Cindy Wooden

Safeguarding creation is religious obligation, Vatican officials say

June 2, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Christians and Muslims, believers in one God, have an obligation to safeguard the world God created, said the Vatican's annual message to Muslims for the end of Ramadan.

One in the Spirit: Catholics, Pentecostals celebrate Pentecost with Pope

May 30, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis' very public friendship with and overtures to Pentecostal and evangelical leaders is a high-profile reflection of a relationship that already existed at the grass roots between Catholic charismatics and some of their Spirit-filled neighbours, leaders of the renewal said.

Trudeau asks Pope to apologize in Canada for residential schools

May 29, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he asked Pope Francis to help Canadians "move forward on a real reconciliation" with the country's Indigenous people "by issuing an apology" on behalf of the Catholic Church for its role in harming their communities.

Geography and geometry: New cardinals fit Pope's formula for faith

May 28, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis, who described himself as coming from "the ends of the earth," continues to go to the far reaches of the globe to seek those who will advise him and possibly elect the next Pope.

Trump promises to heed words of Pope Francis

May 24, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis and U.S. President Donald Trump spent 30 minutes speaking privately in the library of the Apostolic Palace May 24, and as the president left, he told the Pope, "I won't forget what you said."

Pope announces new cardinals from Mali, Spain, Sweden, Laos, Salvador

May 23, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis announced he will create five new cardinals June 28; the new cardinals-designate come from Mali, Spain, Sweden, Laos and El Salvador.

A tender gaze: Fatima trip shows Pope's respect for pilgrims' faith

May 21, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis is not shy about showing his love for Mary in public and, like many Latin American bishops, he strongly has resisted attempts to dismiss as superstitious or "simple," in a negative sense, popular devotion to the mother of God.

Search for common ground will be key to Pope's meeting with Trump

May 21, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Despite a few pointed comments in the past and fundamental differences on issues such as immigration, economic policy, military spending and climate change, sparks are not expected to fly May 24 when Pope Francis welcomes U.S. President Donald Trump to the Vatican.

Prudence, pastoral concern guides Medjugorje commission, member says

May 21, 2017

VATICAN CITY – If the Catholic Church recognizes as "worthy of belief" only the initial alleged apparitions of Mary at Medjugorje, it would be the first time the church distinguished between phases of a single event, but it also would acknowledge that human beings and a host of complicating factors are involved, said a theological expert in Mariology.

Vatican, Jewish museums explore menorah in art and dark legend

May 21, 2017

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican Museums and the Jewish Museum of Rome are exploring together the significance of the menorah, although they also give a nod to the centuries-old legend that the Vatican is hiding the golden menorah from the Temple of Jerusalem.