FAITH/STORIES
Pope Francis: Each Christian should have a friend who is poor
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- The poor are the church's treasure because they give every Christian a chance to "speak the same language as Jesus, that of love," Pope Francis said, celebrating Mass for the World Day of the Poor.
Pope Francis' cousin, missionary in Thailand, will serve as his translator
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis' translator in Thailand will be someone familiar with the nuances and colloquialisms of his Argentine Spanish because she grew up speaking it with him.
Catechism will be updated to include ecological sins, Pope Francis says
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Following through on a proposal made at the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon, Pope Francis said there are plans to include a definition of ecological sins in the church's official teaching.
Pope Francis calls on leaders, tech giants to protect children online
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- While digital technologies have led to advancements in communication and education, they also have led to the exploitation of children on the internet, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis appoints Spanish Jesuit to lead Secretariat for the Economy
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis tapped a Spanish Jesuit priest with a background in economics to head the Vatican Secretariat for the Economy.
Pope Francis meets with Anglican archbishop at Vatican
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis and Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury, spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, said they would travel together to South Sudan if the country's leaders fulfill their promise to form a transitional government by late February.
Pope Francis appeals for protection of the vulnerable in Burkina Faso
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- After one of the deadliest attacks in Burkina Faso in recent years, Pope Francis urged leaders there to do more to protect vulnerable civilians and to promote dialogue and social harmony.
Pope Francis denounces increasing violence against Jewish people
VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis warned that violence against Jewish people, which reached a state of horror during World War II, is on the rise again.
Pope Francis: Christ wants to redeem everyone
ROME -- No one is so far from God that Christ cannot bring them back, Pope Francis told members of the Diocese of Rome's new pastoral teams responsible for outreach.
Lack of ethics leads to 'throwaway' culture, Pope Francis says
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- An economic system lacking any ethics leads to a "throwaway" culture of consumption and waste, Pope Francis said.
Motherhood, feminism and the Bible
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterWhat motherhood means ought to be obvious. We all have mothers. We all know mothers. Some of us are mothers. What is there to explain?
Pope Francis meets Salvation Army CEO: Spread God's love through service
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Loving acts of service and charity not only help build up the Kingdom of God, they attract and influence others, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis expected to address new arms race during Japan trip
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis' top aide made no secret of what will be on the pope's mind when he visits Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, Nov. 24: "the total elimination of nuclear weapons."