Georgia Bulletin

Italy

• Surprise! Pope makes several impromptu visits

  

  By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
  Published December 10, 2018

  ROME (CNS)—Pope Francis made surprise visits Dec. 7 and 8 to people receiving medical care far from their homes, to a dozen intellectually challenged young people and to the staff of a major Rome newspaper. The late-afternoon visits Dec. 7 to the CasAmica residence for families with a member needing long-term medical care far from […] Full Story

• ‘Selfie’ culture leads to alienation, departure from reality, pope says

  

  By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
  Published May 25, 2018

  ROME (CNS)—While taking selfies can be an occasion to capture treasured memories, it can also be a sign that young men and women are deprived of meaningful human interaction with others, Pope Francis said. Responding to questions May 14 at a meeting with 1,700 priests and lay leaders of the Diocese of Rome gathered at […] Full Story

• ‘Is my dad in heaven?’ little boy asks pope

  By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
  Published April 23, 2018

  ROME (CNS)—After circling a massive, crumbling public housing complex on the outskirts of Rome, Pope Francis had an emotional encounter with the neighborhood’s children. Question-and-answer sessions with youngsters are a standard part of Pope Francis’ parish visits. And, at St. Paul of the Cross parish April 15, there were the usual questions like, “How did […] Full Story

• Jesus does not give up on anyone, pope tells prisoners

  By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
  Published April 11, 2018

  ROME (CNS)—Before washing the feet of 12 prisoners, Pope Francis told them and hundreds of inmates to remember that Jesus constantly stands before them with love, ready to cleanse their sins and forgive them. “Jesus takes a risk on each of us. Know this: Jesus is called Jesus, not Pontius Pilate. Jesus does not know […] Full Story

• Pope urges children to tell God about their—not others’—sins

  

  By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
  Published March 23, 2017

  ROME (CNS)—Witches don’t really exist, so they can do no harm, Pope Francis told a young girl, but gossip, sin and evil exist and they hurt people every day. “What frightens me?” the pope asked, repeating the question posed by Sara, one of the children at the Rome parish of St. Magdalene of Canossa. “I’m […] Full Story

• Christian witness requires action, pope says during parish visit

  

  By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
  Published January 26, 2017

  ROME (CNS)—Being a real Christian does not mean being a saint, but giving witness to Jesus in word and, especially, deed, Pope Francis told members of a parish on the eastern edge of Rome. Spending more than three hours Jan. 15 at the parish of St. Mary in the Setteville neighborhood, Pope Francis had the […] Full Story

• In Jesuit publications, filmmaker Scorsese talks about his faith

  

  By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
  Published December 22, 2016

  ROME (CNS)—In two long interviews with Jesuit publications, director Martin Scorsese described his new film “Silence” as a major stage in his pilgrimage of faith, a pilgrimage that included flunking out of the minor seminary, investigating other religions and recognizing that the Catholic Church was his home. Growing up in New York, “I was extraordinarily […] Full Story

• Pope asks Jesuits to teach art of discernment to clergy

  By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
  Published September 1, 2016

  ROME (CNS)—When it comes to the Christian life, too many seminaries teach students a rigid list of rules that make it difficult or impossible for them as priests to respond to the real-life situation of those who come to them seeking guidance, Pope Francis said. “Some priestly formation programs run the risk of educating in […] Full Story

• ‘Icon of mercy’: Missionaries superior describes Blessed Teresa

  By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
  Published September 1, 2016

  ROME (CNS)—Blessed Teresa of Kolkata was a woman who truly felt wed to Jesus, and the freedom she experienced in loving him led her to radical poverty, a courageous outreach and an immense love for the poor, said the superior general of the order Mother Teresa founded. “She was very happy to be a woman […] Full Story

• Forgive others and find peace, pope says during visit to Assisi

  

  Published August 18, 2016

  ASSISI, Italy (CNS)—Celebrating how God’s mercy has been experienced for 800 years in a tiny stone church in Assisi, Pope Francis said people need to experience God’s forgiveness and start learning how to forgive others. “Too many people are caught up in resentment and harbor hatred because they are incapable of forgiving. They ruin their […] Full Story

• Washing feet of refugees, pope says it is gesture of brotherhood, peace

  

  By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
  Published March 31, 2016

  ROME (CNS)—In a moving gesture of brotherhood and peace, Pope Francis washed the feet of several refugees, including Muslims, Hindus and Copts. Gestures, like Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, “speak louder than words,” he said during the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper March 24. Coming together, he added, is another gesture […] Full Story

• Dialogue, remembrance, peace highlighted as pope visits synagogue

  

  By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
  Published January 21, 2016

  ROME (CNS)—While the Catholic Church affirms that salvation comes through Jesus, it also recognizes that God is faithful and has not revoked his covenant with the Jewish people, Pope Francis said. Interrupted repeatedly with applause at Rome’s main synagogue Jan. 17, the pope said the church “recognizes the irrevocability of the Old Covenant and the […] Full Story

• Pope calls for end to economic exploitation, power-hungry church

  

  By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
  Published November 12, 2015

  FLORENCE, Italy (CNS)—Meeting workers and addressing a major gathering of the Catholic Church in Italy, Pope Francis demanded an end to economic exploitation, to clerics “obsessed” with power, to apathy among youth and to a cold, fearful church that forgets Christ is always by its side. “These times of ours demand that we experience problems […] Full Story

• Celebrating Corpus Christi feast, pope honors persecuted Christians

  

  By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
  Published June 12, 2015

  ROME (CNS)–The Eucharist is the seal of God’s covenant, uniting Christians and giving them the strength to bring God’s love to others, even when faith carries a high price, Pope Francis said. Celebrating the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ with an evening Mass outside Rome’s Basilica of St. John Lateran June 4, […] Full Story

• Amid insurgency, Iraqi priest is guardian angel of ancient manuscripts

  

  By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
  Published October 30, 2014

  ROME (CNS)—Just as the so-called Monuments Men salvaged European masterpieces stolen by Nazi forces during World War II, a Dominican priest is protecting priceless manuscripts from falling into the hands of rampaging militants in northern Iraq. Though operating on a much smaller scale, Dominican Father Najeeb Michaeel and the ancient manuscript collections in his care […] Full Story

• Atlantan Among 30 Ordained Deacons In Rome

  Published November 11, 2010

  An Atlanta archdiocesan seminarian was among 30 men of the Pontifical North American College recently ordained to the transitional diaconate. Rev. Mr. Joshua T. Allen will continue his studies in Rome until next summer when he is scheduled to be ordained a priest. “What I am most thankful for is a spirit of recollection during […] Full Story

• Two Transitional Deacons Ordained In Rome

  By STEPHEN O'KANE, Staff Writer
  Published October 9, 2009

  Two Atlanta seminarians were among 30 Americans ordained as transitional deacons Oct. 8 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Llane Briese, 23, and Michael Silloway, 26, are studying at pontifical universities in Rome while living and receiving formation at the Pontifical North American College there. The two young men are expected to be ordained as […] Full Story

• In Rome, Archbishop Speaks On How To Preach

  By CAROL GLATZ, CNS
  Published February 7, 2008

  Preaching effectively in U.S. multicultural communities hinges upon believing passionately in God’s word and his universal plan of salvation, Atlanta’s archbishop told U.S. seminarians studying in Rome. “If the preacher truly, deeply, passionately embraces the word,” then the word of God “will find a home in the hearts of those who listen,” said Archbishop Wilton […] Full Story

• Archbishop: Church Needs Inspiring Preachers

  By CAROL GLATZ, CNS
  Published October 13, 2005

  The church needs vibrant, inspiring preachers and new ways to communicate faith traditions in its response to current challenges, said Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Atlanta. While the Oct. 2-23 Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist grapples with concerns such as how to attract more priestly vocations or how to reach out to young people […] Full Story

• Vatican Says Pope’s Hospitalization Is Precaution

  By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
  Published February 10, 2005

  The Vatican said Pope John Paul II continued to improve, but his doctors were keeping him in the hospital for a few more days as a precaution. The 84-year-old pontiff felt well enough to deliver a brief blessing to the faithful six days after he was hospitalized for flu-related breathing problems. But his weak health […] Full Story