FAITH/STORIES

Pope Francis preaches during a Lenten penance service in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 13. During a March 13 penance service, the pope announced an extraordinary jubilee, a Holy Year of Mercy, to be celebrated from Dec. 8, 2015, until Nov. 20 , 2016.

What does the Pope want: ‘All I want is to go out for a pizza!’

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The “Pope of the Interview” strikes again: Pope Francis has given a lengthy — and fascinating — interview to a Mexican television station, which broadcast it on March 13 to mark the second anniversary of his election.

Reforms launched by Pope Francis when he assumed the papacy two years ago are becoming bogged down in consultations and infighting.

Francis’ reforms run into strong headwinds

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VATICAN CITY - One reason the cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel elected Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Pope Francis two years ago was a brief but powerful speech the Argentine cardinal made shortly before the conclave in which he denounced the “theological narcissism” of the Roman Catholic Church.

Graves are seen in the Teutonic cemetery at the Vatican March 6. The history of the cemetery dates to Pope Leo III's grant of land to Charlemagne to build a hospice for pilgrims, a church, and a burial ground for German and Flemish pilgrims who died in Rome.

Historic cemetery inside Vatican walls a 'little piece of paradise'

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VATICAN CITY - A small, inconspicuous cemetery inside the Vatican walls made headlines recently with the burial of a Belgian homeless man, Willy Herteleer.

St. John Paul II pushes open the Holy Door and walks into St. Peter's Basilica on Christmas Eve 1999. Opening a sealed Holy Door is one of the traditions that usually marks a Holy Year.

At Lenten penance service, Pope announces Holy Year of Mercy

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis announced an extraordinary jubilee, a Holy Year of Mercy, to highlight the Catholic Church's "mission to be a witness of mercy."

Pope Francis deliver his blessing during his election night appearance on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 13, 2013.

Anniversary interview: Pope talks about his election, papacy, future

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VATICAN CITY - When Pope Francis went out onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica for the first time, he said he did not prepare what he was going to say, but "I felt deeply that a minister needs the blessing of God, but also of his people."

A pilgrim goes to confession during World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro July 23, 2013. Pope Francis told priests at the Vatican March 12 that hearing confession should be awe-inspiring and an opportunity to look at their own life.

Hearing confession is source of grace, conversion for priest, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY - Hearing a Catholic's confession should be awe-inspiring for a priest, an experience that makes him look at his own life and willingness to convert, Pope Francis told a group of seminarians, new priests and priests who hear confessions in the major basilicas of Rome.

Pope Francis meets with young people while visiting St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Parish on the outskirts of Rome March 8.

Pope grants interview about his safety, politics, virtual relationships

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VATICAN CITY - A religious procession, a brainstorm session and a few glasses of wine led a group of residents gathered in a shantytown on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina, to come up with a plan to interview Pope Francis.

Pope Francis gives the homily while celebrating Mass at St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Parish on the outskirts of Rome March 8.

Pope thanks women as dozens gather in Vatican to share faith stories

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VATICAN CITY - On International Women's Day, Pope Francis thanked women, "who in thousands of ways, witness to the Gospel and work in the church."

United Nations General Assembly

Vatican brings leaven of Gospel, experience of humanity to UN, says nuncio

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NEW YORK - The Vatican is a credible and admired presence at the United Nations because it speaks from practical experience, according to the Holy See's permanent observer to the UN.

An elderly woman becomes emotional as Pope Francis greets her as he arrives for a May 2014 weekly audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. The most serious ailment the elderly face and the greatest injustice they suffer is abandonment, Pope Francis said.

Show value of life by affectionately caring for elderly, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY - The most serious ailment the aged face and the greatest injustice they suffer is abandonment, Pope Francis said.

Blessed Louis and Marie Zelie Guerin Martin, the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux, are pictured in a combination photo created from images provided by the Sanctuary of Lisieux in France. Pope Francis is expected to canonize the couple during the world Synod of Bishops on the family in October.

Pope plans to canonize St. Therese's parents during Synod

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis is expected to canonize Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin, the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux, during the world Synod of Bishops on the family in October.

Australian Cardinal George Pell, left, leads the Secretariat for the Economy at the Vatican. He will work with the Secretary of State and is in charge of supervising administrative and financial activities at the Vatican. This is part of a bigger picture involving new rules in the Vatican finance offices. The Vatican’s new financial rules went into effect March 1 and published the new statutes on its web site March 3.

Rules for Vatican finance offices include protection for whistleblowers

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VATICAN CITY - New rules governing the guidance, oversight and control of Vatican financial and administrative activities include the power to levy sanctions and take "civil or criminal action" in cases of "damage to assets," as well as providing protection for whistleblowers raising red flags about "anomalous activity."

Domenico Giani, commander of the Vatican police force, keeps watch as Pope Francis arrives to celebrate Mass with bishops, priests and members of religious orders in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Manila, Philippines, in this Jan. 16, 2015 , file photo. Giani said that he is not aware of any plans to attack the Vatican or the Pope although Islamic State militants have made general threats.

Vatican security always on high alert, chief says after IS threats

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VATICAN CITY - The head of Vatican security said Islamic State militants have threatened the Vatican, but there are no indications of any planned attack.

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