FAITH/STORIES
Pope says he goes to Mexico as a 'missionary of mercy, peace'
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis said his reasons for going to Mexico are "easy and simple."
Negotiating table is only way to bring peace to Syria, Pope says
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - A negotiated political resolution is the only answer to the crisis unfolding in Syria, Pope Francis said, urging world leaders to do everything possible to kick-start talks.
Pope Francis had barely begun this year’s Lenten message when the talk turned to women’s wombs.
Pope-patriarch meeting not an ‘all-clear’ sign in relations
By Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Russian Orthodox officials said the planned meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow is not a signal that decades of tension have been resolved, but emphasizes the need to work together on behalf of persecuted Christians in the Middle East.
Pope, Russian Orthodox patriarch to meet in Cuba, Vatican announces
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - After almost three decades of tense Catholic-Russian Orthodox relations, Pope Francis will meet Patriarch Kirill of Moscow Feb. 12 in Cuba on the Pope's way to Mexico.
God triumphs through humility
God’s ‘style’ is not man’s ‘style,’ because God triumphs through humility. That was Pope Francis’ message in his homily during daily Mass at the Casa Santa Marta.
God’s style can be seen in the death of the greatest of the prophets, St John the Baptist. This “just and holy man,” the “greatest man,” the man who had prepared the people for the coming of the Messiah, was beheaded in the darkness of his cell, alone, condemned by the vindictive hatred of a queen and the cowardice of a submissive king.
The Faith is the greatest inheritance we can leave
The most beautiful inheritance we can leave to others is the Faith: that was Pope Francis’ message during Holy Mass on Thursday morning at the Casa Santa Marta. In his homily, he invited us to not fear death, because the course of life continues.
Pope asks Mexican people for time alone with Our Lady of Guadalupe
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - In a video message one week before his apostolic visit, Pope Francis asked the people of Mexico for some time alone during his visit to pray before the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
God wants to save you; will you let him, Pope asks
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - God doesn't want to condemn anyone; he wants to save every person in the entire world, Pope Francis said.
Vatican downplays film promo, says Pope will not have movie debut
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis will not be an actor in a proposed movie based on the Gospels, a Vatican spokesman said.
Cardinal confirms some priests decline appointment as bishop
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Although the number is not high, it is no longer "exceptional" to have priests turn down an appointment as bishop, said Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
Humility, holiness come with humiliation
Pope Francis’ Homily at Daily Mass – February 1, 2016
Humility, holiness come with humiliation
Humility is the way of holiness. That’s what Pope Francis said in his Homily at Monday morning’s Mass at the Casa Santa Marta. The Pope focused on the story of King David who, aware of his own sin, accepts humiliation in a spirit of trust in the Lord. While God forgives sin, the Pope observed, “the wounds of corruption are difficult to heal."
Interpreting the Bible through nuance
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO - Chances are you’ve never heard a homily preached on Deuteronomy 20:10-18. It’s kind of difficult to apply these God-given rules of war to daily life in the 21st century.