hand and heart

The recent post office troubles have impacted our regular fundraising efforts. Please consider supporting the Register and Catholic journalism by using one of the methods below:

  • Donate online
  • Donate by e-transfer to accounting@catholicregister.org
  • Donate by telephone: 416-934-3410 ext. 406 or toll-free 1-855-441-4077 ext. 406

FAITH/STORIES

Pope Francis eats breakfast with a group of homeless for his 80th birthday, Dec. 17.

Pope marks 80th birthday with charitable giving to Rome's poor

By

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis kicked off his 80th birthday by having breakfast with a group of homeless from around St. Peter’s and inviting them to Mass – but his giving didn’t stop there.

The Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was among tens of thousands of people who sent birthday greetings to Pope Francis for his eightieth birthday Dec. 17.

Benedict XVI sends birthday wishes to Pope Francis, among tens of thousands from around the world

By

VATICAN CITY – The Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI sent birthday greetings to Pope Francis on Saturday, Francis’ eightieth birthday.

Pope Francis leads the Angelus from the window of his apartment overlooking St. Peter's Square Dec. 18 at the Vatican.

Pope Francis: Take a break from busy holidays to prepare for real Christmas

By

VATICAN CITY – Make time to get ready for what Christmas really is about – the child born in Bethlehem signalling that "God is with us," Pope Francis said.

Art restorer Stefania Culesanti puts finishing touches on a red robe in the music section of the Hall of the Liberal Arts in the Borgia Apartments in the Vatican Museums on Dec. 12, 2016.

Vatican restoration uncovers work of Renaissance master

By

VATICAN CITY – Art restorers toiling on the sumptuous 500-year old apartments of Pope Alexander VI, are rediscovering a Renaissance artist who left his mark on the pontificate of a controversial pope.

Msgr. Antoine Camilleri, Under-secretary for relations with the States, says Western Nations face a push to eliminate religion from public life.

Vatican official: Religion in public has never been more at risk

By

VATICAN CITY – While violent persecution against Christians assails swaths of territory the Middle East and Africa, one Vatican official says that Western nations face a different type of oppression, marked by the push to eliminate religion from public life.

December 16, 2016
Pope Francis uses incense as he celebrates Mass marking the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 12.

Pope's homily: Christians should open the road to Jesus

Christians should look to the “great” John the Baptist as a model of humble witness to Jesus, as one who denies himself, even to the point of death, in order to point out the coming of the Son of God. That was Pope Francis’ message, during the morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta, to Bishops and religious celebrating the 50th anniversary of their ordination, and to married couples celebrating the 50th anniversary of their wedding vows.

December 15, 2016
Pope Francis gestures during his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Dec. 14.

Pope's homily: Pastors should speak the truth, welcome people's first steps

Pastors should speak the truth, but at the same time welcome people for what they are able to give: this is the first step; the rest we leave to the Lord. That was the message of Pope Francis at the daily Mass at the Casa Santa Marta on Thursday.

Pope Francis leads a special audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Dec. 15 for patients and workers of Rome's Bambino Gesu children's hospital.

Corruption is cancer to health industry, Pope tells hospital staffers

By

VATICAN CITY – Corrupt business practices that seek to profit from the sick and the dying are a cancer to hospitals entrusted with the care of the most vulnerable, especially children, Pope Francis said.

South Sudan's Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala says his country, ravaged by war and famine, especially needed the Year of Mercy this year.

Year of Mercy was especially needed in South Sudan, bishop notes

By

YAMBIO, South Sudan – The Jubilee Year of Mercy was observed throughout the world but one bishop in South Sudan, suffering from war and famine, said it was especially needed in his country.

Bishop Javier Echevarría Rodríguez, the Prelate of Opus Dei, died at the age of 84 on Dec. 12.

Pope remembers Opus Dei head as 'paternal and generous' witness

By

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis expressed condolences to the members of Opus Dei following the death of Bishop Javier Echevarria, who led the prelature for over 20 years.

Syro-Malankara Bishop Jacob Barnabas Aerath and Msgr. John E. Kozar, head of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, pose with village children during a visit to northeast India in late November.

Indian missionaries teach faith by living among poor in remote areas

By

WASHINGTON – In remote northeastern India, where Christianity is largely unknown, members of two Eastern Catholic churches are taking people on a journey of faith simply by living with them.

It will be business as usual as Pope Francis turns 80 years-old on Dec. 17.

This is how Pope Francis will celebrate his 80th birthday

By

VATICAN CITY – On Saturday, Dec. 17, Pope Francis will celebrate his 80th birthday, which he will spend doing what he normally does: offering Mass and meeting with various heads of State and members of the Roman Curia.

December 13, 2016
Pope Francis at the conclusion of a Mass marking the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 12.

Pope's homily: Clericalism distances the people from the Church

The spirit of clericalism is an evil that is present in the Church today, Pope Francis said, and the victim of this spirit is the people, who feel discarded and abused. That was the Pope’s message in the homily at the morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta.

Page 143 of 269