FAITH/STORIES

Pope Francis chose the theme: "Fraternity, the foundation and pathway to peace" for World Peace Day 2014.

Pope picks 'fraternity' as theme for his first World Peace Day message

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VATICAN CITY - An overemphasis on "personal well-being" and general indifference have eroded any sense of responsibility toward others, especially toward the poor, said a note from the Vatican announcing Pope Francis' choice of a theme for World Peace Day 2014.

Pope Francis speaks to the media aboard the papal flight from Rio de Janeiro to Rome July 28. When the pope told reporters, "Who am I to judge" a homosexual person, he was emphasizing a part of Catholic teaching often overlooked by the media and misunder stood by many people.

Pope's 'gay lobby' remarks affirm Church teaching

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VATICAN CITY - When Pope Francis told reporters July 28, "Who am I to judge" a homosexual person, he was emphasizing a part of Catholic teaching often overlooked by the media and misunderstood by many people.

Returning to Rome, Pope discusses plans for future trips

Returning to Rome, Pope discusses plans for future trips

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VATICAN CITY - At the end of his first foreign trip, Pope Francis told reporters that it's good for a Pope to travel and there are plans in the works for visits in Italy, to Jerusalem, to Asia, but nothing planned soon for his Argentine homeland.

Pope Francis listens to a question from a journalist on his flight heading back to Rome July 29. The pope answered questions from 21 journalists over a period of 80 minutes on his return from Brazil.

Pope answers questions about Curia reforms, gay lobby

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ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM BRAZIL - Pope Francis said he was responding to the clear wishes of the College of Cardinals when he set up commissions to study the Vatican bank, Vatican financial and administrative procedures and the reform of the Roman Curia.

Pope discusses women in the church, divorce, his own spirituality

Pope discusses women in the church, divorce, his own spirituality

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ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM BRAZIL - From his personal prayer life and spirituality to the role of women in the church and the pastoral care of the divorced, Pope Francis responded to several questions about church teaching and ministry July 28 when he met reporters on his flight from Rio de Janeiro to Rome.

Pope Francis blesses a woman in a wheelchair as he arrives for the closing Mass of World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro July 28.

Pope says he'd rather trust God than live in bullet-proof bubble

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ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM BRAZIL - With a few Vatican police standing at attention in the very back of the Alitalia plane flying him back to Rome, Pope Francis told reporters about his security even before being asked.

July 24, 2013

July 24, 2013 Homily by Pope Francis

Below is the homily of Pope Francis during Mass July 24 at the Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida. 

Pope Francis, in a picture dated July 14, 2013.

Pope creates body to revamp Vatican's bookkeeping, fiscal responsibility

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis has named a new commission to investigate current accounting practices among all Vatican offices and bodies and to help devise new strategies for greater fiscal responsibility and transparency.

Ramadan similar to Lent

Ramadan similar to Lent

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TORONTO - Catholics aren’t the only ones who go hungry for their faith. On July 8 or 9, depending on lunar sightings, Canada’s one million Muslims began a month of fasting.

ope John Paul II celebrated his final international World Youth Day in Toronto in 2002. The Polish-born pontiff, then age 82, described himself as "old," but looked and sounded better than he had in months, demonstrating once again his special chemistry with young people.

Pope John Paul II was a witness to hope

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Wonderful, wonderful news! John Paul II, the globe-trotting Polish pope who led the Church for 27 years will be canonized by Pope Francis, probably before the end of the year. So, too, will Pope John XXIII, best remembered for calling the Second Vatican Council. But it is John Paul “The Great” who is my subject.

An altar containing images of Blessed John Paul II is pictured in the house of Floribeth Mora Diaz, the Costa Rican woman whose inexplicable cure has been attributed to the intercession of the late Polish pontiff. The Vatican announced July 5 that Pope Francis has signed the decree approving his sainthood, along with Pope John XXIII.

Double canonization united by Vatican II

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Two generations of Canadians will be united in the canonization of the pope who called the Second Vatican Council and the one who interpreted it for 27 years.

ope Francis, right, embraces retired Pope Benedict XVI during a ceremony in the Vatican gardens July 5. During the service, Pope Francis blessed a new statue of St. Michael the Archangel and recited separate prayers to consecrate Vatican City to St. Jo seph and to St. Michael.

Pope consecrates Vatican City to St. Joseph, St. Michael the Archangel

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VATICAN CITY - With retired Pope Benedict XVI sitting next to him, Pope Francis formally recited separate prayers to consecrate Vatican City to St. Joseph and to St. Michael the Archangel.

Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, reads a press bulletin during a new conference regarding the canonization efforts for Blessed John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII July 5 at the Vatican. Pope Francis signed a decre e recognizing the miracle needed for the canonization of Blessed John Paul II and has asked the world's cardinals to vote on the canonization of Blessed John XXIII, even in the absence of a miracle.

Encyclical illustrates continuity of two papacies, officials say

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VATICAN CITY - Presenting Pope Francis' new encyclical and acknowledging how much of it was prepared by retired Pope Benedict XVI, top Vatican officials hailed it as a unique expression of the development of papal teaching and unity in faith.

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