Pope Francis baptizes babies, urges parents to teach them to pray
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceTelling parents and godparents to teach their little ones to pray from the time they are small, Pope Francis baptized 13 babies in the Sistine Chapel as their older brothers and sisters looked on -- or got away and ran around.
On New Year's, Pope Francis calls for taking the risk of changing the world
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceThe best way to usher in a truly "new" year is to stop waiting for things to get better on their own, and instead recognize what is essential and reach out now to help others, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis pays tribute to the late Pope Benedict, highlighting his gentleness
By Cindy Wooden, OSV NewsKeeping his appointment to celebrate vespers as 2022 was ending, Pope Francis also paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, who died early Dec. 31.
Pope Francis' Christmas message: Listen to the cries of the newborn Prince of Peace
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceWith the birth of Jesus, God became flesh to share the joys and sorrows, hopes and fears of all people, especially the poor and those living daily amid danger, Pope Francis said in his Christmas message.
Pope Francis advances sainthood causes, including first 'martyr' of charity
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServicePope Francis recognized the martyrdom of members of a Polish family who were sheltering a Jewish family during World War II, and, for the first time, advanced the sainthood cause of a candidate under the category of heroically offering his life out of loving service to others.
For Indigenous, Our Lady of Guadalupe ‘a big thing’
By Quinton Amundson, The Catholic RegisterGraydon Nicholas, the former Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, will share his devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Hamilton, Ont., Dec. 12.
Pope Francis pays tribute to predecessor, honours Ratzinger Prize winners
By Catholic News ServicePresenting the Ratzinger Prize to a French Jesuit theologian and a Jewish law professor, Pope Francis paid tribute to his predecessor and his theological work.
Overcoming Christian divisions would give world hope, Pope Francis tells patriarch
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceWhile formal dialogue about the theological and historical causes of the splits in Christianity are essential, so, too, is a recognition that "sinful actions and attitudes" have contributed and continue to contribute to divisions in the body of Christ, Pope Francis said.
Violence against women is a 'scourge,' Pope Francis says
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceViolence against women is "a social scourge that is also linked to cultural attitudes, ingrained mentalities and prejudices," so education, prevention and swifter justice are needed to end it, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis writes to Ukrainians after nine months of conflict
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceNine months after Russia launched its war on Ukraine, Pope Francis wrote to the Ukrainian people expressing his admiration for their courage and commitment to their country in the face of so much death and destruction.
Pope Francis tells patriarch Catholics are ready for a common Easter date
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceMeeting the U.S.-born patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, Pope Francis expressed his hope that Christians of the East and West could finally agree on a common date for celebrating Easter.