Even in time of pandemic, Easter proclaims the victory of life, pope says April 11, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, Vatican, World News In a dark and nearly empty St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis blessed a fire, lit the Easter candle and called Christians to keep kindling sparks of hope, knowing that Jesus has risen and death will not have the last word.
On Holy Thursday, pope thanks God for world’s priests April 10, 2020By Carol Glatz Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, Vatican, Video, World News Unable to invite Rome’s priests to mark Holy Thursday in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis thanked all priests for their service and called those who died ministering to the sick and health care workers part of the community of “saints next door.”
Pope sets up new commission to study women deacons April 8, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: deacons, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis has established a new “Study Commission on the Female Diaconate” as a follow-up to a previous group that studied the history of women deacons in the New Testament and the early Christian communities.
Pope on Palm Sunday: Life, measured by love, is meant to serve others April 5, 2020By Carol Glatz Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, Vatican, Video, World News With a small procession down the vast and empty central nave of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis began the first of a series of Holy Week liturgies celebrated without the presence of the faithful from the general public.
Pope prays that world may overcome fear amid coronavirus pandemic March 26, 2020By Junno Arocho Esteves Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis offered his early morning Mass for vulnerable people and health care workers who live in fear that they or their loved ones may fall ill to the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world.
Pope announces extraordinary ‘urbi et orbi’ blessing March 27 March 22, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, Vatican, World News In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis said he will give an extraordinary blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) at 6 p.m. Rome time March 27.
Vatican issues decree for Holy Week liturgies with pandemic restrictions March 21, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, Lent, News, Vatican, World News “By the mandate of the supreme pontiff for the year 2020 only,” the congregation issued guidelines March 20 for celebrating the Triduum and Easter liturgies without the presence of the faithful.
Stay firm in faith, seek St. Joseph’s intercession, pope says March 19, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, Saints, Vatican, Video, World News In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the daily lives and routines of millions of people have been turned upside down, Pope Francis said, but they must help each other stay firm in faith.
Pandemic can be time to rediscover love, kindness, pope says March 18, 2020By Carol Glatz Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, Vatican, World News People must use this time of the coronavirus pandemic to rediscover the importance of small, concrete gestures of affection and care toward others, Pope Francis said in a new interview.
Pope prays for coronavirus victims, workers who died serving others March 18, 2020By Carol Glatz Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis asked people to pray for all victims of COVID-19, including the health care workers who sacrificed their lives caring for others.
Pope makes mini-pilgrimage outside Vatican to pray for end of pandemic March 16, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, Vatican, World News With Italy on lockdown and Rome streets almost deserted, Pope Francis left the Vatican March 15 in a mini-pilgrimage to an icon and to a crucifix associated with miraculous interventions to save the city and its people.
Pope urges priests to tend to sick, health care workers during epidemic March 10, 2020By Carol Glatz Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis prayed that priests would find the courage to visit those who are sick and offer accompaniment to health care professionals and volunteers working during the coronavirus epidemic while also keeping themselves and others safe.
