Cindy Wooden

Health care is not a business, but a service to life, says Pope Francis

February 10, 2017

VATICAN CITY – A nation's health-care system cannot be run simply as a business because human lives are at stake, Pope Francis said.

Pope leads prayers for migrants, trafficking victims on St. Bakhita's feast day

February 8, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Marking the feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, a former slave, Pope Francis urged Christians to help victims of human trafficking and migrants, especially the Rohingya people being chased from Myanmar.

Keep searching for unity, Pope tells German Lutherans, Catholics

February 6, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Christ's call for his disciples to be one requires that even as they try to resolve their differences on doctrinal and moral questions, they must get used to working and praying together, Pope Francis said.

Facts first: Vatican seeks scientific data before making judgments

February 4, 2017

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican believes scientific facts exist and it wants to hear about them from world-renowned scientists before it offers guidance on or criticism of related political, social or economic policies.

Culture alone cannot be blamed for drop in vocations, Pope says

January 30, 2017

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – While there is a need to evangelize a culture that tells young people money equals success and commitments aren't forever, stopping the "hemorrhage" of people leaving religious orders also requires changes from the orders themselves, Pope Francis said.

Order of Malta's grand master resigns at Pope's request

January 25, 2017

ROME – After weeks of very public tensions with the Vatican, the head of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta accepted Pope Francis' request that he submit his resignation.

Cardinal hopes January dates for WYD 2019 in Panama won't keep students away

January 25, 2017

VATICAN CITY – With the next global celebration of World Youth Day scheduled for Jan. 22-27, 2019, Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell knows many young Catholics in North America and Europe may find it a challenge to attend.

Pope tells media: reject prejudice, leave space for hope

January 24, 2017

VATICAN CITY – At a time when the media seem to feed a "vicious cycle of anxiety" and a "spiral of fear," Christians should respond with honest stories that identify problems and evil, but also inspire real solutions, Pope Francis said.

'We must wait and see,' Pope says of President Trump

January 23, 2017

VATICAN CITY – As President Donald Trump was being sworn in, Pope Francis told an interviewer it would be "reckless" to pass judgment on the new president before he had a chance to do anything.

Vatican policy promotes access to Jerusalem, self-determination for all

January 21, 2017

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican's hopes for a peace-filled world and its defence of the right to religious freedom have supported its consistent position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for 70 years.