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.
Pope Francis prays for victims of earthquake in Croatia
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServicePope Francis offered condolences and prayers for the victims of an earthquake that rocked central Croatia.
Pope Francis on Christmas: Share hope, promote peace, give vaccine to all
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN 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.
Guadalupe devotion rising for Indigenous
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterThe Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is not some distant, colourful, Mexican tradition for former New Brunswick Lieutenant Governor Graydon Nicholas.
Say 'no' to sin, 'yes' to grace, Pope Francis says on Immaculate Conception feast
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN 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.
Cardinal upholds 'probable invalidity' of confession by phone
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN 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.
Pope Francis creates 13 new cardinals at consistory
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN 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.
Problem solved: Camilleri appointed Toronto auxiliary
By Wendy-Ann Clarke, The Catholic RegisterAs a man naturally drawn to problem solving, Fr. Ivan Camilleri says he finds fulfilment in helping others in their journey of faith.
The season is still about the coming of Christ
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterGetting ready for Christmas in the middle of a pandemic will certainly be different.
Windows of inspiration for Catholic men
By Savio Cyril Kocherry, Catholic Register SpecialIn 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 not changing church teaching on gay unions, Secretariat of State says
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN 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."