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A homeless woman walks past a Swiss guard as she enters the Vatican March 26. While enjoying a private visit to the Sistine Chapel, homeless people were surprised by a visit from Pope Francis.

Pope joins homeless people for private tour of Sistine Chapel

VATICAN CITY - While enjoying a private visit to the Sistine Chapel, a group of VIP guests -- homeless people who live around the Vatican -- were surprised by a visit from Pope Francis.

Pope Francis hands his speech to Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe of Naples, Italy, after deciding to speak off the cuff during a meeting with religious at the cathedral in Naples March 21.

No ifs, ands or buts: Christians must live Christ's way, Pope says

VATICAN CITY - Don't be "halfway Christians," who accept Christ, but then start looking for excuses and stammering, "yes, but ..." when it is time to follow his way, Pope Francis said at a morning Mass.

Nuns greet Pope Francis during his meeting with religious at the cathedral in Naples, Italy, March 21.

Nuns mob Pope before blood of Naples' patron saint miraculously liquefies

VATICAN CITY - After Pope Francis was mobbed by a group of cloistered nuns, and at the end of a spontaneity-filled meeting with priests, seminarians and religious in the cathedral of Naples, a vial of dried blood of the city's patron saint appeared to miraculously liquefy.

Pope Francis greets the crowd after celebrating Mass in Piazza Plebiscito in Naples, Italy, March 21.

Pope preaches hope to Naples' unemployed, immigrants, prisoners

VATICAN CITY - Hope is the first act of resistance to evil, Pope Francis told the people of Naples as he pleaded for respect for the dignity of immigrants, jobs for the unemployed and the conversion of the city's notorious mafia families.

Pope Francis goes to confession during a Lenten penance service in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 13. During the service the pope announced an extraordinary jubilee, a Holy Year of Mercy, to be celebrated from Dec. 8, 2015, until Nov. 20, 2016.

In Holy Year, Pope wants to share experience of mercy he had as teen

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis' decision to convoke a special Holy Year of Mercy has its roots in the event that led a teenage Jorge Mario Bergoglio to the priesthood.

A man joins in chanting for the repeal of the death penalty in Maryland in January 2013. Maryland's death penalty was abolished in the same year May 2, signed into law by Gov. Martin O'Malley.

Pope Francis calls death penalty 'unacceptable,' urges abolition

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis came out squarely against the death penalty once again, calling it "unacceptable" regardless of the seriousness of the crime of the condemned.

Pope Francis accepted the Scotland Cardinal Keith O'Brien’s decision to renounce duties as a cardinal. While O’Brien can still keep the title of cardinal, he won’t be a papal advisor or be an elector of a future pope. He will retain the roles as a priest and retired bishop, according to the Vatican Press office.

Pope accepts cardinal's decision to renounce duties, rights of office

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis accepted Scotland Cardinal Keith O'Brien's decision to renounce all "duties and privileges" associated with being a cardinal.

Blessed Louis and Marie Zelie Guerin Martin, the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux, are pictured in a combination photo created from images provided by the Sanctuary of Lisieux in France. Pope Francis is expected to canonize the couple during the world Synod of Bishops on the family in October.

Pope recognizes miracle needed to declare French couple saints

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis has approved a miracle so that, for the first time, a married couple can be canonized together.

Kevin Reilly, left, a former NFL player whose arm and shoulder were amputated, and Darrell Miller, a former major league baseball player and director of the league's Urban Youth Academy, speaks at a Catholic Men of Faith Conference March 7 at St. Philip Church in Franklin, Tenn.

Catholic men urged to evangelize 'home front,' then go out to community

FRANKLIN, Tenn. - The Catholic Church needs men to fully commit to their faith, and men have all they need from God "to be a force" for the church, a former major league baseball player told a men's conference in Franklin.

Pope Francis preaches during a Lenten penance service in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 13. During a March 13 penance service, the pope announced an extraordinary jubilee, a Holy Year of Mercy, to be celebrated from Dec. 8, 2015, until Nov. 20 , 2016.

What does the Pope want: ‘All I want is to go out for a pizza!’

The “Pope of the Interview” strikes again: Pope Francis has given a lengthy — and fascinating — interview to a Mexican television station, which broadcast it on March 13 to mark the second anniversary of his election.

Reforms launched by Pope Francis when he assumed the papacy two years ago are becoming bogged down in consultations and infighting.

Francis’ reforms run into strong headwinds

VATICAN CITY - One reason the cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel elected Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Pope Francis two years ago was a brief but powerful speech the Argentine cardinal made shortly before the conclave in which he denounced the “theological narcissism” of the Roman Catholic Church.

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