Vatican News

Pope Francis: The world needs Catholics who go out, proclaim Jesus

Vatican City, Feb 2, 2020 / 06:20 am (CNA).- Pope Francis spoke Sunday about the need for Catholics to be active in going out to announce the faith of Jesus Christ to the world.

“The world needs Christians who let themselves be moved, who never tire of walking the streets of life, to bring everyone the consoling word of Jesus,” he said Feb. 2 in his Angelus address.

How to be hopeful? Stay close to the Lord, pope says on Candlemas

Vatican City, Feb 1, 2020 / 09:46 am (CNA).- There are always things which seem hopeless if seen with the eyes of the world, which is why those in religious life must stay close to the Lord every day, Pope Francis said Saturday.

“Here is the secret: never to alienate oneself from the Lord, who is the source of hope,” the pope said Feb. 1 in St. Peter’s Basilica. “We become blind if we do not look to the Lord every day, if we do not adore him.”

Pope Francis gives El Paso bishop rosaries for victims of Walmart shooting

Vatican City, Jan 31, 2020 / 06:49 pm (CNA).- During a recent trip to Rome with other bishops from his region, Bishop Mark Seitz asked Pope Francis to continue praying for the victims and families of those affected by the Aug. 3, 2019 shooting at an El Paso Walmart, which killed 22 people and injured 24 others.

After the meeting, Pope Francis gave Seitz 50 rosaries he had blessed, to be given to the survivors and families of the victims of the shooting.

Leaked Amazon synod text on priestly ordination of married men a draft

Vatican City, Jan 31, 2020 / 03:15 pm (CNA).- A text presented Friday by Roberto de Mattei of Corrispondenza Romana as a portion of Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation following the Amazon synod is a draft, and not necessarily the final version, according to a Vatican source.

“What is now circulating is one draft, which was distributed for review and comment as the final text is developed,” a source in the Dicastery for Communication told CNA Jan. 31.

Analysis: Pope Francis and the Germans

Vatican City, Jan 31, 2020 / 02:15 pm (CNA).- The year 2020 is one month old and already stacked high with expectation for Pope Francis.

The long-awaited McCarrick report is due “early” this year; so too is an expected apostolic exhortation following the Synod on the Amazon. Also on the horizon is a long-trailed but still to be delivered new constitution reforming the Roman curia.

Pope Francis: Grandparents provide crucial link to faith in secularized societies

Vatican City, Jan 31, 2020 / 10:30 am (CNA).- Grandparents can play a pivotal role in ensuring that the faith is passed on to their grandchildren in secularized societies, Pope Francis said Friday.

“God has a large population of grandparents throughout the world … They are the indispensable link in educating children and young people in the faith,” the pope said Jan. 31.

Pope Francis: Civilized society recognizes the value of human life

Vatican City, Jan 30, 2020 / 06:00 am (CNA).- Warning of the modern tendency to judge human life on the basis of utility rather than dignity, Pope Francis Thursday urged the need to protect the lives of the smallest and most vulnerable.

“A society deserves the title of 'civilized' … if it recognizes the intangible value of human life,” Pope Francis said Jan. 30 in a meeting with the Vatican Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith (CDF).

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