Pope Francis meets Attilio Fontana, president of the Lombardy region, during an audience with doctors, nurses and health care professionals from the Lombardy region at the Vatican June 20, 2020. The Lombardy region in northern Italy suffered the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

Pandemic showed just how much people need each other, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY -- During the darkest, most deadly days of the COVID-19 pandemic in northern Italy, medical professionals and volunteers were "silent artisans of a culture of closeness and tenderness," a culture that cannot be allowed to disappear, Pope Francis said.

Elisha and the Shunammite Woman (1649) by Gerbrand van den Eeckhout.

God's Word on Sunday: Kindness sets the world on better path

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 28 (Year A) 2 Kings 4:8-12a, 14-16; Psalm 89; Romans 6:3-4, 8-11; Matthew 10:37-42

We should not underestimate the importance and impact of our individual acts of kindness.

Carlo Acutis, an Italian teenager who used his computer programming skills to spread devotion to the Eucharist, will be beatified Oct. 10, 2020, the Diocese of Assisi announced. Acutis is pictured in an undated photo.

Teen to be beatified

VATICAN CITY -- Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old Italian who used his computer programming skills to spread devotion to the Eucharist, will be beatified in October, the Diocese of Assisi announced.

Pope Francis listens as Gian Piero Milano, Vatican chief prosecutor, speaks during an audience at the Vatican.

Vatican: Broker involved in London property deal released

VATICAN CITY -- An Italian broker who was arrested for his involvement in the questionable majority stake purchase of a property in London by the Vatican's Secretariat of State was granted a conditional release after 10 days in a Vatican jail cell.

Rembrandt van Rijn, Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem, c. 1630.

God's Word on Sunday: Fear can keep us from our true humanity

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 21 (Year A) Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 69; Romans 5:12-15; Matthew 10:26-33

Jeremiah has been called the “reluctant prophet” and it is easy to see why.

Swiss Guards are seen in a file photo arriving in St. Peter's Square to attend Pope Francis' Christmas message and blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) at the Vatican. Tasked with protecting the pope even at the cost of their own lives, members of the Swiss Guard are not just highly trained specialists in security and ceremonial detail, they also receive extensive spiritual formation, the guard's chaplain said.

Swiss Guards receive formation in security, faith

VATICAN CITY -- Tasked with protecting the pope even at the cost of their own lives, members of the Swiss Guard are not just highly trained specialists in security and ceremonial detail, they also receive extensive spiritual formation, the guard's chaplain said.

The tower of the Institute for the Works of Religion, often referred to as the Vatican bank, is pictured in this 2019 photo. The Vatican bank made a profit of 38 million euros (about $42.9 million) in 2019, more than twice the profit reported in the previous year, according to an annual report released June 8, 2020.

Vatican bank reports profit of 38 million euros in 2019

VATICAN CITY -- The Institute for the Works of Religion, often referred to as the Vatican bank, made a profit of 38 million euros (about $42.9 million) in 2019, more than twice the profit reported in the previous year, according to its annual report.

Pope Francis listens as Gian Piero Milano, Vatican chief prosecutor, speaks during an audience at the Vatican Feb. 15, 2020. In a statement released June 5, the Vatican said Milano, and his deputy, Alessandro Diddi, authorized the arrest of Gianluigi Torzi, an Italian broker who was involved in the Vatican Secretariat of State's majority stake purchase of a property in London's posh Chelsea district.

Vatican arrests broker involved in London property deal

VATICAN CITY -- Vatican authorities arrested and took into custody an Italian broker who was involved in the Vatican Secretariat of State's majority stake purchase of a property in London's posh Chelsea district.

St. Pope John Paul II and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople embrace following three days of private meetings at the Vatican in 1995.

Christian unity still a work in progress

Ray Temmerman’s been a committed Catholic all his life. He’s a former president of the National Council of Development and Peace. He’s taken time out from his career in automotive technology and human resources to study theology at the University of Winnipeg, earning a Masters in Sacred Theology.

This practice of reflective and prayerful remembrance is also the key to understanding the confusing and disturbing challenges that all people are facing now. The pandemic is not punishment, but it is an opportunity to awaken to God.

God's Word on Sunday: Here’s an opportunity to awaken to God

Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, June 14 (Year A) Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16; Psalm 147; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; John 6:51-59

Remembering is the key to spiritual and psychological growth. It unlocks the meaning of our experiences and gives us the gift of self-knowledge.

Mary Marrocco: Searching for the source of our hunger

Mary Marrocco: Searching for the source of our hunger

What did Jesus mean by “this is My body”? 

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