FAITH/STORIES

Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 24, 2022.
December 27, 2022

Bring hope to others, justice for the poor, Pope Francis says at Christmas Mass

Christ was born to touch people's hearts and show that love is the power that changes the course of history, Pope Francis said.

An illustration depicts Jesuit Father Matteo Ricci in traditional Chinese clothing. In a decree Dec. 17, 2022, Pope Francis advanced the sainthood cause of Father Ricci, recognizing the heroic virtues of the 16th-century missionary to China and declaring him venerable.

Pope Francis advances sainthood causes, including first 'martyr' of charity

By

Pope 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.

Pope Francis is pictured during an interview with Spanish newspaper, ABC, at his residence at the Vatican in this photo released Dec. 18, 2022. The pope revealed to the newspaper that he wrote a resignation letter in 2013, his first year in office, to be used in case he became physically or mentally impaired and unable to fulfill the duties of the papacy.

Pope Francis prepared resignation letter in case of impairment

By

Pope Francis said he wrote a resignation letter in 2013, his first year in office, to be used in case he became physically or mentally impaired and unable to fulfill the duties of the papacy.

December 14, 2022
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.

The devil is sneaky, so Christians must be watchful, Pope Francis says

Vigilance is an essential part of the spiritual life because the devil will try to sneak in when one is not paying attention or, especially, when a Christian thinks he or she is making a lot of progress on the road to holiness, Pope Francis said.

A mosaic depicts Our Lady of Guadalupe at a shrine to her at St. Juan Diego Catholic Church in Pasadena, Texas.

For Indigenous, Our Lady of Guadalupe ‘a big thing’

By

Graydon Nicholas, the former Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, will share his devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Hamilton, Ont., Dec. 12.

December 5, 2022
The Nativity scene and Christmas tree decorate St. Peter's Square after a lighting ceremony at the Vatican Dec. 3, 2022.

Keep the creche in Christmas, Pope Francis urges

Stopping to gaze at and perhaps pray before a Nativity scene is one of the best ways to remember the real meaning of Christmas, Pope Francis said.

Jesuit Father Michel Fédou, professor of dogmatic theology and patristics at the Centre Sèvres of Paris, and Joseph H. H. Weiler, a professor of law at New York University School of Law, stand on either side of Pope Francis after receiving the Ratzinger Prize in theology from him Dec. 1, 2022, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis pays tribute to predecessor, honours Ratzinger Prize winners

By

Presenting the Ratzinger Prize to a French Jesuit theologian and a Jewish law professor, Pope Francis paid tribute to his predecessor and his theological work.

Jesuit Father Juan Antonio Guerrero Alves, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, is pictured in an undated photo. Father Guerrero has resigned for health reasons. Pope Francis has appointed the office's general secretary to succeed him.

Prefect of Vatican economy office steps down, citing illness

By

Three years after Pope Francis appointed him to speed up financial reforms, transparency and budget controls at the Vatican, Jesuit Father Juan Antonio Guerrero Alves has resigned for health reasons.

Pope Francis greets Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople at Sakhir Palace in Awali, Bahrain, in this Nov. 4, 2022, file photo. In a letter to Patriarch Bartholomew, Pope Francis said Christians must acknowledge how sin has exacerbated divisions and how growing in holiness is part of the search for Christian unity.

Overcoming Christian divisions would give world hope, Pope Francis tells patriarch

By

While 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.

Members of the central anti-crime directorate of the Italian state police listen to Pope Francis during an audience in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Nov. 26, 2022. The pope spoke to the officers about the importance of education, prevention and swift justice in fighting violence against women.

Violence against women is a 'scourge,' Pope Francis says

By

Violence 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.

Curia officials -- Cardinal Luis Ladaria, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith; Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state; and Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops – meet Nov. 18, 2022, with the bishops of Germany making their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican. Other heads of Vatican dicasteries also attended the meeting across the street from the Vatican at the Augustinianum Institute for Patristic Studies.

Cardinals Ladaria, Ouellet outline concerns about German Synodal Path

By

Top Vatican officials expressed concern that, with the Synodal Path, the German bishops were giving up their role as shepherds and allowing participants to adopt positions in contrast to the faith of the universal church, particularly regarding sexuality and women's ordination.

The statue of Our Lady of Sheshan is pictured in a file photo atop the minor basilica in her name in Shanghai. The Vatican has issued a statement protesting a Chinese decision to create a new diocese and to transfer a bishop appointed by Pope Francis.

Vatican notes 'surprise and regret' over China's transfer of a bishop

By

In an unusual move, the Vatican issued a public statement of regret, essentially accusing the Chinese government of violating its agreement with the Vatican over the appointment of Catholic bishops.

Vatican Judge Giuseppe Pignatone listens during the third session of the trial of six defendants -- including Cardinal Angelo Becciu -- accused of financial crimes at the Vatican City State criminal court Nov. 17, 2021.

Cardinal Becciu secretly recorded call with Pope Francis, Vatican prosecutor says

By

After learning that Cardinal Angelo Becciu and a relative of his secretly recorded a phone call with Pope Francis, the Vatican's chief prosecutor said his office is considering a new charge -- one of criminal conspiracy -- against the cardinal, who has been on trial since July 2021 for financial malfeasance.

Page 11 of 264