Global group of pastors looks at parishes, synodality and mission April 30, 2024By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Synodality, Vatican, World News The collaboration of laity and priests in the life of a parish and in outreach to the surrounding community “is not a strategy,” but the result of taking the sacraments of baptism and confirmation seriously rather than allowing it to remain “a beautiful principle, a virtuous and pious intention,” a Canadian theologian told hundreds of pastors.
Fill empty lands with God, pope tells seminarians from rural areas April 30, 2024By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis urged the future pastors of “empty Spain,” the Spanish regions known for their historical richness but currently facing depopulation and economic challenges, to remember that “Jesus wants me in these empty lands to fill them with God.”
Vatican announces papal visit to Verona, Italy April 30, 2024By Catholic News Service Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis will celebrate the vigil of Pentecost in Verona, Italy, the setting for Shakespeare’s play, “Romeo and Juliet.”
New photos reveal many sides of Padre Pio April 29, 2024By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Saints, Vatican, World News A foundation that promotes devotion to St. Pio of Pietrelcina, more widely known as Padre Pio, is making 10 never-before-seen photographs of the saint available to the devout for free.
Synod asks pastors to share stories, see how God is at work April 29, 2024By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Synodality, Vatican, World News By sharing their own stories and those of their parishes, pastors from around the world can help each other see where God is present and, perhaps, discover new paths the Lord wants Catholics to embark on to share the Gospel with the world, said Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops.
Love makes individuals and the world better, pope says April 29, 2024By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Seniors, Vatican, World News Meeting with thousands of Italian grandparents and their children and grandchildren, Pope Francis insisted repeatedly, “Love makes us better.”
Like Venice, people are beautiful, fragile, pope says in city built on water April 29, 2024By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Visiting a lagoon of tiny islands, canals and narrow walkways for one day, Pope Francis moved around Venice by boat, bridge and electric golf cart.
Pope praises artists, encourages prisoners to never lose hope April 29, 2024By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Some 80 female detainees, prison staff and volunteers applauded and smiled when Pope Francis told them he wanted to meet them first on his one-day visit to Venice April 28 to tell them, “You have a special place in my heart.”
Argentina’s slum priests hope for papal Mass at pope’s favorite soccer stadium April 28, 2024By Michael Kelly OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News An Argentine priest who works with the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people is hopeful that Pope Francis will visit the community during a proposed trip to the pontiff’s homeland later this year.
Catholic chat bot: Putting AI at the service of the church April 27, 2024By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: AI, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Speaking at a conference April 18, Father Baggot said that while Catholics must have “an awareness of human sin and the capacity to misuse technology” when thinking about artificial intelligence, they must also have “confidence in grace, in redemption and the ability to harness these technologies well.”
Italian leader says pope will join G7 discussion on AI April 26, 2024By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that Pope Francis would participate in a G7 “outreach” discussion on artificial intelligence when the leaders of the world’s leading industrialized nations countries meet in southern Italy in mid-June.
Pope suggests playing checkers to keep the mind sharp April 26, 2024By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News While misusing modern forms of media dulls the mind, games like checkers are a simple way to stimulate one’s intellect and foster community, Pope Francis said.