News
Pope Francis visits optician in Rome’s shopping district
The pope visited a store to buy only lenses for his new prescription, and to keep his old frames, which he bought in cash at the shop last year for $6.
Grotto highlights homelessness and Mary as ‘untier of knots’
"The Knotted Grotto" at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul contains 3,000 prayers in the form of knotted ribbons on a lattice-work dome. Much money and more ribbons have been collected to help homeless people.
Pope to celebrate ‘simple weekday Mass’ for 20,000 in NYC
“Simple” takes on a new dimension when the pope is the celebrant, and the congregation clears security checkpoints hours before the Sept. 25 Mass at Madison Square Garden.
Pope meets Israeli president, expresses hopes for peace
Pope Francis and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin met to discuss ways to bring about peace and justice in the volatile Middle East as sectarian and ethnic heat up resulting in increased suffering in Christian and other minority communities.
Britons crying out for more generous response to migrants
The British government has refused to accept migrants fleeing the Middle East and Africa at a time when hundreds of thousands of them are risking their lives to enter Western Europe.
Priest legally changing his name to get around Facebook policy
Facebook told a Byzantine monk he had to change his name to comply with the regulations on authentic identities. Religious and clergy may not use their titles on the social media site.
Faith includes recognizing one’s sinfulness, pope says
Admitting one's own sinfulness is a vital element of faith; it is as important as recognizing that Jesus is Lord, Pope Francis told the faithful attending morning Mass in his private residence recently. He urged his flock to set pride aside and admit shortcomings.
Cuban bishop: Pope’s visit comes at time of hope for people
The upcoming visit to Cuba by Pope Francis, along with renewed diplomatic relations between that nation and the United States, give the Cuban people hope for a better future. The pope will greet all aspects of Cuban society from its leaders to its young people.
Administering mercy: Facilitating forgiveness does not downplay sin
The first step, of course, is to recognize an action is a sin and confess it, expressing contrition and a willingness to do penance.
Mural of pope looks out over New York’s Madison Square Garden Mass site
New Yorkers and tourists in Midtown Manhattan have been gazing up at a smiling Pope Francis at one of New York's busiest intersections.