Pope expresses concern for Syria; urges continued work for Christian unity February 23, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis prayed that the sanctions in force against Syria since 2011 will not prevent aid from reaching the tens of thousands of victims in dire need after earthquakes killed more than 5,000 people and left many more injured or homeless.
Pope marks anniversary of Russia’s ‘absurd, cruel’ war on Ukraine February 22, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News A year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Pope Francis asked, “Can the Lord forgive so many crimes and so much violence? He is the God of peace.”
The Spirit helps the church avoid ‘ideological divisions,’ pope says February 22, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News “It is very sad to see the church as if it were a parliament,” which is what happens when Catholics rely more on their personal opinions than on the Holy Spirit, Pope Francis said.
Pope clarifies rules limiting celebration of pre-Vatican II Mass February 22, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News, Worship & Sacraments Diocesan bishops must have Vatican authorization to allow the celebration of the pre-Vatican II Mass in a parish church, to establish a new “personal parish” for devotees of the old Mass or to allow its celebration by a priest ordained after July 2021 when Pope Francis issued rules restricting the celebration, he said.
One year of war: Head of Ukrainian Catholic Church shares hopes, sorrows February 21, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, War in Ukraine, World News 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 February 20, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News 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 February 16, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News 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 February 15, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News 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 February 13, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Health Care, News, Vatican, World News 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 February 10, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Health Care, News, Vatican, World News 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 February 8, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News 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 February 6, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis’ visit to Congo and his ecumenical pilgrimage to South Sudan put a face — actually, thousands of faces — on the horror of war.
