FAITH/STORIES
Vatican releases instruction on identity, mission of religious brothers
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - To help appreciate and better promote the vocation of religious brothers, the Vatican released a 50-page reflection on the importance of their life and mission of evangelization, fraternity and sacrifice.
Time for forgiveness has begun, Pope says as holy doors open worldwide
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - With the opening the Holy Door at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, Pope Francis declared that the time for tenderness, joy and forgiveness had begun.
Pope Francis will venerate Mary at Mexico shrine next year
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - On the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pope Francis announced that he would travel to the Marian shrine in Mexico City and pray to Mary so that Christian communities "may become oases and rivers of mercy."
Pope opens Holy Door in John Lateran Basilica
Pope Francis on Sunday opened the Holy Door for the Jubilee Year of Mercy, which officially began last week.
Mercy and indulgences, love and freedom
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterThe daily pilgrimage of every prisoner takes on new meaning this year, thanks to Pope Francis and the Jubilee Year of Mercy that began on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8. From now until the end of November 2016, each time a prisoner walks across the threshold of his jail cell mercy and relief from the pain of sin awaits.
Pope Francis celebrates Mass on Our Lady of Guadalupe
Pope Francis celebrated Mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Saturday evening, saying Mary “has experienced the divine mercy, and has hosted the very source of this mercy in her womb: Jesus Christ.”
Pope reaffirms new annulment reforms as they come into effect
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - As reformed rules for marriage annulment cases came into effect, Pope Francis said the new norms are to be adhered to in order to help bring healing to failed marriages.
Catholics shouldn’t try to convert Jews, says new Vatican document
By Rosie Scammell, Religion News ServiceVATICAN CITY - The Vatican has said that Catholics should witness to their faith but not undertake organized efforts to convert Jews, a significant step forward in the once tense relations between the two faiths.
New Vatican document reflects on relations between Catholics, Jews
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Catholics are called to witness to their faith in Jesus before all people, including Jews, but the Catholic Church "neither conducts nor supports" any institutional missionary initiative directed toward Jews, says a new document from a Vatican commission.
Vatican continues steps to fight serious financial crime, agency says
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - The Holy See and Vatican City State have continued to strengthen their institutional, legal and operational frameworks for combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism, an international monitoring organization said.
Pope Francis: The church needs this Holy Year of Mercy
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - The Catholic Church needs the extraordinary Holy Year to become an effective witness of God's divine mercy, Pope Francis said.
Pope venerates statue of the Immaculate Conception in Rome square
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Concluding the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the opening of the Holy Door, Pope Francis prayed that through Mary, Christians may recognize the victory of divine mercy over sin.
Homily for Inauguration of the Jubilee
On Tuesday, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Pope Francis solemnly inaugurated the Jubilee Year of Mercy with the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
“This Extraordinary Holy Year is itself a gift of grace,” the Pope said in his homily To pass through the Holy Door means to rediscover the infinite mercy of the Father who welcomes everyone and goes out personally to encounter each of them.”
The full text of Pope Francis’ prepared homily for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the Inauguration of the Jubilee of Mercy can be found below: