Pope apologizes for using ‘homophobic’ slang May 28, 2024By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis “never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he extends his apologies to those who were offended by the use of a term, reported by others,” that is considered vulgar in Italian, the Vatican press office said.
Be proud of your uniform, committed to peace, pope tells military May 28, 2024By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Entrusting to God’s mercy all of their comrades-in-arms who have died serving their countries and defending peace, Pope Francis urged Catholic members of the military to let their faith inform their service.
Pope signs decrees advancing several sainthood causes May 23, 2024By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Saints, Vatican, World News In addition to clearing the way for the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, Pope Francis signed decrees in seven other sainthood causes, including that of Blessed Giuseppe Allamano, founder of the Consolata Missionaries, who also is now ready to be declared a saint.
Vatican expecting tens of thousands to celebrate World Children’s Day May 19, 2024By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News, Youth Ministry The Vatican is expecting some 70,000 children between the ages of 5 and 12 and their chaperones to fill Rome’s Olympic Stadium for the opening events of the first World Children’s Day May 25 and to join Pope Francis for Mass in St. Peter’s Square the next morning.
Cardinal Parolin says Vatican will attend Ukraine peace summit May 16, 2024By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Crisis in Ukraine, Feature, News, World News Cardinal Pietro Parolin told reporters May 15 that the Vatican would be present in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, June 15-16 for an international summit organized to work toward peace in Ukraine.
Pope meets senior priests, encourages dialogue with young clergy May 16, 2024By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, Vocations, World News Pope Francis, who was ordained to the priesthood 54 years ago, encouraged senior priests in the Diocese of Rome to be “witnesses of memory,” sharing their faith and experiences with younger clergy and not being afraid to argue with them from time to time.
Vatican pro-life chief: Only palliative care offers ‘death with dignity’ May 15, 2024By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, Vatican, World News “Dying is part of the process of living and should not take place in a pre-cemetery,” said Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life.
Vatican norms for Jubilee indulgence include pilgrimage, penance, service May 14, 2024By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pilgrims passing through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica during the Holy Year 2025, going to confession, receiving Communion and praying for the intentions of the pope can receive an indulgence, but so can inmates in prison and those who work to defend human life or assist migrants and refugees.
Syro-Malabar divisions over liturgy are work of the devil, pope says May 13, 2024By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News The divisions within the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in India are the work of the devil, who has convinced some people, including priests, that their way is the only way to celebrate the Eucharist, Pope Francis said.
Help students see crises as opportunities for growth, pope says May 10, 2024By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Colleges, Feature, News, Vatican, World News University students today need an education that not only prepares them for a career but helps them face personal challenges and learn how to contribute to the good of their communities, Pope Francis said.
Church needs theologians who grapple with modern world, pope says May 10, 2024By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Because faith in God is not abstract but impacts the way people live and interact with others, theologians must engage with experts in other fields of knowledge as they investigate and explain the Christian faith, Pope Francis wrote.
Jubilee countdown: Preparations for 2025 Holy Year move into high gear May 10, 2024By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News For more than 700 years, the Catholic Church has celebrated “jubilee” or “holy” years as special times to renew people’s faith and experience God’s forgiveness, particularly by going on pilgrimage.