Vatican City
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Pope amends canon law so women can be installed as lectors, acolytes
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published January 11, 2021Recognizing “the gifts of each baptized person”–women and men–Pope Francis ordered a change to canon law and liturgical norms so that women could be formally installed as lectors and acolytes.
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Despite year’s hardships, pope says there is much for which to be thankful
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published December 31, 2020The notable absence of Pope Francis at the final liturgical celebration of 2020 in St. Peter’s Basilica capped off a difficult year for the Vatican and for the world.
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Pope on Christmas: Share hope, promote peace, give vaccine to all
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published December 26, 2020On a Christmas like no other, Pope Francis prayed for people who could not be with their families because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but he urged everyone to recognize and help those who are suffering even more.
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Pope plans to visit Iraq in March
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published December 10, 2020Barring any obstacles caused by the global pandemic, Pope Francis is set to begin international travel again in 2021 by visiting Iraq in March, which would make him the first pope to visit this nation.
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Pope proclaims year dedicated to St. Joseph
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published December 10, 2020Marking the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph being declared patron of the universal church, Pope Francis proclaimed a yearlong celebration dedicated to the foster father of Jesus.
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Pope creates 13 new cardinals, including Washington archbishop
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published November 28, 2020One by one 11 senior churchmen, including–Cardinals Wilton D. Gregory of Washingto, and formerly of Atlanta, and Silvano M. Tomasi, a former Vatican diplomat–knelt before Pope Francis to receive their red hats in a Nov. 28 consistory.
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Pope has history of defending marriage, but being open to some civil unions
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published October 22, 2020The pope’s comments in the documentary, “Francesco,” are similar to the position taken while he was an archbishop, and echo remarks in several interviews during his pontificate: “Marriage” is only between a man and a woman, but civil union laws could provide legal protection for couples in long-term relationships.
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Pope to take his post-pandemic pleas to global stage
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published September 17, 2020When he addresses, via video message, the U.N. General Assembly Sept. 21, Pope Francis is expected to speak about using the coronavirus crisis as an opportunity to rethink economic, political and environmental policies in a way that will benefit humanity and the earth.
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Common good, not greed, must motivate search for vaccine, pope says
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published September 9, 2020The common good should be at the heart of the race to find a vaccine for COVID-19, Pope Francis said during his weekly general audience Sept. 9.
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Making the poor a priority isn’t political, it’s the Gospel, pope says
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published August 19, 2020In his Aug. 19 general audience, Pope Francis said the COVID-19 pandemic “has exposed the plight of the poor and the great inequality that reigns in the world.”
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Pope, U.S. bishops ‘saddened’ by Turkish court ruling on Hagia Sophia
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published July 24, 2020Pope Francis said he was saddened after a Turkish court ruled to revert the iconic Hagia Sophia museum into a mosque.
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Pope at pallium Mass: World needs to pray more, complain less
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published July 2, 2020Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer’s pallium was among those blessed by Pope Francis June 29. Unable to attend the Mass due to the pandemic, the archbishop will receive his pallium at a later date in Atlanta.
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Pope prays for U.S., calls racism a pro-life issue
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published June 3, 2020Observing with great concern the social unrest unfolding in the United States, Pope Francis said no one can claim to defend the sanctity of every human life while turning a blind eye to racism and exclusion.
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Pope to lead shrines in rosary prayer May 30
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published May 28, 2020Pope Francis will lead the major shrines around the world in praying the rosary to implore Mary’s intercession and protection amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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At morning Mass, Pope offers prayers for unemployed
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Services
Published May 14, 2020As countries continue to reel from the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis offered prayers for the men and women who have been unable to work.
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Jesus gives strength to face the unexpected, pope says
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published April 30, 2020When faced with uncertainties, adversities or trials, those who place their trust in Christ will not be left alone to fend for themselves, Pope Francis said.
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Vatican releases book of pope’s homilies, prayers for ‘difficult times’
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published April 28, 2020The Vatican published a free downloadable book of Pope Francis’ prayers responding to the trial and suffering of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Pope calls for a ‘contagion’ of Easter hope
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published April 16, 2020Pope Francis’ Easter prayers on April 12 were mostly in the context of the suffering and death caused by the coronavirus and the economic difficulties the pandemic already has triggered.
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Pope leads Way of the Cross in empty, torch-lit St. Peter’s Square
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published April 10, 2020Pope Francis led the Way of the Cross from St. Peter’s Square rather than Rome’s Colosseum, where it has been held annually for more than five decades.
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On Holy Thursday, pope thanks God for world’s priests
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published April 9, 2020On Holy Thursday in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis thanked all priests for their service and called those who died ministering to the sick and health care workers part of the community of “saints next door.”
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