Vatican City– Pope Francis pulled shut the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday, formally ending the Holy Year of Mercy he declared to stress the need for greater reconciliation and forgiveness in his church and in the world. After closing the ornate door, Francis urged some 70,000 peopleContinue Reading
Vatican City: Catholics will forgive their priests for almost any weakness, but not for an exaggerated attachment to money or for mistreating parishioners, Pope Francis told 160 priests who work in Vatican nunciatures around the world. “The people of God have a great nose” for sniffing out priests who serveContinue Reading
Francis is trying to build a Roman Catholic Church that emphasizes inclusion and mercy, and focuses on serving poor and marginalized people. Can the 79-year-old pontiff appoint enough like-minded cardinals to ensure that his vision of the church will endure after he dies? The College of Cardinals is responsible for electing aContinue Reading
Rome:Pope Francis on Friday (Nov. 11) made a surprise visit to meet several men who took the controversial step of leaving the priesthood and starting a family. A Vatican statement said the pope left his residence in the afternoon and traveled to an apartment on the outskirts of Rome whereContinue Reading
Vatican City: The Catholic Church`s highest-ranking diplomat wished US President-elect Donald Trump well on Wednesday, saying he would pray for the new incumbent to be “enlightened”. “We wish the new president well, that he may have a truly fruitful government,” Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin told the papalContinue Reading
Mumbai: Following Pope Francis’ reaffirmation on Tuesday that the Catholic Church’s ban on women priests “will continue forever”, feminist groups have raised the question of patriarchy in positions of power in the Church. While a majority supports the Pope and there is no point in re-opening a closed debate, aContinue Reading
Aboard the papal plane: During a press conference Tuesday aboard the papal plane from Sweden to Rome, Pope Francis said the issue of women priests has been clearly decided, while also clarifying the essential role of women in the Catholic Church. “On the ordination of women in the Catholic Church,Continue Reading
Representing the South Sudan Council of Churches, South Sudan’s religious leaders traveled to Rome on 26-30 October, meeting with Pope Francis on 27 October. The visiting delegation included Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Juba, Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul Yak of the Episcopal Church of Sudan,Continue Reading
Lund: While in Sweden to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Pope Francis heard moving testimonies from both Lutherans and Catholics working to better society, giving thanks for their witness and praying for greater unity. “We remember this anniversary with a renewed spirit and in the recognition that ChristianContinue Reading
Lund: In a joint declaration signed for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Catholic and Lutheran leaders apologized for division in the Church and pledged to work for greater unity. “Fifty years of sustained and fruitful ecumenical dialogue between Catholics and Lutherans have helped us to overcome many differences, andContinue Reading
