Vatican News

Excerpts from Pope Francis' encyclical 'Lumen Fidei'

July 5, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Here are excerpts from Pope Francis' first encyclical, "Lumen Fidei" ("The Light of Faith"), released July 5:

In first encyclical, pope celebrates faith as the light of human life

July 5, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis' first encyclical, "Lumen Fidei" ("The Light of Faith"), is a celebration of Christian faith as the guiding light of a "successful and fruitful life," inspiring social action as well as devotion to God, and illuminating "every aspect of human existence," including philosophy and the natural sciences.

Saints' congregation reportedly acts on causes of JP II, John XXIII

July 2, 2013

VATICAN CITY - The cardinals and archbishops who are members of the Congregation for Saints' Causes met July 2 and, according to Italian news reports, took steps to advance the sainthood causes of Blesseds John Paul II and John XXIII.

Ex-pat priest goes home

June 28, 2013

TORONTO - After 41 years of celebrating Mass in the Greater Toronto Area, Fr. Fructuoso Garcia is getting ready to hang up his collar and return home to Spain.

100 days: Pope Francis off to invigorating start

June 23, 2013

As we mark Pope Francis’ first 100 days in office, it would be impossible to argue that they have been anything other than successful. Some might say wildly successful.

Pope calls for 'revolutionaries' to change hearts by sharing God's love

June 18, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Christians are called to be revolutionaries, changing the world one heart at a time, Pope Francis said.

Pope: Politics, economics must serve all people, protect poor, unborn

June 17, 2013

VATICAN CITY - The goal of politics and economics is to serve all of humanity, starting with the poorest, the most vulnerable and the unborn, Pope Francis told British Prime Minister David Cameron, president of the Group of Eight industrialized nations.

Manila cardinal takes delayed possession of his titular church in Rome

June 17, 2013

ROME - "We've been waiting a long time," Capuchin Father Gianfranco Palmisani told Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, who showed up a few minutes late to officially take possession of his "titular" church on the Eastern outskirts of Rome.

Pope, Anglican archbishop pledge to work for unity

June 14, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis and Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury, spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, pledged to support each other with their prayers and to continue the search for full unity between their communities.

Wealth obscures power of God's word, free gift of salvation, Pope says

June 11, 2013

VATICAN CITY - A church that is rich and lacking in praise for the Lord is an old, lifeless church that neglects the true treasure of God's free gift of grace and salvation, Pope Francis said in a morning homily.