World News
Catholic beliefs are not open to popular vote, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — When the Catholic Church affirms the importance of how all the faithful understand matters of faith and morals, it is not saying Catholic beliefs are open to a popular vote, Pope Benedict XVI said. An authentic “sensus fidei,” which literally means “sense of faith,” can come only when Catholics actively participate […]
Salvation must be proclaimed, faith explained, papal preacher says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church has great resources and experience in helping the baptized learn about and live their faith, but it also can learn something from other Christians about the initial step of bringing people to faith in Jesus, said the preacher of the papal household. “Our situation is becoming more and […]
New charity rules don’t forbid state funding, Vatican official says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — New rules issued by Pope Benedict XVI for the governance of Catholic charities will not prevent such charities from accepting government funding, so long as the funding does not entail conditions that conflict with church teaching, said the second-highest official of the Vatican office in charge of applying the new legislation. […]
Our Lady of Guadalupe’s devotion extends beyond the Americas
MEXICO CITY (CNS) -- Ana Rita Valero received an unlikely request in 2008. Valero, an anthropologist and president of the Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Guadalupe, was asked by an official with the Mexican consulate in Shanghai to send two large images of Our Lady of Guadalupe. "It was the least likely place we could have sent images," Valero said, recalling the cool commercial relations between Mexico and China at the time. "The Chinese population liked them and began going (to Beijing and Shanghai) to pray."
Palestinian question key to Mideast peace, say Catholic leaders
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — At the end of a three-day meeting in Lebanon, the Catholic patriarchs and bishops of the Middle East said peace in the region will be impossible without a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The 77 Catholic leaders said the greatest contribution to peace in the region would be to finally find […]
Advent is time to renew faith, bring God’s love to others, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Advent's liturgical preparation for Christmas calls Christians to renew their faith in the reality of God's great love and to make a commitment to bringing his love to the world today, Pope Benedict XVI said. Advent, he said, "places before us the bright mystery of the coming of God's son, the great plan of God's goodness through which he desires to draw us to himself to let us live in full communion, joy and peace with him."
Thousands rally in Ireland to block abortion bill
DUBLIN (CNS) — Thousands of pro-life demonstrators held a candlelight vigil outside the Irish parliament Dec. 4, calling on the government not to introduce abortion legislation. An estimated crowd of 8,000 people braved bitterly cold weather to hear speakers from a coalition of pro-life organizations call on Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny to keep a […]
Papal events, Vatican webcam feeds streamed live with new ‘Pope App’
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican is offering a new app that provides live streaming of papal events and video feeds from the Vatican’s six webcams. “The Pope App” also will send out alerts and links to top stories coming out of the Vatican’s news outlets, said Gustavo Entrala, founder and CEO of the Spanish […]
Under the big top, traditional values thrive, are shared, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Circuses, street musicians, clowns, magicians and other itinerant performers not only bring people joy, but their traditional lifestyle is an example of hard work, sacrifice, strong families and real respect between people of different generations, Pope Benedict XVI said. "You are called to give witness to the values that are part of your tradition: love for the family, tenderness toward children, attention to those with disabilities, care for the sick and the valuing of the aged with their wealth of experience," the pope told an estimated 8,000 performers and carnival workers.
With @Pontifex, pope reaches out to new kind of followers
This is a screen capture of Pope Benedict XVI's newly created Twitter account. (CNS/Vatican)VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- To celebrate the launch of his new Twitter account @Pontifex, Pope Benedict XVI will tweet the answers to a handful of questions from his followers.