Vatican Nativity scene to honor 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ creche October 30, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Feature, News, Vatican, World News On the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi setting up the first Nativity scene, the creche in St. Peter’s Square in 2023 will come from the Diocese of Rieti, Italy, and pay tribute to the scene set up in the diocese in 1223.
Assembly suggests steps to increase ‘synodality’ October 30, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News While some of the issues discussed at the synod on synodality were judged to require further study, members came up with a list of things that can or should happen immediately and others that should be considered.
Synod synthesis shows agreement, divergences, including on ‘synodality’ October 30, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News A report summarizing discussions at the assembly of the Synod of Bishops said the church may need more welcoming pastoral approaches, especially to people who feel excluded, but also acknowledged fears of betraying traditional church teachings and practices.
Pope calls for cease-fire in Holy Land; Vatican-Iranian diplomats talk October 30, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The day after Pope Francis called for a cease-fire in the Holy Land, his foreign minister spoke by phone with the foreign minister of Iran, “reiterating the absolute need to avoid escalating the conflict,” the Vatican press office said.
Synodality benefits from and increases ecumenical ties, participants say October 27, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News As the Catholic Church’s synod on synodality continues, it is drawing on lessons learned from decades of ecumenical friendships and dialogues and is sharing its experience with ecumenical partners with one goal in mind: helping all Christians take responsibility for the mission of sharing the Gospel, said several synod participants.
Synod prays warring nations will learn to listen, respect each other October 26, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Synodality, War in Ukraine, World News Carrying candles into an empty St. Peter’s Basilica, participants in the synod on synodality prayed the rosary for peace Oct. 25.
USCCB president talks about his synod experience October 25, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News Welcoming people into the church and helping them enter a relationship with Jesus always involves a call to conversion, said Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Listen to, trust the lay faithful, pope tells synod members October 25, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News Pope Francis told members of the synod on synodality that they should respect and honor the faith of all baptized Catholics, including the women, trusting “the holy, faithful people of God” who continue to believe even when their pastors act like dictators.
As synod winds down, members urged to sow patience October 23, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News As members of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops return home, share the results of their work and prepare for the final synod assembly in 2024, they must be on guard against people who will want to make them take sides as if the synod were a political debate, said Dominican Father Timothy Radcliffe.
At synod prayer service, pope calls for immigration reform with a heart October 19, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, Synodality, World News Taking to heart the lesson of the parable of the good Samaritan is the key to assisting the millions of migrants and refugees forced to travel far from their homelands and often exploited along the way, Pope Francis said.
Pope calls Gaza parish staff as bombing continues October 17, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Huddled in a stairwell at the Catholic parish and school in Gaza, Rosary Sister Nabila Saleh, another sister and Father Youssef Asaad filmed themselves speaking to Pope Francis on the phone and begging for his continued prayers.
Synod secures texts after outsiders were given access October 16, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, World News Some confidential documents from the assembly of the Synod of Bishops were accessible online to anyone who had the address before synod officials restored the need for a username and password, said Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the Dicastery for Communication.
