Pope Francis tells a fractured world: God’s mercy gives hope for change Bogotá, Colombia, Aug 27, 2016 / 12:23 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Just as God trusts us and expects us to change, we must treat others “never based on fear but on the hope God has in our ability to change,” Pope Francis said in Saturday remarks that rejected the despair of a fractured culture.“Which will it be: hope for change, or fear?” the Pope asked a gathering of Catholic leaders Aug. 27. “The only thing acting out of fear accomplishes is to......
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Pope Francis sent a message to bishops, priests and Church workers attending Italy’s annual week of liturgical studies God’s mercy is poured out upon the repentant so that they can change and grow, Pope Francis has said. “All liturgy is a place where mercy is encountered and accepted in order to be given, the place where the great mystery of reconciliation is made present, proclaimed, celebrated and communicated,” the Pope said in a message released on Monday to bishops, priests and Church workers attending Italy’s annual week of liturgical studies. In the message,......
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Former prostitutes get special visit from Pope Francis Pope Francis meets with former prostitutes assisted by the Pope John XXIII Community in Rome Aug. 12, 2016. Credit: L’Osservatore Romano. by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Aug 12, 2016 / 11:15 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis has visited a special community for women freed from prostitution and violent abuse as his latest ‘Mercy Friday’ initiative during the Jubilee. On Aug. 12 he met the 20 women, all of whom have suffered severe physical violence and live under protection, who are cared for at the “Pope......
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Cardinal Orani Joao Tempesta holds the Olympic torch with former Olympian Isabel Salgado in Rio, Aug. 4, 2016. Credit: Gustavo de Oliveira/ArqRio. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Aug 5, 2016 / 02:58 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- In the shadows of the emblematic statue of Christ the Redeemer, the Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro, Cardinal Orani Joao Tempesta, blessed the Olympic torch and wished for games of fraternity and peace. The cardinal’s blessing of the torch at Christ the Redeemer marked the final day of the torch’s 95-day journey across Brazil to the Olympic stadium for......
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Pope Francis tells parishes: the confessional light should always be on The role of the traditional parish church fiercely defended by Pope FrancisPope Francis has emphasised the importance of a “confessional with the light on” in attracting people to the Church. In a robust defence of the traditional parish model, the Pope maintained that the parish “remains valid”, before adding “The problem is how it is organised.He asked: “How do we greet people? How attentive are we to them? Is someone always in the confessional? In parishes – not those in the country......
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By Hannah Brockhaus Assisi, Italy, Aug 4, 2016 / 11:22 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The path to heaven is through forgiveness and pardon of those who have offended us, just as we have received salvation through the love and forgiveness of the Father, Pope Francis said today in Assisi. “Today I would like, before all else, to recall the words that, according to an ancient tradition, Saint Francis spoke in this very place, in the presence of all the townsfolk and bishops: ‘I want to send you all to heaven!’” “What finer thing could......
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Pope Francis: Capitalism is ‘Terrorism Against All of Humanity’ Pope Francis argues that modern economy’s worship of ‘god of money’ leads to disenfranchisement and extremism Pope Francis surprised reporters on a flight from Krakow to the Vatican late Sunday when he blamed the “god of money” for extremist violence in Europe and the Middle East, saying that a ruthless global economy leads disenfranchised people to violence. “Terrorism grows when there is no other option, and as long as the world economy has at its center the god of money and not the......
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Vatican City, Jun 18, 2016 / 06:04 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Church should always value the transformative power of faith-filled laity who are willing to serve the Gospel, Pope Francis said Friday. “We need well-formed lay people, animated by a sincere and clear faith, whose life has been touched by the personal and merciful love of Christ Jesus,” the Pope told a plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Laity June 17.“We need lay people who take risks, who get their hands dirty, who are not afraid of making mistakes, who go......
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Vatican City, Jun 6, 2016 / 11:31 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Meekness of heart is not foolishness, Pope Francis said Monday, but rather “the capacity to be deep and to understand the greatness of God, and worship Him.” The Pope reflected during his homily Monday on the Beatitudes as steps that take us towards God.The Pope’s homily came during the June 6 Mass at the Casa Santa Martha residence, Vatican Radio reports. He reflected on the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. Pope Francis encouraged reflection......
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By Ann Schneible Vatican City, Jun 4, 2016 / 11:43 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis has approved the institution of a new Vatican department dedicated to the family, the laity, and life. According to a set of statutes released Saturday, the new department will promote “the pastoral care of the family, maintain the dignity and basic good of the Sacrament of marriage, favor the rights and responsibilities of the Church in civil society.” This will be so “that the family institution may always fulfill its proper functions both within the Church and society.”The Vatican......
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