FAITH/STORIES

Visitors are pictured in a file photo looking at a Caravaggio painting titled "St. Jerome Writing" during an exhibition at the Galleria Borghese in Rome. Pope Francis released "Scripturae Sacrae affectus" ("Devotion to Sacred Scripture"), a new apostolic letter on the Bible, Sept. 30, 2020, coinciding with the 1,600th anniversary of St. Jerome's death.

Pope Francis releases apostolic letter on Sacred Scripture

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VATICAN CITY -- In an apostolic letter dedicated to Sacred Scripture, Pope Francis said that even today, Christians can learn new things from the countless translations of the Bible that exist.

Vatican proposes renewal of agreement with China on bishops' appointments

Vatican proposes renewal of agreement with China on bishops' appointments

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VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican has proposed to the Chinese government that they extend an agreement signed in 2018 regarding the appointment of bishops, Vatican Media reported.

People participate as Pope Francis leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Sept. 27, 2020.
September 28, 2020

Pope Francis calls for peace, dialogue in Caucasus region at Angelus

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis called for the use of dialogue -- not weapons -- for resolving the problems and conflict escalating in the Caucasus region.

The Vatican announced Sept. 24, 2020, that Pope Francis accepted Cardinal Angelo Becciu's resignation as prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes and his renunciation of the rights associated with being a cardinal. Cardinal Becciu is pictured in a file photo.

Cardinal Becciu resigns as prefect, renounces rights as cardinal

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VATICAN CITY -- In a move apparently related to Vatican financial scandals, Pope Francis accepted Cardinal Angelo Becciu's resignation as prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes and his renunciation of the rights associated with being a cardinal, the Vatican announced late Sept. 24.

A patient is pictured in a file photo chatting with a nun at Rosary Hill Home, a Dominican-run facility in Hawthorne, N.Y., that provides palliative care to people with incurable cancer and have financial need.

Vatican reaffirms church teachings on end-of-life care

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VATICAN CITY -- With the legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia in many countries, and questions concerning what is morally permissible regarding end-of-life care, the Vatican's doctrinal office released a 25-page letter offering "a moral and practical clarification" on the care of vulnerable patients.

September 21, 2020
Pope Francis waves as he leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Sept. 20, 2020. Commenting on the day's Gospel reading, the pope warned that if the church fails to go out and proclaim the Gospel to those who are lost or forgotten, it risks falling ill to the evil that is committed by its own members.

Church becomes sick when not proclaiming Gospel, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY -- If the church fails to go out and proclaim the Gospel to those who are lost or forgotten, it risks falling ill to the evil that is committed by its own members, Pope Francis said.

With seminaries like Toronto’s St. Augustine’s re-opening in September, it will be a different experience due to the COVID reality.

Seminaries reopen in a pandemic world

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Six months since seminarians were sent home as a precaution against the rising tide of COVID-19, Canadian seminaries are only now recommencing community living, formation and on-campus lectures. 

The Chinese national flag is pictured in a file photo in front of a Catholic church in the village of Huangtugang.

Cardinal Parolin hopeful Vatican-China agreement will be extended

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VATICAN CITY -- As the expiration of a provisional agreement signed between the Vatican and China approached, the Vatican secretary of state said he hopes it will be extended.

September 14, 2020
A protester draped in a flag of Belarus kneels in front of law enforcement officers in Minsk Sept. 13, 2020, during a protest against presidential election results.

Pope Francis: Swat the fly of resentment; use the ointment of forgiveness

VATICAN CITY -- If people took seriously the Gospel call to forgive one another, the world would be a much better place, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis greets religious as he leaves the hermitage and cell of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy, in this Oct. 4, 2013, file photo. The Pope plans to visit Assisi on Oct. 3 to sign his new encyclical on human fraternity.

Pope’s fall agenda includes new encyclical

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VATICAN CITY -- While the COVID-19 pandemic has put the brakes on most foreign travel and many in-person meetings, Pope Francis still has some major events on his fall 2020 agenda.

September 9, 2020
Pope Francis greets a boy as he arrives to lead his general audience in the San Damaso courtyard at the Vatican Sept. 9, 2020.

Common good, not greed, must motivate search for vaccine, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY -- The common good -- and not political or economic gain -- should be at the heart of the race to find a vaccine for COVID-19, Pope Francis said.

September 8, 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 Sept. 6, 2020. During his address, the pope spoke about the dangers of gossip in the church.

Gossip worse than COVID, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY -- Gossip is "a plague worse than COVID," Pope Francis said, asserting that while speaking ill of others comes almost naturally, it is a tool of the devil to divide the church.

September 2, 2020
Pope Francis and Maronite Father Georges Briedi hold a Lebanese flag as they pray for the country -- following an explosion in Beirut -- during the the pope's weekly general audience at the Vatican Sept. 2, 2020.

Pope Francis calls for day of prayer, fasting for Lebanon

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has asked Catholics and all people of goodwill to observe Sept. 4 as a day of prayer and fasting for Lebanon.

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