Vatican City
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In first encyclical, pope celebrates faith as the light of human life
By FRANCIS X. ROCCA, Catholic News Service
Published July 5, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—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. The document, released July 5, […] Full Story
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Pope clears the way for the canonizations of John Paul II, John XXIII
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published July 5, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Pope Francis signed a decree clearing the way for the canonization of Blessed John Paul II and has decided also to ask the world’s cardinals to vote on the canonization of Blessed John XXIII, even in the absence of a miracle. After Pope Francis met July 5 with Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of […]
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Encyclical illustrates continuity of two papacies, officials say
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published July 5, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Presenting Pope Francis’ new encyclical and acknowledging how much of it was prepared by retired Pope Benedict XVI, top Vatican officials hailed it as a unique expression of the development of papal teaching and unity in faith. “It is a fortunate coincidence that this text was written, so to speak, by the hands […] Full Story
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Director, deputy director of Vatican bank resign
By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
Published July 4, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—The director and the deputy director of the Vatican bank, which is being investigated by a special papal commission, resigned July 1. A statement from the Vatican press office said Director Paolo Cipriani and Massimo Tulli, deputy director, offered their resignations “in the best interest of the institute and the Holy See.” The […]
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Church light diminishes so Christ’s light increases
Published July 4, 2013
VATICAN CITY (CNS)—On the Feast of the Birth of St. John the Baptist, Pope Francis called for the church to model itself after the prophet and courageously proclaim and serve Jesus even until martyrdom. “Why is St. John a saint and not a sinner?” the pope asked. “Because he never, ever understood the truth as […] Full Story
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What The Pope’s Leaked Comments Really Tell Us
Published June 20, 2013
VATICAN CITY (CNS)—A report that Pope Francis privately acknowledged the existence of a “gay lobby” inside the Vatican offers a sensational example of his unvarnished speaking style and a reminder of the challenge that style poses for the papacy in the age of digital communications and vanishing privacy. On the other hand, an acknowledgment that […]
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Pope Focuses On Need For Peace, Gift Of Eucharist
By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
Published June 6, 2013V ATICAN CITY (CNS)—The horror of war, the valor of peacemaking and the gift of the Eucharist were on Pope Francis’ mind June 2, the day Italy celebrates its establishment as a republic and the day most dioceses around the world celebrated the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. Pope Francis began the […]
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At Pentecost, Pope Shares Personal Stories Of His Faith
By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
Published May 23, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—With humor and passion, Pope Francis shared highlights of his personal faith journey and explained some key points of his teaching to an enthusiastic crowd of representatives from Catholic lay movements. Celebrating a vigil on the eve of Pentecost with an estimated 200,000 people singing, chanting and waving their groups’ banners, Pope Francis […]
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Pope Francis Welcomes Retired Pope Back To Vatican
By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
Published May 9, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—For the first time in history, the Vatican is home to a pope and a retired pope. Pope Francis welcomed his predecessor, retired Pope Benedict XVI, to the Vatican May 2 outside the convent remodeled for the 86-year-old retired pontiff and five aides. Pope Francis and Pope Benedict entered the convent’s chapel together […]
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Battle With The Devil: Pope Frames Fight In Jesuit Terms
By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
Published April 25, 2013VATICAN CITY (CNS)—In the teaching of Pope Francis, the devil has a more dastardly agenda than just convincing people to break one of the Ten Commandments; “the enemy” wants them to feel weak, worthless and always ready to complain or gossip. In his first month in office, Pope Francis continually preached about God’s love and […] Full Story
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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
