VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christian faith is a grace and can be perceived only in the hearts of those willing to be surprised by the joy of the Resurrection, Pope Francis said. “A closed heart, a rationalistic heart” is incapable of understanding the Christian message which has God’s love — manifested in Christ’s victory over
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a gesture of service toward marginalized people, Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 inmates, including three women and a man who is converting from Islam to Catholicism. Although in Jesus’ time, washing the feet of one’s guests was performed by slaves, Jesus “reverses” this role, the pope said during
WASHINGTON (CNS) — President Donald Trump signed a bill into law April 13 that allows states to redirect Title X family planning funding away from clinics that perform abortions and to community clinics that provide comprehensive health care for women and children. The new law overrides a rule change made in the last days of
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Always preach the whole truth of the Gospel with humility and respect and never be afraid to offer that truth just “one sip at a time,” Pope Francis told the world’s priests. The Gospel is truth, “brimming with joy and mercy. We should never attempt to separate these three graces of
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The cross, loving service and humble sacrifice are the only way to overcome evil and give hope to the world, Pope Francis said. Those who love their own lives and always hunger for more are the losers, the pope said at his weekly general audience April 12. Rather, those who readily
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The kind of health care most at risk of being neglected for those who are ill or hospitalized is love, Pope Francis told pediatric patients. A hospital must always carry out certain procedures and functions, but “there is the danger, the risk of forgetting the most important medicine only a family
ROME (CNS) — On the eve of Palm Sunday, Pope Francis gave young people several missions: to ask their grandparents what their dreams were; to work to make those dreams reality; and to let their bishops and the pope himself know what they need from the church. Officially launching the youths’ preparation for the 2018
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis will attend a prayer service in late April in commemoration of the “new martyrs” of the past two centuries. He will also visit the Italian port city of Genova, ordain new priests and travel to Egypt and Portugal this spring, according to a list of liturgical celebrations he is
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Three bishops, in a joint letter to the measure’s sponsor, voiced their support of the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act, which would permit social service agencies to refuse on religious grounds to provide adoption or foster services for households headed by same-sex couples. The bishops, who chair three U.S. Conference of Catholic
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Scientists working in the field of biotechnology are called to use science to protect creation and to prevent methods that seek to control it, Pope Francis said. The responsible use of the “enormous and growing” power of science is a “fundamental cornerstone” of humankind’s actions in promoting the development of plant,
