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November 2, 2022

Showing love, mercy are key to entering heaven, Pope Francis says on All Souls' Day

Pope Francis prays during a memorial Mass for cardinals and bishops who have died over the past year, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Nov. 2, 2022, All Souls' Day.

As Christians await their death and the final judgment of God, the Gospel tells them what they must do to be welcomed into heaven: love others because God is love, Pope Francis said.

Published in Reflections
November 2, 2021

Tombs of fallen soldiers are cry for peace, pope says on All Souls' feast

Pope Francis walks by graves at the French Military Cemetery before celebrating Mass for the feast of All Souls at the cemetery in Rome Nov. 2, 2021.

ROME -- The tombstones of soldiers killed in war cry out to people today to end all wars and to stop the production of weapons, Pope Francis said.

Published in Reflections
October 28, 2021

Vatican extends traditional All Souls' Day indulgences

A family prays next to a relative's grave in a cemetery during All Souls' Day in Khartoum, Sudan, in this Nov. 11, 2014, file photo. With the continuing pandemic, the Vatican has again extended throughout all of November the opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence for visiting a cemetery to pray for the dead.

VATICAN CITY -- With the COVID-19 pandemic still underway and with restrictions on gatherings still in place in some countries, the Vatican has again extended the period of time when people can earn a plenary indulgence for visiting a cemetery and praying for the souls of the faithful in purgatory.

Published in Faith
October 31, 2016

Philippine bishops urge All Souls' Day prayers for drug war victims

Men carry the coffin of Vicente Batiancila Oct. 23, who police say was among five victims of recent drug-related killings, during his funeral in Manila, Philippines. As Filipinos remembered their departed on All Souls' Day, the country's church leaders called on the faithful to also pray for those who fell victim in the government's all-out war against illegal drugs.

MANILA, Philippines – As Filipinos remembered their departed on All Souls' Day, the country's church leaders called on the faithful to also pray for those who fell victim in the government's all-out war against illegal drugs.

Published in International