The Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican Gardens is seen in this file photo from February 2013 when it was undergoing remodeling to serve as the residence of retired Pope Benedict XVI.

Pope Francis returns Mater Ecclesiae Monastery to use by contemplative nuns

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Pope Francis has invited a community of Benedictine nuns from Argentina to move into the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican Gardens, renewing the building's purpose as home to a cloistered community of women dedicated to supporting the pope's ministry with their prayer.

Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the apostolic nuncio to France, reads a message from Pope Francis at the opening of the Paris Peace Forum Nov. 10, 2023, in the Palais Brongniart in Paris.

No war is worth the loss of even one life, Pope Francis tells peace forum

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While nations have a right to defend themselves and a responsibility to protect their citizens, "no war is worth the loss of the life of even one human person, a sacred being created in the image and likeness of the Creator," said a papal message to the Paris Peace Forum.

In this file photo from 2019, Pope Francis prays during a visit to the Chapel of the Nativity, a grotto in Greccio, Italy, where tradition says the first Nativity scene was assembled by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223.

Vatican Nativity scene to honor 800th anniversary of St. Francis' creche

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On the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi setting up the first Nativity scene, the creche in St. Peter's Square in 2023 will come from the Diocese of Rieti, Italy, and pay tribute to the scene set up in the diocese in 1223.

St. John Paul II appears on the balcony at St. Peter’s Basilica following his election to head the Church Oct. 16, 1978.

John Paul II still looms large over Vatican

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Raniero Mancinelli has been an ecclesiastical tailor for more than 40 years. He owns a shop at Borgo Pio, one of the famous Roman streets leading straight to the Vatican gate of Porta Sant’Anna.

Pope Francis joins leaders of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops for prayer before a working session in the Vatican's Paul VI Audience Hall Oct. 17, 2023.

Pope Francis mentions planned Argentina trip, hints at Oceania tour

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Pope Francis said a trip to his native Argentina remains on his schedule and that he has been encouraged to travel through Oceania.

Rock formations and mountains are pictured near Los Alamos, N.M., Nov. 21, 2020.

'Laudate Deum': Planet mirrors a deeply flawed view of human life and activity

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Pope Francis claims the clock is ticking on the dangers of climate change -- and both a paradigm shift and practical action are critically needed to avert looming disasters in nature and human society.

New cardinals line up to receive their red biretta and scroll from Pope Francis during a consistory for the creation of 21 new cardinals in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Sept. 30, 2023.

Creating cardinals from 16 nations, Pope Francis asks them to join church 'symphony'

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Coming from different parts of the world and having different experiences and talents, members of the College of Cardinals are called to create a "symphony," listening to one another and to the Holy Spirit, Pope Francis said.

Red birettas and scrolls lie on a table before Pope Francis distributes them to new cardinals at a consistory in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Sept. 30, 2023.

Hundreds stand in line to greet new cardinals from the 'peripheries'

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One consequence of Pope Francis choosing new cardinals from the "peripheries" is that friends, family and fans of the newly elevated are just as shocked and surprised as the new cardinals are themselves to have been given the honor.

Pope Francis arrives for a meeting with the rectors of public and private universities from Latin America and the Caribbean at the Vatican Sept. 21, 2023. Responding to questions, the pope said his new document on the environment would be called "Laudate Deum" (Praise God).

Pope Francis says his new ecology document is titled 'Laudate Deum'

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Pope Francis said the title of his new letter on the environment will be "Laudate Deum," (Praise God), a frequent refrain in several psalms, including Psalm 148, which tells the heavens and the angels and the sun and moon to praise the Lord.

Pope Francis meets with officials of the upcoming assembly of the Synod of Bishops in the library of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace Sept. 18, 2023. From the left are: Father Riccardo Battocchio, one of the synod's special secretaries; Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, relator general; Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary-general of the synod secretariat; and Jesuit Father Giacomo Costa, the other special secretary of the synod assembly scheduled for Oct. 4-19.

Pope Francis names two Chinese bishops to synod; Vatican publishes synod schedule

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On the recommendation of the Catholic bishops of mainland China in consultation with the Chinese government, Pope Francis has named two bishops from the country's mainland as members of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

Argentina's flag is seen as Pope Francis greets people during his general audience in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican Dec. 14, 2022.

Pope Francis won't travel to Argentina if not invited, doctrine prefect says

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Comments by a leading Argentinian presidential candidate may have dampened hopes that Pope Francis would soon visit his home country for the first time since becoming pope, the prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith said.

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