Pope Francis and Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, chair of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany, meet at the Vatican Feb. 6.

Keep searching for unity, Pope tells German Lutherans, Catholics

By

VATICAN CITY – Christ's call for his disciples to be one requires that even as they try to resolve their differences on doctrinal and moral questions, they must get used to working and praying together, Pope Francis said.

Former child soldiers, Manuel and Catalina, speak to journalists Feb. 2 in Rome at the presentation of "Cease-fire," a Salesian-produced documentary on the process of recovery and reintegration for former child soldiers of Colombia's 52-year war.

Salesian home gives former Colombian child-soldiers new lease on life

By

ROME – While the process of healing and reconciliation continues in Colombia after 52 years of war, Salesians in the country are helping some of the most vulnerable victims of the conflict: former child-soldiers.

Krakow's new archbishop Marek Jedraszewski has special memories of his predecessor, St. John Paul II, and the prominence of Divine Mercy the late pope brought to the world.

Krakow's new archbishop talks St. John Paul II and Divine Mercy

By

ROME, Italy – The archdiocese that once sent St. John Paul II to the papacy has a new archbishop: Marek Jedraszewski. The archbishop has special memories of the sainted Pope and the Divine Mercy devotion he brought to the world.

The German bishops said in their guidelines, on 'Amoris Laetitia' released Feb. 1., that in some circumstances, divorced-and-remarried couples may receive the Communionreleased

German bishops say the divorced-and-remarried may receive Communion

By

COLOGNE, Germany – The German bishops have published their own guidelines on Amoris laetitia allowing, in certain cases, for divorced-and-remarried Catholics to receive Communion.

Cardinal Gerhard Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, says 'Amoris Laetitia' is not up for personal interpretation.

'Amoris Laetitia' not up for personal interpretation, says Vatican's doctrinal chief

By

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican's doctrinal chief said some bishops are interpreting Pope Francis' document on marriage and family in a way that is not in accordance with Catholic doctrine.

Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, president of Caritas Internationalis, speaks alongside Maronite Father Paul Karam, president of Caritas Lebanon, during a Jan. 30 visit to Beirut.

Cardinal Tagle: Many Western nations forget their countries were built on migrants

By

BEIRUT – Many Western nations forget that their countries were built on migrants, said the president of Caritas Internationalis.

In a new interview with a Los Angeles Spanish news outlet, Pope Francis says the laity should go out and evangelize, or buy mothballs.

Pope Francis to the laity: go out and evangelize, or buy mothballs

By

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – When asked in a new interview what specific mission he has for the laity, Pope Francis responded with a frequent appeal: to go outside of oneself and take risks in evangelizing, rather than staying stuffed up at home while the moths move in.

Pope Francis says the drop in vocations among young people cannot be blamed on the current mainstream culture alone.

Culture alone cannot be blamed for drop in vocations, Pope says

By

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – While there is a need to evangelize a culture that tells young people money equals success and commitments aren't forever, stopping the "hemorrhage" of people leaving religious orders also requires changes from the orders themselves, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis speaks during his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Jan. 25.

Pope Francis: Christian unity can't happen if we linger on problems of the past

By

ROME, Italy – During an ecumenical Vespers service on Wednesday, Pope Francis told both Catholics and members of other Christian communities that unity can only happen when past grievances are forgiven and all sides walk forward with their gaze on Christ.

Spanish Msgr. Fernando Ocariz, the newly elected head of Opus Dei, is pictured during a media opportunity at the University of the Holy Cross in Rome Jan. 24. His appointment was approved the previous day by Pope Francis.

The new head of Opus Dei has a simple plan for the prelature

By

VATICAN CITY – The new head of Opus Dei has been confirmed by Pope Francis, and his plan for the prelature is simple.

The Pope's message to the media was released Jan. 24 for world Communications Day, which is also the the feast of St. Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalists.

Pope tells media: reject prejudice, leave space for hope

By

VATICAN CITY – At a time when the media seem to feed a "vicious cycle of anxiety" and a "spiral of fear," Christians should respond with honest stories that identify problems and evil, but also inspire real solutions, Pope Francis said.

Page 65 of 102