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FAITH/STORIES

Pope Francis greets the crowd as he leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.
January 20, 2020

Pope Francis hopes Berlin summit will lead to peace in Libya

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis said he hoped that an international summit in Berlin would be the first step toward peace in war-torn Libya.

Pope Francis meets with U.S. bishops from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska during their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican Jan. 16, 2020. The bishops were making their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican to report on the status of their dioceses to the pope and Vatican officials.

Pope Francis speaks to U.S. bishops about pro-life issues, transgender ideology

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VATICAN CITY -- Protecting human life is the "preeminent" social and political issue, Pope Francis said, and he asked the head of the U.S. bishops' Committee for Pro-Life Activities to convey his support to the pro-life community.

Pope Francis addresses members of the Roman Curia — the administrative arm of the Church —- at the Vatican last month. The Pope has signalled there will be more changes in the Curia.

Will 2020 be turning point for women at the Vatican?

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis opened 2020 with a strong call to acknowledge the dignity of women, end violence against them and stop the exploitation of women’s bodies.

January 13, 2020
Pope Francis greets a child as he baptizes one of 32 babies as he celebrates Mass on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican Jan. 12, 2020.

Baptism is first step to humility, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY -- In asking to be baptized, Jesus exemplifies the Christian calling to follow along the path of humility and meekness rather than strutting about and being a showoff, Pope Francis said.

This is from the cover of "From the Depths of Our Hearts," by retired Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments. In the book they defend priestly celibacy, an issue that was discussed at last year's Synod of Bishops for the Amazon.

Publisher won’t remove Benedict XVI as co-author of book on priestly celibacy

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VATICAN CITY -- Retired Pope Benedict XVI wants his name removed as co-author of a book defending priestly celibacy but the publisher insists Benedict wrote the book with Cardinal Robert Sarah.

Pope Francis holds the Book of the Gospels as he celebrates Mass on the feast of Mary, Mother of God, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 1, 2020. The pope has established the third Sunday in Ordinary Time as "Sunday of the Word of God." It will be celebrated for the first time Jan. 26.

Pope Francis establishes date dedicated to Bible focus

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VATICAN CITY -- The newly established "Sunday of the Word of God" is an invitation to Catholics across the world to deepen their appreciation, love and faithful witness to God and his word, Pope Francis said.

A statue of St. Paul stands on Malta’s St. Paul Island, where it is believed the apostle was shipwrecked and shown “great kindness” by the local people.

Malta’s Christians set welcoming tone

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An island nation that is more than 90 per cent Catholic is using the story of a shipwreck to remind Christians what ecumenism is really about — kindness, welcome and the bonds of our common humanity.

Pope Francis speaks with Iran's ambassador to the Holy See, Seyed Taha Hashemi, during an audience for the traditional exchange of new year's greetings in the Sala Regia at the Vatican Jan. 9, 2020.

Amid threats of war, world must stay hopeful, Pope Francis tells diplomats

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VATICAN CITY -- Hope is the virtue needed to approach the coming year, especially when the looming threat of war surrounds a humanity scarred by violence, Pope Francis said.

January 8, 2020
Pope Francis watches as the Aqua Circus performs during his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Jan. 8, 2020.

Life's trials are training ground for Christian compassion, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY -- Christians survive trials and tribulations with the help of their faith in Christ and pay it forward by being compassionate toward others who suffer, Pope Francis said.

January 6, 2020
Pope Francis raises the Book of the Gospels as he celebrates Mass marking the feast of the Epiphany in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 6, 2020.

Faith is the worship of God, not oneself, Pope Francis says on Epiphany

VATICAN CITY -- Worshipping the Lord as the Three Kings did involves making a journey "from the greatest form of bondage: slavery to oneself," Pope Francis said on the feast of the Epiphany.

Pope Francis leads the Angelus on the feast of the Epiphany from the window of his apartment overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Jan. 6, 2020.

Pope Francis prays for dialogue as tensions mount between U.S., Iran

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis led pilgrims in prayers for peace as tensions between the United States and Iran escalated following the assassination of a top Iranian general.

Pope Francis blesses a sick child in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Dec. 15, 2016, during a meeting with patients and workers of Rome's Bambino Gesu children's hospital. World Day of the Sick iis marked Feb. 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Pope Francis tells health workers to 'uphold truest human right, the right to life'

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VATICAN CITY -- Health care professionals always must "promote the dignity and life of each person and reject any compromise in the direction of euthanasia, assisted suicide or suppression of life, even in the case of terminal illness," Pope Francis said.

A woman pulls Pope Francis' hand as he greets people while walking to visit the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Dec. 31, 2019. At his Jan. 1 Angelus the pope apologized for the "bad example" he gave when he slapped this woman's hand.

Pope Francis apologizes for 'incident' with woman in St. Peter's Square

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis began the New Year with an apology for losing his patience the night before with a woman who grabbed his hand and yanked him closer to her while he was greeting people in St. Peter's Square.

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