FAITH/STORIES

Pope Francis leads the Good Friday Way of the Cross in Rome’s Colosseum April 19, 2019. People following the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum this year will find a message of hope, including with a Russian and Ukrainian family carrying a cross together at the nighttime ceremony.

Way of the Cross finds hope in family

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People following the Stations of the Cross at Rome’s Colosseum this year will find along the Via Dolorosa a message of hope, including with a Russian and Ukrainian family both carrying a cross together at the nighttime ceremony.

A general view shows the New Safe Confinement structure over the old sarcophagus covering the damaged fourth reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, in Chernobyl, Ukraine, April 7, 2022. The Pontifical Academy of Sciences has warned that Russia's war on Ukraine raises the possibility of the use of nuclear weapons and the unleashing of radioactive material from nuclear power plants.

Pontifical Academy of Sciences raises alarm about nuclear weapons

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Russia's war on Ukraine frighteningly raises the possibility of the use of nuclear weapons, the unleashing of radioactive material from nuclear power plants and a new push to develop or acquire nuclear weapons, including by terrorists, said members of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

Pope Francis holds palm fronds as he celebrates Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican April 10, 2022.
April 11, 2022

Victory is not raising a flag on pile of rubble, Pope Francis says on Palm Sunday

Jesus obeyed the most challenging of commandments: to love one's enemies; and he invites humanity to do the same by breaking a vicious cycle of evil, sorrow and hatred with love and forgiveness, Pope Francis said on Palm Sunday.

A view of central Kharkiv, Ukraine, shows the area near the regional administration building March 1, 2022.

Cardinal: Vatican looking at implications of possible papal visit to Kyiv

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Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, said it appeared Ukraine could keep Pope Francis safe if he made a wartime trip to Kyiv, but the pope's safety was not the Vatican's only concern.

A girl receives a palm frond during Palm Sunday Mass.

After two years, Holy Week looking more familiar

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Barring a dramatic reversal in pandemic fortune, the vast majority of Canadian Catholics will celebrate Holy Week as they did before COVID-19 infected society two years ago.

Pope Francis has named Cardinal Peter Turkson chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. Cardinal Turkson, pictured in a Feb. 11, 2022, photo, succeeds Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, who will be 80 in September.

Cardinal Turkson to head pontifical academies of sciences, social sciences

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Pope Francis has named Cardinal Peter Turkson the new chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, two groups of top-level scholars and experts who promote studies on issues of concern to the Vatican.

Pope Francis answers questions from journalists aboard his flight from Malta to Rome April 3, 2022.

Pope Francis indicates he has not spoken directly to Putin about Ukraine war

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Once again, Pope Francis avoided speaking directly about Russian President Vladimir Putin and instead focused on condemning war as a cruel and inhumane act that "goes against the human spirit."

Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising, Germany.

German cardinal calls for change in church teaching on homosexuality

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HAMBURG, Germany -- Munich Cardinal Reinhard Marx has called for a change in Catholic teaching on homosexuality, reported the German Catholic news agency KNA.

Pope Francis touches a Marian statue after consecrating the world and, in particular, Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during a Lenten penance service in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 25, 2022.

Pope Francis consecrates Ukraine, Russia to Mary

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VATICAN CITY -- As Russia's violent monthlong invasion continued to devastate Ukraine, Pope Francis laid the fates of both countries at the feet of Mary in the hopes that peace would finally reign.

The dome of St. Peter's Basilica in is seen at the Vatican in this 2020 file photo. On March 19, 2022, Pope Francis promulgated the long-awaited constitution reorganizing the Roman Curia.

Changes to Curia constitution open positions to laity

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VATICAN CITY -- A Vatican office led by a cardinal or archbishop has no more authority than one led by a layperson because all offices of the Roman Curia act in the name of the pope, said experts presenting Pope Francis' new constitution on the Curia's organization.

Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny, interim president of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

Cardinal Czerny meets refugees in Slovakia, Ukraine

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VATICAN CITY -- Continuing the mission entrusted to him by Pope Francis, Cardinal Michael Czerny visited Slovakia and a Ukrainian border town to convey the pope's closeness to victims of Russia's war against Ukraine.

This is an icon of Mary by Yulian Volyanyuk. The image is known as the “Pokrova” in many East European nations.

Marian icon comforts amid horror of war

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As Ukrainians turn to their faith amid the ongoing tragedy of Russia’s invasion of their nation, many who follow both the Orthodox and Catholic traditions will look to an unusual icon of Mary as a symbol of the solace they seek.

A sign in St. Peter's Square calls for the consecration of Russia and Ukraine to Mary, before the start of Pope Francis' Angelus at the Vatican March 13, 2022. The Vatican said Pope Francis will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary March 25.

Pope Francis to consecrate Russia, Ukraine to Mary

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during a penitential prayer service in St. Peter's Basilica March 25, the Vatican said.

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