Celebrating the Incarnation, remember Bethlehem, too, pope says December 18, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Christmas, Feature, News, Vatican, World News When St. Francis of Assisi staged the first Nativity scene 800 years ago, he did so to remind people of the powerful, awe-inspiring truth that God became human in Jesus, Pope Francis said.
Prudent use of Vatican finances is essential for mission, pope says December 13, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News The Vatican’s financial planning, budgeting, auditing, investing and saving are essential for carrying out the Catholic Church’s mission and must be handled with the highest sense of responsibility and prudence, Pope Francis wrote in a letter to the staff of the Secretariat for the Economy.
Council to ask pope to authorize studies on key synod topics December 12, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News The council of the Synod of Bishops will ask Pope Francis to authorize studies on the need to update canon law, revise the rules for priestly formation, deepen a theological reflection on the diaconate — including the possibility of ordaining women deacons — and consider revising a document that provides norms for the relationship of a bishop with members of religious orders in his diocese.
Weeping Mary is sign of her motherly love, pope says December 11, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Weeping Madonna of Syracuse, a plaster image of Mary hung in the bedroom of a newlywed couple in southern Italy that began shedding tears, Pope Francis said the miraculous sign is a reminder of Mary’s maternal presence and her desire that all people would know the love and peace of her son.
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.
