FAITH/STORIES
Vatican investigating abuse allegation against Chilean Archbishop
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- The apostolic nunciature in Chile announced that the Vatican has opened an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse against retired Archbishop Bernardino Pinera Carvallo of La Serena, who is the uncle of Chilean President Sebastian Pinera.
VATICAN CITY (CNA) -- The Vatican said Wednesday it acknowledges the decision by the Court of Appeals in Victoria to uphold the conviction of Cardinal George Pell, while recalling Pell’s insistence of his innocence throughout the judicial process.
Autistic girl sparks a lesson in prayer
VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis used the unexpected appearance of a young autistic girl at his weekly general audience to make a point about prayer and suffering.
Investigation begun into sainthood cause for Burundi martyrs
By Francis Njuguna, Catholic News ServiceNAIROBI, Kenya -- The grisly murders of missionary priests and a local priest, a lay volunteer and 40 seminarians in Burundi are the focus of a recently opened investigation into their sainthood cause.
Pope Francis praises work of popular movements for social change
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Popular movements can spark the change needed to ensure a future that is no longer in the hands of elites and powerful people, but includes the poor who have the inalienable right to a life of dignity, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis applauds launch of abuse investigation center in Chile
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- A specialized center at Chile's premier Catholic university can help the Catholic Church protect minors and vulnerable persons from the scourge of clerical sexual abuse, which has plagued the Catholic Church in the country and around the world, Pope Francis said.
Angelus: Christians choose fidelity to Gospel over hypocrisy
VATICAN CITY -- Christians must not be hypocrites, Pope Francis said.
Church must be prudent judging Medjugorje apparitions, Vatican official says
By Sarah Mac Donald, Catholic News ServiceKNOCK, Ireland -- Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, is a place of prayer, conversion and pilgrimage for millions of people, but the church must be prudent and not rush to any judgment on the alleged Marian apparitions there, said Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization.
Angleus: Assumption invites people to look to heaven with hope
VATICAN CITY -- Mary's assumption into heaven calls people to put aside all those insignificant, mundane and petty concerns competing for their attention and instead be drawn to God and his greatness, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis: Closeness is God's answer to suffering
VATICAN CITY -- In hopeless situations of pain and suffering, God never abandons his children but rather remains close to them, Pope Francis said.
Angelus: Nations must protect lives and dignity of war victims
VATICAN CITY -- Marking the anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, Pope Francis urged nations to recall the need to protect the life and dignity of the victims of war and armed conflict.
Pope Francis approves new statutes for Vatican bank
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis approved new statutes for the Institute for the Works of Religion, often referred to as the Vatican bank, that include structural changes and a mandatory external audit.
Pope Francis: Ordination of married men 'absolutely not' main theme of Amazon synod
By Hannah Brockhaus, Catholic News AgencyVATICAN CITY (CNA) -- The ordination to the priesthood of mature, married men, sometimes called viri probati, is among the topics to be addressed at October’s Amazon synod but is “absolutely not” one of the principle themes of the meeting, Pope Francis said.