Pope Francis

Pope Warns Against Becoming a ‘Sedentary’ Church After Synod’s Close

Three years after he asked the world's Catholics to walk together in faith on a synodal journey, Pope Francis said that the church cannot risk becoming "static" but must continue as a "missionary church that walks with her Lord through the streets of the world."

Publishing Synod Document, Pope Says He Will Not Write Exhortation

After members of the Synod of Bishops approved their final document, Pope Francis announced that he would not write the customary post-synodal apostolic exhortation but would offer the final document to the entire church to implement.

Archbishop on War in Ukraine: U.S. ‘Must Not Fall into Isolationism’

After a two-day trip to Ukraine Oct.19-20, Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore said that U.S. Catholics must thoughtfully consider the implications of recent escalations in the region without succumbing to polarized political discourse.

Synod is Lesson in Moving at ‘Pace of the Holy Spirit,’ Archbishop Says

Change in the Catholic Church, including a commitment to recognizing women's leadership gifts and being more welcoming of all people, happens slowly and deliberately, which is a good thing in a rapidly changing world, said the archbishop of Seattle.

Only Love Will Save Humanity, Pope Says in Encyclical on Sacred Heart

In his encyclical, "Dilexit nos," Pope Francis urges the world to counter indifference, greed and war by embracing Christ's infinite love and he highlights the devotion to the Sacred Heart as key to renewing the church’s missionary mandate and fostering fraternity and care for creation.

Praying to the Holy Spirit can Help Couples Stay United, Pope Says

Because the Holy Spirit specializes in love and unity, Catholic couples should pray regularly for the Spirit to be present in their marriage, Pope Francis said.

U.S. Church Contributes to Synod Through its Diversity, Delegate Says

The U.S. delegates at the Synod of Bishops on synodality are contributing to discussions on the future of the Catholic Church by bringing the diversity of the U.S. church to the Vatican, a U.S. synod delegate said.

As Synod Nears End, Preacher Urges Members to be at Peace with Results

Even if some members of the Synod of Bishops end up feeling disappointed by the results of the synod, "God's providence is at work in this assembly, bringing us to the Kingdom in ways that God alone knows," the spiritual adviser to the synod on synodality told them.

Saints Served Generously, Creatively, Pope Says at Canonization Mass

Pope Francis called on the faithful to yearn to serve, not thirst for power, as he proclaimed 14 new saints, including Canada-born St. Marie-Léonie Paradis, founder of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family, and 11 martyrs.

U.S. Bishop: Church Needs Decentralization, Not Doctrinal Fragmentation

The decentralization of certain aspects of the Catholic Church's governance, as proposed in the Synod of Bishops on synodality, should not lead to a decentralization of doctrine, said the former chair of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Doctrine.