Pope marks 800th anniversary of Nativity scene, asks prayers for Holy Land December 11, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Away in a cave near Greccio, Italy, St. Francis of Assisi had the first Nativity scene — a live one — staged for the faithful on Christmas Eve in 1223. A 15th-century fresco now decorating the cave inspired the Nativity scene erected in St. Peter’s Square for the 800th anniversary celebrations.
Nothing is impossible for God, not even peace in Ukraine, pope says December 8, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News Pope Francis asked Catholics around the world to join him in entrusting to Mary “the universal desire for peace, especially for the martyred Ukraine, which is suffering so much.”
Pope gives Syro-Malabar Catholics Christmas deadline to end dispute December 7, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Eucharist, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Telling Syro-Malabar Catholics in India’s Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly that he does not want to see anyone excommunicated, Pope Francis pleaded with the priests and faithful to end their dispute over the way the Eucharist is celebrated.
Pope encourages oratories to help form good Catholics, good citizens December 7, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News, Youth Ministry Catholic oratories and youth groups that provide after-school activities, religious education and a place for children and teens to gather should be loud, joyful places that help form good Catholics and good citizens, Pope Francis said.
El Papa sugiere mantener el corazón vigilante en Adviento por medio de la caridad y la confesión December 4, 2023By Cindy Wooden OSV News Filed Under: En Español La llamada a la “vigilancia” en Adviento no significa permanecer despiertos y vigilantes por miedo, sino más bien por el anhelo de la venida del Señor, escribió el Papa Francisco.
Fighting in Holy Land, bombing in Philippines prompt prayers from ailing Pope December 4, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The end of the temporary cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas “means death, destruction, misery,” Pope Francis said.
Answer Advent call for vigilance with charity, confession, pope suggests December 4, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Advent, News, Vatican, World News The Advent call for “vigilance” does not mean staying awake and watchful out of fear, but rather out of a longing for the coming of the Lord, Pope Francis wrote.
Journey toward Catholic-Orthodox unity began with an embrace, pope says December 2, 2023By Cindy Wooden OSV News Filed Under: Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The journey of reconciliation between Catholics and Orthodox began with an embrace almost 60 years ago, a sign of how important personal contact and time spent together are in the search for Christian unity, Pope Francis said.
Canon law must be part of church’s mission of mercy, pope says December 1, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News All the Catholic Church’s structures, including tribunals and faculties of canon law, must undergo a “pastoral and missionary conversion” to ensure the church is giving the world “the only thing it needs: the Gospel of the mercy of Jesus,” Pope Francis wrote.
Cardinal sends message to charismatic Catholics gathered in Dubai December 1, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Some 3,000 charismatic Catholics living in the Persian Gulf gathered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for praise and worship and to reflect on God’s call to “be holy, for I am holy.”
WYD in Lisbon showed ‘universal dimensions of God’s heart,’ pope says December 1, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Although he had an aide read his prepared talk to the people who had organized World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, Pope Francis had a few memories and questions he wanted to share himself.
Loving service is best evangelization, pope tells Franciscans November 30, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Embracing poverty and modeling a fraternity that accepts everyone as a brother or sister, members of Franciscan orders are called to go out into the world and witness how the Gospel truly is good news for everyone and for the planet, Pope Francis said.
