Vatican City
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Pope’s embrace was heavenly, says man with disfiguring disease
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published November 22, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—For someone who has frequently been shunned and humiliated because of a disease that has severely disfigured his entire body, receiving the pope’s loving embrace was like being in paradise. Vinicio Riva, who is afflicted with neurofibromatosis, said his brief encounter with Pope Francis Nov. 6 at a general audience in St. Peter’s […] Full Story
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Share each other’s burdens in prayer, acts of love, pope says
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published November 21, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Saying, “don’t worry, we aren’t taking up a collection,” Pope Francis asked people at his weekly general audience to perform an act of charity by praying for a seriously ill 18-month-old girl named NoemiBeing part of the church means sharing “spiritual goods—the sacraments, charisms and charity”—including by helping someone or praying for those […]
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All Saints’, All Souls’ feasts are time to renew hope
Published November 7, 2013
VATICAN CITY (CNS)—At the end of the feast of All Saints, Pope Francis celebrated an outdoor Mass at Rome’s Verano cemetery and urged Christians to hang on to hope as they reflect on the promise that earthly life ends with eternal life in heaven. In his homily at the evening Mass Nov. 1, Pope Francis […]
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New U.S. envoy to Vatican: Areas of agreement bigger than differences
By FRANCIS X. ROCCA, Catholic News Service
Published November 7, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Disagreements need not hinder the Vatican and the Obama administration from collaborating on a broad range of peace and justice issues, including the promotion of religious freedom, said Ken Hackett, the new U.S ambassador to the Holy See. The envoy also told Catholic News Service that Pope Francis’ stratospheric worldwide popularity promises to […]
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Vatican’s media adviser offers ‘Top 10’ ways to understand Pope Francis
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published November 7, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—No matter how some media may want to spin it, Pope Francis won’t fit into the political categories of left or right, and he will challenge everyone with the truth of the Gospel, said the Vatican’s media adviser. “Pope Francis is not a politically correct pope,” rather, he is “a loyal son of […]
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Young and old join pope to celebrate joy of family life
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published November 7, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—A Catholic wedding is not simply a beautiful ceremony; through the sacrament of marriage a couple receives from God the grace they will need to fulfill their mission in the world, Pope Francis said. Addressing an estimated 100,000 people who came to St. Peter’s Square Oct. 26 for a Year of Faith celebration […]
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Venerating Fatima statue, pope entrusts world to Mary
By FRANCIS X. ROCCA, Catholic News Service
Published October 24, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Before a congregation of more than 100,000 in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis formally entrusted the world to Mary. “We are confident that each of us is precious in your sight,” the pope said Oct. 13, facing the statue of Mary that normally stands in the shrine at Fatima, Portugal. “Guard our lives […]
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Church is ‘apostolic’ only if it shares Gospel, pope says
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published October 24, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—The church can describe itself as “apostolic” only if it shares the Gospel with the world, remaining faithful to the teaching of the apostles and living out Gospel values, Pope Francis said. “A church closed in on itself and its past, a church concerned only with its little rules, customs and attitudes is […]
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In interviews, Pope Francis crafts a new genre of papal language
By FRANCIS X. ROCCA, Catholic News Service
Published October 11, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—When Pope Benedict XVI answered a journalist’s 2010 question about condom use by offering a nuanced reflection on the ethical complexities of a hypothetical case, his words led to a worldwide media sensation, a clarification by the Vatican spokesman, and a statement from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that the […]
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Pope, cardinal advisers looking at major overhaul of Roman Curia
Published October 10, 2013
VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Pope Francis and his international Council of Cardinals are laying out plans to completely overhaul the Roman Curia, underlining its role of “service to the universal church and the local churches,” the Vatican spokesman said. As the pope and the eight cardinals he named to advise him were about to begin the final […] Full Story
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Pope: Get out in the real world to find Jesus
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published October 10, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—People will not find Jesus by hanging out in first-class lounges or in the library, but by being out and about in the real world and in prayer, Pope Francis said. And following him will not be easy because “Jesus creates problems,” the pope said Sept. 26 during his morning Mass in his […] Full Story
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Pope tells new bishops to be simple, close to people
Published September 26, 2013
VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Don’t be on the road all the time, aloof or deaf to people’s needs; be simple, loving and always close by, just like a spouse would be for his wife, Pope Francis told new bishops. Bishops are pastors, not princes, so always return people’s calls, listen to parishioners, recognize one’s limitations and sharpen […] Full Story
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Pope condemns abortion as product of ‘throwaway culture’
By FRANCIS X. ROCCA, Catholic News Service
Published September 20, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—In his strongest public words to date on the subject of abortion, Pope Francis affirmed the sacredness of unborn human life and linked its defense to the pursuit of social justice. “In all its phases and at every age, human life is always sacred and always of quality. And not as a matter […]
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Praying for peace in Syria, pope calls selfishness the cause of war
By FRANCIS X. ROCCA, Catholic News Service
Published September 12, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Leading a crowd in prayer for peace in Syria, Pope Francis said that war is ultimately caused by selfishness, which can be overcome only though expressions of fraternity and never with violence. “Leave behind the self-interest that hardens your heart, overcome the indifference that makes your heart insensitive towards others, conquer your deadly […] Full Story
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Pope denounces ‘multiplication of massacres,’ atrocities in Syria
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published August 29, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Pope Francis called again for an end to the fighting in Syria, denouncing the “multiplication of massacres and atrocious acts,” including the suspected chemical weapons attack that left hundreds dead. As U.N. weapons inspectors received permission from the Syrian government Aug. 25 to visit the site of the alleged attack, Pope Francis said […] Full Story
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Soccer-fan pope asks star players to be good men
Published August 29, 2013
VATICAN CITY (CNS)—With big smiles all around, the lifelong soccer fan Pope Francis met the star players and coaches of the Argentine and Italian national soccer teams hoping to compete for the World Cup in 2014. The teams were led to the Clementine Hall Aug. 13 by Argentine captain Lionel Messi, a forward currently playing […]
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Vatican ambassador: World must help end Syria’s ‘serious crisis’
By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Published August 21, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—The Vatican ambassador to Syria said the international community must help find a political solution to the “serious crisis” continuing in the country. Speaking to Vatican Radio Aug. 21 after reports of chemical attacks outside Damascus, Archbishop Mario Zenari described the images circulating on the Internet and television “truly shocking.” The images, which […] Full Story
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Pope urges mutual Muslim-Catholic respect
Published August 15, 2013
VATICAN CITY (CNS)—As a sign of his “esteem and friendship,” Pope Francis said he personally wanted to write this year’s Vatican message to Muslims as they celebrated the end of their month-long Ramadan fast. The pope’s message, released by the Vatican Aug. 2, focused on the need for Catholics and Muslims to promote respect for […]
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During flight, pope talks about importance of giving young people jobs
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published July 22, 2013ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT TO BRAZIL (CNS)—With economic hard times as an excuse not to hire young people, the world risks tossing them aside and endangers its own future, Pope Francis said. Speaking to reporters aboard the papal flight to Rio de Janeiro July 22, the pope declined to answer their questions, but instead made […] Full Story
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Pope calls for repentance over migrants’ treatment
Published July 18, 2013
VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Before saying a word, Pope Francis made the sign of the cross and tossed a wreath of white and yellow flowers into the Mediterranean Sea in memory of the estimated 20,000 African immigrants who have died in the past 25 years trying to reach a new life in Europe. In his homily at […] Full Story
