A poster for the new film, "Francesco," by documentary filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky, shows Pope Francis walking in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

Pope Francis calls for civil unions for same-sex couples in documentary

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis often has expressed openness to the idea of laws recognizing civil unions, including for gay couples, to protect their rights.

Cardinal Angelo Becciu speaks with journalists during a news conference in Rome Sept. 25 after being asked by Pope Francis Sept. 24 to resign as prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes.

Becciu denies interfering in Pell trial

ROME -- Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu denied having interfered in any way with the trial of Cardinal George Pell after Italian media reported an allegation that Becciu might have wired money to Australia as a bribe during Pell’s trial.

Pope Francis greets a Swiss Guard as he returns to his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, after a service in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in this Oct. 24, 2013, file photo. The Vatican announced Oct. 17 that a resident of the Domus Sanctae Marthae tested positive for COVID-19.

Vatican reports positive coronavirus case at pope's residence

VATICAN CITY -- A resident at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the residence where Pope Francis lives, tested positive for COVID-19, the Vatican announced.

God's Word on Sunday: Exodus reveals a lesson in social justice

God's Word on Sunday: Exodus reveals a lesson in social justice

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Oct. 25 (Year A) Exodus 22:21-27; Psalm 18; 1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10; Matthew 22:34-40

People have very short memories, especially when there is a past they would prefer to forget. Experiences of poverty, insecurity and injustice seem to fade after one’s circumstances have improved dramatically. Unfortunately, many also forget the kindnesses and breaks they received along the way.

Leaders of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples hold a news conference at the Vatican Oct. 16, 2020. The topic was World Mission Sunday, which will be observed Oct. 18. Pictured from left are Oblate Father Tadeusz J. Nowak, secretary-general of the pontifical mission societies; Archbishop Giampietro Dal Toso, adjunct secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples; Archbishop Protase Rugambwa, secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples; and Cristiane Murray, vice director of the Vatican Press Office.

World Mission Sunday isn't canceled because of COVID-19, officials say

VATICAN CITY - The collection taken up in parishes around the globe on World Mission Sunday is "as unique as it is rare" because offerings are made by Catholics in the richest and poorest nations, a Vatican official said.

A Swiss Guard is seen as Vatican photographer Simone Risoluti works during Pope Francis' general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Oct. 7, 2020. The weekend of Oct. 10-11, four Swiss Guards were found to have COVID-19 and are symptomatic, the Vatican confirmed Oct. 12.

Swiss Guards report additional cases of COVID-19 among ranks

VATICAN CITY - The Swiss Guard reported an additional seven men have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the current number of cases among the 113 guardsmen to 11.

Cardinal Angelo Becciu speaks with journalists during a news conference in Rome Sept. 25, 2020, after he was asked by Pope Francis to resign as prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes. Cecilia Marogna, a political analyst allegedly hired as a security consultant by Cardinal Becciu, was arrested Oct. 13 by Italian authorities in Milan, media reported.

Analyst linked to Cardinal Becciu is arrested

VATICAN CITY - A political analyst allegedly hired as a security consultant by Cardinal Angelo Becciu was arrested by Italian authorities in Milan, Italian media reported.

Giuseppe Pignatone, president of the Vatican City State criminal court, speaks during the opening of the trial of two Italian priests accused of sexual abuse at a minor seminary inside the Vatican, in this still image taken from video at the Vatican Oct. 14, 2020. Father Gabriele Martinelli, 28, was accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a younger student at the seminary and Msgr. Enrico Radice, 71, former rector of the minor seminary, was accused of obstructing the investigation into Father Martinelli.

Vatican criminal trial begins against priests accused in abuse case

VATICAN CITY - Dressed in a black polo shirt with a sweater draped around his shoulders, Father Gabriele Martinelli, 28, heard a Vatican criminal court accuse him of repeatedly sexually abusing a younger student at a minor seminary inside the Vatican.

Pope Francis greets the crowd during his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Oct. 14, 2020. A few days after four Swiss Guards tested positive for COVID-19, the pope broke from his normal pattern and did not personally greet people in the crowd.

Prayer, crying out to God is only source of salvation, Pope says

VATICAN CITY - The purpose of crying out to the Lord in prayer is not to get used to suffering, but to remember that God, and not humankind, is the only source of salvation and consolation, Pope Francis said.

God's Word on Sunday: We all have a part to play in God’s plan

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Oct. 18 (Year A) Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; Psalm 96; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5a; Matthew 22:15-21

King Cyrus of Persia was an unlikely candidate for the title 'messiah' (anointed one) in the Hebrew Scriptures. But the text is clear: Cyrus was the anointed of God. Not only that, God gave him the power necessary for his long string of military victories. 

The face of evil is all around us

The face of evil is all around us

We tend to be naïve about evil, at least as to what it looks like in everyday life.

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