Welcoming new ambassadors to the Vatican from Belize, Bahamas, Thailand, Norway, Mongolia, Niger, Uganda and Sudan Dec. 15, the pope thanked the nations they represent for the many ways they contribute “to the common good not only of their citizens but of our entire human family.”

Pope Francis encouraged youngsters to put down their phones to spend time praying and looking at other people to see their needs.

Celebrating Christmas is important and beautiful, Pope Francis said, but he asked people to spend less on their celebrations this year and donate the savings to help the people of Ukraine.

Vigilance is an essential part of the spiritual life because the devil will try to sneak in when one is not paying attention or, especially, when a Christian thinks he or she is making a lot of progress on the road to holiness, Pope Francis said.

Recent popes have used the concept of a “Petrine principle” and a “Marian principle” to describe the important role women and men together play in the Catholic Church, but a biblical scholar writing in the Vatican newspaper said it is time to talk about the discriminatory and stereotypical notions behind it.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Disarmament is the only way to build a peaceful future, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state. “We need to imagine and build a new concept of peace and international solidarity, remembering that so many countries and peoples are asking to be heard and represented,” he said. “We need courage […]

Pope Francis offered a little prayer for firefighters: “Lord, let them not have work.”

Christians working with people who have a physical disability must be motivated by a sense of solidarity, not pity, and they should promote people’s active participation, not their passive reception of assistance, Pope Francis said.

Decrying what he described as “hostile times” when antisemitism and violence against Christians are on the rise, Pope Francis said a renewed commitment to Catholic-Jewish dialogue is needed.

Pope Francis is writing to all the heads of state around the world, asking them to consider granting some prisoners clemency at Christmas.