VATICAN CITY -- The Office of Papal Charities has purchased enough doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to offer inoculations in Rome to 1,200 of “the poorest and most marginalized people who, because of their situation, are the most exposed” to the coronavirus.

Pope Francis elevates Ireland's national Knock Shrine to international status

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DUBLIN -- Pope Francis has elevated the National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Knock to the status of an International Shrine of Eucharistic and Marian Devotion.

Pope Francis names woman Scripture scholar as secretary of biblical commission

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has named Sister Nuria Calduch-Benages, an Old Testament scholar and professor at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University, to be secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission.

Returning from Iraq, Pope Francis talks about 'risks' taken on trip

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ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM IRAQ -- The Catholic Church's commitment to dialogue with other churches and with other religions flows from the Gospel, but Pope Francis said he knows some Catholics disagree.

Life triumphs over death as Christians rebuild in Iraq, Pope Francis says

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QARAQOSH, Iraq -- Amid the rubble and bombed out remains of four churches destroyed by Islamic State militants, Pope Francis paid tribute to Iraqi Christians who endured persecution and even death.

Hostility, violence are 'betrayals' of religion, Pope Francis says in Iraq

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UR, Iraq -- Traveling to the birthplace of Abraham, Pope Francis urged believers to prove their faith in the one God and father of all by accepting one another as brothers and sisters.

Pope Francis, Iraqi Shiite leader affirm importance of dialogue, respect

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NASIRIYAH, Iraq -- In a low-key meeting followed closely in Iraq and beyond, Pope Francis and Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the influential leader of Shiite Muslims in Iraq, spent 45 minutes speaking privately.

Marian summit part of rosary novena

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A spirit of veneration for Mary is at work during the 2021 Lenten and Easter seasons as the Marian Devotional Movement (MDM) launched a Canada54 National Rosary Novena and Marian Summit on Ash Wednesday.

Honour martyrs by remaining faithful, working for a better Iraq, Pope Francis says on visit

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BAGHDAD -- Visiting a Baghdad cathedral "hallowed by the blood of our brothers and sisters" murdered in a terrorist attack that shook the world, Pope Francis said their sacrifice must motivate faith and a commitment to working for the common good.

Pope Francis arrives in Iraq, promoting peace, tolerance, equality

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BAGHDAD -- To consolidate peace and ensure progress, the government and people of Iraq must never treat anyone as a second-class citizen and must work each day to promote harmony, Pope Francis said.

Women of Faith conference balances the spiritual and feminine

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Dorothy Pilarski is only half joking when she urges the women in her mother’s group to use their kitchen counters as a pulpit.