Cindy Wooden

Giving to the poor is part of jubilee year, Pope says

February 10, 2016

VATICAN CITY - A jubilee year that does not open people's wallets to share what they have with others is not a true jubilee, Pope Francis said.

Vatican updates papal itinerary for Cuba, Mexico visit

February 8, 2016

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis is scheduled to have more than two hours alone with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow in Cuba in addition to signing a declaration with the patriarch before flying on to Mexico for a Feb. 12-17 visit.

Kids’ questions to Pope become book

February 6, 2016

VATICAN CITY - Children may say the darnedest things, but when it comes to questions about faith they can make even the most learned parents and priests pause.

Pope, Russian Orthodox patriarch to meet in Cuba, Vatican announces

February 5, 2016

VATICAN CITY - After almost three decades of tense Catholic-Russian Orthodox relations, Pope Francis will meet Patriarch Kirill of Moscow Feb. 12 in Cuba on the Pope's way to Mexico.

Cardinal confirms some priests decline appointment as bishop

February 1, 2016

VATICAN CITY - Although the number is not high, it is no longer "exceptional" to have priests turn down an appointment as bishop, said Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

Live your faith during Lent, perform works of mercy

January 26, 2016

VATICAN CITY - Lent is a time of conversion and a time to deepen one's faith, demonstrating and sharing it through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, Pope Francis said.

Pope asks mercy, pardon for ways Christians have harmed one another

January 25, 2016

ROME - After walking across the threshold of the Holy Door with an Orthodox metropolitan and an Anglican archbishop, Pope Francis invoked God's mercy upon divided Christians and apologized for times that Catholics may have hurt members of other denominations.

Teach the faith, expose extremism, Vatican official asks Arab leaders

January 19, 2016

VATICAN CITY - Religious leaders must identify and publicly distance themselves from extremists preaching animosity toward others, a Vatican official told religious and government leaders from across the Arab world.

Dialogue, remembrance, peace highlighted as Pope visits synagogue

January 18, 2016

ROME - While the Catholic Church affirms that salvation comes through Jesus, it also recognizes that God is faithful and has not revoked his covenant with the Jewish people, Pope Francis said.

Synagogue visit is chapter in Rome's unique Catholic-Jewish history

January 14, 2016

ROME - History and geography have combined to make Catholic-Jewish relations in Rome unique, both negatively and positively -- a fact highlighted by modern papal visits to the city's main synagogue just two miles from the Vatican.