Pope Francis hands his speech to Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe of Naples, Italy, after deciding to speak off the cuff during a meeting with religious at the cathedral in Naples March 21.

No ifs, ands or buts: Christians must live Christ's way, Pope says

VATICAN CITY - Don't be "halfway Christians," who accept Christ, but then start looking for excuses and stammering, "yes, but ..." when it is time to follow his way, Pope Francis said at a morning Mass.

Nuns greet Pope Francis during his meeting with religious at the cathedral in Naples, Italy, March 21.

Nuns mob Pope before blood of Naples' patron saint miraculously liquefies

VATICAN CITY - After Pope Francis was mobbed by a group of cloistered nuns, and at the end of a spontaneity-filled meeting with priests, seminarians and religious in the cathedral of Naples, a vial of dried blood of the city's patron saint appeared to miraculously liquefy.

Pope Francis greets the crowd after celebrating Mass in Piazza Plebiscito in Naples, Italy, March 21.

Pope preaches hope to Naples' unemployed, immigrants, prisoners

VATICAN CITY - Hope is the first act of resistance to evil, Pope Francis told the people of Naples as he pleaded for respect for the dignity of immigrants, jobs for the unemployed and the conversion of the city's notorious mafia families.

Pope Francis goes to confession during a Lenten penance service in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 13. During the service the pope announced an extraordinary jubilee, a Holy Year of Mercy, to be celebrated from Dec. 8, 2015, until Nov. 20, 2016.

In Holy Year, Pope wants to share experience of mercy he had as teen

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis' decision to convoke a special Holy Year of Mercy has its roots in the event that led a teenage Jorge Mario Bergoglio to the priesthood.

A man joins in chanting for the repeal of the death penalty in Maryland in January 2013. Maryland's death penalty was abolished in the same year May 2, signed into law by Gov. Martin O'Malley.

Pope Francis calls death penalty 'unacceptable,' urges abolition

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis came out squarely against the death penalty once again, calling it "unacceptable" regardless of the seriousness of the crime of the condemned.

Pope Francis accepted the Scotland Cardinal Keith O'Brien’s decision to renounce duties as a cardinal. While O’Brien can still keep the title of cardinal, he won’t be a papal advisor or be an elector of a future pope. He will retain the roles as a priest and retired bishop, according to the Vatican Press office.

Pope accepts cardinal's decision to renounce duties, rights of office

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis accepted Scotland Cardinal Keith O'Brien's decision to renounce all "duties and privileges" associated with being a cardinal.

Andrea Mantegna's Agony in the Garden, circa 1460, depicts Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane

Humble, loving servant can’t lose

Passion (Palm) Sunday (Year B) March 29 (Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2:6-11; Mark 14:1-15:47)

Receiving instruction directly from God is not a ticket to an easy or conflict-free life. The Suffering Servant of Isaiah is a case in point. This Servant was most likely an unknown prophetic figure in the community of Israelite exiles in mid-sixth century B.C. Babylon. He must have been an exceptional individual, since he was the source of comfort and encouragement for so many.

Eric Liddell, the Olympic runner whose story is told in the film Chariots of Fire, said, “When I run, I feel God’s pleasure.”

God takes pleasure when we use the talents He has given

For the past six months, while undergoing treatment for cancer, I was working on a reduced schedule. The medical treatments, while somewhat debilitating, left me still enough health and energy to carry on the administrative duties in my present ministry, but they didn’t allow me any extra energy to teach classes or to offer any lectures, workshops or retreats at outside venues, something I normally do. I joked with my family and friends that I was “under house arrest.” But I was so grateful for the energy that I still had that being unable to teach and give lectures was not deemed a sacrifice. I was focused on staying healthy, and the health that I was given was appreciated as a great grace.

"The Gentiles Ask to See Jesus" by James Tissot (painted sometime between 1886-1894)

The transforming light of Christ’s face

The Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year B) invites us to consider John’s Gospel story from Chapter 12 — a fitting climax to Jesus’ public ministry. It is the last official act before the events of His passion next Sunday.

Blessed Louis and Marie Zelie Guerin Martin, the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux, are pictured in a combination photo created from images provided by the Sanctuary of Lisieux in France. Pope Francis is expected to canonize the couple during the world Synod of Bishops on the family in October.

Pope recognizes miracle needed to declare French couple saints

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis has approved a miracle so that, for the first time, a married couple can be canonized together.

Kevin Reilly, left, a former NFL player whose arm and shoulder were amputated, and Darrell Miller, a former major league baseball player and director of the league's Urban Youth Academy, speaks at a Catholic Men of Faith Conference March 7 at St. Philip Church in Franklin, Tenn.

Catholic men urged to evangelize 'home front,' then go out to community

FRANKLIN, Tenn. - The Catholic Church needs men to fully commit to their faith, and men have all they need from God "to be a force" for the church, a former major league baseball player told a men's conference in Franklin.

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