FAITH/STORIES
VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis recognized the miracles needed for the canonization of two Palestinian nuns and of a French woman who founded a religious order.
Former Protestant loved stumping Catholics with Bible verses
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic NewsOTTAWA - Catholic apologist Tim Staples used to love stumping Catholics with Bible verses in the days he was a Pentecostal, until he met a Catholic who stumped him.
Pope Francis speaks: 5 takeaways from another blockbuster interview
By Josephine McKenna, Religion News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Gay marriage was never on the agenda at the recent Synod of Bishops on the Family and the subject “did not cross our minds,” Pope Francis said in a new headline-grabbing interview.
Pope calls for more 'integration' of divorced Catholics, gays
By Francis X. Rocca, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis said the Catholic Church must find new ways to integrate the divorced and civilly remarried in the life of the church and to make it easier for Catholic families to accept their homosexual members.
Church needs more women theologians, their insights, Pope says
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis said he was pleased that five of the 30 members of the International Theological Commission are women, but the body that advises the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, as well as the Church in general, needs more women theologians.
Pope Francis calls for ‘truth’ in case of former ambassador accused of abuse
By Josephine McKenna, Religion News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis told authorities from the Dominican Republic that the “truth” must prevail in the investigation of a former Vatican ambassador who was convicted and defrocked for abusing teenage boys in the Caribbean country.
Support Catholic religious in their mission, ministries, pope says
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - During the Year of Consecrated Life, all Catholics are called to thank God for the gifts members of religious orders have given the Church and the world, to join them in prayer and find practical ways to support them and their ministries, Pope Francis said.
New evangelization needed to counter lukewarm faith, says speaker
By Joanne Fox, Catholic News ServiceChanging times may call for changes in religious orders, pope says
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServicePope Francis urges Europeans to reject ‘throwaway culture’
By Josephine McKenna, Religion News ServiceSTRASBOURG, France - Pope Francis has urged European leaders to reject a “throwaway culture” that treats people like “cogs in a machine” too easily discarded through abortion and euthanasia.
Church launches Year for Consecrated Life
By Laura Ieraci, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - The first Sunday of Advent, Nov. 30, marking the start of the new liturgical year, will also inaugurate the Year for Consecrated Life.
Pope, creating six new saints, uses newly abbreviated formula
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Using a newly simplified rite, Pope Francis proclaimed six new saints and praised them for the love and self-giving with which they served God and built up his kingdom by serving the poor and needy.
Pope meets Curia to discuss reform; names new head of worship office
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - The same day he spent three hours meeting the heads of Vatican offices to discuss the reform of the Roman Curia, Pope Francis named 69-year-old Guinean Cardinal Robert Sarah to be the new prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments.