Pope Francis blesses a woman in a wheelchair as he arrives for the closing Mass of World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro July 28.

Pope says he'd rather trust God than live in bullet-proof bubble

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM BRAZIL - With a few Vatican police standing at attention in the very back of the Alitalia plane flying him back to Rome, Pope Francis told reporters about his security even before being asked.

To be with Christ, we must be like Him

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Aug. 4 (Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23; Psalm 90; Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11; Luke 12:13-21)

An appreciation of Ordinary Time

In a marvellous little book entitled The Music of Silence, David Steindl-Rast highlights how each hour of the day has its own special light and its own particular mood and how we are more attentive to the present moment when we recognize and honour these “special angels” lurking inside each hour. He’s right. Every hour of the day and every season of the year have something special to give us, but often times we cannot make ourselves present to meet that gift.

Pope Francis, in a picture dated July 14, 2013.

Pope creates body to revamp Vatican's bookkeeping, fiscal responsibility

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis has named a new commission to investigate current accounting practices among all Vatican offices and bodies and to help devise new strategies for greater fiscal responsibility and transparency.

There is power in righteousness

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) July 28 (Genesis 18:20-32; Psalm 138; Colossians 2:12-14; Luke 11:1-13)

Ramadan similar to Lent

Ramadan similar to Lent

TORONTO - Catholics aren’t the only ones who go hungry for their faith. On July 8 or 9, depending on lunar sightings, Canada’s one million Muslims began a month of fasting.

ope John Paul II celebrated his final international World Youth Day in Toronto in 2002. The Polish-born pontiff, then age 82, described himself as "old," but looked and sounded better than he had in months, demonstrating once again his special chemistry with young people.

Pope John Paul II was a witness to hope

Wonderful, wonderful news! John Paul II, the globe-trotting Polish pope who led the Church for 27 years will be canonized by Pope Francis, probably before the end of the year. So, too, will Pope John XXIII, best remembered for calling the Second Vatican Council. But it is John Paul “The Great” who is my subject.

Treat all as if they were angels

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) July 21 (Genesis 18:1-10; Psalm 15; Colossians 1:24-28; Luke 10:38-42)

Finding love trapped in a maze

“Why am I alive and on this Earth? Why doesn’t anyone care about me? I can see why nobody cares about me, but why must I end up alone? What’s the point of my life?” These questions are interspersed through my friend’s conversation, as though looking for an answer but not really expecting one. It’s just as well, as I have none, none.

An altar containing images of Blessed John Paul II is pictured in the house of Floribeth Mora Diaz, the Costa Rican woman whose inexplicable cure has been attributed to the intercession of the late Polish pontiff. The Vatican announced July 5 that Pope Francis has signed the decree approving his sainthood, along with Pope John XXIII.

Double canonization united by Vatican II

Two generations of Canadians will be united in the canonization of the pope who called the Second Vatican Council and the one who interpreted it for 27 years.

ope Francis, right, embraces retired Pope Benedict XVI during a ceremony in the Vatican gardens July 5. During the service, Pope Francis blessed a new statue of St. Michael the Archangel and recited separate prayers to consecrate Vatican City to St. Jo seph and to St. Michael.

Pope consecrates Vatican City to St. Joseph, St. Michael the Archangel

VATICAN CITY - With retired Pope Benedict XVI sitting next to him, Pope Francis formally recited separate prayers to consecrate Vatican City to St. Joseph and to St. Michael the Archangel.

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