Vatican City
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Pope has history of defending marriage, but being open to some civil unions
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published October 22, 2020The pope’s comments in the documentary, “Francesco,” are similar to the position taken while he was an archbishop, and echo remarks in several interviews during his pontificate: “Marriage” is only between a man and a woman, but civil union laws could provide legal protection for couples in long-term relationships.
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Pope to take his post-pandemic pleas to global stage
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published September 17, 2020When he addresses, via video message, the U.N. General Assembly Sept. 21, Pope Francis is expected to speak about using the coronavirus crisis as an opportunity to rethink economic, political and environmental policies in a way that will benefit humanity and the earth.
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Common good, not greed, must motivate search for vaccine, pope says
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published September 9, 2020The common good should be at the heart of the race to find a vaccine for COVID-19, Pope Francis said during his weekly general audience Sept. 9.
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Making the poor a priority isn’t political, it’s the Gospel, pope says
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published August 19, 2020In his Aug. 19 general audience, Pope Francis said the COVID-19 pandemic “has exposed the plight of the poor and the great inequality that reigns in the world.”
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Pope, U.S. bishops ‘saddened’ by Turkish court ruling on Hagia Sophia
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published July 24, 2020Pope Francis said he was saddened after a Turkish court ruled to revert the iconic Hagia Sophia museum into a mosque.
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Pope at pallium Mass: World needs to pray more, complain less
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published July 2, 2020Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer’s pallium was among those blessed by Pope Francis June 29. Unable to attend the Mass due to the pandemic, the archbishop will receive his pallium at a later date in Atlanta.
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Pope prays for U.S., calls racism a pro-life issue
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published June 3, 2020Observing with great concern the social unrest unfolding in the United States, Pope Francis said no one can claim to defend the sanctity of every human life while turning a blind eye to racism and exclusion.
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Pope to lead shrines in rosary prayer May 30
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published May 28, 2020Pope Francis will lead the major shrines around the world in praying the rosary to implore Mary’s intercession and protection amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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At morning Mass, Pope offers prayers for unemployed
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Services
Published May 14, 2020As countries continue to reel from the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis offered prayers for the men and women who have been unable to work.
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Jesus gives strength to face the unexpected, pope says
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published April 30, 2020When faced with uncertainties, adversities or trials, those who place their trust in Christ will not be left alone to fend for themselves, Pope Francis said.
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Vatican releases book of pope’s homilies, prayers for ‘difficult times’
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published April 28, 2020The Vatican published a free downloadable book of Pope Francis’ prayers responding to the trial and suffering of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Pope calls for a ‘contagion’ of Easter hope
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published April 16, 2020Pope Francis’ Easter prayers on April 12 were mostly in the context of the suffering and death caused by the coronavirus and the economic difficulties the pandemic already has triggered.
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Pope leads Way of the Cross in empty, torch-lit St. Peter’s Square
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published April 10, 2020Pope Francis led the Way of the Cross from St. Peter’s Square rather than Rome’s Colosseum, where it has been held annually for more than five decades.
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On Holy Thursday, pope thanks God for world’s priests
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published April 9, 2020On Holy Thursday in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis thanked all priests for their service and called those who died ministering to the sick and health care workers part of the community of “saints next door.”
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Pope on Palm Sunday: Life, measured by love, is meant to serve others
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published April 5, 2020Broadcast and livestreamed over a wide range of media, the pope preached in his Palm Sunday homily about the betrayal and abandonment Jesus experienced before and during his Passion.
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COVID-19 is a call to live differently, pope says
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published April 2, 2020Pope Francis meditated on the meaning of the pandemic and its implications March 27 before raising a monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament and giving an extraordinary blessing “urbi et orbi”
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Pope Francis announces extraordinary ‘urbi et orbi’ blessing March 27
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published March 23, 2020In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis said he will give an extraordinary blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) at 6 p.m. Rome time Friday, March 27.
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Vatican closes St. Peter’s Square, Basilica to tourists through April 3
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published March 10, 2020In cooperation with Italian emergency measures, the Vatican has closed St. Peter’s Square and Basilica to tourists through April 3. The new measure, announced March 10, was the latest move by the Vatican to help stop the spread of the coronavirus by reducing access to places that attract large groups.
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Pope shares with U.S. bishops his frustration with reaction to Amazon text
By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Published February 13, 2020Fifteen bishops from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina spent close to three hours with Pope Francis Feb. 13 as part of their “ad limina” visits to the Vatican.
