The COVID-19 pandemic not only caused a one-year delay in holding the World Meeting of Families, it also prompted a look at new ways to involve Catholic families from around the world and to ensure that they take the lead in ministering to each other.
Vatican offers indulgence for World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
Any Catholic who participates in the celebration July 24 of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly can receive a plenary indulgence, the Vatican announced.
Vatican foreign minister visits Ukraine in sign of solidarity, support
Seeing scenes of a war on television is one thing, “touching this reality is another,” Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Vatican foreign minister, said in Ukraine.
Religious brothers can be superiors of orders with priests, pope says
Granting an exception to canon law, Pope Francis said the Vatican office that deals with religious orders can permit men’s communities that are made up of both priests and brothers to choose one of the brothers to be a provincial superior or even the superior general.
Vatican confirms pope will visit Indigenous in Canada in late July
Pope Francis will meet members of Canada’s Indigenous communities in late July, visiting the cities of Edmonton, Quebec and Iqaluit in Nunavut, the country’s most northern region.
Immigration reform cannot be delayed, pope says in message
Countries around the world must get serious about reforming their immigration policies to respect the rights of migrants and refugees and establish orderly procedures for welcoming newcomers, Pope Francis said.
Religious orders launch initiative to care for sisters with dementia
Sister Jane Wakahiu, a member of the Little Sisters of St. Francis and head of the Catholic Sisters Initiative at the Hilton Foundation, announced May 9 that the foundation was providing $5 million to help launch the Catholic Sisters Cognitive Impairment-Alzheimer’s Global Initiative.
Faith, fortitude, martyrdom, miracles: Pope will recognize 10 new saints
After a long pandemic pause, Pope Francis is scheduled to celebrate a Mass May 15 for the canonization of 10 men and women: five from Italy, three from France, one from India and one from the Netherlands.
Christian divisions make fertile ground for conflict, pope says
Doing nothing to overcome the divisions among Christians means allowing tensions to fester and even feed conflict, Pope Francis said.
Pope, using wheelchair, meets superiors of women’s religious orders
Meeting with superiors general of women’s religious orders, Pope Francis arrived in a wheelchair — the first time he has used one publicly at the Vatican.
‘Embracing vulnerability,’ sisters hope to draw strength, help others
Nearly 700 superiors general — 520 attending in person — will participate in the UISG plenary assembly May 2-6 in Rome under the theme, “Embracing Vulnerability on the Synodal Journey.”
Polish convent finds new joy — and noise — welcoming Ukrainian orphans
Eight children, who range in age from 10 to 15, are orphans living in a group home in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, sponsored by Caritas-Spes, the charitable arm of the Latin-rite Catholic dioceses in Ukraine.