News
Pope Francis receives Hackett, new U.S. envoy to Vatican
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Presenting his credentials to Pope Francis, Kenneth F. Hackett officially took over as U.S. ambassador to the Holy See Oct. 21, filling a role that had been vacant for nearly a year. Relations between Washington and the Vatican have been marked by tension over religious liberty concerns stemming from the HHS mandate.
Greed destroys, money is God’s gift to help others, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Money by itself isn't a problem, but greed and an attachment to money cause evil and destroy families and relationships, Pope Francis said. "Money is needed to bring about many good things," he said in his morning Mass homily Oct. 21, "but when your heart is attached (to money), it destroys you."
Time for Catholics, Lutherans to confront the Reformation, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation approaches, "Catholics and Lutherans can ask forgiveness for the harm they have caused one another and for their offenses committed in the sight of God," Pope Francis said.
Celluloid heaven: how popes took church, Gospel to the big screen
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- When Pope Benedict XVI joined Twitter in 2012 and Pope Francis appeared on Instagram the following year, media watchers may have thought they were witnessing a Vatican revolution. In both cases, however, the pontiffs were merely following in a long tradition.
Pope’s chief of staff gives behind-the-scenes talk on media, reform
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A native Oklahoma priest who serves on a new, key Vatican council praised social media's role in telling the pope's message without filters. Still there is no method better than the pope's personal style. "One of the best things to happen to Vatican communications in years is Pope Francis," said Msgr. Peter Wells. Things changed "overnight" with the pope's open manner and the way he interacts with people.
New video to help Catholics intensify prayer, penance, sacrifice in face of threats
The U.S. Catholic bishops have developed a one-minute video to help Catholics around the country pray for the renewal of a culture of life, marriage and religious liberty in the United States. Archbishop Charles Chaput was among all the bishops who received a letter from the chairmen of four committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, including Cardinal Sean O'Malley, encouraging use of the video and prayer resources in every diocese.
Keeping with tradition, Colbert lobs good-natured barbs at Smith dinner
Comedian Steven Colbert said at a charity fundraiser Oct. 17 that the robust New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan came "this close" to being selected pope "but he blew it in the swimsuit competition." Colbert claimed Cardinal Dolan was the first runner-up in the election and should be "warming up his blessing arm in the papal bullpen" in the event of a steroid issue with the winner.
SS. Simon and Jude School names student council officers
SS. Simon and Jude School, West Chester, proudly announces the new student council for the 2013-2014 school year. Members of the council and teachers and administrators shown above include: First row, from left: Christina DiGiulio, Abigail Foster, Julia Repetto, Brendan McLaughlin, Aidan Rae, Christopher Datz and Joseph Magnotta. Second row, from left: teacher Jackie Dryfoos; […]
Pope Francis prefigured: Discovering the real John Paul I
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- "May God forgive you for what you have done," the newly elected pope told the cardinals who elevated him to the highest office in the Catholic Church.
Christian persecution around world has intensified, study finds
Not only are Christians in the Middle East and Africa suffering increasingly from Islamist terror attacks, but they continue to endure severe persecution and hardship in Communist, Marxist or post-Communist states, according to a report published Oct. 17. For Christians, the so-called "Arab spring" has in many cases become what the report calls a "Christian winter," a news release said.