Cebu: Two Asian church leaders urged participants in the 51st International Eucharistic Congress to follow the example of Pope Francis, working to reach people on the periphery. The pope’s envoy to the congress, Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, Myanmar, told reporters Jan. 27 that the Eucharist should compel people toContinue Reading
In his 2016 Lenten message, Pope Francis called the faithful to place special emphasis on the spiritual and corporal works of mercy this Lent, taking into account the current Jubilee Year of Mercy. “God’s mercy transforms human hearts; it enables us, through the experience of a faithful love, to becomeContinue Reading
Pope Francis has issued a decree changing the way that the Holy Thursday foot-washing rite is celebrated around the world. The decree was published today by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments and signed by prefect Cardinal Robert Sarah. The decree says that the riteContinue Reading
Vatican City: Pope Francis has sent a special message to the youth who will participate in the Jubilee of Boys and Girls in April, telling them the Holy Year is an opportunity to grow in holiness and mercy, so that they become Christians capable of making courageous decisions. “Remain steadfastContinue Reading
When Pope Francis was a parish priest in Argentina, he met a mother with young children who had been abandoned by her husband. She had no steady income. When odd jobs were scarce, she would prostitute herself in order to feed her children and provide for her family. During thatContinue Reading
‘This man is it. A Christian who is actually a Christian. He’s so Christian, he confuses other Christians with his Christian-like actions. If he were the pope when I was young and forced to be a Christian, I’d have been a freakin nun.’ – (Comment from Internet forum) Throughout hisContinue Reading
Vatican: “The Name of God is Mercy” is the title of a new book set to be released in 86 countries on Tuesday (12 Jan), in which Pope Francis reveals his vision of God’s mercy in a series of interviews with Vatican reporter Andrea Tornielli. Several extracts were made availableContinue Reading
Vatican City: The Pope’s first-ever video message on his monthly prayer intentions was released Tuesday, highlighting the importance of interreligious dialogue and the beliefs different faith traditions hold in common, such as the figure of God and love. “Many think differently, feel differently, seeking God or meeting God in differentContinue Reading
Pope Francis’ monthly prayers will soon broadcast on social media so Catholics around the world can watch his message and pray with him, a Jesuit-led prayer coalition has announced. The Jesuit-led Apostleship of Prayer program announced on Vatican Radio this week that starting on Jan. 6 the pontiff’s monthly prayerContinue Reading
Vatican City: Pope Francis shed his floor-length white coat before leading a New Year’s Eve service at the Vatican Thursday. Speaking at St. Peter’s Basilica, he said it is difficult to forget “so many days marked by violence, by death, by the unspeakable suffering of so many innocents” but urgedContinue Reading
