Pope says he’ll be buried outside the Vatican, is simplifying funeral December 13, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis said he has decided to be buried in Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major instead of in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican and that he has simplified the rites for a papal funeral.
Vatican offers further guidance on handling cremains December 13, 2023By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News The Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has upheld a rule mandating that the ashes of the deceased be preserved in a consecrated place, but it also said family members could request “a minimal part of the ashes” be kept in a sacred place “of significance for the history of the deceased person.”
Message of Guadalupe based in simplicity, not ideology, pope says December 12, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News The iconic image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which has become a cultural and spiritual symbol for Latin America, cannot be used to promote any kind of ideology, but must maintain its message of simple love, Pope Francis said.
Council to ask pope to authorize studies on key synod topics December 12, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News The council of the Synod of Bishops will ask Pope Francis to authorize studies on the need to update canon law, revise the rules for priestly formation, deepen a theological reflection on the diaconate — including the possibility of ordaining women deacons — and consider revising a document that provides norms for the relationship of a bishop with members of religious orders in his diocese.
Special guests at dinner under Bernini’s colonnade — the homeless December 12, 2023By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Feature, News, Vatican, World News For the first time in history, 150 homeless people had a festive meal, served by Italian journalists and their families, under the famous baroque Bernini’s colonnade in St. Peter’s Square.
Disconnecting from social media ‘essential’ to Christian life, pope says December 11, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News To connect with God, Christians must disconnect from the “pollution of vain words and chatter” that reach them through social media and instead seek silence in the desert, Pope Francis said.
Weeping Mary is sign of her motherly love, pope says December 11, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Weeping Madonna of Syracuse, a plaster image of Mary hung in the bedroom of a newlywed couple in southern Italy that began shedding tears, Pope Francis said the miraculous sign is a reminder of Mary’s maternal presence and her desire that all people would know the love and peace of her son.
Pope marks 800th anniversary of Nativity scene, asks prayers for Holy Land December 11, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Away in a cave near Greccio, Italy, St. Francis of Assisi had the first Nativity scene — a live one — staged for the faithful on Christmas Eve in 1223. A 15th-century fresco now decorating the cave inspired the Nativity scene erected in St. Peter’s Square for the 800th anniversary celebrations.
Pope gives Philadelphia three new auxiliary bishops known for humble, ‘zealous hearts’ December 8, 2023By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, News, Vatican, World News The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is welcoming three new auxiliary bishops — all of whom, as Philadelphia priests, are already home.
Pope asks Mary to watch over Ukrainians, Palestinians, Israelis December 8, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News Mary’s conception, free from original sin, shows that the destiny of humanity lies in life, brotherhood, harmony and peace rather than death, hate, conflict and war, Pope Francis said on the feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Nothing is impossible for God, not even peace in Ukraine, pope says December 8, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News Pope Francis asked Catholics around the world to join him in entrusting to Mary “the universal desire for peace, especially for the martyred Ukraine, which is suffering so much.”
Pope gives Syro-Malabar Catholics Christmas deadline to end dispute December 7, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Eucharist, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Telling Syro-Malabar Catholics in India’s Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly that he does not want to see anyone excommunicated, Pope Francis pleaded with the priests and faithful to end their dispute over the way the Eucharist is celebrated.
