World News
British Catholic legislators ask pope to relax priestly celibacy rule
MANCHESTER, England (CNS) — Twenty-one Catholic members of Parliament have written to Pope Francis to ask him to relax the rule on priestly celibacy for Latin-rite priests. The members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords said in a March 25 letter to the pope that the rule should be changed to […]
Pope urges Catholics to let grace transform, work through them
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Catholics must allow the grace of their baptism and of the Eucharist to transform their lives and make them instruments of God's grace in the world, Pope Francis said.
At Easter pope calls Christians to be channels of mercy, justice, peace
"Let us become agents of this mercy, channels through which God can water the earth, protect all creation and make justice and peace flourish," the pope said after celebrating Easter morning Mass March 31.
In efforts to sell church, Berlin Archdiocese uses eBay
OXFORD, England (CNS) — The Berlin Archdiocese is continuing to try to sell unused churches and even listed a church on eBay. “Virtually every diocese in Germany has sold churches over the past decade, so this is nothing special,” said Stefan Forner, spokesman for the Berlin Archdiocese. “The parish in question was helped by professionals, […]
Pope leads Good Friday liturgy, begins rite in silent prayer, adoration
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Lying prostrate on the floor before the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis celebrated the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion. The pope presided at the service March 29 to commemorate Christ's death on the cross.
Pope washes feet of 12 young detainees to serve them ‘from the heart’
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis told young inmates that, just as Jesus came to help and serve others, he, too, was at their service as a priest and bishop. During the evening Mass at Rome’s Casal del Marmo prison for minors, Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 young people of different nationalities and […]
Self-absorption is root of evils within church, future pope said
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Evils within the church are caused by a self-centeredness and "theological narcissism" that forget to share Christ with people outside of the church, Pope Francis said in the days before his election. "When the church is self-referential, inadvertently, she believes she has her own light," he said in a summary of a speech he gave to the College of Cardinals before the start of the conclave that ended in his election.
Holy Week is time to follow Jesus in search of lost sheep, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Holy Week is a time to follow Jesus out of one’s parish or group and out of one’s comfort zone to go with him in search of the lost sheep, Pope Francis said. “There is such a great need to bring (people) the living presence of Jesus, who is merciful and […]
Young woman’s disability makes her perfect volunteer to cheer the elderly
Residents are happy when Alexa Bucci, a volunteer at South Philadelphia’s St. Monica Manor, stops in to see them. She’s warm and friendly, always there with a smile and always wanting to do something for them. “I love it there; when you go in if you are in a bad mood they pick you up,” Alexa said. “I usually just talk to them or help them with their meals. The patients light up when they see me, because they like to be around people, and they tell me everything. I don’t feel like I have something wrong with me when I’m with them.”
Pope Francis to live in Vatican guesthouse, not papal apartments
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis has decided not to move into the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace, but to live in a suite in the Vatican guesthouse where he has been since the beginning of the conclave that elected him. A typical suite in the residence has a sitting room with a desk; a bedroom with dresser; and a private bathroom.