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FAITH/STORIES

In an April 5 decree, the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei gave permission for any priest of the Latin Rite to celebrate a votive Mass of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary on May 13, 2017 – the 100th anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady at Fatima, Portugal.

Vatican approves special Fatima feast day Mass for Latin Rite

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VATICAN CITY – The Vatican office which governs the use of the extraordinary form of the Roman rite has given priests permission to say a special Mass for the feast of Our Lady of Fatima this year, noting the importance of the apparition's centenary.

Pilgrims pray around a statue of Mary on Apparition Hill in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, in this Feb. 26, 2011, file photo.

Papal envoy praises 'spiritual climate' of Medjugorje

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MEDJUGORJE, Bosnia-Herzegovina – While he said he had no authority or expertise to discuss the authenticity of the alleged apparitions of Mary at Medjugorje, Pope Francis' envoy to the town said it was clear "there is a special spiritual climate here."

Pope Francis speaks during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican April 5.
April 6, 2017

Pope's homily: Reflect on the faithfulness of God

God is always faithful to His covenant: He kept faith with Abraham and He is faithful to the salvation promised in His Son. That was the message of Pope Francis during the morning Mass on Thursday at the Casa Santa Marta. The Pope called on those present to pause during the day to reflect on their own life story, in order to discover the beauty of the love of God, even in the midst of difficulties, which afflict everyone in this life.

Pope Francis greets Sayed Ali Abbas Razawi, director of the General Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society, at the Vatican April 5, 2017.

Dialogue is essential, Pope Francis tells British Muslim leaders

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VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis met Wednesday with a delegation of Muslim leaders from Great Britain along with Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster to promote dialogue and collaboration following the deadly attack in London last month.

An injured man receives treatment inside a field hospital in Douma, Syria, after April 3 airstrikes. A suspected chemical attack in a town in Syria's rebel-held Idlib province killed dozens of people April 3.

Pope horrified by 'unacceptable massacre' in Syria

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VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis strongly condemned a shocking chemical attack in Syria that left some 70 people, including at least 10 children, dead.

Canadian Jesuit Father Michael Czerny told a conference that more must to be done to combat child trafficking.

More must be done to combat child trafficking, Vatican official says

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VATICAN CITY – Children continue to fall victim to trafficking, while those who enslave and exploit them continue to avoid prosecution, a Vatican official said.

Pope Francis speaks April 4 to participants at a Vatican conference marking the 50th anniversary of Blessed Paul VI's encyclical on development, "Populorum Progressio." At left is Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

Manila Cardinal urges 'common security' approach to migration

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VATICAN CITY – A more Christian, as well as more effective, approach to the global migration crisis would be to move from a concern about "national security" to a concern for "common security," Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila told participants at a Vatican conference.

A letter published by the Vatican April 4 says Pope Francis will allow Catholic bishops to appoint priests to assist at SSPX marriages and formally receive the consent of the couples.

Pope approves provisions to recognize marriages of SSPX faithful

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VATICAN CITY – Continuing initiatives aimed at a reconciliation with the Society of St. Pius X, Pope Francis has made it possible for bishops to ensure the validity of marriages celebrated in the traditionalist communities.

Syrian refugees Ramy and Suhila and their children, Khodus, Rashid and Abdul Mejid, relax in Rome in 2016 after Pope Francis brought them with him from a refugee camp in Lesbos, Greece.

ISIS captive among new Syrian refugees welcomed by Pope Francis

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VATICAN CITY – The Vatican has taken in three new Syrian families, some members of which were ISIS prisoners before gaining freedom and fleeing the country.

April 4, 2017
Pope Francis holds his crosier as he celebrates Mass in Carpi, Italy, April 2.

Pope's homily: 'The Cross is not a badge of belonging'

Pope Francis on Tuesday told Christians not to wear the crucifix only as a symbol of belonging but to look to Jesus on the Cross as He who died for our salvation.

A statue of Our Lady of Fatima is carried through a crowd in 2016 at the Marian shrine of Fatima in central Portugal.

Pope asks evangelization council to oversee Catholic shrines

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VATICAN CITY – Highlighting Catholic shrines' potential to strengthen the faith of Catholics and draw people to Christianity, Pope Francis transferred responsibility for coordinating the activity of shrines to the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization.

Pope Francis speaks April 4 to participants at a Vatican conference marking the 50th anniversary of Blessed Paul VI's encyclical on development, "Populorum Progressio."

Development must focus on dignity, officials say on 'Populorum Progressio' anniversary.

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VATICAN CITY – The Catholic Church's commitment to promoting justice, defending human dignity, building peace and promoting development is a response to a Christian vision of the world and its purpose, which ultimately is to reach happiness with God, Vatican officials said at a conference.

April 4, 2017
Pope Francis gestures as he leads his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican March 29.

Pope's homily: Jesus' mercy fulfils the law

Pope Francis said Mass in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta on Monday. Reflecting on the Readings of the Day, the Holy Father focused on the significance of Jesus’ fulfilment of the law: what it means, and how He accomplishes it.

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