Vatican News

Let God's forgiveness heal your heart, Pope Francis says after Christmas

Vatican City, Dec 26, 2015 / 09:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- For Pope Francis, the path forward from Christmas can be found in the martyrdom of St. Stephen, especially in his transforming forgiveness of his persecutors.

“If we want to move forward in faith, first of all we must receive the forgiveness of God. We must meet the Father, who is ready to forgive everything and always,” Pope Francis told a crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square before the Angelus prayers Saturday.

Christmas joy is the antidote to skepticism, Pope Francis says

Vatican City, Dec 24, 2015 / 02:26 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The joy we receive from Christ’s birth has the power to counteract doubt and indifference, in a world that is “merciless to the sinner and lenient to the sin,” Pope Francis said during Midnight Mass for Christmas.

“Joy and gladness are a sure sign that the message contained in the mystery of this night is truly from God,” the Pope said in his Dec. 24 homily for Mass celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Pope Francis: let's feel the wonder of meeting Jesus Christ, 'the great gift of God'

Vatican City, Dec 20, 2015 / 09:46 am (Aid to the Church in Need).- Ahead of Christmas, Pope Francis spoke on the surprise of God and his great gift in sending Jesus Christ to save mankind.

“God gives us all of Himself by giving His one and only Son, who is all his joy – and only with the heart of Mary, the humble and poor daughter of Zion, become the Mother of the Son of the Most High, that we can rejoice and be glad for the great gift of God and for His unpredictable surprise.”

Want to find God? Seek him in the most needy, Pope Francis says

Rome, Italy, Dec 19, 2015 / 11:44 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Speaking at a Rome homeless shelter, Pope Francis has said the humility of Jesus Christ’s birth shows that mankind can find God in poverty.

The Pope was at the shelter to open a special Holy Door for the homeless during the Year of Mercy.

“This is the door of the Lord,” the Pope said Dec. 18 as he opened the Holy Door. “Open the gates of justice. For your great mercy will enter into your house, O Lord.”

We contemplate God's mercy in the Nativity scene – Pope Francis

Vatican City, Dec 18, 2015 / 11:52 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis greeted the donors of the Christmas tree and the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square on Friday, recalling that Christ's birth in the manger shows that he never imposes himself upon us.

“He makes himself small, he becomes a child, to attract us with love, to touch our hearts with his humble goodness,” Pope Francis reflected Dec. 18 at the Vatican's Paul VI Hall.

Pages