FAITH/STORIES
Jubilee spree: Year of Mercy beefs up Pope's already busy year
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - When Pope Francis established the Year of Mercy, a full slate of Jubilee events were slotted into his already packed calendar for 2016.
Let us gaze upon the Child Jesus, the Son of God
Pope Francis has celebrated Christmas Mass at St Peter’s Basilica. Below, you can find the prepared text of the Holy Father’s homily for the Holy Mass of the Nativity of the Lord “during the Night”:
Pope to Vatican employees: Take care of your marriage, grandparents
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Take care of your marriage and aging parents, play with your kids, and always make peace at the end of the day, Pope Francis told Vatican employees and their families.
Seasonal checkup: Pope prescribes spiritual virtues to fight curial ills
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - If Pope Francis sees the Church as a field hospital after battle, then his annual Christmas address to the Roman Curia often looks like the triage tent, with him holding the charts.
'Nostra Aetate' described as living, vibrant process that must endure
By Beth Griffin, Catholic News ServiceUNITED NATIONS - Fifty years after its promulgation, the Catholic Church retains a solid and irrevocable commitment to the Second Vatican Council's declaration on its relations with non-Christian religions.
Pope Francis praises road map for peace in Syria
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis endorsed a recent UN resolution on peace in Syria and expressed "deep appreciation" to the international community for reaching an agreement.
Creche is reminder God saves people with love, not force, Pope says
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Seeing baby Jesus in the Nativity scene reminds people that Christ uses humility and love to save the world, not impressive force or a magic wand, Pope Francis said.
Pope recognizes miracle needed to declare Mother Teresa a saint
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis has approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Teresa of Kolkata, thus paving the way for her canonization.
Follow Christ on the path of forgiveness, not vengeance, Pope says
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - To follow a path toward Christ, one must follow the good path of forgiveness, peace and solidarity, and avoid following the evil path of vengeance, war and selfishness, Pope Francis told hundreds of Italian children.
Pope Francis warns pilgrims: ‘You don’t buy salvation’
By Rosie Scammell, Religion News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis is warning Catholics about con artists demanding money to pass through a holy door, such as the one opened in St. Peter’s Basilica and other churches for the Vatican’s jubilee year, telling them salvation cannot be bought.
Vatican told to get tough on those caught laundering money
By Rosie Scammell, Religion News ServiceVATICAN CITY - A European financial crimes watchdog on Tuesday (Dec. 15) called on the Vatican to prosecute those caught money laundering, stating the Holy See must act to ensure the success of its financial reforms.
Pope's visit to border expected to highlight Church's outreach to poor
By Catholic News ServiceCHICAGO - With the poverty on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, Pope Francis' visit to the region in February will be an important opportunity for the Catholic Church "to emphasize the mercy of God that is at the core of the Christian faith."
Pope to visit marginalized communities in Mexico in February
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis will visit some of the most marginalized communities in Mexico and seek to bring hope to a country deeply suffering from crime, corruption and inequality when he visits in February.