FAITH/STORIES

Pope Francis

'Soap opera' love isn't true love, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY - True love comes from God and is expressed through his mercy and forgiveness, not through sentimental expressions that can easily vanish, Pope Francis said.

The embrace of God’s love silences our sins
January 8, 2016

The embrace of God’s love silences our sins

Pope Francis said on Friday that the embrace of God’s love has the power to silence all our sins, no matter how many. He stressed that not all love comes from God but He is the true love. The Pope’s words came during his homily at the morning Mass celebrated in the Santa Marta residence.

This screen capture shows Pope Francis reading a prayer message in a video released on the website, http://thepopevideo.org, Jan. 6. In the video, which features Catholics, Buddhists, Jews and Muslims, the pope called for dialogue among religions. The pope plans to release a monthly video prayer message on the site during the Holy Year of Mercy.

Pope prays for sincere dialogue among religions in video message

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VATICAN CITY - In his first video prayer message of the year, Pope Francis asked people to join him in praying that interreligious dialogue lead to "peace and justice."

January 7, 2016
Works of mercy at heart of our faith

Works of mercy at heart of our faith

Pope Francis warned against false spirituality and worldliness saying many people appear to be spiritual but live in a way that is totally detached from the presence or needs of others. He stressed that works of mercy are at the heart of our faith in God and the visible sign of that faith. The Pope was speaking at his first Mass at the Santa Marta residence since the Christmas break.

A man takes a copy of the latest edition of the French weekly Charlie Hebdo with the title “One year on, The assassin still on the run” displayed at a kiosk in Nice, France, on Jan. 6, 2016. France this week commemorates the victims of last year’s Islamist militant attacks on the satirical publication and a Jewish supermarket with eulogies, memorial plaques and another cartoon lampooning religion.

Vatican newspaper denounces ‘blasphemous’ Charlie Hebdo cover

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VATICAN CITY - The Vatican’s newspaper has criticized French weekly Charlie Hebdo for manipulating faith in the magazine’s latest front page, which depicts a blood-soaked God armed with a Kalashnikov.

Pope Francis greets family members presenting the offertory gifts as he celebrates Mass marking the feast of the Epiphany in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 6.

Seek out signs God offers everyone for finding Jesus, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY - Go out and seek the signs God is offering everyone today that will lead to Christ, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis prays in front of a Nativity scene during a Jan. 4 surprise visit to the Franciscan shrine in Greccio, Italy.

Away in a manger: Pope makes secret stop at Nativity scene's birthplace

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis made a surprise visit to the place where his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, created the world's first Nativity scene.

Syro-Malankara Bishop Thomas Eusebios Naickamparambil is seen during a service in 2013 at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington, N.Y. On Jan. 4 Pope Francis appointed Bishop Naickamparambil the first bishop of the newly erected eparchy of St. Mary, Queen of Peace, of the U.S. and Canada.

Pope erects Syro-Malankara eparchy for Canada, U.S.

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis erected a new Syro-Malankara eparchy for the United States and Canada. The pope also named Bishop Thomas Eusebios Naickamparambil, who served as the apostolic exarch for Syro-Malankaran Catholics in the United States, as its first bishop.

St. Peter's Square at the Vatican

Vatican agreement with Palestine goes into effect

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VATICAN CITY - A historic agreement signed between the Holy See and Palestine that supports a two-state solution in the Holy Land has gone into effect, the Vatican announced.

Pope Francis opens the Holy Door before celebrating Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome Jan. 1, 2016. The Holy Doors of Rome's four major basilicas are now open.

God's mercy knows 'no limits,' frees people from despair, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY - God's ability to forgive "knows no limits" as his mercy frees people from bitterness and despair, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis leads Benediction during vespers in St. Peter's Basilica on New Year's Eve at the Vatican Dec. 31.

Mercy enlightens past year, gives hope for new year, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY - The gift of mercy is a light that helps Christians reflect on the past year and radiates hope at the start of the new year, Pope Francis said.

January 1, 2016
Pope Francis walks in procession at the conclusion of Mass marking the feast of Mary, Mother of God, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 1, 2016.

Homily for Mass on Feast of Mother of God

Pope Francis delivered the homily at Mass on New Year's Day, the Solemnity of the Mother of God, in St. Peter's Basilica. Below, please find the full text of the official English translation of his prepared remarks.

Human rights activists hold placards during a rally in early October against the death penalty in Peshawar, Pakistan.

In Peace Day message, Pope addresses death penalty, debt, migrants

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis called for abolishing the death penalty worldwide, lifting the burden of debt on poor nations, global aid policies that respect life and revamped laws that welcome and integrate migrants.

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