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FAITH/STORIES

Pope Francis greets emeritus Pope Benedict XVI during an encounter for the elderly in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Sept. 28.

Pope Francis says Pope Benedict was a 'great pope'

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VATICAN CITY - Retired Pope Benedict XVI is a perfect example of how intellectual knowledge and scientific curiosity do not lead a person further from God, but can strengthen their love for God and for his human creatures, Pope Francis said.

The electric chair that executed 125 men between 1916 and 1960 in Tennessee is seen on display at the National Museum of Crime and Punishment in Washington March 5.

Pope Francis calls for abolishing death penalty and life imprisonment

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis called for abolition of the death penalty as well as life imprisonment, and denounced what he called a "penal populism" that promises to solve society's problems by punishing crime instead of pursuing social justice.

Retire Pope Benedict XVI

Retired pope says interreligious dialogue no substitute for mission

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VATICAN CITY - Retired Pope Benedict XVI said dialogue with other religions is no substitute for spreading the Gospel to non-Christian cultures, and warned against relativistic ideas of religious truth as "lethal to faith." He also said the true motivation for missionary work is not to increase the church's size but to share the joy of knowing Christ.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia speaks during a press conference at the Vatican Sept.16

American Archbishop 'very disturbed' by Vatican debate on family

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NEW YORK - Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput, a leading culture warrior in the U.S. hierarchy, says he was “very disturbed” by the debate over church teachings on gays and remarried Catholics at this month’s Vatican summit, saying it sent a confusing message and “confusion is of the devil.”

Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington speaks with a journalist as he arrives for the morning session of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family at the Vatican Oct. 14.

Cardinal Wuerl says family synod came to 'real consensus'

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VATICAN CITY - Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington said the Oct. 5-19 Synod of Bishops on the family came to a "real consensus" after two weeks of animated debate, and that its final report will serve as a solid basis for the world synod on the family in 2015.

Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois of Paris leaves the morning session of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family at the Vatican Oct. 9.

Synod on the family's dynamics recalls the Second Vatican Council

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VATICAN CITY - Even before the start of the Oct. 5-19 Synod of Bishops on the family, observers were likening it to the Second Vatican Council of 1962-65.

Hindu holy men shout slogans and block a road during a protest against alleged violence against Hindus in Jammu, India, July 19. Leaders of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue said Hindus and Christians must work for a "culture of inclusio n for a just and peaceful society."

Christians, Hindus must seek 'culture of inclusion,' Vatican says

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VATICAN CITY - Despite its many positive advancements, globalization also has brought about greater indifference, exploitation and suffering, said the leaders of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

Pope Francis talks with a cardinal during the consistory for the canonization of Giuseppe Vaz and Maria Cristina dell'Immacolata Concezione in the Synod Hall at the Vatican Oct. 20. At the consistory, Pope Francis also discussed the Middle East.

Terrorism in Mideast has reached 'unimaginable proportions,' pope says

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VATICAN CITY - The Middle East, especially Iraq and Syria, are experiencing "terrorism of previously unimaginable proportions" in which the perpetrators seem to have absolutely no regard for the value of human life, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis attends the morning session on the final day of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family at the Vatican Oct. 18. At left is Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, general secretary of the Synod of Bishops, and at right Cardinal Peter Erdo of E sztergom-Budapest, Hungary, relator for the synod.

Lessons from the Synod on the family

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Pope Francis and senior Catholic leaders wrapped up their two-week Vatican summit on the challenges of modern family life on Oct. 19. They addressed a number of contentious issues. So where does that leave Francis’ papacy? And the Church? Here are six takeaways: 

Pope Francis bows in front of an icon of the Presentation of Jesus at the beginning of the beatification Mass of Blessed Paul VI in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 19. The Mass also concluded the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family. Bless ed Paul, who served as pope from 1963-1978, is most remembered for his 1968 encyclical, "Humanae Vitae," which affirmed the church's teaching against artificial contraception.

Pope beatifies Blessed Paul VI, the 'great helmsman' of Vatican II

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VATICAN CITY - Beatifying Blessed Paul VI at the concluding Mass of the Synod of Bishops on the family, Pope Francis praised the late pope as the "great helmsman" of the Second Vatican Council and founder of the synod, as well as a "humble and prophetic witness of love for Christ and his church."

Pope Francis leaves the concluding session of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family at the Vatican Oct. 18.

Synod ends by affirming tradition, leaving controversial questions open

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VATICAN CITY - After several days of animated debate over its official midterm report, the Synod of Bishops on the family agreed on a final document more clearly grounded in traditional Catholic teaching. Yet the assembly failed to reach consensus on especially controversial questions of Communion for the divorced and civilly remarried and the pastoral care of homosexuals.

German Cardinal Walter Kasper, retired president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, talks with Vatican Radio's Philippa Hitchen as he leaves the concluding session of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family at the Vatican O ct. 18. At right is Cardinal John Njue of Nairobi, Kenya.

Synod of Bishops sends message of encouragement to traditional families

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VATICAN CITY - On its last day of business, the Synod of Bishops on the family approved and released a three-page message expressing solidarity with Christian families around the world.

The Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museums is pictured in this March 9, 2013, file photo.

Endangered Sistine Chapel to be opened for outside fundraisers

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VATICAN CITY - Despite worries about the impact of millions of tourists on Michelangelo’s precious frescoes, the Sistine Chapel is opening its doors for the first time to a new kind of tourist to support Pope Francis’ charities.

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