News
U.S. interfaith leaders congratulate pope, look forward to leadership
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Here are excerpts of statements by U.S.-based leaders of non-Christian faiths about the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, as the new Pope Francis. — Muzammil H. Siddiqi, religious director, Islamic Society of Orange County (Calif.), and chairman, Islamic Shura Council of Southern California: “Please convey my best […]
Salvadoran clergy hopeful for canonization of Archbishop Romero
SAN SALVADOR (CNS) -- Salvadoran clergy are hopeful that the canonization of Archbishop Oscar Romero, murdered while celebrating Mass March 24, 1980, during El Salvador's civil war, will move forward under the church's first Latin American pope. "The stars are aligned (for Romero's canonization), but I insist that we should not rush. God has its time and that time will come," said Auxiliary Bishop Gregorio Rosa Chavez of San Salvador.
Despite rocky history, Pope Francis meets with Argentine president
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis held an informal, private meeting and lunch with Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner March 18. The previous day, the pope met with the superior general of the Jesuits, Father Adolfo Nicolas, but the Vatican released no information about that meeting. The closed-door meeting with Fernandez was held in […]
Muslim leaders express hopes for improved relations with Catholics
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Muslim leaders expressed hopes the new pope would help improve relations between Muslims and Catholics. A spokesman for Sheik Ahmad el-Tayeb, president of Al-Azhar University in Cairo, said he hoped Pope Francis' election would help normalize relations with the world of Islam.
New Coptic Catholic leader says church must work across sectarian lines
CAIRO (CNS) -- Coptic Catholic Patriarch Ibrahim Isaac Sedrak said rising social and economic troubles since the revolution are leading to the despair and emigration of the country's Christians and Muslims alike, and that his church must work across sectarian lines to restore "lost confidence" in the predominantly Muslim North African nation.
Vatican releases papal coat of arms, motto by English doctor of church
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis' papal motto is based on the Gospel account of "The Call of St. Matthew," the tax collector, in a homily given by St. Bede the Venerable. The pope decided to keep his episcopal motto and coat of arms for his pontificate with just a few minor adjustments in line with a papal emblem. For example, the blazon adds the bishop's miter and the keys of St. Peter.
Archbishop says authenticity, simplicity mark his mentor, Pope Francis
ROME (CNS) -- For the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, "authenticity and simplicity" characterize the man who mentored him as a young bishop and who has just been elected Pope Francis.
Maryland House OKs death penalty repeal; governor pledges to sign bill
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (CNS) — The Maryland House of Delegates passed legislation March 15 to repeal the state’s death penalty, an act the Maryland Catholic Conference called “a historic moment.” The conference advocates for public policy measures on behalf of the state’s Catholic bishops, who are longtime supporters of repealing the death penalty. The House passed […]
Archbishop Chaput leads worshipers at Cathedral to pray for Pope Francis
Despite the liturgy having the readings of the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Archbishop Charles Chaput’s usual 6:30 p.m. Sunday evening Mass on March 17 took on a festive air, as it was designated a Mass of Thanksgiving for Pope Francis. He was elected the Successor to St. Peter on March 13.
Friendship began with soccer, led to improved Catholic-Jewish ties
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (CNS) -- Rabbi Abraham Skorka recalls meeting Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio at a Mass for a national holiday two decades ago. They shook hands afterward, and "he looked deep into my eyes," Rabbi Skorka recalled of the man who would be elected Pope Francis. "He told me, 'I think this year we're going to eat chicken soup.'" The line referred to Argentine soccer. Rabbi Skorka pulls for the River Plate club, whose fans are commonly called "chickens" by rivals. Pope Francis, meanwhile, supports the San Lorenzo club. "I felt there was a meta-message: If you want to talk with me, the door is open. There are no protocols," said Rabbi Skorka, rector of the Latin American rabbinical seminary in Buenos Aires and a leader in the country's Jewish community.