FAITH/STORIES

Priests in St. Peter's Basilica process to the altar where St. John Paul II is buried at the Vatican in this Feb. 13, 2020, photo. Dozens of priests concelebrate an early morning Mass at the tomb every Thursday.

Vatican ends practice of private Masses in St. Peter's Basilica

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VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican is putting an end to the practice of priests going into St. Peter's Basilica early every morning to celebrate their own Mass at a side altar with just an altar server.

A same-sex couple is pictured in a file photo exchanging rings during a ceremony in Salt Lake City. The Vatican's doctrinal office says in a new note that any form of blessing of same-sex unions is "illicit," but that the negative judgment is on the blessing of unions, not the people, who must be respected.

Vatican says no blessing of gay unions

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VATICAN CITY -- While homosexual men and women must be respected, any form of blessing a same-sex union is "illicit," said the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Father Jiha Lim listens to a penitent’s confession March 7, 2021, at St. Aloysius Church in Great Neck, N.Y., during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Vatican says general absolution still is permissible where infections continue to rise.

Vatican says general absolution still permissible during pandemic

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VATICAN CITY -- Offering general absolution to the faithful without having them personally confess their sins first may still be done in places seeing serious or increasing levels of coronavirus infections, a Vatican official said.

Sister Nuria Calduch-Benages, an Old Testament scholar, and professor at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University, is pictured in an undated photo. Pope Francis named her to be secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission.

Pope Francis names woman Scripture scholar as secretary of biblical commission

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has named Sister Nuria Calduch-Benages, an Old Testament scholar and professor at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University, to be secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission.

Pope Francis speaks with journalists aboard his flight from Baghdad to Rome March 8, 2021. At right is Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office.

Returning from Iraq, Pope Francis talks about 'risks' taken on trip

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ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM IRAQ -- The Catholic Church's commitment to dialogue with other churches and with other religions flows from the Gospel, but Pope Francis said he knows some Catholics disagree.

March 8, 2021
Pope Francis greets the crowd as he arrives to celebrate Mass at Franso Hariri Stadium in Irbil, Iraq, March 7, 2021.

Cleanse your hearts of anger, live the Gospel, Pope Francis says at Mass in Irbil

IRBIL, Iraq -- Having witnessed or even experienced persecution for their faith, the Christians of Iraq must be careful not to harbor thoughts of revenge, Pope Francis told them.

March 7, 2021
Pope Francis celebrates Mass at St. Joseph Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in Baghdad March 6, 2021.

Living the beatitudes can change the world, Pope Francis says in Iraq

BAGHDAD -- Pope Francis told Iraqi Christians that when they suffer discrimination, persecution or war, the Eight Beatitudes are addressed to them.

Pope Francis participates in a memorial prayer for the victims of the war at Hosh al-Bieaa (church square) in Mosul, Iraq, March 7, 2021.

Life triumphs over death as Christians rebuild in Iraq, Pope Francis says

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QARAQOSH, Iraq -- Amid the rubble and bombed out remains of four churches destroyed by Islamic State militants, Pope Francis paid tribute to Iraqi Christians who endured persecution and even death.

Pope Francis talks with religious leaders during an interreligious meeting on the plain of Ur near Nasiriyah, Iraq, March 6, 2021.

Hostility, violence are 'betrayals' of religion, Pope Francis says in Iraq

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UR, Iraq -- Traveling to the birthplace of Abraham, Pope Francis urged believers to prove their faith in the one God and father of all by accepting one another as brothers and sisters.

Pope Francis and Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, one of Shiite Islam's most authoritative figures, meet during a courtesy visit in Najaf, Iraq, March 6, 2021.

Pope Francis, Iraqi Shiite leader affirm importance of dialogue, respect

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NASIRIYAH, Iraq -- In a low-key meeting followed closely in Iraq and beyond, Pope Francis and Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the influential leader of Shiite Muslims in Iraq, spent 45 minutes speaking privately.

Marian summit part of rosary novena

Marian summit part of rosary novena

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A spirit of veneration for Mary is at work during the 2021 Lenten and Easter seasons as the Marian Devotional Movement (MDM) launched a Canada54 National Rosary Novena and Marian Summit on Ash Wednesday.

Pope Francis signs a book with a message for Syriac Catholics at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Deliverance in Baghdad March 5, 2021. Also pictured, from left: Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan, Syriac Catholic Archbishop Ephrem Yousif Mansoor Abba of Baghdad and Chaldean Patriarch Louis Sako of Baghdad.

Honour martyrs by remaining faithful, working for a better Iraq, Pope Francis says on visit

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BAGHDAD -- Visiting a Baghdad cathedral "hallowed by the blood of our brothers and sisters" murdered in a terrorist attack that shook the world, Pope Francis said their sacrifice must motivate faith and a commitment to working for the common good.

Pope Francis and Iraqi President Barham Salih walk inside the presidential palace in Baghdad March 5, 2021.

Pope Francis arrives in Iraq, promoting peace, tolerance, equality

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BAGHDAD -- To consolidate peace and ensure progress, the government and people of Iraq must never treat anyone as a second-class citizen and must work each day to promote harmony, Pope Francis said.

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