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Pope Francis leads ecumenical vespers at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome Jan. 25.

Become islands of mercy in the sea of world's indifference, Pope says

VATICAN CITY - Christians are called to overcome apathy, discouragement and pretentions of self-sufficiency by letting God enter into their hearts, making them joyful, merciful and strong, Pope Francis said.

Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare movement, is pictured in 2003. The current president of the movement, Maria Voce, has formally requested the opening of a sainthood cause for Lubich, who died in 2008.

Sainthood cause of Focolare's founder officially opens in Italy

VATICAN CITY - The sainthood cause of the founder of the Focolare movement, Chiara Lubich, was to open officially Jan. 27 in the cathedral of the Italian Diocese of Frascati, which includes the town where the international lay movement is based.

Pope Francis gestures to newlywed couples during his weekly audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Jan. 21.

Poverty stems from unjust economic system, not big families, Pope says

VATICAN CITY - Families who have lots of children do not cause poverty, Pope Francis said.

The quest for unity doesn’t aim to seek a uniform Christian Church, but allows a seamless diversity.

Seamlessness and diversity

You have heard it said that a stitch in time saves nine. I know how to thread a needle and have done so many times. I have even sewn a button on my shirt and on occasion sat at a sewing machine, but a tailor I am not.

Pope Francis refers to Alberto Gasparri, left, papal trip planner, while answering a question from a French journalist aboard his flight to Manila, Philippines, Jan. 15.

Vatican clarifies Pope's comments on Charlie Hebdo attack

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican Press Office has issued a "clarification" to state that Pope Francis was not justifying last week's terrorist attacks in Paris after he told journalists that people who "provoke" can "expect a punch."

Chaldean Archbishop Amel Shamon Nona of Mosul, Iraq

Bishops appointed for Chaldean Church in Toronto, Sydney, Baghdad

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis named new bishops for Chaldean Catholics in Toronto and Sydney and confirmed the election of a Chaldean priest, who is currently ministering in Detroit, to be a new auxiliary bishop in Baghdad.

St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican

Vatican downplays report that it’s under threat from Islamic terrorists

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican rejected reports that it could be the next target of Islamist terrorists after last week’s deadly attacks in France.

In a speech before diplomats and world leaders on Jan. 12, the Pope urged them to end violence and pursue "reconciliation, peace and defense" of the dignity of each human being.

Pope to diplomats: Rejecting God, people, nature leads to conflict

VATICAN CITY - Highlighting some of the most urgent conflicts facing the world, Pope Francis said such strife and injustices were rooted in a culture of rejection that refuses to recognize God, to protect nature and to respect other human beings.

Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero, an outspoken critic of human rights abuses in El Salvador who was gunned down while celebrating Mass in 1980, is pictured in an undated photo. A panel advising the Vatican's Congregation for Saints' Causes voted unanimously to recognize the late Archbishop Romero as a martyr.

Panel advising Vatican unanimous that Archbishop Romero is a martyr

VATICAN CITY - A panel of theologians advising the Vatican's Congregation for Saints' Causes voted unanimously to recognize the late Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero as a martyr, according to the newspaper of the Italian bishops' conference.

People take part in a procession during the annual Three Kings Day parade in Gdansk, Poland, Jan. 6, the feast of the Epiphany.

God created all people, desires to save them, Pope says on Epiphany

VATICAN CITY - In every age and in every culture, people seek God just as the Three Kings did and, in every age, with the help of the Holy Spirit, they find him in the surprising humility of a baby born in a manger, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis announced 15 new cardinal electors from "14 nations of every continent" to show the link between the Vatican and the churches across the world.

Want to see Pope Francis’ vision for the church? Look at his new cardinals

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis reinforced his radical reshaping of the Catholic Church by naming 20 new cardinals from countries as far afield as Ethiopia, Tonga, Thailand and Panama.

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