VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis blessed hundreds of figurines of the baby Jesus — ranging from tiny plastic figures to life-sized statues — and encouraged children to make sure they have Nativity scenes at home. After reciting the Angelus prayer Dec. 15, the third Sunday of Advent, Pope Francis did the traditional blessing of
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis has abolished the obligation of secrecy for those who report having been sexually abused by a priest and for those who testify in a church trial or process having to do with clerical sexual abuse. “The person who files the report, the person who alleges to have been harmed
GUILFORD, Vt. (CNS) — Christmas comes early to Shirley Squires’ Guilford home. Actually, it never quiet leaves her home if the scores of Nativity sets she leaves on display year round count as keeping Christ in Christmas 365 days a year. Squires, a parishioner of St. Michael Church in Brattleboro, has collected more than 1,500
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pope Francis said she reminds Catholics of her true essence as a woman, a mother and a “mestiza” or person of mixed race. She revealed herself to St. Juan Diego as a “mestiza” to show “that she is everyone’s mother,” and she speaks
ERIE, Pa. (CNS) — Three years ago, Betty Koscinski, 75, lost her son to suicide. She now spends most of her time and energy spreading hope and educating others about mental illness. “Not many people at my age start out on a new path,” said Koscinski, a member of Notre Dame Parish in Hermitage, Pennsylvania.
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis has welcomed dialogue that has led to often candid assessments from clergy and papal advisers about the path he is charting for the Catholic Church. From discussions during the recent Synod of Bishops on the Amazon about the possibility of allowing married clergy to his handling of
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Mary, conceived without sin, is a “masterpiece” who reflects “the beauty of God who is all love, grace and self-giving,” Pope Francis said on the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Reciting the Angelus prayer with visitors in St. Peter’s Square Dec. 8, Pope Francis focused on the feast day that celebrates
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Religions share an understanding of the importance of caring for people’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs — and this precious insight is especially needed in the field of palliative care, said Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia. That is why the Pontifical Academy for Life, which the archbishop heads, was co-hosting a joint symposium
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The bishops of Ohio and Michigan spent two hours conversing with Pope Francis about their dioceses, about the sexual abuse crisis, the crisis’ impact on priests and, especially, about ways to ensure Catholics really are “missionary disciples.” Seventeen bishops from the region met the pope Dec. 10 during their visits “ad
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Young people need training in how to be active citizens focused on the care of the human person and the environment, Pope Francis said. “Technological innovation is also needed to achieve these goals, and young people, if well motivated, will in fact be able to attain them, since they have been
