FAITH/STORIES
VATICAN CITY - With more than 100,000 dead and millions displaced in a brutal civil war, Pope Francis has made repeated pleas for peace in Syria. But more than just call for peace he has taken steps to bring an end to the violence.
Priest says hitching ride on popemobile was invite to hit road for God
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - When Father Fabian Baez booked his trip to Rome, he didn't have an appointment to meet with the pope, so he gave himself ample time in the Eternal City to be able to arrange some way to see him.
Baptism gives strength to forgive enemies, love poor, Pope says
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Baptism isn't just some formal ritual, it profoundly changes people, giving them unwavering hope and the strength to forgive and love others, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis pledges almost $5 million to help pay World Youth Day debt
By Lise Alves, Catholic News ServiceRIO DE JANEIRO - Pope Francis has pledged a donation of almost $5 million to help pay part of the debt incurred by the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day, said the Local Organizing Committee.
Pope limits 'monsignor' honor for diocesan priests
By Francis X. Rocca, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis has decided to limit the honor of "monsignor" among diocesan priests and grant it from now on only to those at least 65 years of age.
Pope orders new rules on relations between bishops, religious orders
By Francis X. Rocca, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis said he has ordered a revision of what he called outdated Vatican norms on the relations between religious orders and local bishops, in order to promote greater appreciation of the orders' distinctive missions.
True faith is driven by zeal to change world with God's love, pope says
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - True faith is marked by the daring desire to change the world with the loving heart of Jesus, Pope Francis said.
Pope: Time to stop violence, discord, and begin making peace at home
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Welcoming in a new year, Pope Francis said it was time to stop provoking and ignoring violence, tragedy and conflict in the world, and begin building peace at home.
More than 6.6 million attended Vatican events with Pope Francis in 2013
By Francis X. Rocca, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - In the first nine and a half months of Pope Francis' pontificate, more than 6.6 million people participated in papal events at the Vatican, including weekly general audiences, group audiences, liturgies and recitations of the Angelus and “Regina Coeli” on Sundays and holy days.
Pope: In new year, step outside your comfort zone, get involved
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - The new year will be brighter only if everyone steps outside their safe havens, gets involved and works together to solve local problems with generosity and love, Pope Francis said.
Pope: Don't forget plight of exiles, elderly marginalized by own family
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Just as people must never ignore the plight of today's immigrants and refugees, they must also remember today's "hidden exiles" -- the elderly and other relatives who are abandoned or forgotten by their own families, Pope Francis said.
2013: a year of two Popes
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterThe past year didn’t really begin March 13. There were signifi-cant events in the life of Canada, the world and the Church in January and February — before Cardinal Jorge Bergolio walked out onto that balcony above St. Peter’s Square and asked us for our prayers. It only seems that our world before Pope Francis is a land far, far away and long, long ago.
Retired Pope Benedict visits Pope Francis for lunch
By Francis X. Rocca, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Three days after Pope Francis paid his predecessor a visit on Christmas Eve, retired Pope Benedict joined the pope for lunch at the Vatican guesthouse.