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FAITH/STORIES

Pope Francis cited Sweden as an example of a successful integration story, contrasting from U.S. President Donald Trump's view of the Scandinavian country.

Pope paints picture of Sweden that's at odds with Trump’s

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VATICAN CITY – In an interview with a magazine that supports the homeless, Pope Francis suggested wealthy nations are partly to blame for the migrant crisis and urged Europeans and others to stand “in the shoes” of those arriving at their borders.

Just give to the homeless, don't worry about how the money will be spent, said Pope Francis in an interview published Feb. 28.

Don't worry how it's spent, always give to homeless, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY – People who don't give money to the homeless because they think it will be spent on alcohol and not food should ask themselves what guilty pleasures they are secretly spending money on, Pope Francis said.

Islam scholar Fr. Thomas Michel says Catholics need to praise what is good and true in the Muslim faith.

Priest: We need to praise what is good, true in the Muslim faith

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VATICAN CITY – Not only is there a good deal in common between Muslims and Christians, but Catholics are called to respect and work together with those who practice the Muslim faith in recognition of truth and goodness they do possess, said Islam scholar Fr. Thomas Michel.

February 28, 2017
Pope Francis attends an evening prayer service at All Saints' Anglican Church in Rome Feb. 26.

Pope's homily: 'True Christians have cheerful faces and eyes full of joy'

As we head into the Lenten season, Pope Francis has invited the faithful to reflect on the relationship between God and money.He was speaking on Tuesday during morning Mass in the Casa Santa Marta.

Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of six men and two women Feb. 27, including from left to right: Fr. Titus Zeman, Bishop Octavio Ortiz Arrieta, Pedro Herrero Rubio and Maria de la Mercedes Cabezas Terrero.

Pope furthers sainthood causes of eight men, women

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VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis advanced the sainthood cause of two medical doctors and six religious – many of whom died just a generation ago.

Pope Francis talks with Msgr. Pio Vito Pinto, dean of the Roman Rota, during an audience with parish priests attending a course on marriage preparation sponsored by the Roman Rota, at the Vatican Feb. 25.

Pope to priests: Defend marriage ministering to those in irregular unions

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VATICAN CITY – Reaching out to and guiding couples in cohabitation with tenderness and compassion is essential to promoting and defending the sanctity of marriage, Pope Francis said.

February 27, 2017
Pope Francis speaks during a visit to All Saints' Anglican Church in Rome Feb. 26.

Pope's homily: In God there is both justice and mercy

In the journey of the Christian, truth is not negotiable; rather, a Christian must be just in mercy, as Jesus teaches us. That was the message of Pope Francis at the morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta. The Holy Father warned against hypocrisy and the deception of a faith reduced to a “casuistic logic.”

Ashes are distributed at St. Helen Church in Glendale, Arizona, in this 2016 file photo. Ash Wednesday -- March 1 this year in the Western church calendar -- marks the start of Lent, a season of sacrifice, prayer and charity.

Ash Wednesday: Ancient tradition still thrives in modern times

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WASHINGTON – In more ways than one, Ash Wednesday – celebrated March 1 this year – leaves a mark.

In recent years, people have begun positing photos of themselves online of ashes on their forehead.

#Ashtags: When posting Ash Wednesday photos, use your head

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WASHINGTON – Ash Wednesday seems to offer contradictory messages. The Gospel reading for the day is about not doing public acts of piety but the very act of getting ashes – and walking around with them – is pretty public.

Nowadays, Christians have a variety of digital tools at their disposal to observe Lent.

Christians get social media, other online tools to observe Lent

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For centuries during Lent, Christians have sought to grow closer to God through praying, fasting and giving to the poor.

A man fills buckets with drinking water a a public filling area Feb. 3 in Aleppo, Syria. Access to clean drinking water is a basic human right and a key component in protecting human life, Pope Francis said Feb. 24.

Promote life by protecting, sharing clean water, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY – Access to clean drinking water is a basic human right and a key component in protecting human life, Pope Francis said.

February 23, 2017
A medallion of St. John Paul II is seen as Pope Francis gives the homily while celebrating Mass at St. Mary Josefa Parish in Rome Feb. 19.

Pope's homily: Don't put off conversion, give up a double life

Don’t scandalize “the little ones” with a double life, because scandal destroys. That was the message of Pope Francis in his homily at the morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta. And so, the Pope said, we should not put off conversion.

Refugees from Eritrea tell Pope Francis about their journey to safety during a meeting Feb. 21 at the Vatican with participants in the VI International Forum on Migration and Peace.

Toronto family tells their story of migration directly to Pope Francis

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A Toronto family had the chance to take centre stage during an audience with Pope Francis at the VI International Forum on Migration and Peace in the Vatican Feb. 21.

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