FAITH/STORIES

Advent candles and a wreath help bring focus to the time before the coming of our Lord. This Advent, may we find greater resonance with Mary.

The season is still about the coming of Christ

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Getting ready for Christmas in the middle of a pandemic will certainly be different.

The stained glass panels at Frassati House in Kingston, Ont. — depicting, from left, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, St. Oscar Romero, St. Maximilian Kolbe and Blessed Karl of Austria — were produced by Joseph Aigner of Artistic Glass in Toronto and commissioned by Fr. Raymond J. de Souza.

Windows of inspiration for Catholic men

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In the lead-up to the Nov. 22 feast of Christ the King, young men in Kingston, Ont., were introduced to a saintly king and emperor, Bl. Karl of Austria.

Pope Francis and German Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van-Elst, right, delegate for catechesis at the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, celebrate the Eucharist during a Mass marking World Day of the Poor in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Nov. 15, 2020.
November 16, 2020

Pope Francis: Faith requires risks, helping others

VATICAN CITY -- Being faithful to God means taking the risk of setting aside one's own needs and plans in order to serve others, Pope Francis said, celebrating Mass for the World Day of the Poor.

November 11, 2020
Pope Francis leads his general audience in the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Nov. 11, 2020. A day after the Vatican released its extensive report on former Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, the pope renewed the Catholic Church's pledge to uproot the scourge of sexual abuse.

At audience, Pope Francis renews commitment to fight abuse

VATICAN CITY -- After the Vatican released its extensive report on Theodore E. McCarrick, Pope Francis renewed the Catholic Church's pledge to uproot the scourge of sexual abuse.

Pope Francis meets then-Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick during his general audience at the Vatican June 19, 2013.

McCarrick report documents repeated lack of serious investigation

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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Although dogged for years by rumors of sexual impropriety, Theodore E. McCarrick was able to rise up the Catholic hierarchical structure based on personal contacts, protestations of his innocence and a lack of church officials reporting and investigating accusations, according to the Vatican report on the matter.

November 9, 2020
Pope Francis greets the crowd as he leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Nov. 8, 2020. The pope said people sometimes forget that life's ultimate purpose is preparing for the kingdom of heaven.

Prepare for heaven with faith and good works, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY -- People sometimes forget life's ultimate purpose is to prepare for the kingdom of heaven, Pope Francis said.

Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, substitute secretary for general affairs in the Vatican Secretariat of State, is pictured in Maputo, Mozambique, in this Sept. 5, 2019, file photo. Archbishop Parra is one of three members on a joint commission established by Pope Francis to transfer the administration and control of the Vatican Secretariat of State's assets to two separate Vatican bodies.

Pope Francis expedites transfer of management of Secretariat of State assets

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VATICAN CITY -- After the Vatican Secretariat of State missed a Nov. 1 deadline to hand over the management and monitoring of its own assets to two separate Vatican bodies, Pope Francis set up a commission to make the transfer and external oversight happen.

A visitor wears a mask for protection from the coronavirus while touring the Vatican Museums Feb. 2, 2020. The Vatican has announced that museums and necropolis tours will be closed to the public from Nov. 5-Dec. 3 as Italy faces increased COVID-19 cases and restrictions.

Vatican shuts down museums as COVID-19 cases, deaths mount in Italy

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VATICAN CITY -- As COVID-19-related deaths in Italy reached their highest daily level since early May and Italy began enacting new restrictions to slow the spread, the Vatican decided it will once again close its museums to the public.

Bishop Nunzio Galantino, now president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See, is pictured with Pope Francis during the pope's visit to Cassano allo Ionio, Italy, in this June 21, 2014, file photo. In an Oct. 31 interview with the newspaper Avvenire, Bishop Galantino said investments by the Vatican's Secretariat of State are now under tighter control.

Investments by Secretariat of State now under tighter control, says bishop

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VATICAN CITY -- A lack of oversight and control over the Vatican Secretariat of State's investment activities may have facilitated some bad property deals, said Bishop Nunzio Galantino, president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See.

Pope Francis speaks with Valentina Alazraki of the Mexican television station Televisa during an interview that aired in May 2019. The Vatican Secretariat of State has sent a note to nuncios around the world explaining the pope's comments about civil unions in the documentary "Francesco" by Evgeny Afineevsky.

Pope Francis not changing church teaching on gay unions, Secretariat of State says

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VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican Secretariat of State has sent an explanatory note to nuncios around the world insisting that when Pope Francis spoke about civil unions, he was not changing or challenging "the doctrine of the church, which he has reaffirmed numerous times over the years."

November 2, 2020
Pope Francis greets the crowd as he leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Nov. 1, 2020.

Being meek is rare today, but it's essential for holiness, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY -- The Eight Beatitudes describe the path to holiness, but the call to meekness seems particularly challenging today, Pope Francis said.

October 28, 2020
Pope Francis leads his general audience in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican Oct. 28, 2020.

Pope Francis calls for Poland to protect life amid protests over abortion law

VATICAN CITY -- As protests against a near-total ban on abortions gripped Poland, Pope Francis urged the people of the country to defend life.

The Vatican City State criminal court is seen Oct. 14, 2020, during the opening of the trial of two Italian priests accused of sexual abuse at a minor seminary inside the Vatican. Father Gabriele Martinelli, 28, was accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a younger student at the seminary and Msgr. Enrico Radice, 71, former rector of the seminary, was accused of obstructing the investigation into younger priest.

Vatican court continues trial on alleged abuse at minor seminary

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VATICAN CITY -- At a criminal trial involving alleged sexual abuse at a minor seminary located in the Vatican, the Vatican City State criminal court accepted a motion to allow the alleged victim to seek damages from the seminary and the religious institution that runs it.

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