Vatican aims to draw young ‘digital pilgrims’ to Rome’s papal basilicas February 25, 2024By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News, Youth Ministry The Vatican is seeking to draw pilgrims to the four historic papal basilicas scattered around Rome — not physically, but virtually, through a website and podcast aimed at drawing young people into the spiritual depth of Rome’s sacred spaces.
Caritas starts developing long-term aid program in Ukraine February 23, 2024By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Crisis in Ukraine, Feature, News, World News After two years of supporting communities throughout Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country, the Vatican-based charity confederation Caritas Internationalis is shifting to a long-term response plan to address the humanitarian fallout from the prolonged conflict in Ukraine.
Chalices and chasubles: Fair displays industries revolving around religion February 17, 2024By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Feature, News, World News From Feb. 11-13, the Italian city hosted more than 200 vendors of religious art, liturgical attire and services for churches, who showcased their offerings at the Devotio International Religious Products and Services Exhibition, sponsored in part by the Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education.
An artist’s work is enhanced through contact with the divine, pope says February 17, 2024By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, Vatican, World News Faith can help musicians, poets, sculptors, directors and other artists transmit truth and beauty to their audiences, Pope Francis said.
Pope: During Lent, leave appearances aside and listen to God February 14, 2024By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Lent, News, Vatican, World News In an age when even one’s most intimate thoughts and feelings can become fodder for social media, Lent is a time to cast aside appearances and to find God at work in the depths of the heart, Pope Francis said.
Once hostile, Argentine president brings Pope Francis his favorite sweets February 12, 2024By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Months after throwing verbal jabs at Pope Francis along the campaign train, Argentine President Javier Milei brought smiles and cookies to the Vatican for his highly anticipated meeting with the pope Feb. 12.
Priests must lighten load to rediscover joy, community, speakers say February 11, 2024By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vocations, World News Catholic priests in the West, overworked and understaffed, need a “change of mentality” to rediscover their calling to be agents of God’s love, a cardinal said.
Like future saint, share the Gospel with all, pope tells pilgrims February 9, 2024By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Saints, Vatican, World News In Blessed Maria Antonia de Paz Figueroa, known affectionately as “Mama Antula,” Christians can “find an example and inspiration that revives a preference for the least, for those who society discards and casts aside,” the pope told a group of Argentine pilgrims during a meeting at the Vatican Feb. 9.
300 parish priests to participate in Vatican synod meeting, meet with pope February 5, 2024By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News Three hundred parish priests from all over the world will come to Rome and make their contribution to the ongoing Synod of Bishops on synodality by sharing their experiences of parish life, the Vatican said.
Pope tells seminarians to put the Eucharist at the center of formation February 5, 2024By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Eucharist, News, Vatican, Vocations, World News If seminarians want to advance in their discernment and practice of religious life they must place the Eucharist at the center of their formation, Pope Francis wrote.
Waiting, not worldliness, leads to the Lord, pope tells religious February 2, 2024By Justin McLellan OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, Vocations, World News After candlelight filled a darkened St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis asked consecrated men and women not to let their spirits “doze off” while waiting to encounter the Lord but to keep their hearts awake in anticipation “like an eternal flame.”
Pope to Notre Dame: Religion ‘essential’ in forming minds and hearts February 1, 2024By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Colleges, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Catholic universities are called to contribute to the growth of the intellectual tradition of the church as well as the hearts of their students, forming them into agents of good, Pope Francis told the University of Notre Dame’s board of trustees.