Pope Francis baptizes one of 32 babies as he celebrates Mass on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican Jan. 12, 2020. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis will not baptize infants this year on the feast of the baptism of the Lord.

Pope Francis will not baptize infants on feast day this year

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VATICAN CITY -- The choral cries of newborn babies will not fill the Sistine Chapel in 2021 because the COVID-19 pandemic has forced Pope Francis to cancel his annual celebration of infant baptisms on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Farmer Tomislav Suknaic touches his horse in front of his destroyed home in the village of Majske Poljane, Croatia, Dec. 30, 2020, following an earthquake. Pope Francis offered condolences and prayers for the victims of the magnitude 6.4 earthquake that rocked central Croatia the previous day, killing at least seven people and injuring dozens.

Pope Francis prays for victims of earthquake in Croatia

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Pope Francis offered condolences and prayers for the victims of an earthquake that rocked central Croatia.

Pope Francis delivers his Christmas message and blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) from the Hall of Blessings at the Vatican Dec. 25, 2020. Also pictured are Cardinal Angelo Comastri, archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, and Msgr. Guido Marini, papal master of ceremonies.

Pope Francis on Christmas: Share hope, promote peace, give vaccine to all

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VATICAN CITY -- On a Christmas like no other, Pope Francis prayed for people who could not be with their families because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but he urged everyone to recognize and help those who are suffering even more.

The original image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Guadalupe devotion rising for Indigenous

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The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is not some distant, colourful, Mexican tradition for former New Brunswick Lieutenant Governor Graydon Nicholas.

Pope Francis prays at the base of a tall Marian statue overlooking the Spanish Steps in Rome Dec. 8, 2002, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. The pope prayed at the statue shortly before the Rome firefighters' traditional early morning event in honor of the Immaculate Conception.

Say 'no' to sin, 'yes' to grace, Pope Francis says on Immaculate Conception feast

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VATICAN CITY - Mary's Immaculate Conception offers a glimpse to the promised life for all Christians who open their hearts to God and his grace, Pope Francis said.

A priest hears confession inside the cathedral in Valencia, Spain, May 19, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview Dec. 5 with the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, said confession by phone is still most likely invalid.

Cardinal upholds 'probable invalidity' of confession by phone

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VATICAN CITY - Even though the world is facing a pandemic that may limit many people's ability to celebrate the sacraments, particularly those people who are in isolation, quarantining or hospitalized with COVID-19, confession by phone is still most likely invalid, said Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary.

Red birettas are pictured during Pope Francis' Mass with new cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Nov. 29, 2020.

Pope Francis creates 13 new cardinals at consistory

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VATICAN CITY -- One by one 11 senior churchmen, including two U.S. citizens -- Cardinals Wilton D. Gregory of Washington and Silvano M. Tomasi, a former Vatican diplomat -- knelt before Pope Francis to receive their red hats, a cardinal's ring and a scroll formally declaring their new status and assigning them a "titular" church in Rome.

Fr. Ivan Camilleri

Problem solved: Camilleri appointed Toronto auxiliary

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As a man naturally drawn to problem solving, Fr. Ivan Camilleri says he finds fulfilment in helping others in their journey of faith.

Advent candles and a wreath help bring focus to the time before the coming of our Lord. This Advent, may we find greater resonance with Mary.

The season is still about the coming of Christ

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Getting ready for Christmas in the middle of a pandemic will certainly be different.

The stained glass panels at Frassati House in Kingston, Ont. — depicting, from left, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, St. Oscar Romero, St. Maximilian Kolbe and Blessed Karl of Austria — were produced by Joseph Aigner of Artistic Glass in Toronto and commissioned by Fr. Raymond J. de Souza.

Windows of inspiration for Catholic men

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In the lead-up to the Nov. 22 feast of Christ the King, young men in Kingston, Ont., were introduced to a saintly king and emperor, Bl. Karl of Austria.

Pope Francis speaks with Valentina Alazraki of the Mexican television station Televisa during an interview that aired in May 2019. The Vatican Secretariat of State has sent a note to nuncios around the world explaining the pope's comments about civil unions in the documentary "Francesco" by Evgeny Afineevsky.

Pope Francis not changing church teaching on gay unions, Secretariat of State says

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VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican Secretariat of State has sent an explanatory note to nuncios around the world insisting that when Pope Francis spoke about civil unions, he was not changing or challenging "the doctrine of the church, which he has reaffirmed numerous times over the years."

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