Faith

Lent is a time to chip away at hypocrisy, Pope Francis says

March 8, 2019

VATICAN – Lent is a time to ask for God's grace to chip away at hypocrisy, which is seen in the natural human attempt to appear "worthier than we are," Pope Francis said.

God is purifying the church with 'unbearable' pain of abuse scandal, Pope Francis says

March 7, 2019

ROME – The clerical abuse scandal has caused everyone in the Catholic Church "pain and unbearable suffering," Pope Francis said, but it also is a call to repentance and the renewal of the church.

Cardinal Collins sends a message of giving for Lent

March 6, 2019

Cardinal Thomas Collins is calling on Catholics to remember the importance of almsgiving this Lenten season.

Lent begins with reminder of all that fades away, Pope Francis says

March 6, 2019

ROME – Marked with ashes, Christians set off on a Lenten journey where they strive to leave behind everything that will turn to dust and instead focus on drawing closer to God and God's promise of eternal life, Pope Francis said.

Mary Marrocco: The gift of tears unlocks healing spirit

March 5, 2019

Her body is thin and tense. It carries the anguish, the hurts and false steps, of years. Her face does not as yet reveal the pain she’s known in her young life. She doesn’t cry. Alone, sometimes, she has bursts of uncontrollable stormy tears. Never the gentle kind and never for long.

Fr. Yaw Acheampong: Lent is an invitation to a fruitful stewardship

March 5, 2019

The start of every new season is exciting and full of possibilities. Think of how happy people are when they see the first signs of spring, or, when the first day of school arrives, or, for baseball fans, the excitement they feel on the day of the season opener.

Give up gossiping for Lent, Pope Francis suggests

March 4, 2019

ROME – Lent is a good time to concentrate on fighting the urge to gossip about others and instead trying to correct one's own faults and defects, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis encourages joint community service by rabbis, parish priests

February 28, 2019

VATICAN – The fruitful friendship and dialogue between Jews and Christians must go beyond the world of experts and academia, Pope Francis said.

God's wrath is just as great as his mercy, Pope says

February 28, 2019

VATICAN – Christians must not take advantage of God's forgiveness -- selfishly repeating sin after sin -- because God's wrath for those who refuse to change their ways is just as great as his mercy, Pope Francis said in a morning homily.

God's holiness is a force; 'evil's days are numbered,' Pope says

February 27, 2019

VATICAN – The holiness of God is a power that is constantly expanding and will defeat all evil once and for all, Pope Francis said.