Vatican News

Civil society must guarantee religious freedom, Pope says in Azerbaijan

Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct 2, 2016 / 08:21 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his final speech in Azerbaijan, Pope Francis spoke at length praising the good interreligious relations in the country, but also cautioned that religion must always be respected in civil society, and can never be used as a tool to justify violence.

Pope Francis says religious harmony in Azerbaijan must continue

Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct 2, 2016 / 07:20 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a meeting with political leaders Sunday, Pope Francis praised the peaceful relationship among Catholics, Muslims, Orthodox, and Jews in Azerbaijan, criticizing those who use God as a defense in religiously-motivated violence.

In his Oct. 2 speech, Francis said that during his brief visit, he has been particularly pleased to see “the cordial relations enjoyed by the Catholic, Muslim, Orthodox and Jewish” communities.

In Azerbaijan, Pope says faith, service weave Christian life together

Vatican City, Oct 2, 2016 / 01:31 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis celebrated Mass immediately after landing in Azerbaijan Sunday, telling faithful gathered in the small church that faith and service are the heart of Christian life, woven together like the different threads of a carpet.

“Faith and service cannot be separated; on the contrary, they are intimately linked, interwoven with each other,” the Pope said Oct. 2.

Pope Francis tells fellow Argentines he won’t make it home in 2017

Vatican City, Oct 1, 2016 / 10:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a special message to his fellow countrymen, Pope Francis said that despite his great desire to return home, he won’t be able to go in 2017, as previously hoped, due to commitments in Asia and Africa.

Disabled youth perform special dance for Pope Francis in Georgia

Vatican City, Oct 1, 2016 / 08:54 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis was treated to a special presentation Saturday when young people, including several disabled youth in wheelchairs, performed traditional dances for him during his papal visit to Georgia Saturday.

The performance took place during a meeting held outside one of the buildings of the Assistance Center of the Camillian Order in Tbilisi, and included several typical dances with traditional Georgian dress.

Pope in Georgia blasts gender theory as the 'great enemy' of marriage

Vatican City, Oct 1, 2016 / 07:57 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a lengthy, off-the-cuff speech in Georgia, Pope Francis said the world today is at war with marriage, and urged couples to fight against modern threats to the sacrament such as gender theory.

Speaking to Irina, a Georgian wife and mother who gave her testimony in front of Pope Francis and hundreds of priests, seminarians and religious Oct. 1, the Pope said “you mentioned a great enemy of marriage today: gender theory.”

Pope to Georgian Catholics: imitate St. Therese's 'little way'

Vatican City, Oct 1, 2016 / 01:52 am (CNA/EWTN News).- It’s important to follow the example of St. Therese's “little way,” trusting in God and his consolation with the faith a small child, Pope Francis said Saturday, which marked the feast of the young saint and Doctor of the Church.

Pope Francis concerned by North Korean nuclear tests

Vatican City, Sep 29, 2016 / 06:44 pm (CNA).- Pope Francis is troubled by the international tensions arising from recent North Korean nuclear tests, said Greg Burke, director of the Holy See Press Office this week.

Pope condemns 'arrogant' abuse of power that leads to war, violence

Vatican City, Sep 29, 2016 / 10:26 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a passionate speech on Thursday, Pope Francis condemned as arrogant the mentality of revenge and the abuses of power that lead to violent conflicts.

Spreading hope, trust, the center of next World Communications Day

Vatican City, Sep 29, 2016 / 08:10 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Announced Thursday, this year's World Day of Social Communications will focus on the theme of spreading hope and trust in the “Good News” of Jesus Christ and salvation.

“'Fear not, for I am with you' (Is 43:5) Communicating hope and trust in our time,” was announced as the theme for 2017 by the Pontifical Council of Social Communication in a communique from the Vatican Sept. 29.

Retreat House Bandra