Vatican says general absolution still permissible during pandemic
VATICAN CITY -- Offering general absolution to the faithful without having them personally confess their sins first may still be done in places seeing serious or increasing levels of coronavirus infections, a Vatican official said.
Pope Francis names woman Scripture scholar as secretary of biblical commission
VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has named Sister Nuria Calduch-Benages, an Old Testament scholar and professor at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University, to be secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission.
Returning from Iraq, Pope Francis talks about 'risks' taken on trip
ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM IRAQ -- The Catholic Church's commitment to dialogue with other churches and with other religions flows from the Gospel, but Pope Francis said he knows some Catholics disagree.
Life triumphs over death as Christians rebuild in Iraq, Pope Francis says
QARAQOSH, Iraq -- Amid the rubble and bombed out remains of four churches destroyed by Islamic State militants, Pope Francis paid tribute to Iraqi Christians who endured persecution and even death.
God's Word on Sunday: Reflecting on past paves way for renewal
Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 14 (Year B) 2 Chronicles 36:14-17a, 19-23; Psalm 137; Ephesians 2:4-10; John 3:14-21
There is a pattern that is often repeated in the narratives of the Old Testament. The people of God fall into sin that is marked by idolatry, corruption and injustice. God sends prophets to warn them and turn their hearts back to the Lord. The warnings are usually ignored and then followed by disaster for the nation, usually at the hands of an oppressor.
Hostility, violence are 'betrayals' of religion, Pope Francis says in Iraq
UR, Iraq -- Traveling to the birthplace of Abraham, Pope Francis urged believers to prove their faith in the one God and father of all by accepting one another as brothers and sisters.
Pope Francis, Iraqi Shiite leader affirm importance of dialogue, respect
NASIRIYAH, Iraq -- In a low-key meeting followed closely in Iraq and beyond, Pope Francis and Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the influential leader of Shiite Muslims in Iraq, spent 45 minutes speaking privately.
Marian summit part of rosary novena
A spirit of veneration for Mary is at work during the 2021 Lenten and Easter seasons as the Marian Devotional Movement (MDM) launched a Canada54 National Rosary Novena and Marian Summit on Ash Wednesday.
Honour martyrs by remaining faithful, working for a better Iraq, Pope Francis says on visit
BAGHDAD -- Visiting a Baghdad cathedral "hallowed by the blood of our brothers and sisters" murdered in a terrorist attack that shook the world, Pope Francis said their sacrifice must motivate faith and a commitment to working for the common good.
Mary Marrocco: Christ, the truth, will set us free
Who could forget the look on Ingrid Bergman’s face, playing Paula in the movie Gaslight, as she apprehends the possibility that she might be slowly going insane?
Pope Francis arrives in Iraq, promoting peace, tolerance, equality
BAGHDAD -- To consolidate peace and ensure progress, the government and people of Iraq must never treat anyone as a second-class citizen and must work each day to promote harmony, Pope Francis said.