FAITH/STORIES

Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, chancellor of the academies, said Pope Francis had specifically asked him to have the academies study the problem of new forms of slavery, including the trafficking of people and human organs. After Pope Francis entrusted two Vatican academies to study the problem of human trafficking, a group of women religious asked the pope to raise greater awareness in the church about the issue by establishing a worldwide day of prayer and fasting.

Women religious ask pope for world day of prayer against trafficking

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VATICAN CITY - After Pope Francis entrusted two Vatican academies to study the problem of human trafficking, a group of women religious asked the pope to raise greater awareness in the church about the issue by establishing a worldwide day of prayer and fasting.

Michael Swan in Istanbul, Turkey.

Getting to meet, understand the other: the path to peace

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Interfaith dialogue doesn’t start with an exchange of creeds or comparison of theologies. It begins with friendship.

Pope Francis leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Nov. 1, the feast of All Saints.

Saints aren't superheroes, they just never strayed from God, pope says

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VATICAN CITY - Saints aren't superheroes, they are regular people who just never left God's side after encountering Him and His love, Pope Francis said on the feast of All Saints.

Archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, asked Bishops around the world to take a realistic look at the situation of families under their care and at how effective pastoral and educational programs have been at promoting Church teaching on sexuality, marriage and family life.

Bishops asked to assess marriage, family life to prepare for synod

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VATICAN CITY - Bishops around the world are being asked to take a realistic look at the situation of families under their care and at how effective pastoral and educational programs have been at promoting Church teaching on sexuality, marriage and family life.

Pope Francis will create his first cardinals during a consistory Feb. 22, the feast of the Chair of St. Peter.

Pope Francis set to create first batch of cardinals in February

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis will create his first cardinals during a consistory Feb. 22, the feast of the Chair of St. Peter.

Pope Francis walks through flags of the Italian folklore group "Sestiere di Porta Tufilla" from Ascoli Piceno as he arrives to lead his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 30.

In times of trouble, Pope says, call on the communion of saints

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VATICAN CITY - Trials and doubts are part of everyone's faith journey, "even mine," Pope Francis said, but Christians know they can get through the hard times with help from God, other Christians and those in heaven.

Pope Francis talks with the outgoing Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, during the cardinal's farewell ceremony at the Vatican Oct. 15. Pope Francis acknowledged his contribution to the running of the Vatican.

Outgoing Vatican secretary of state stresses continuity between popes

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VATICAN CITY - Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who as Vatican secretary of state drew rising criticism for failures of the Vatican bureaucracy he oversaw, stepped down Oct. 15 with a speech praising the pontificate of retired Pope Benedict XVI and stressing its continuity with that of Pope Francis.

Pope Francis prays during a meeting with cardinals at the Vatican Oct. 1. The Pope led a series of consultations aimed at the reform of the Vatican bureaucracy.

Pope opening Church to new possibilities

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Catholics may be getting used to a Pope who says the unexpected. “Who am I to judge?” “The court is the leprosy of the papacy.” “Proselytism is solemn nonsense.” “How I would like a Church that is poor and for the poor.”

Blessed Angela of Foligno, pictured in this XVIIth century print, is one of seven men and women who's sainthood causes were advanced by Pope Francis on Oct. 9.

Pope declares medieval mystic a saint, advances seven other causes

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of seven men and women, including a Canadian and an English founder of two religious orders for women.

Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, is pictured in his office at the Vatican Dec. 21, 2012.

Archbishop says synod theme shows importance of family for Pope

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis' decision to call an extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family in 2014 demonstrates how important he believes the family is and the urgency he sees in responding to problems Christian families face, said the head of the Pontifical Council for the Family.

Pope calls synod to discuss families, divorce and remarriage

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VATICAN CITY - The predicament of divorced and remarried Catholics will be a major topic of discussion when bishops from around the world meet at the Vatican in October 2014.

Legionaries of Christ renewal goes forward with January general chapter

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ROME - Members of the Legionaries of Christ will begin their extraordinary general chapter Jan. 8 to elect new leaders and approve a new constitution, the key step in an effort to renew the order after revelations about the misconduct of their founder.

St. Francis of Assisi

Holy, holy, holy: Pope talks about his favorite saints

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VATICAN CITY - Who are the holy men and women Pope Francis looks up to? He revealed many of them in two recently published interviews.

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