With the first anniversary of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine just days away, the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church spoke about gratitude and powerlessness in the face of a “blind, absurd, sacrilegious war.”
Every Catholic has something to contribute to the church, pope says
Catholics need to ask themselves whether their communities are a “concrete sign of unity and love” or simply a group of people who happen to live near each other or, worse, a collection of folks ranked according to wealth, Pope Francis said.
Pope tells Jesuits in Africa he twice refused to become a bishop
Pope Francis told Jesuits working in Congo that he had taken seriously the promise he and all Jesuits make to not seek offices of authority and power in the church and, in fact, he twice declined becoming a bishop.
Partners in mission: Dicastery promotes ‘co-responsibility’ of clergy, laity
Laypeople have roles to play in the life of a parish, but priests, bishops and cardinals also need to recognize the way Catholic laity are bringing the Gospel to the world through their jobs, their family life, their volunteering and their social engagement.
Reach out to give, receive help, pope tells parents of sick kids
The smiles, curiosity and boldness of several children with rare diseases who did not know about protocol at papal audiences and simply went up to Pope Francis and reached out for rosaries gave the grownups present a lesson, the pope said.
People in chronic pain need someone to listen, acknowledge them, pope says
Caring for the sick and suffering includes drawing attention to those who suffer in silence, struggling to find someone who will acknowledge they are in pain and try to help, Pope Francis said.
Pope repeats calls, prayers for peace and justice in Africa
On the feast of Sudan-born St. Josephine Bakhita, Pope Francis prayed for “a future of justice and peace for our brothers and sisters in Africa.”
Pope, church leaders draw attention to victims of violence
Pope Francis’ visit to Congo and his ecumenical pilgrimage to South Sudan put a face — actually, thousands of faces — on the horror of war.
Arms trade is a ‘plague,’ pope says on flight back from Africa
At the end of six days in African countries bloodied by war and conflict, Pope Francis said that “the biggest plague” afflicting the world today is the weapons trade.
Pope, Anglican, Presbyterian leaders push South Sudanese to make peace
Pope Francis, Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury and the Rev. Iain Greenshields, moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, made history Feb. 3 when they began an ecumenical pilgrimage to the world’s youngest nation, but one that has known war and violent conflicts for nine of the 11 years since independence.
‘The future is in your hands,’ pope tells Congolese young people
The hands that will save Congo and build a future worthy of its people belong to the Congolese people, to each one of them, but especially the young, Pope Francis said.
Victims of violence in Congo share their grief with pope
Victims of violence in eastern Congo told Pope Francis horrifying stories of watching their families be slaughtered or of being kidnapped or raped repeatedly by militia members.