FAITH/STORIES

In a message delivered at the Summit of the Americas, Pope Francis said he hoped the leaders would guarantee the rights of the poor to the “basic needs” of land, shelter, jobs, health care, education and security.

Do more to help the poor, Pope tells leaders at Summit of the Americas

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VATICAN CITY - With an obligation to lead and protect everyone in their nations, government officials cannot be content "to hope that the poor collect the crumbs that fall from the table of the rich," Pope Francis said in a message to the Summit of the Americas.

Pope Francis presents a document officially proclaiming the 2015-2016 extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy to a cardinal in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 11. The pope handed copies of the document to the archpriests of the major basilicas of Rome and to Vatican officials representing Catholics around the world.

Pope says Year of Mercy will be time to heal, to help, to forgive

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VATICAN CITY - Mercy is at the heart of the Church's credibility and the Church has a duty to profess it and live it, Pope Francis said in a document that officially proclaims the 2015-2016 extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy.

Women light candles in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City April 5, Easter Sunday.

Share Easter joy, defend persecuted Christians, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY - Christians live the joy of the Resurrection when they share a smile with someone, weep with those who mourn and defend the rights of those persecuted for their faith, Pope Francis said.

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal leads the Easter procession in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City April 5. Christians in the Middle East are called to help the light of peace emerge from the violence and anguish of war in much of the region, drawing inspiration from the resurrected Jesus, Patriarch Twal said in his homily.

Latin Patriarch urges Christians to help light of peace emerge from war

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JERUSALEM - Christians in the Middle East are called to help the light of peace emerge from the violence and anguish of war in much of the region, drawing inspiration from the resurrected Jesus, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal said in his Easter homily.

Pope Francis walks to the altar during Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican April 5. Also pictured is Cardinal Franc Rode.

Humility is key to understanding Easter, sharing its joy, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY - To enter Christ's empty tomb like the disciples and see that he has risen, Christians today also must "bend down," Pope Francis said in his Easter message.

Pope Francis presides at the Way of the Cross outside the Colosseum in Rome April 3.

Papal preacher: Passion continues today as world ignores persecution

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VATICAN CITY - Widespread indifference to the violent persecution of Christians and other communities suggests the world is full of Pontius Pilates who eagerly wash their hands of all responsibility, the papal preacher said.

The ritual of the family meal goes a long way in keeping families closer and its youth out of trouble, studies show.

The Last Supper and the ritual of family meals

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During Holy Week, Catholics are called to reflect on the Last Supper, when the apostles came together like a family to break bread with Jesus for the final time. It was from that simple meal, with bread at its centre, that Christ gave mankind the Eucharist.

Pope Francis kisses the foot of a female inmate at Rome's Rebibbia prison April 2.

Pope asks prisoners to pray that Christ make him a better servant

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VATICAN CITY - In a moving ceremony that recalled how Jesus loved the world so deeply that He lowered Himself to serve and died for everyone's sins, Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 prison inmates, plus a small toddler who lives with his incarcerated mother.

Pope Francis leaves after celebrating Holy Thursday chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 2.

Pope to priests: Exhaustion is part of ministry; find renewal in Christ

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VATICAN CITY - Priestly ministry is hard, sometimes lonely or dangerous work serving the neediest with an open, vulnerable heart, Pope Francis told the world's priests.

Cardinal Thomas Collins pours the chrism oil on the altar at St. Padre Pio Church in Kleinberg, Ont.

Oils consecrated at chrism Mass central to Church’s sacraments, rituals

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MIAMI - Some of the Church’s most ancient traditions and rituals are witnessed during Holy Week, including the preparation, blessing and distribution of oils central to the Catholic Church’s sacraments and rites.

Worshippers carry a statue of the risen Christ during an Easter procession in Escazu, Costa Rica, April 8, 2012.

Church directives seek to keep mafia out of Easter processions

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VATICAN CITY - The bishop of a southern Italian diocese has issued new directives aimed at keeping the mafia out of this year's Easter processions.

Pope Francis talks with Italian Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi as they leave the concluding session of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family at the Vatican Oct. 18.

Pope names Cardinal Versaldi new prefect of education congregation

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis named 71-year-old Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, president of the Prefecture of the Economic Affairs of the Holy See since 2011, to be the new prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education.

A girl holds palms before the start of Palm Sunday Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican March 29.

Imitate Jesus’ humility and service, Pope says on Palm Sunday

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VATICAN CITY - From modern-day martyrs to those who quietly care for the sick or elderly, Pope Francis remembered all those who “sacrifice themselves daily,” following Jesus in serving others and giving witness to the Gospel.

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