FAITH/STORIES
Pope to priests: Year of Mercy means unpaid overtime, but God gives joy
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis told Rome's priests that offering God's mercy during the jubilee year will mean lots of unpaid overtime.
VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis marked the beginning of the Church's Lenten journey by sending off several hundred religious and diocesan priests on their own special path as "missionaries of mercy" in local parishes.
VATICAN CITY - Meeting Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Pope Francis expressed his hopes that Iraq and other war-torn countries would have leaders strong enough to bring once-divided peoples together.
Giving to the poor is part of jubilee year, Pope says
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - A jubilee year that does not open people's wallets to share what they have with others is not a true jubilee, Pope Francis said.
Don't judge sinners who want to repent, help them come home, Pope says
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - On the eve of sending off "missionaries of mercy" to all corners of the globe, Pope Francis told his specially appointed men that the reassuring strength of God's love -- not the "bludgeon of judgment" -- will bring the "lost sheep" back to the fold.
Forgive like Jesus, don't accuse like the devil, Pope tells Capuchins
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Confessors have two choices: to be like Jesus who readily forgave sins or like the devil who always condemns, Pope Francis said.
Vatican sex abuse commission ends turbulent meeting, cites progress
By Rosie Scammell, Religion News ServiceVATICAN CITY - The Vatican commission on clerical sexual abuse has wrapped up a turbulent week-long meeting during which one of two victims on the panel was effectively ousted and Chilean Catholics upset that Pope Francis has not sacked a controversial bishop delivered protest letters.
Vatican updates papal itinerary for Cuba, Mexico visit
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis is scheduled to have more than two hours alone with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow in Cuba in addition to signing a declaration with the patriarch before flying on to Mexico for a Feb. 12-17 visit.
Pope says he goes to Mexico as a 'missionary of mercy, peace'
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis said his reasons for going to Mexico are "easy and simple."
Negotiating table is only way to bring peace to Syria, Pope says
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - A negotiated political resolution is the only answer to the crisis unfolding in Syria, Pope Francis said, urging world leaders to do everything possible to kick-start talks.
The fruitful spring of Lent emerges from the womb
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterPope Francis had barely begun this year’s Lenten message when the talk turned to women’s wombs.
Pope-patriarch meeting not an ‘all-clear’ sign in relations
By Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Russian Orthodox officials said the planned meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow is not a signal that decades of tension have been resolved, but emphasizes the need to work together on behalf of persecuted Christians in the Middle East.
Pope, Russian Orthodox patriarch to meet in Cuba, Vatican announces
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - After almost three decades of tense Catholic-Russian Orthodox relations, Pope Francis will meet Patriarch Kirill of Moscow Feb. 12 in Cuba on the Pope's way to Mexico.