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FAITH/STORIES

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.

A panhandler sits at the entrance of the an abandoned convent Nov. 4 in Brussels. Pope Francis will help launch a global campaign of prayer and action against world hunger.

Pope Francis will help launch worldwide 'wave of prayer' against hunger

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis will help launch a global campaign of prayer and action against world hunger.

Pope, cardinal council begin work on reorganizing Roman Curia

Pope, cardinal council begin work on reorganizing Roman Curia

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis and the eight members of his international Council of Cardinals have begun their discussions on specific ways to reorganize the Roman Curia, looking first at the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, the Vatican spokesman said.

People must learn to dialogue, respect other religions, pope says

People must learn to dialogue, respect other religions, pope says

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VATICAN CITY - In societies increasingly made up of people of different cultures and religions, people must learn the art of dialogue and reach out to others with respect and friendship, Pope Francis said.

A child walks away after greeting Pope Francis during his visit to the Parish of San Cirillo Alessandrino in Rome Dec. 1. At right is Cardinal Agostino Vallini, papal vicar for Rome.

Best gift in life is encountering Christ, Pope says at start of Advent

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VATICAN CITY - The best present in life is encountering Jesus -- an encounter that will last a lifetime, Pope Francis said.

Meeting superiors, Pope says 2015 will be dedicated to religious life

Meeting superiors, Pope says 2015 will be dedicated to religious life

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VATICAN CITY - During a three-hour meeting with 120 superiors general of men's religious orders, Pope Francis said the church would make consecrated life its focus in 2015.

Christmas around the world

Christmas around the world

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KINGSTON, ONT. - There’s a lesson to be learned in the basement of St. Paul the Apostle parish, where artist Tony Vella has assembled a collection that teaches the story of God made human, shown through the lens of cultures from around the world.

Pope Francis kisses a baby after his weekly audience Nov. 6. In his first extensive piece of writing as Pope, Francis lays out a vision of the Catholic Church dedicated to evangelization, with a focus on the poorest and most vulnerable, including the aged and unborn.

Catholic Church must be of the poor, for the poor

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The synopsis below has been prepared by the Holy See Press Office and Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB, who has served as an English language corresponding assistant to Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., since the papal transition.

Pope lays out his vision for an evangelical Church

Pope lays out his vision for an evangelical Church

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VATICAN CITY - In his first extensive piece of writing as Pope, Pope Francis lays out a vision of the Catholic Church dedicated to evangelization in a positive key, with a focus on society's poorest and most vulnerable, including the aged and unborn.

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, looks on during a presentation of "Evangelii Gaudium" ("The Joy of the Gospel") by Pope Francis during a news conference at the Vatican Nov. 26. In his firs t extensive piece of writing as pope, Pope Francis lays out a vision of the Catholic Church dedicated to evangelization, with a focus on society's poorest and most vulnerable, including the aged and unborn.

Vatican officials say pope's document provides map for church's future

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation on sharing the joy of the Gospel is a call to faith-filled optimism, recognizing challenges but knowing that God's love and lordship will prevail, said Archbishop Rino Fisichella, introducing the text to the media.

A copy of the apostolic exhortation "Evangelii Gaudium" ("The Joy of the Gospel") by Pope Francis is seen during a news conference at the Vatican Nov. 26. In his first extensive piece of writing as pope, Pope Francis lays out a vision of the Catholic Chu rch dedicated to evangelization, with a focus on society's poorest and most vulnerable, including the aged and unborn.

Pope: Opposition to abortion isn't 'conservative,' it's result of faith

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VATICAN CITY - Defending human dignity and protecting society's most vulnerable necessarily means protecting the unborn and defending their right to life, Pope Francis said in his apostolic exhortation.

Pope says only men can be priests, but women must have voice in church

Pope says only men can be priests, but women must have voice in church

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VATICAN CITY - The Catholic Church is not going to change its position on the inadmissibility of women priests, Pope Francis said, but it does have to stop linking all decision making to ordination and allow women to have a voice in deliberations.

Pope frames vision for Church outreach at every level

Pope frames vision for Church outreach at every level

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VATICAN CITY - Here are a few of the main features of Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), which was released Nov. 26 at the Vatican:

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