FAITH/STORIES
Religious say helping victims will entail stopping traffickers, demand
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Bringing the light of hope to ending human trafficking means confronting the brutal "darkness" of evil that is driving those who exploit others, said a number of women religious helping victims.
VATICAN CITY - The Vatican will offer homeless people in Rome not only showers but also haircuts and shaves when new facilities open next month, the head of Pope Francis’ charity office said.
Become islands of mercy in the sea of world's indifference, Pope says
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Christians are called to overcome apathy, discouragement and pretentions of self-sufficiency by letting God enter into their hearts, making them joyful, merciful and strong, Pope Francis said.
Sainthood cause of Focolare's founder officially opens in Italy
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - The sainthood cause of the founder of the Focolare movement, Chiara Lubich, was to open officially Jan. 27 in the cathedral of the Italian Diocese of Frascati, which includes the town where the international lay movement is based.
Poverty stems from unjust economic system, not big families, Pope says
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Families who have lots of children do not cause poverty, Pope Francis said.
Seamlessness and diversity
By Fr. Damian MacPherson S.A.You have heard it said that a stitch in time saves nine. I know how to thread a needle and have done so many times. I have even sewn a button on my shirt and on occasion sat at a sewing machine, but a tailor I am not.
Vatican clarifies Pope's comments on Charlie Hebdo attack
By Catholic Register Wire ServicesVATICAN CITY - The Vatican Press Office has issued a "clarification" to state that Pope Francis was not justifying last week's terrorist attacks in Paris after he told journalists that people who "provoke" can "expect a punch."
Bishops appointed for Chaldean Church in Toronto, Sydney, Baghdad
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis named new bishops for Chaldean Catholics in Toronto and Sydney and confirmed the election of a Chaldean priest, who is currently ministering in Detroit, to be a new auxiliary bishop in Baghdad.
Vatican downplays report that it’s under threat from Islamic terrorists
By Josephine McKenna, Religion News ServiceVATICAN CITY - The Vatican rejected reports that it could be the next target of Islamist terrorists after last week’s deadly attacks in France.
Pope to diplomats: Rejecting God, people, nature leads to conflict
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Highlighting some of the most urgent conflicts facing the world, Pope Francis said such strife and injustices were rooted in a culture of rejection that refuses to recognize God, to protect nature and to respect other human beings.
Panel advising Vatican unanimous that Archbishop Romero is a martyr
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - A panel of theologians advising the Vatican's Congregation for Saints' Causes voted unanimously to recognize the late Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero as a martyr, according to the newspaper of the Italian bishops' conference.
God created all people, desires to save them, Pope says on Epiphany
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - In every age and in every culture, people seek God just as the Three Kings did and, in every age, with the help of the Holy Spirit, they find him in the surprising humility of a baby born in a manger, Pope Francis said.
Want to see Pope Francis’ vision for the church? Look at his new cardinals
By Josephine McKenna, Religion News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis reinforced his radical reshaping of the Catholic Church by naming 20 new cardinals from countries as far afield as Ethiopia, Tonga, Thailand and Panama.