrection from darkness'
By Jonathan Luxmoore, Catholic News ServiceWARSAW, Poland - A cardinal incarcerated for 18 years after refusing to abandon his church and a bishop thrown in an unmarked grave after starving to death in an "extermination prison" are among seven communist-era martyrs who will be beatified by Pope Francis during his upcoming visit to Romania.
Pope advances sainthood causes, including Brazil's 'Mother Teresa'
By Jeff Grant, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of four men and four women, including Blessed Dulce Lopes Pontes, the "Mother Teresa" of Brazil.
Pope saddened by church attack in Burkina Faso, Vatican spokesman says
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis expressed his closeness to and prayers for the victims of a shooting at a Catholic Church in Burkina Faso, which claimed the lives of six people.
Not ruling on apparitions, pope allows pilgrimages to Medjugorje
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Parishes and dioceses are now allowed to organize official pilgrimages to Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, but it must be clear that the Catholic Church has not recognized as authentic the alleged Marian apparitions there.
Pope invites young people to pledge to build a new economy
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis has invited young economists and entrepreneurs around the world to help create a "new and courageous culture" that finds new ways to do business, promote human dignity and protect the environment.
Be merciful ministers of Christ, pope tells new priests
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - The priesthood is not a "cultural association or a union," but a ministry of mercy anchored on Christ's mission to bring hope to the downtrodden and comfort to those who suffer, Pope Francis told new priests.
Pope: Without Holy Spirit, dioceses can become worldly businesses
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - A diocese that cares more about being an organized workplace rather than announcing the good news can fall prey to clericalism and distance itself from Christ, Pope Francis said.
Never lose hope for a better future, pope tells Gypsy communities
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Members of Italy's Gypsy communities must look to God to hold on to the hope of a future where they are no longer discriminated against or segregated, Pope Francis said.
Pope issues new rules on abuse reporting, bishop accountability
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has revised and clarified norms and procedures for holding bishops and religious superiors accountable in protecting minors as well as in protecting members of religious orders and seminarians from abuse.
Catholic minorities can still change the world, pope says at audience
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Visiting the small Catholic communities in Bulgaria and North Macedonia offered an opportunity to encourage the faithful to remember God's miracle of being able to feed a multitude with just a few loaves and fishes, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis called Jean Vanier to thank him before his death
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM NORTH MACEDONIA - Pope Francis told reporters May 7 he had been kept informed about Jean Vanier's failing health and had phoned him a week before his death.