Faith

Pope Francis deliver his blessing during his election night appearance on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 13, 2013.

Anniversary interview: Pope talks about his election, papacy, future

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VATICAN CITY - When Pope Francis went out onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica for the first time, he said he did not prepare what he was going to say, but "I felt deeply that a minister needs the blessing of God, but also of his people."

A pilgrim goes to confession during World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro July 23, 2013. Pope Francis told priests at the Vatican March 12 that hearing confession should be awe-inspiring and an opportunity to look at their own life.

Hearing confession is source of grace, conversion for priest, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY - Hearing a Catholic's confession should be awe-inspiring for a priest, an experience that makes him look at his own life and willingness to convert, Pope Francis told a group of seminarians, new priests and priests who hear confessions in the major basilicas of Rome.

Pope Francis meets with young people while visiting St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Parish on the outskirts of Rome March 8.

Pope grants interview about his safety, politics, virtual relationships

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VATICAN CITY - A religious procession, a brainstorm session and a few glasses of wine led a group of residents gathered in a shantytown on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina, to come up with a plan to interview Pope Francis.

Pope Francis gives the homily while celebrating Mass at St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Parish on the outskirts of Rome March 8.

Pope thanks women as dozens gather in Vatican to share faith stories

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VATICAN CITY - On International Women's Day, Pope Francis thanked women, "who in thousands of ways, witness to the Gospel and work in the church."

United Nations General Assembly

Vatican brings leaven of Gospel, experience of humanity to UN, says nuncio

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NEW YORK - The Vatican is a credible and admired presence at the United Nations because it speaks from practical experience, according to the Holy See's permanent observer to the UN.

An elderly woman becomes emotional as Pope Francis greets her as he arrives for a May 2014 weekly audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. The most serious ailment the elderly face and the greatest injustice they suffer is abandonment, Pope Francis said.

Show value of life by affectionately caring for elderly, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY - The most serious ailment the aged face and the greatest injustice they suffer is abandonment, Pope Francis said.

Australian Cardinal George Pell, left, leads the Secretariat for the Economy at the Vatican. He will work with the Secretary of State and is in charge of supervising administrative and financial activities at the Vatican. This is part of a bigger picture involving new rules in the Vatican finance offices. The Vatican’s new financial rules went into effect March 1 and published the new statutes on its web site March 3.

Rules for Vatican finance offices include protection for whistleblowers

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VATICAN CITY - New rules governing the guidance, oversight and control of Vatican financial and administrative activities include the power to levy sanctions and take "civil or criminal action" in cases of "damage to assets," as well as providing protection for whistleblowers raising red flags about "anomalous activity."

Domenico Giani, commander of the Vatican police force, keeps watch as Pope Francis arrives to celebrate Mass with bishops, priests and members of religious orders in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Manila, Philippines, in this Jan. 16, 2015 , file photo. Giani said that he is not aware of any plans to attack the Vatican or the Pope although Islamic State militants have made general threats.

Vatican security always on high alert, chief says after IS threats

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VATICAN CITY - The head of Vatican security said Islamic State militants have threatened the Vatican, but there are no indications of any planned attack.

Cafe Justo, a Mexican coffee grower cooperative, roasts its beans in the border town of Agua Prieta, Mexico, to ensure the coffee is fresh when it arrives to U.S. customers. Each bag is labeled with the name of the person responsible for the selected beans. The cooperative works to stem the flow of migration to the U.S. by offering workers just wages.

Profit is tool for measuring success, but people come first, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY - Profit must never be a Christian's god, although it is one of the tools for measuring the effectiveness of business choices and the ability of a company to help workers feed their families, Pope Francis said.

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York hands out sandwiches at the St. Francis of Assisi Church Breadline in New York following a Feb. 18 Ash Wednesday Mass.

Return with tears to God's loving embrace during Lent, Pope says

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ROME - Lent is a journey of purification and penance, a movement that should bring one tearfully back to the loving arms of the merciful Father, Pope Francis said at an Ash Wednesday Mass that began with a procession on Rome's Aventine Hill.

Pope Francis embraces new Cardinal John Dew of Wellington, New Zealand, after presenting the red biretta to him during a consistory at which the pope created 20 new cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Feb. 14.

Pope Francis calls for a welcoming church that isn’t afraid of the margins

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VATICAN CITY - In a powerful homily that signalled his desire to push ahead with historic reforms, Pope Francis on Sunday (Feb. 15) said the Roman Catholic Church must be open and welcoming, whatever the costs.

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