Pope Francis

In New Book, Retired Pope Benedict Breaks Silence To Speak Out On Priestly Celibacy

8:00am January 13, 2020

by Scott Neuman

The surprise move is seen as a rebuke to Pope Francis, who is weighing whether to allow older, married men to be ordained in some South American countries, where a shortage of priests is acute.

Pope Francis called for compassion toward migrants in a Christmas Day speech from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

In Christmas Day Message, Pope Francis Shines Light On Migrant Suffering

1:34pm December 25, 2019

by Laurel Wamsley

"It is injustice that turns them away from places where they might have hope for a dignified life, but instead find themselves before walls of indifference," the pontiff said in his holiday address.

"The person who files the report, the person who alleges to have been harmed and the witnesses shall not be bound by any obligation of silence" about sexual abuse cases against clergy, according to a new policy approved by Pope Francis.

Pope Francis Ends 'Top Secret' Status For Sex Abuse Cases, Promising Transparency

1:55pm December 17, 2019

by Bill Chappell

The changes apply to cases of clergy committing violence or sexual assaults against anyone under their authority, as well as minors. The pope also changed rules about child pornography.

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The 20-foot-tall bronze sculpture of a boat loaded with refugees and migrants is the work of Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz. Its bread-and-fruit motif encapsulates how food is interlocked with the history of human migration.

How One Small Bag Of Food On A Giant Sculpture Tells A Million Immigrant Tales

2:49pm December 10, 2019

by Nina Martyris

The theme of the work in the Vatican's St. Peter's Square is welcoming strangers. "The bag is a metaphor for nourishment ... the idea of bringing something to the table," says artist Timothy Schmalz.

Clergymen carry a wooden relic believed to be from Jesus' manger outside the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, on Saturday.

Religion

Pope Francis Sends A Relic Of Jesus' Manger To The Holy Land

5:36pm November 30, 2019

by Huo Jingnan

At the start of Christmas season, Pope Francis has sent a small piece of wooden relic reputed to be part of Jesus' manger after he was born to Bethlehem, traditionally known as Jesus' birthplace.

Marie Andrews holds a pyx, the vessel she uses to transport the consecrated Communion wafer to homebound parishioners. Andrews is an officially sanctioned Eucharistic minister in the Roman Catholic Church.

Possibility Of Female Deacons Gives Some Catholics Hope

12:27pm November 30, 2019

by Shahla Farzan

Pope Francis recently opened the door to the possibility of women as deacons in the Catholic Church. Some women have sought official recognition for the ministries they already perform.

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Pope Francis observes a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during his visit to the city's Peace Memorial Park on Sunday.

Pope Francis, In Visit To Hiroshima, Says Possession Of Nuclear Weapons Is 'Immoral'

4:56pm November 24, 2019

by Laurel Wamsley

The nuclear arms race wastes resources that could instead improve people's lives and protect the environment, the pontiff said. His tour marks the first papal visit to Japan in nearly 40 years.

Pope Francis lamented that the Latin name Archivium Secretum — of the Vatican Secret Archive originally meant to convey that the archive was private — had come to connote something more sinister.

Pope Francis Decrees Name Change For Vatican Secret Archive

10:48am October 29, 2019

by Scott Neuman

The new name, Vatican Apostolic Archive, is meant to dispel the notion that the Holy See is hiding secrets in its ancient collection, the pope said.

Pope Francis walks in procession on the occasion of the Amazon synod at the Vatican on Monday. The pope opened a three-week meeting as he fended off attacks from conservatives who are opposed to his ecological agenda.

World News

Pope Opens Amazon Synod Amid Controversy Over Proposal To Allow Married Priests

12:05pm October 08, 2019

by Sylvia Poggioli

Even before the synod began, traditionalists were angered by the suggestion that, to offset a shortage of priests in the Amazon, married men might be ordained to serve in remote communities.

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Pope Francis waves as he arrives at Zimpeto Stadium in Maputo, Mozambique, on Thursday, where he led a public Mass.

Pope Francis Comes To Africa With A Vision. Will It Stick?

4:14pm September 06, 2019

by Malaka Gharib

The pope is touring three countries in sub-Saharan Africa, calling for hope and reconciliation. Researchers look at the long-term impact of a papal visit.