Vatican City
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Pope Francis Doesn’t Sing Or Chant …Tone-Deaf?
By CAROL GLATZ, CNS
Published April 11, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—After a musically proficient and polyglot Pope Benedict XVI, it came as a surprise to many that Pope Francis doesn’t sing or chant at Mass or speak foreign languages in public. From his first Mass as pope—his liturgy with the College of Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel March 14—the pope has not chanted […] Full Story
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Pope Says Women Are Privileged Witnesses Of Christ
By FRANCIS X. ROCCA, CNS
Published April 11, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Women have a privileged role in the church because of their ability to pass on the faith through love, Pope Francis said. “Women have had and still have a special role in opening doors to the Lord, in following him and communicating his face, because the eyes of faith always need the simple […] Full Story
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Pope On Palm Sunday: Christ’s Passion Leads To Joy
By FRANCIS X. ROCCA, CNS
Published March 28, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Pope Francis celebrated his first Palm Sunday Mass as pope March 24, telling an overflow crowd in St. Peter’s Square that Christ’s death on the cross is a source of eternal consolation and joy. “A Christian can never be sad. Never give way to discouragement,” the pope said in his homily, assuring listeners […]
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Pope Francis To Live In Vatican Guesthouse
By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
Published March 28, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Pope Francis has decided not to move into the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace, but to live in a suite in the Vatican guesthouse where he has been since the beginning of the conclave that elected him, said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman. “He is experimenting with this type of living […]
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Pope Francis Begins Papacy With Signs Of Universal Ministry
By CNS
Published March 28, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Although attempts were made to simplify the ceremony, Pope Francis officially inaugurated his ministry as pope and bishop of Rome in a liturgy filled with biblical symbolism and signs of the universality of his mission. But before the solemn rites began March 19, Pope Francis—known for choosing public transport over chauffeur-driven limousines—took his […]
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At Christmas, Pope Intensifies Call For Peace
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published January 6, 2012Celebrating Christmas at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI appealed for peace in global trouble spots and protection of persecuted Christian minorities in places like China. At his Midnight Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica and in his Christmas Day blessing to the world, the pope called the birth of Christ the “culmination of creation” and an […] Full Story
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From the Vatican, 17 November 2011
Published November 24, 2011
The Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory Archbishop of Atlanta The Holy Father was saddened to learn of the death of Archbishop Emeritus John F. Donoghue and he offers heartfelt condolences to you and to the clergy, religious and laity of the Archdiocese. In commending the late Archbishop to the love and mercy of Christ the […] Full Story
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Austrian priests call for reforms; cardinal plans dialogue with group
Published July 12, 2011
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Austrian bishops have criticized an effort by a group of priests calling for reforms in church practice, including opening the priesthood to women and married men, but the bishops have not taken or threatened disciplinary action. Michael Pruller, spokesman for Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna, said the cardinal plans to meet […] Full Story
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For Pope John Paul II, Spiritual Journey Marked Path To Beatification
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published May 12, 2011As church officials keep emphasizing, Pope John Paul II has been beatified not for his performance as pope, but for how he lived the Christian virtues of faith, hope and love. When the Vatican’s sainthood experts interviewed witnesses about the Polish pontiff, the focus of their investigation was on holiness, not achievement. What emerged was […] Full Story
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Blessed Pope John Paul II
By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
Published May 12, 2011Pope John Paul II was a true believer, a courageous voice of truth and a man whose witness to the faith grew more eloquent as his ability to speak declined, Pope Benedict XVI and others who worked closely with the late pope said at events for his beatification. “John Paul II is blessed because of […] Full Story
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Wikileaks: Vatican Emerges as Key Global Player
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published January 6, 2011If there’s one clear conclusion that can be drawn from the Vatican-related WikiLeaks disclosures, it’s that the United States takes the Vatican and its diplomatic activity very seriously. In memo after memo in recent years, officials of the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See have reported back to Washington on the impact of papal trips, […] Full Story
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Pope’s 2011 Calendar Holds Full Slate Of Events
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published January 6, 2011For Pope Benedict XVI, the 2011 calendar already holds a full slate of meetings, liturgies and foreign trips. What’s not on the calendar—at least so far—is a special “year of” or a “year for.” In 2008-2009, the pope declared a Year of St. Paul. He designated 2009-2010 the Year for Priests. Perhaps 2011 will mark […] Full Story
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Pope Deplores Deadly Attacks On Christian Churches
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published January 6, 2011Pope Benedict XVI deplored a series of deadly attacks against Christian churches and other targets around the world at Christmas time. The pope appealed for peace Dec. 26 after bombs went off in churches in the Philippines and Nigeria, killing or wounding several worshipers. In Pakistan, a suicide bombing against a World Food Program depot […] Full Story
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Pope Names 24 New Cardinals, Two From U.S.
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published October 28, 2010Pope Benedict XVI named 24 new cardinals, including two from the United States: Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, head of the Vatican’s highest tribunal, and Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of Washington. The pope announced the names at the end of his weekly general audience Oct. 20 and said he would formally install the cardinals during a […] Full Story
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As All Saints Day Nears, Pope Canonizes Six
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published October 28, 2010Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed six new saints, including an Australian nun and a Canadian brother, calling them “shining examples” of holiness and the power of prayer. Thousands of pilgrims from Australia applauded and waved their national flags after the pope pronounced the formula of canonization Oct. 17 in St. Peter’s Square for Blessed Mother Mary […] Full Story
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Pope calls for less “Vatican-centric,” more socially conscious church
By FRANCIS X. ROCCA, Catholic News Service
Published July 8, 2010VATICAN CITY (CNS)—In his latest wide-ranging interview, Pope Francis said that he aimed to make the Catholic Church less “Vatican-centric” and closer to the “people of God,” as well as more socially conscious and open to modern culture. He also revealed that he briefly considered turning down the papacy in the moments following his election […] Full Story
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Pope says focus on morality can obscure Gospel message
By FRANCIS X. ROCCA, Catholic News Service
Published May 27, 2010VATICAN CITY (CNS)—In a lengthy and wide-ranging interview with one of his Jesuit confreres, Pope Francis spoke with characteristic frankness about the perils of overemphasizing Catholic teaching on sexual and medical ethics; the reasons for his deliberate and consultative governing style; and his highest priority for the church today. The pope’s remarks appeared in an […] Full Story
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Pope to youth: Go against culture; share your joy, hope
Published January 7, 2010
VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Fight off a drug- and alcohol-pushing culture and other hazardous trends sweeping across today’s world, Pope Francis told young people. “In life, there will always be people who will make you offers to slow or impede you on your way. Please, go against the current. Be courageous,” he said. He also asked for […] Full Story
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SSPX Bishop Told To Disavow Holocaust Statements
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published February 12, 2009The Vatican said a traditionalist bishop who has minimized the full extent of the Holocaust must disavow his positions before he will be accepted into full communion with the church. A Vatican statement Feb. 4 said Pope Benedict XVI did not know about the controversial statements by British-born Bishop Richard Williamson when he lifted the […] Full Story
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Pope Assures New U.S. President Of His Prayers
By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
Published November 13, 2008Pope Benedict XVI sent a personal message to President-elect Barack Obama Nov. 5, congratulating him and offering his prayers for Obama and for all the people of the United States. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said that because the message was addressed personally to Obama the Vatican did not plan to publish the full […] Full Story
