Pope Francis has called on the world’s Catholics to pray May 22 for dialogue, forgiveness and peaceful coexistence in the Holy Land.
‘Old habit’ of covering up abuse must stop everywhere, pope says
Abuse against a minor is a kind of “psychological murder” that can destroy the victim’s childhood, Pope Francis told an Italian association active in the fight against child abuse and online child pornography.
Pope appeals for peace in Holy Land, says death of children ‘unacceptable’
The injury and death of so many innocent people, especially children, caused by escalating violence between Israel and the Gaza Strip is “terrible and unacceptable,” putting the area at risk of sinking into “a spiral of death and destruction,” Pope Francis said.
Priests finding solace in sacred may be vulnerable to mafias, priest says
Young members of the clergy who are tempted to avoid the complex realities of the world — finding solace and safety instead in the sacred — can be vulnerable to the illusions of the mafia, said the priest heading a new department on the Mafia and other criminal networks.
Pope tells new Swiss Guards they represent a church that welcomes
Meeting new recruits to the Swiss Guard, Pope Francis thanked the young men for having chosen to serve the successor of St. Peter and he thanked all the guards for their diligence and service.
Pope will open an online meeting on ‘demographic winter’ in Italy
Pope Francis is scheduled to open a meeting discussing the challenges posed by Italy’s low birthrate.
Truth about why he was shot in his legs will help diocese in South Sudan, bishop-designate says
While Bishop-designate Christian Carlassare already has forgiven his attackers, he said finding the truth about why he was shot in the legs at his home in Rumbek, South Sudan, will help achieve reconciliation.
Gunmen in South Sudan wound bishop-designate weeks before his installation
Unidentified gunmen broke into the home of the bishop-designate of Rumbek, South Sudan, shot him in both legs and fled, according to church news reports.
People must care for creation or face self-destruction, pope says
When it comes to safeguarding creation, there is no time to waste — humanity either must live up to its responsibility or continue on a path of self-destruction, Pope Francis said, commemorating Earth Day with a video message.
Five priests, two nuns, three laypeople kidnapped in Haiti
The latest victims of rampant kidnappings in Haiti are five priests, two nuns and three laypeople who were abducted together on their way to a parish near the capital of Port-au-Prince early April 11.
‘Profound evil’ of abuse must be eradicated, Pope Francis tells symposium
As religious leaders, scholars, experts and abuse survivors come together online to participate in a three-day international symposium on faith, healing and prevention, Pope Francis sent a message as part of a series of opening remarks for the event.
Pope leads Via Crucis with young people in torch-lit St. Peter’s Square
For the second year in a row, Pope Francis led the Way of the Cross from St. Peter’s Square rather than Rome’s Colosseum because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.