Pope: Gifts and parties are OK, but don’t forget Jesus at Christmas December 20, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Christmas, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Exchanging Christmas gifts and organizing holiday parties are all well and good, but Christians should contemplate the scene of Jesus’ birth to recover what is truly important during the Christmas season, Pope Francis said.
Pope celebrates 87th birthday with children of families in need December 18, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News With song, cake and circus performers, Pope Francis celebrated his 87th birthday in festive style at the Vatican.
Gay couples can be blessed by priest if it isn’t a formal liturgical blessing December 18, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News A Catholic priest can bless a gay or other unmarried couple as long as it is not a formal liturgical blessing and does not give the impression that the Catholic Church is blessing the union as if it were a marriage, the Vatican doctrinal office said.
Cardinal Becciu, five others sentenced to prison at Vatican trial December 18, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News The Vatican City State criminal court sentenced Cardinal Angelo Becciu to five years and six months in prison on two counts of embezzlement and one of aggravated fraud but found him not guilty of abuse of office or witness tampering.
Celebrating the Incarnation, remember Bethlehem, too, pope says December 18, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Christmas, Feature, News, Vatican, World News When St. Francis of Assisi staged the first Nativity scene 800 years ago, he did so to remind people of the powerful, awe-inspiring truth that God became human in Jesus, Pope Francis said.
Pope condemns targeting of unarmed civilians in Gaza December 18, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis condemned the Israeli military’s killing of two Christian women sheltering at a Catholic parish in Gaza and an attack on a convent, noting that in the current fighting “unarmed civilians are targets for bombs and gunfire.”
Having child out of wedlock does not bar access to sacraments, Vatican says December 16, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, Vatican, World News Women who have conceived a child out of wedlock and have the courage to choose life for their baby “should be encouraged to have access to the healing and consoling power of the sacraments,” said the head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
At Christmas, God remains with us through war and poverty, pope says December 15, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Christmas, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The Christmas season is a reminder to Christians that despite hardships, God chose to join himself to humanity and still remains by its side, Pope Francis said.
Jesus helps sinners by welcoming, not banishing them, papal preacher says December 15, 2023By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Advent, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Jesus does not wait for sinners to change their lives before he welcomes them, said the preacher of the papal household.
Vatican Museums share hidden images, details found by art restorers December 15, 2023By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The Vatican Museums has launched an initiative to give visitors — online and in person — a “backstage” peek into the secrets, curiosities and insights discovered by their art restorers.
Beyond legal status, refugees need recognition of dignity, pope says December 15, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, Vatican, World News In addition to a legal status that allows them to flee unsafe situations, refugees also need the opportunity to integrate into the societies that host them and build a dignified life, Pope Francis said.
Pope: Pilgrimages are ‘balm on the wounds’ of people with disabilities December 14, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Disabilities Ministry, News, Vatican, World News Sharing the pilgrimage experience with people with disabilities is a testament to the Catholic Church’s ability to accompany all of its members and to proclaim the Gospel by caring for others, Pope Francis said.
