A timeline of some significant events in Pope Francis’ pontificate
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10 years as pope: Pushing the church to bring the Gospel to the world
For a decade, even when discussing the internal workings of the Vatican, Pope Francis has insisted the church is not the church of Christ if it does not reach out, sharing the “joy of the Gospel” and placing the poor at the center of its attention.
Pope’s anniversary sees Curia reform complete, financial reform ongoing
From the beginning of his pontificate 10 years ago, Pope Francis set out to reform the structure and attitudes of the Roman Curia and knew he also had to reform the Vatican’s financial system and stewardship of resources.
High school juniors, seniors invited to enter USCCB religious liberty essay
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Religious Liberty, along with the USCCB Secretariat of Catholic Education and the Our Sunday Visitor Institute, is hosting a religious liberty essay contest for high school juniors and seniors.
Lead NASA spacewalk instructor says Catholic education, faith are foundation of her success
Allissa Battocletti Noffke has one of the coolest nicknames on the face of the earth. She is known as the “Professor of Spacewalking,” reflecting her teaching and training of American astronauts in this rare skill at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Pope from ‘ends of the earth’ brings new style to Rome
Right from the start, upon his election, Pope Francis presented a whole new style of being pontiff.
Statute of limitations bill called ‘unconstitutional’ and ‘unfair’
Calling it “unconstitutional” and “unfair,” the Maryland Catholic Conference expressed its continued opposition to legislation approved March 10 by a State Senate committee that would treat private institutions such as the Catholic Church differently from public institutions in civil liabilities faced for child sexual abuse.
Assisted suicide proposals in Maryland called ‘unethical, discriminatory and dangerous’
As Maryland’s General Assembly considers bills permitting physician assisted suicide and that would allow voters to decide on whether to enshrine abortion as a constitutional right in the state, Maryland’s Catholic bishops led a Prayer Vigil for Life and Lawmakers on March 9 at St. Mary in Annapolis.
Biden argues new budget would reflect U.S. values; GOP hits rising debt
Democratic President Joe Biden unveiled the third budget proposal of his presidency March 9, and his first to a divided Congress.
Gunman attacks Jehovah’s Witness hall in Germany; 7 reported dead, including gunman
Seven people, including an unborn baby, were killed in a shooting at a Jehovah’s Witness meeting hall in Hamburg, Germany.
Jesus asks that no one be excluded from his table, pope says
The Catholic Church is not selective: each one of its members is a sinner and part of the holy, faithful people of God, Pope Francis said in an interview marking his 10 years as pope.
Bishops add some spiritual ‘meat’ to St. Patrick’s Day dispensations
With St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Lenten Friday this year, many U.S. bishops have issued dispensations from abstinence on March 17, allowing the faithful to enjoy the American Irish tradition of eating corned beef (or ham) and cabbage in good conscience.