The world needs Christians who do not “stay in their slippers on the couch,” but get out and share the Gospel, especially through acts of charity, Pope Francis told members of an Italian fraternity that promotes a spectacular devotion to St. Rose of Viterbo.
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Man featured in famous photo with pope dies at 58
Vincenzo Riva, a man with neurofibromatosis, whose photograph with Pope Francis was seen around the world a decade ago, died in Vicenza, Italy, Jan. 10 at the age of 58.
No small thing: Praying the rosary is great in God’s eyes, pope says
It may seem insignificant to some, but praying the rosary every day is huge in the eyes of God, Pope Francis told an association of laywomen dedicated to the Holy Family and prayer.
USCCB’s Bishop Barron joins pope in calling ‘surrogate motherhood’ a grave injustice
Bishop Robert E. Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, the head of the U.S. bishops’ committee dealing with family life, voiced support Jan. 10 for Pope Francis’ recent remarks condemning gestational surrogacy as “a grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child” and calling for a worldwide ban.
Catholic publisher pulls priest’s book over plagiarism allegation
Loyola Press announced Jan. 10 it would pull from publication “60 Seconds for Jesus” by Father Jim Sichko, a priest of the Diocese of Lexington, Ky., and a papal Missionary of Mercy known for his motivational talks, generous donations and active social and mainstream media presence.
Haley, DeSantis debate while Trump appears at town hall hours after Christie exits GOP primary
The Republican presidential primary field narrowed Jan. 10 just hours before the party’s final debate before the key Iowa Caucuses, as former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie suspended his campaign.
Women religious gear up for battle against human trafficking with prayer, education
As the nation marks National Human Trafficking Awareness Day Jan. 11, women religious in the U.S. are combating modern slavery with prayer and education.
Bishops ask Ecuadorians to unite against violence and chaos
Amid an unprecedented wave of violence in Ecuador, the South American country’s bishops’ conference issued a statement on Jan. 9 asking the people to unite against the disturbance caused by criminal gangs, whose operations were defined as acts of “treason against the nation.”
Syria sees ‘worst situation ever’ as World Food Program cuts off aid to war-torn country
Catholics warn that Syrians are on the brink of starvation as the United Nations food program cuts off its assistance in the country this month.
Gluttony turns people into mere consumers, exploiters of planet, pope says
One of the most dangerous vices is gluttony, turning people who are meant to be custodians of creation into mere consumers and even exploiters and predators, Pope Francis said.
Pope tells Marxist group good policies cannot be dictated by the market
Societies must consider how their people can share challenges and resources, the pope told representatives of a dialogue project bringing together socialists, Marxists and Christians.
Released from hospital, Bishop O’Connell greets pope
The day after being released from Rome’s Santo Spirito Hospital, Bishop David M. O’Connell of Trenton, N.J., had a heart-to-heart moment with Pope Francis.