Being Christian means acting, loving like Christ, Pope says at audience

VATICAN CITY - A Christian isn't a person who simply follows some commandments, but is a person who tries to think like Christ, "act like him, love like him," Pope Francis said at his weekly general audience.

Pope names head of Franciscans to Vatican office overseeing religious

VATICAN CITY - In his first appointment to the curia, Pope Francis named the superior of the Franciscans as secretary of the Vatican office that oversees the world's religious orders.

At Rome's cathedral, Pope Francis celebrates God's patience

ROME - Celebrating his first Mass in the cathedral of Rome, Pope Francis called on Christians to trust in God's endless patience and mercy.

The papal hug that touched the world

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — By Easter Monday, it would be the shot seen around the world.

Pope urges Catholics to let grace transform, work through them

VATICAN CITY - Catholics must allow the grace of their baptism and of the Eucharist to transform their lives and make them instruments of God's grace in the world, Pope Francis said.

At Rome's Colosseum, Pope says cross is God's response to evil

ROME - Gazing from a hillside overlooking Rome's Colosseum, where thousands of people gathered to pray the Way of the Cross, Pope Francis said Christ's cross is God's response to evil in the world.

Hope for a unified Easter

This year some 300 million Christians who claim apostolic succession back to the time of Christ will celebrate Easter 35 days later than Roman Catholics.

Pope leads Good Friday liturgy, begins rite in silent prayer, adoration

VATICAN CITY - Lying prostrate on the floor before the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis celebrated the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion.

Pope Francis says good priests bring joy, comfort to those in need

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis called on the world's priests to bring the healing power of God's grace to everyone in need, to stay close to the marginalized and to be "shepherds living with the smell of the sheep."

Self-absorption is root of evils within church, future Pope said

VATICAN CITY - Evils within the church are caused by a self-centeredness and "theological narcissism" that forget to share Christ with people outside of the church, Pope Francis said in the days before his election.

Vatican confirms pope to lead full slate of Holy Week, Easter liturgies

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican confirmed Pope Francis will lead a full slate of Holy Week and Easter liturgies in Rome and at the Vatican, keeping pace with a usually busy papal schedule.