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FAITH/STORIES

Pope, on feast of first martyr, prays for persecuted Christians

Pope, on feast of first martyr, prays for persecuted Christians

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VATICAN CITY - Observing the feast of the church's first martyr, Pope Francis prayed for Christians suffering persecution and discrimination around the world, even in countries that nominally honor religious liberty.

Mary looks at the covered baby Jesus in the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Dec. 23. The Nativity scene created by artisans from Naples will be unveiled Christmas Eve.

Naples' Nativity scene nears completion in St. Peter's Square

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VATICAN CITY - The world famous Nativity scenes of Naples never follow just the biblical account of Jesus' birth; for one thing, the figures usually are dressed in 18th-century costumes, but also it's not unusual for a modern-day politician or even pope to enter the scene.

The Christmas tree is seen as Pope Francis greets the crowd as he leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Dec. 22.

Remember those like Holy Family who are homeless, pope says

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VATICAN CITY - Seeing a protest sign in St. Peter's Square that read "The poor cannot wait," Pope Francis urged individuals and government leaders to recognize the pain, struggles and rights of families -- like Jesus, Mary and Joseph -- who do not have a home.

Pope Francis receives a letter from a child during a visit to the Bambino Gesu children's hospital in Rome Dec. 21.

Pope pays pre-Christmas visit to Rome's children's hospital

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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With lots of kisses, but very few words, Pope Francis spent more than two-and-a-half hours visiting sick children, their parents and doctors at Rome's Bambino Gesu children's hospital Dec. 21.

St. Francis Xavier, St. Ignatius of Loyola and Blessed Peter Faber are shown in an icon. Pope Francis issued a decree declaring one of his favorite Jesuits, Blessed Peter Faber, a saint.

Pope proclaims sainthood of Jesuit companion of St. Ignatius

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis issued a decree declaring one of his favorite Jesuits, Blessed Peter Faber, a saint.

Pope denies he's a Marxist in latest interview

Pope denies he's a Marxist in latest interview

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VATICAN CITY - In another wide-ranging interview with an Italian journalist, Pope Francis denied he was a Marxist but said he took no offense at the label, dismissed the notion of women cardinals and reflected on Christmas as an occasion of joy, tenderness and hope.

Pope Francis talks with three men Dec. 17 who live on the streets near the Vatican. As part of a low-key celebration of his 77th birthday, the pope celebrated morning Mass and had breakfast with the men.

Pope celebrates birthday having breakfast, Mass with homeless men

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VATICAN CITY - As part of a low-key celebration of his 77th birthday, Pope Francis had breakfast with three people who live on the streets near the Vatican. A small dog, belonging to one of the homeless men, was also on the guest list.

New priests of the Legionaries of Christ kneel during their ordination at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome Dec. 14. Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, the papal delegate in charge of governing the Legionaries, ordained 31 new priests..

Ordaining 31 Legionaries, cardinal says they are part of order's reform

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ROME - Ordaining 31 new priests for the Legionaries of Christ, Cardinal Velasio De Paolis told them they were not responsible for the scandals that threatened to destroy their order, but they have been part of the effort to renew and reform the order.

The Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square is seen as Pope Francis greets the crowd gathered for the Angelus at the Vatican Dec. 15.

Christians can't be gloomy because Jesus always brings joy, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY - Sadness is a sign of being far from Christ because Jesus offers everyone the strength to persevere with hope and joy, Pope Francis said.

The Vatican Christmas tree glows after a lighting ceremony in St. Peter's Square Dec. 13.

Christmas lights reflect truth that Christ is light of world, pope says

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VATICAN CITY - The lights glowing on the Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square, like Christmas lights everywhere, are reminders that Jesus is the light of the world, Pope Francis said.

The cover of Time magazine's Person of the Year issue, featuring Pope Francis, is pictured in this Dec. 11 handout photo.

Pope Francis named Time's Person of the Year

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For the third time, Time magazine has chosen a Pope as its Person of the Year.

Jesuit Father Michael Czerny, an official at the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, is pictured at his office in Rome Dec. 6. Father Czerny does not expect Pope Francis to write an encyclical on poverty but said the pope has "been talking about an ecological encyclical."

Vatican official says not to expect papal encyclical on poverty

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VATICAN CITY - An official at the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace said that, despite widespread news reports and the statement of an Italian bishop, he does not expect Pope Francis to write an encyclical on the subject of poverty.

Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston, pictured, a member of the Pope's advisory Council of Cardinals, announced that Pope Francis accepted a proposal to set up a special commission on the sexual abuse of children.

Pope to set up advisory commission on sexual abuse

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis accepted a proposal to set up a special commission on the sexual abuse of children, which will advise him on ways to prevent abuse and provide pastoral care for victims and their families.

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