Cindy Wooden

Amazon Synod getting varied reception among Catholics

September 18, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Before members of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon began packing their bags for the synod assembly at the Vatican Oct. 6-27, a variety of groups were announcing side events.

Wednesday Audience: God is not thwarted by sin

September 18, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- The Catholic Church will endure, despite the frailty and sins of its members, because it is God's project, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis: Life without parole is no solution to crime

September 16, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Sentencing someone to life in prison without the possibility of parole is "not the solution to problems, but a problem to solve," Pope Francis told Italian prison guards, prison chaplains and officials from the Ministry of Justice.

Pope Francis urges Eastern Catholic bishops to promote ecumenism

September 16, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Praising the fidelity of Eastern Catholics, Pope Francis also urged them to be more active in the search for Christian unity, especially unity with their Orthodox counterparts.

Vatican: German synod plans must conform to church law

September 12, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- The German bishops' plans for a two-year process of consultation and deliberation on key issues facing the Catholic Church must conform to universal church law and must be approved by the pope, said the prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

Get ready to get dirty, Pope Francis tells new bishops

September 12, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- New bishops need to prepare for a life filled with God's surprises, with daily plans that change at the last minute and, especially, for a life dedicated to spending time with God and with the people, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis tells reporters to keep to 'the facts'

September 10, 2019

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM MADAGASCAR -- No one really knows what the future of the news media will be, but it will have no future if reporters and the public cannot distinguish between facts and fiction, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis: Ideological 'fixation' feeds schisms

September 10, 2019

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM MADAGASCAR -- Pope Francis told reporters he hoped and prayed the Catholic Church would not experience a new schism, but human freedom means people always have had and will have the "schism option."

Pope Francis cautions Mauritius amid economic growth: care for poor

September 9, 2019

PORT LOUIS, Mauritius -- Statistical indicators show Mauritius' rapid economic growth has benefited all sectors of society, lifting thousands out of poverty over the past 30 years, but Pope Francis still urged the island's Catholics to be careful.

Text of pope's prayer for workers at Madagascar stone quarry

September 8, 2019

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar -- Here is the Vatican's English translation of Pope Francis' "Prayer for Workers," which he prayed Sept. 8 at the Mahatazana stone quarry: