God is a 'master of reintegration,' Pope assures prisoners

Vatican City, Jun 21, 2014 / 06:53 am (CNA).- In the first major meeting of his 12-hour pastoral visit to the Calabria region of southern Italy today, Pope Francis spoke to the inmates and staff of the district prison about the importance of re-integration, accomplished through both human and divine action.

Pope encourages priests to work in joy, brotherhood

Vatican City, Jun 21, 2014 / 06:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During his one day his visit to Italian town Cassano all'Jonio, Pope Francis met with the priests of the diocese, speaking of the joy of the priesthood, but also of the dangers of an individualistic culture.

Pope Francis decries persecution of Christians

Vatican City, Jun 20, 2014 / 02:03 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis on Friday lamented continued persecution against Christians and other religious believers, encouraging scholars and governments to defend religious liberty.

Pope warns against false securities of wealth, vanity, power

Vatican City, Jun 20, 2014 / 11:32 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his homily at Friday's Mass, Pope Francis cautioned attendees not to place their security in false treasures which enslave and weigh us down, but rather in the treasures of heaven that lead to freedom.

“Here is the message of Jesus: ‘if your treasure is in wealth, in vanity, in power, in pride, your heart will be chained there! Your heart will be enslaved by wealth, vanity, pride,” the Pope explained in his June 20 Mass.

Pope: problem of drug use is not solved by other drugs

Vatican City, Jun 20, 2014 / 08:37 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a message for an international conference on enforcing drug laws, Pope Francis denounced the trend of offering addicts narcotics as a substitute for hard drugs, stating that it only worsens the problem.

“Let me state this in the clearest terms possible: the problem of drug use is not solved with drugs! Drug addiction is an evil, and with evil there can be no yielding or compromise” the Pope declared in his June 20 message to the conference participants.

Bosnian school seeks to strengthen interethnic relations

Vatican City, Jun 20, 2014 / 06:34 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A Catholic school founded in Sarajevo, Bosnia during the country’s recent war has made it their goal to teach children to embrace ethnic differences, without letting them hinder interpersonal relations.

Ratzinger Prize honorees show intellectual vitality, cardinal says

Vatican City, Jun 20, 2014 / 04:00 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Cardinal Camillo Ruini praised Tuesday the two winners of the 2014 Ratzinger Prize for their academic accomplishments and their commitment to the faith.

Vatican theologians acknowledge Archbishop Sheen miracle

Vatican City, Jun 19, 2014 / 11:42 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Beloved media personality Archbishop Fulton Sheen is one step closer to beatification after a panel of Vatican theologians unanimously recognized the miraculous recovery of a stillborn baby attributed to Sheen’s intercession.

The Diocese of Peoria said June 17 that its bishop, Daniel Jenky, was informed of the decision by the seven-member theological commission that advises the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

Retreat House Bandra

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