VATICAN CITY - Respect for human life from conception until natural death is something children must be taught, not mainly with words, but by the example of their parents, Pope Francis said.

VATICAN CITY - During World Youth Day celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, July 23-28, many worshippers in the crowds could be seen swaying from side to side, arms raised in the air, wearing rapt or joyous expressions on their faces.

VATICAN CITY - The last formal exhortation to the 115 cardinals who elected Pope Francis in March included reminders of the importance of presenting the Catholic faith in its entirety, the need to recognize the errors of Church members and the need for unity within the Catholic community.

Less than six months into his papacy, Pope Francis still seems very new, very different to the world. In particular, his relationship to the media has caused a sensation.
Newspapers around the world have headlined the Pope's remarks on homosexuality with the "Who am I to judge?" soundbite.

VATICAN CITY - One could say it all started with St. Peter's fishing boat. One day, that humble vessel turned into a powerful pontifical fleet, particularly during the life of the Papal States.

Pope Francis did not turn Catholic sexual ethics on its head while chatting with reporters on the plane trip back from Brazil.

ROME - Celebrating the feast of St. Ignatius with more than 200 of his Jesuit confreres, Pope Francis prayed that he and all of them would receive "the grace of shame" for their failures and the humility to recognize that whatever good they accomplish is really done by the Lord.

VATICAN CITY - An overemphasis on "personal well-being" and general indifference have eroded any sense of responsibility toward others, especially toward the poor, said a note from the Vatican announcing Pope Francis' choice of a theme for World Peace Day 2014.

VATICAN CITY - When Pope Francis told reporters July 28, "Who am I to judge" a homosexual person, he was emphasizing a part of Catholic teaching often overlooked by the media and misunderstood by many people.

VATICAN CITY - At the end of his first foreign trip, Pope Francis told reporters that it's good for a Pope to travel and there are plans in the works for visits in Italy, to Jerusalem, to Asia, but nothing planned soon for his Argentine homeland.