Pope Francis receives a soccer ball as gift from Italy's goalkeeper and captain, Gianluigi Buffon, during a private audience at the Vatican Aug. 13. Argentina will play Italy in a friendly soccer match Aug. 14 in the pope's honor.

His Holiness, the soccer fan, asks players to be real role models

VATICAN CITY - With admiration and big smiles all around, the lifelong soccer fan Pope Francis met the star players and coaches of the Argentine and Italian national soccer teams hoping to compete for the World Cup in 2014.

Pope Francis waves as he arrives to lead the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Aug 11.

Pope asks people to consider what they desire most

VATICAN CITY - Yearning and loving give people the strength to move forward and overcome obstacles, but Christians must ask themselves what really is their hearts' desire, Pope Francis said.

Pope to parents: Teach your children to respect, defend human life

Pope to parents: Teach your children to respect, defend human life

VATICAN CITY - Respect for human life from conception until natural death is something children must be taught, not mainly with words, but by the example of their parents, Pope Francis said.

n annual Hispanic Charismatic Renewal gathering in Chicago drew 7,000 people in late April. Latinos have been a growing force in the Charismatic movement in the United States.

Pope Francis discovers charismatic movement a gift to the whole church

VATICAN CITY - During World Youth Day celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, July 23-28, many worshippers in the crowds could be seen swaying from side to side, arms raised in the air, wearing rapt or joyous expressions on their faces.

Maltese Cardinal Prosper Grech

Before electing Pope Francis, cardinals heard plea for unity, holiness

VATICAN CITY - The last formal exhortation to the 115 cardinals who elected Pope Francis in March included reminders of the importance of presenting the Catholic faith in its entirety, the need to recognize the errors of Church members and the need for unity within the Catholic community.

Like Jesus, we all have to do the heavy lifting

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Aug. 18 (Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10; Psalm 40; Hebrews 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53)

Faith seen anew in the eyes of Jerusalem

I’ve just returned home from Jerusalem, mind and heart overflowing. Of many illuminating experiences requiring reflection and expression, I begin with my visit to Calvary.

Pope Francis speaks to the media aboard the papal flight from Rio de Janeiro to Rome July 28.

New Pope a man of style and substance

Less than six months into his papacy, Pope Francis still seems very new, very different to the world. In particular, his relationship to the media has caused a sensation.
Newspapers around the world have headlined the Pope's remarks on homosexuality with the "Who am I to judge?" soundbite.

The 1571 Battle of Lepanto between the fleet of the Holy League -- a coalition that included the Papal States -- and the Ottoman Empire is depicted in an early 20th-century illustration. Historians believe the pontifical navy was established in the 10th century by Pope John VIII. Two symbols appear at the bottom of the illustration. The left one is associated with St. Mark the Evangelist and the right, the Vatican coat of arms.

Ships at Holy See: how popes once navigated more than spiritual waters

VATICAN CITY - One could say it all started with St. Peter's fishing boat. One day, that humble vessel turned into a powerful pontifical fleet, particularly during the life of the Papal States.

Pope Francis listens to a question from a journalist on his flight heading back to Rome July 28. The pope answered questions from 21 journalists over a period of 80 minutes on his return from Brazil.

Francis' comments taken as surprise are no surprise at all

Pope Francis did not turn Catholic sexual ethics on its head while chatting with reporters on the plane trip back from Brazil.

A woman kisses Pope Francis' hand as he arrives to celebrate a private Mass at the Church of the Gesu in Rome July 31.

Pope, with fellow Jesuits, prays for 'grace of shame,' humility

ROME - Celebrating the feast of St. Ignatius with more than 200 of his Jesuit confreres, Pope Francis prayed that he and all of them would receive "the grace of shame" for their failures and the humility to recognize that whatever good they accomplish is really done by the Lord.

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