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FAITH/STORIES

Pope Francis leads a prayer service at a statue of Mary overlooking the Spanish Steps in Rome Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Pope Francis prays for Aleppo, victims of recent terrorist attacks

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VATICAN CITY – During the Angelus for the third Sunday of Advent, also called Gaudete Sunday, Pope Francis made a special appeal for prayers for the people of Aleppo and Syria, and for all those affected by the recent terrorist attacks which have taken place in places such as Turkey and Egypt.

Pope Francis speaks as he leads the Angelus from the window of his apartment overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Dec. 11. In an annual tradition, Roman children brought their figurines of the baby Jesus to the Angelus.
December 12, 2016

Pope's homily: Rigidity, worldliness a disaster for priests

Pope Francis celebrated Mass in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta on Friday morning, focusing his remarks following the readings of the day on the need for priests to serve as authentic mediators of God’s love, rather than as intermediaries – “go-betweens” or “middle-men” – concerned only with advancing their own interests.

Many LGBT rights activists were disappointed that Pope Francis had approved the new priest guidelines published Dec. 7, which reaffirms the Church's ban on gay priests.

Outcry greets Vatican decision to reaffirm ban on gay priests

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VATICAN CITY – A Vatican decision to reaffirm its opposition to gay priests has angered activists who thought Pope Francis was changing Rome’s attitudes toward homosexuality.

The Vatican has updated its guidelines for priests for the first time since 1985 titled 'The Gift of the Priestly Vocation,' which was released Dec. 7.

Vatican's new guidelines for priests talks clericalism, homosexuality, abuse prevention

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VATICAN CITY – The updated version of the Vatican's document on priestly formation, released Wednesday, deals with issues of clericalism, homosexuality, and the protection of minors, among other things.

In a new interview, Pope Francis says his exhortation on the family, 'Amoris Laetitia,' was the result of thorough discussions with bishops around the world.

In new interview, Pope says 'Amoris Laetitia' is result of listening, discernment

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VATICAN CITY – Everything in Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis' exhortation on the family, sprang from consultations with Catholics around the world and was thoroughly discussed by the bishops at the 2014 and 2015 synods on the family, Pope Francis said.

The discourse surrounding nuclear security must be based on ethic of trust, responsibility and cooperation, says Vatican official Msgr. Antoine Camilleri Dec. 6.

Vatican calls for trust, responsibility on nuclear technology

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VIENNA, Austria – In order to realize the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons the discourse of the international community surrounding nuclear security must be based on an ethic of trust, responsibility, and cooperation – not fear and suspicion, Vatican official Msgr. Antoine Camilleri said Tuesday.

December 6, 2016
Pope Francis waves as he leads his Angelus Dec. 4 from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

Pope's Homily: At Christmas, recognize your sin and let God caress you

VATICAN CITY – At Christmas, God reveals his full power, which is the power of relentlessly seeking his lost sheep and, when he finds them, giving them a caress, Pope Francis said.

At the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, experts discussed the power and limitations of artificial intelligence.

Vatican weighs in on power, limits of artificial intelligence

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VATICAN CITY – This week the Vatican hosted a high-level discussion in the world of science, gathering experts to discuss the progress, benefits and limits of advances in artificial intelligence.

December 5, 2016
Pope Francis at the Vatican Dec. 2.

Pope's Homily: Jesus brings true change, renews the heart

Let us allow ourselves to be transformed by Christ; let us allow ourselves to be able to be re-created, freeing us from our sins. That was the message of Pope Francis at the morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta, centred on the theme of the renewal that the Lord brings. The Pope put us on guard about painting over our sins without truly being ashamed in our hearts. Only by calling sins by their name, he said, will we be able to allow God to make us new women and men.

Cuban President Raul Castro, right, smiles as he meets Pope Francis during a private audience at the Vatican on May 10, 2015.

Catholic Church could play larger role in a post-Fidel Castro Cuba

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The relationship between Fidel Castro and the Cuban Catholic Church has been a roller-coaster ride of ups and downs, though it has noticeably improved in recent years.

Orthodox patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople wrote in the Vatican newspaper 'L'Osservatore Romano' that Pope Francis' 'Amoris Laetitia' is about "mercy and compassion."

Patriarch Bartholomew says 'Amoris Laetitia' is about God's mercy

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VATICAN CITY – Knowing the debate surrounding Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation on the family, Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople said the document "first and foremost recalls the mercy and compassion of God and not just moral norms and canonical rules."

Former child soldiers in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Pope Francis has dedicated the month of December to praying for the end to child soldiers.

Pope dedicates December to praying for end to child soldiers

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VATICAN CITY – In his latest prayer video, which highlights his prayer intention for the month of December, Pope Francis focused on putting an end to the phenomenon of child-soldiers, which he called a “form of slavery.”

December 1, 2016
Pope Francis leads his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Nov. 30.

Pope's Homily: 'Do not resist the grace of conversion'

Finding inspiration in the opening prayer of the day “May Your grace conquer the obstacles caused by our sins”, Pope Francis said each of us have obstacles in our hearts which resist God’s grace.

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