FAITH/STORIES

Pope Francis greets the crowd as he leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Aug. 30, 2020.
August 31, 2020

Cross is sign of God's love, not superstitious ornament, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY -- Christ's cross is a powerful symbol of God's love for humanity and not just a decoration or trinket, Pope Francis said.

Cardinal Michael Czerny, undersecretary for the Vatican's Migrants and Refugees Section, stands on the terrace of the Jesuit residence in Rome where he lives and, during the coronavirus lockdown, works.

Care of the earth, concern for migrants are connected, Canadian cardinal says

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VATICAN CITY -- Catholics will mark the World Day of Migrants and Refugees during the ecumenical celebration of the Season of Creation, highlighting the obligation, as Pope Francis says, to listen to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, said Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny.

New Swiss Guard members stand at attention during their swearing-in ceremony in the Vatican's San Damaso courtyard in this May 6, 2015, file photo. Starting Sept. 2, Pope Francis will resume his general audience with the public present in the courtyard.

Public invited to attend pope's weekly general audiences starting Sept. 2

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VATICAN CITY -- Twenty-six weeks after his last weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis will resume his audiences with the public present, but in a Vatican courtyard.

August 26, 2020
Pope Francis leads his general audience in the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Aug. 26, 2020. Christians cannot stand idly by and watch as milions of people are deprived of their basic needs because of greed, the pope said.

With millions deprived of basic needs, Christians must act, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY -- Christians cannot stand idly by and watch as millions of people are deprived of their basic needs because of others' greed, Pope Francis said.

August 24, 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 Aug. 23, 2020. The pope prayed for people persecuted for their faith, remembered the victims of the 2010 San Fernando massacre in Mexico and prayed for the victims of COVID-19.

Charity is path to perfection when done for Jesus, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY -- The central focus of a Christian's life and all he or she does to help others must be Jesus Christ, Pope Francis said.

August 17, 2020
Pope Francis offers a blessing from a window overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican during his Aug. 15, 2020, Angelus on the feast of the Assumption of Mary.

Thanking God for his gifts brings joy, Pope Francis says on Assumption feast day

VATICAN CITY -- Taking time out each day to be thankful for God and his gifts will lead to greater joy and mark a great step forward for humanity, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis prays before a statue of Our Lady of Loreto at the Sanctuary of the Holy House on the feast of the Annunciation in Loreto, Italy, March 25, 2019. Pope Francis began the Jubilee Year of Our Lady of Loreto Dec. 8, 2019, and has extended the celebration to December 2021.

Pope Francis extends Loreto jubilee to 2021

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VATICAN CITY -- Since many of the celebrations of the Our Lady of Loreto jubilee year were grounded because of the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis has extended the celebration to December 2021.

August 17, 2020
Pope Francis waves as he leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Aug. 16, 2020. The pope appealed for prayers for those who have lost their jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pope Francis: Trust in God's compassion, tell him everything

VATICAN CITY -- Those who take time to understand Jesus will find he loves them and wants what is best for them, Pope Francis said.

People wearing protective masks release paper lanterns on the Motoyasu River facing the gutted Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, Japan, Aug 6, 2020, the 75th anniversary of the world's first use of an atomic bomb in war.

Weapons must be set aside for peace to flourish, Pope Francis says

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VATICAN CITY -- For peace to flourish, weapons of war must be set aside, especially nuclear weapons that can obliterate entire cities and countries, Pope Francis said on the 75th anniversary of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima.

The comet "Neowise" is seen in the sky behind the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome July 13, 2020.

Pope Francis names six women to Council for Economy

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VATICAN CITY -- Renewing the membership of the Vatican Council for the Economy, Pope Francis named six women to the previously all-male board that oversees the financial operations of all Vatican offices and entities.

Pope Francis baptizes a baby as he celebrates Mass on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican Jan. 12, 2020.

Vatican says baptisms that used a modified formula are not valid

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VATICAN CITY -- Changing the words of the formula for baptism render the sacrament invalid, said the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

August 5, 2020
Firefighters carry an injured man following explosions in Beirut Aug. 4, 2020. Two massive explosions near the port of the Lebanese capital injured dozens of people and shattered windows in buildings blocks away.

Pope Francis calls for prayers for Lebanon after deadly explosion in Beirut

VATICAN CITY -- After a massive fire triggered a deadly explosion in Beirut, Pope Francis called for prayers and a united effort to help Lebanon overcome "this serious crisis." 

August 4, 2020
Pope Francis waves to the crowd in St. Peter's Square from a window of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican during the Angelus Aug. 2, 2020.

Christians must courageously share with others, Pope Francis says at Angelus

VATICAN CITY -- True compassion requires "courageous sharing," not telling people to go fend for themselves, Pope Francis said.

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