Pope joins interreligious prayer, begging God to end pandemic May 14, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News At a time of global “tragedy and suffering” because of the coronavirus, and in view of the long-term impact it will have, believers of every religion should beg mercy from the one God and father of all, Pope Francis said.
Pope to nurses, midwives: ‘Thank you for your service to humanity’ May 12, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The coronavirus pandemic has drawn well-deserved attention to nurses and midwives, who are among “the saints next door,” dedicated to helping people in some of the most joyful or painful moments of their lives, Pope Francis said.
Pope composes prayers for end of pandemic to be recited after rosary April 26, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, World News Pope Francis asked Catholics to make a special effort in May to pray the rosary, knowing that by doing so they will be united with believers around the world asking for Mary’s intercession in stopping the coronavirus pandemic.
Pope prays for poor families and for the conversion of loan sharks April 23, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, Uncategorized, Vatican, Video, World News Pope Francis prayed for families struggling economically during the COVID-19 pandemic and for the conversion of loan sharks who prey on them.
Pope postpones World Meeting of Families, World Youth Day April 21, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis has agreed with a recommendation by the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life to postpone by one year the next gatherings of the World Meeting of Families and World Youth Day.
Even in time of pandemic, Easter proclaims the victory of life, pope says April 11, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, Vatican, World News In a dark and nearly empty St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis blessed a fire, lit the Easter candle and called Christians to keep kindling sparks of hope, knowing that Jesus has risen and death will not have the last word.
Pope sets up new commission to study women deacons April 8, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: deacons, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis has established a new “Study Commission on the Female Diaconate” as a follow-up to a previous group that studied the history of women deacons in the New Testament and the early Christian communities.
Vatican approves special ‘Mass in the Time of Pandemic’ April 2, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, World News The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments has approved a special “Mass in the Time of Pandemic” to plead for God’s mercy and gift of strength in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Vatican confirms pope does not have COVID-19 March 28, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, World News Neither Pope Francis nor any of his closest collaborators have the COVID-19 virus, said Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office.
COVID-19 is not God’s judgment, but a call to live differently, pope says March 27, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, World News The worldwide coronavirus pandemic is not God’s judgment on humanity, but God’s call on people to judge what is most important to them and resolve to act accordingly from now on, Pope Francis said.
Pope announces extraordinary ‘urbi et orbi’ blessing March 27 March 22, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, Vatican, World News In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis said he will give an extraordinary blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) at 6 p.m. Rome time March 27.
Vatican issues decree for Holy Week liturgies with pandemic restrictions March 21, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, Lent, News, Vatican, World News “By the mandate of the supreme pontiff for the year 2020 only,” the congregation issued guidelines March 20 for celebrating the Triduum and Easter liturgies without the presence of the faithful.
