Vatican City
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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.
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St. Joseph teaches fatherly love in ‘orphaned’ world, pope says
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published January 5, 2022As the foster father of Jesus, St. Joseph is an example of the need for loving fathers and mothers in “an age of notorious orphanhood,” Pope Francis said at his Jan. 5 general audience.
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Pope at Christmas: ‘God comes into the world in littleness’
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published December 24, 2021The celebration of Christmas is a reminder that God did not reveal his greatness in a grand spectacle, but rather in the “littleness” of a poor, vulnerable child born in a stable in Bethlehem, Pope Francis said.
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Second chances: Vatican Christmas stamps feature work of homeless artist
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published December 10, 2021The Vatican Philatelic and Numismatic Office announced that its 2021 set of commemorative Christmas stamps would feature images of the Magi and the Holy Family painted by Adam Piekarski, a homeless man from Poland.
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Synodal process looks to hear from those on the margins of the church
By DENNIS SADOWSKI, Catholic News Service
Published September 30, 2021Pope Francis invites Catholics both in the mainstream of church life and on the margins to voice ideas and concerns for the Synod of Bishops in 2023. The process launches Oct. 17 worldwide. Archbishop Hartmayer will celebrate an opening Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the King.
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Church needs to hear God speaking through those who are hurting, pope says
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published September 21, 2021To listen to the Holy Spirit, members of the church must listen to each other and especially to those who are marginalized, Pope Francis said, explaining how dioceses are to help the church prepare for the Synod of Bishops.
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Vaccination is an act of love, pope says in ad campaign
By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Published August 25, 2021When each individual makes a small act of charity, like getting the COVID-19 vaccine, every gesture added together can transform the world, Pope Francis said in a global ad campaign.
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Cardinal urges religious to join local preparation for Synod of Bishops
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published August 18, 2021Pope Francis is scheduled to formally open the Synod of Bishops process at the Vatican Oct. 9-10. And the bishop of every diocese should open the process in his diocese Oct. 17. Local Catholics will have the opportunity for input during the diocesan phase. Communion, participation and mission will be the synod themes.
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Pope prays for peace in Afghanistan as Taliban takes control
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published August 16, 2021Hours before the Taliban took control of Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, Pope Francis expressed his hope for the peace and safety of the country’s citizens.
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Only Jesus reveals true Gospel, pope says at first audience after surgery
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published August 5, 2021The true Gospel has been revealed by Jesus Christ, not by individuals or founders of movements, Pope Francis said during his Aug. 4 weekly general audience–his first since undergoing surgery in July.
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Appealing to need for unity, pope restores limits on pre-Vatican II Mass
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published July 18, 2021Saying he was acting for the good of the unity of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has restored limits on the celebration of the Mass according to the Roman Missal in use before the Second Vatican Council.
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Pope, bishops call for calm, dialogue after Haitian president killed
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published July 8, 2021Condemning the “heinous assassination” of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, Pope Francis urged the people of Haiti to shun violence and make a commitment to dialogue and solidarity as the path to a better future.