Vatican City
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Pope tells Putin: Stop the war
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published October 2, 2022With “rivers of blood and tears” still flowing in Ukraine and the increasing threat of the use of nuclear weapons, Pope Francis begged Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the spiral of violence and death. The pope made the plea prior to the Sunday Angelus prayer.
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Jesus, present in the Eucharist, inspires compassion, pope says
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published September 25, 2022Pope Francis concelebrated Mass at an outdoor stadium in the southern Italian city of Matera, which was host to Italy’s 27th National Eucharistic Congress Sept. 22-25. He asked all to rediscover the prayer of adoration and to pray for a ‘eucharistic’ church.
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Blessed John Paul I, ‘the smiling pope,’ showed God’s goodness, pope says
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published September 4, 2022Beatifying Blessed John Paul I, Pope Francis praised the late pope for showing the world God’s goodness and for living the Gospel without compromise. An estimated 25,000 people attended the Sept. 4 Mass in St. Peter’s Square Sept. 4.
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Pope creates 20 new cardinals, including San Diego bishop
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published August 27, 2022In a ceremony to create 20 new cardinals, Pope Francis encouraged the College of Cardinals to have the same spiritual zeal for all people, whether they are in positions of power or ordinary Christians.
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The elderly can unite all generations, save humanity, pope says
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published August 17, 2022Pope Francis dedicated his general audience talk to the urgent need for young and old to come together so older people can share their faith and wisdom about the world.
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Be vigilant to God’s presence in life, pope says
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published August 8, 2022Christians should not only face life’s challenges without fear but also not be overcome by the temptation to remain idle to the Lord’s presence in those moments, Pope Francis said at the Aug. 7 Angelus address.
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Small businesses invest in common good in local communities, pope says
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published August 3, 2022In a video message released by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network Aug. 2, the pope offered his prayer intention for the month of August, dedicated to the owners of small- and medium-sized businesses.
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Webb telescope images feed the mind and spirit, Jesuit astronomer says
By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Published July 14, 2022The Jesuits at the Vatican Observatory were wowed like most people by the beauty of the photos from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, but the director said they also are excited by the scientific information the telescope will reveal.
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In interview, pope condemns abortion, says he’s not resigning
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published July 6, 2022In a wide-ranging interview with the Reuters news agency, Pope Francis condemned abortion, dismissed the idea that he’s preparing to resign and said he still hopes to be able to visit Russia and Ukraine in the fall.
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Holy Spirit pushes people to repent, change, love, pope says
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published June 5, 2022Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, was the main celebrant at the Pentecost Mass June 5. Pope Francis delivered his homily from a wheelchair, reminding all that the Holy Spirit guides us on what paths to take.
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Pope announces new cardinals, including U.S. Bishop McElroy
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published May 29, 2022Pope Francis announced he will create 21 new cardinals Aug. 27, including 68-year-old Bishop Robert W. McElroy of San Diego, California.
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Christ’s resurrection brings hope amid ‘Easter of war,’ pope says
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published April 17, 2022The Vatican said an estimated 55,000 pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square in the first outdoor Easter Mass since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.
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Papal preacher: Jesus calls everyone to repent, turn swords into plowshares
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published April 15, 2022Presided over by Pope Francis, the service on Good Friday at St. Peter’s Basilica commemorated Christ’s passion and death on the cross. Following tradition, the homily was delivered by Cardinal Cantalamessa, preacher of the papal household.
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Before washing prisoners’ feet, pope tells them God always forgives
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published April 14, 2022Pope Francis celebrated the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper at a prison near Rome and washed the feet of 12 inmates–men and women of different ages and nationalities.
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Pope asks bishops worldwide to join consecration of Ukraine, Russia
By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Published March 21, 2022Pope Francis has asked bishops around the world to join him March 25 in consecrating Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Archdiocese of Atlanta will have a consecration on Friday at 12:10 p.m. at the Cathedral of Christ the King.
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Pope to make long-promised trip to South Sudan in July; also going to Congo
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published March 4, 2022Pope Francis will travel to the war-scarred countries of Congo and South Sudan in early July, the Vatican press office said March 3.
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Love, protect the church despite its faults, pope says
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published February 16, 2022The same love that gave St. Joseph the strength to protect Jesus and Mary must inspire Christians to love the church, especially when calling out its sins and flaws, Pope Francis said at his general audience.
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Retired pope asks forgiveness in response to Munich abuse report
By CAROL GLATZ and JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published February 8, 2022At the age of 94, retired Pope Benedict XVI said he knows he will soon stand before God’s judgment and he prayed that he would be forgiven for his shortcomings, including in handling allegations of clerical sexual abuse.
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Pride is an obstacle to Christian unity, pope says
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published January 25, 2022Divided Christians will never find unity unless they are willing to humble themselves, bowing down to worship Jesus and him alone, Pope Francis said. He closed the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jan. 25 during an ecumenical evening service at Rome’s Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.
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Retired Pope Benedict corrects statement for Munich abuse report
By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Published January 24, 2022Amending a written statement made to a panel investigating clerical sexual abuse in his former Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, retired Pope Benedict XVI said he was present at a 1980 meeting to discuss the transfer of a priest accused of misconduct.