Back to the synod: Year given for 'discernment' also brought debate

Back to the synod: Year given for 'discernment' also brought debate

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis planned two gatherings of the Synod of Bishops to focus on the family and urged participants to use the year between the assemblies as a time for "true spiritual discernment" with both study and prayer.

A woman reacts to Pope Francis' final words during the closing Mass of the World Meeting of Families on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia Sept. 27.

Lesson for synod seen in joy evident at World Meeting of Families

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PHILADELPHIA - It's difficult to forget Pope Francis' passionate Sept. 26 speech, his gestures and the tone of his voice when he addressed the value of the family in Philadelphia.

Joy of the Lord our strength

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The joy of the Lord is our strength, and in Him we discover who we really are: this was the focus of Pope Francis’ reflection following the readings of the day at Mass in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta on Thursday morning, the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux. The Holy Father focused especially on the need to cultivate nostalgia – deep yearning – for God in the Christian life.

Pope Francis celebrates the closing Mass of the World Meeting of Families on Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia Sept. 27.

Expert: Healing possible for victims, perpetrators of domestic violence

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PHILADELPHIA - Help and healing is possible for Catholic families suffering with violence in the home, said psychologist Christauria Welland.

A delegate to the World Meeting of Families applies brushstrokes to paint-by-number mural at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia Sept. 22.

Attendees of World Meeting of Families help break Guinness world record

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PHILADELPHIA - As confetti rained down and cheers filled the air on the final day of the World Meeting of Families Sept. 25, a family from Argentina applied brushstrokes to a mural depicting Pope Francis -- pushing the number of contributors to the paint-by-numbers mural past 2,263 and into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Pope Francis greets Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin during the closing Mass of the World Meeting of Families on Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia Sept. 27. The 2108 World Meeting of Families is to be held in Dublin. Looking on is Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia.

Dublin to host next World Meeting of Families -- in 2018

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PHILADELPHIA - Irish pilgrims in Philadelphia shared their excitement after Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, announced the 2018 World Meeting of Families would be held in Dublin.

Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia

Church leaders affirm commitment to family as world meeting kicks off

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PHILADELPHIA - Known as the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia will be "the city of family love" and the "world capital of families" during the four-day World Meeting of Families, said Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family.

A child attends a meeting with Pope Francis at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Santiago, Cuba, Sept. 22.

Pope tells Cubans that families are opportunities, not problems

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SANTIAGO, Cuba - Pope Francis ended his trip to Cuba by blessing the city of Santiago de Cuba and telling Cubans to treat family as an "opportunity" rather than a problem.

People cheer as Pope Francis drives past in El Cobre, Cuba, Sept. 21. The pope visited and prayed at the shrine in El Cobre dedicated to Our Lady of Charity, patroness of Cuba.

Pope calls for 'revolution of tenderness' in Cuba

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SANTIAGO, Cuba - Pope Francis called Cuban to a "revolution of tenderness" as he celebrated Mass in the Minor Basilica of the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, the country's patroness.

Pope Francis prays near the statue of Our Lady of Charity, patroness of Cuba, in the Minor Basilica of the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity in El Cobre, Cuba, Sept. 21.

Visit to Cuban shrine gives pope quiet time for prayer

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SANTIAGO, Cuba - In one of the calmer, more intimate moments of his visit to Cuba, Pope Francis and the country's bishops offered special prayers to the Cuba's patroness, Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre.

Pope Francis accepts flowers from children as he arrives at Antonio Maceo International Airport in Santiago, Cuba.

Pope to Cubans: Look to future with hope, but care for each other

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SANTIAGO, Cuba - A key task of a traveling pope is to confirm his brothers and sisters in the faith. For Pope Francis in Cuba, that ministry took on added importance as Cuba and its people stand on the threshold of potentially epochal change.

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