Vatican News

Pope sends message to conference on closed churches

Vatican City, Nov 29, 2018 / 05:27 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis wrote in his 2015 encyclical, Laudato si, that, “by learning to see and appreciate beauty, we learn to reject self-interested pragmatism.”

The Holy Father quoted this line again in a Nov. 29 message to a Vatican conference centered on answering the question of how to preserve the beauty and the sacredness of now-empty and unused Catholic churches.

Vatican approves second miracle for Blessed John Henry Newman

Washington D.C., Nov 28, 2018 / 12:47 pm (CNA).- A second miracle attributed to Blessed John Henry Newman has reportedly been approved by the Vatican, fueling expectation that his canonization could occur as early as next year.

Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom wrote in email newsletter to his diocese last week that he had received a copy of the relatio, or official report, about the second miracle needed for Newman’s canonization.

The Ten Commandments are God's 'x-ray,' Pope Francis says

Vatican City, Nov 28, 2018 / 04:42 am (CNA/EWTN News).- By reflecting on the Ten Commandments, Christians can examine their hearts to see where disordered attachments and desires have made them in need of Christ’s healing, Pope Francis said Wednesday.

“The Decalogue is [Christ’s] ‘x-ray,’ it is described as a photographic negative that lets his face appear – as in the Holy Shroud [of Turin].”

Pope Francis says priests, bishops should keep an open dialogue

Vatican City, Nov 26, 2018 / 10:14 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a meeting with seminarians Saturday, Pope Francis said it is necessary for priests to maintain an open and filial discussion with their bishop, since he is the unifying figure of the diocese.

“You cannot be a good priest without a filial dialogue with the bishop. This is something non-negotiable,” the pope said in the Vatican's Consistory Hall.

Pope: The power of the Kingdom of God is love

Vatican City, Nov 25, 2018 / 06:45 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Kingdom of God takes its power from the strength of Christ’s love, not the strength of the sword, Pope Francis said Sunday, on the feast of Christ the King.

History shows that kingdoms built on the power of arms, or on an abuse of power, do not last, the pope said Nov. 25. “But the kingdom of God is founded on his love and rooted in hearts… giving peace, freedom and fullness of life to those who welcome it.”

Vatican urges Christians, Sikhs to foster 'culture of tenderness'

Vatican City, Nov 23, 2018 / 01:02 am (CNA).- Ahead of a major holiday for adherents of Sikhism, a Vatican council encouraged Christians and Sikhs alike to promote greater compassion toward all people, especially the vulnerable and marginalized.

The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue issued a letter on Monday for the upcoming Sikh holiday, celebrated on Nov. 23 this year. The letter was signed by Bishop Miguel Guixot, secretary of the council.

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