Vatican News

'To ignore the poor is to despise God,' Pope Francis says

Vatican City, May 18, 2016 / 08:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- If we don’t show mercy to others we shouldn’t expect to get it from God, Pope Francis said, stressing that while turning a blind eye to the poor might make life on earth easier, the eternal result will be much different.

“To ignore the poor is to despise God! We must learn this well: to ignore the poor is the despise God,” the Pope said May 18.

Top Italian cardinal throws punch at new civil unions law

Vatican City, May 18, 2016 / 03:04 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a powerful speech Tuesday at the opening of the Italian bishops' general assembly, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco of Genoa decried the civil unions bill passed in the nation's parliament last week, emphasizing that Pope Francis himself always advocates for the natural family.

You have the right to practice your faith, Pope Francis says in new interview

Vatican City, May 17, 2016 / 09:59 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a new interview focused heavily on migration and dialogue with Islam, Pope Francis touched on growing concerns surrounding the hot-button topic of religious freedom.

While he admitted that secular governments espousing a separation of Church and state have shown more success throughout history, the Pope also stressed that such policies must be strict in ensuring religious freedom for all.

For Pope Francis, missionary work is 'love without limits'

Vatican City, May 15, 2016 / 05:59 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- On Pentecost, Pope Francis praised missionary work as a massive work of mercy based on the desire for everyone to be saved and loved.

The mission to the nations is “a great, immense work of mercy, both spiritual and material,” he said.

Pope Francis: the Holy Spirit makes Jesus' teaching come to life

Vatican City, May 15, 2016 / 04:35 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On the solemnity of Pentecost Pope Francis said the Holy Spirit, rather than giving a new message, brings Jesus’ timeless teachings to life and helps us to both understand and live it throughout our lives.

We were made to be God's children, Pope says on Pentecost

Vatican City, May 15, 2016 / 02:51 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Although sin separates us from God, Pope Francis stressed on the feast of Pentecost that we haven’t been left as orphans, but that thanks to Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we can reconcile with the Lord and continue to live as his children.

Pope Francis: True piety inspires compassion for those in need

Vatican City, May 14, 2016 / 06:06 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his catechesis for this Saturday's Jubilee of Mercy audience, Pope Francis addressed the theme of piety, and how it manifests God's mercy through compassion for the suffering and afflicted.

“The piety of which we speak is a manifestation of God's mercy,” the Pope told the rain-soaked crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square.

Generate new models of economic progress, Pope urges business leaders

Vatican City, May 14, 2016 / 06:04 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Economic worldviews based only on material well-being cannot contribute to dignified labor and new models of economic progress are needed, Pope Francis told a gathering of business experts on Friday.

Why Pope Francis' visit matters to Armenians

Vatican City, May 13, 2016 / 04:45 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis’ visit to Armenia this summer comes at a poignant time in the country’s history.

The Holy Father’s June 24-26 visit comes just after the close of the 100-year anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and during the Year of Mercy, a significance not lost on the Armenian people, said Mikayel Minasyan, Armenian Ambassador to the Holy See.

What did Pope Francis actually say about the female deaconate?

Vatican City, May 13, 2016 / 04:55 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Yesterday Pope Francis raised eyebrows around the world after declaring his openness to establishing a commission to study the female deaconate, but a careful look at his full response is less of a shocker, and points to nothing new.

In fact, in addition to giving a brief summary of a deaconesses duties in the ancient Church, the Pope suggested that in modern times, nuns perhaps already fill the role.

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