Vatican News

Papal envoy: we must see humanity of each Iraqi refugee

Vatican City, Aug 27, 2014 / 04:10 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The international community must view suffering Iraqi refugees not as a collective group, but as individual persons, each with his or her own story and needs, the Pope’s envoy to the country encouraged.

“We should set our sight on every child, every person. When you look at them, sitting on the ground, you don’t think them as a crowd. You think about them as single persons, about each individual story,” Cardinal Fernando Filoni told CNA Aug. 22.

A refreshed Benedict XVI captivates students with homily

Vatican City, Aug 26, 2014 / 12:31 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Participants in the annual Ratzinger “schulerkreis” study group were overjoyed at seeing the retired pontiff in good health, noting that they were deeply moved by his homily on the triumph of God's love.

“The homily was very moving. It was the Gospel of the day about Cesarea of Philippi where Jesus asks the apostles, 'Who do you say I am?'” Father Vincent Twomey recalled to CNA Aug. 25.

Pope Francis' interfaith soccer match shows desire for peace

Vatican City, Aug 25, 2014 / 08:03 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- A priest and close friend of Pope Francis says the pontiff's idea for an upcoming inter-religious soccer match for peace shows his keen interest in promoting the topic on all levels of society.

“The hope is that after this football match, this sports event, there will be an impact that raises awareness for peace,” Father Guillermo Karcher told CNA Aug. 25, explaining to other journalists that “the Pope's concern for peace is very great.”

Vatican advisor: anti-Ebola effort needs international backup

Vatican City, Aug 25, 2014 / 12:08 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Though the Church and others are doing much to help Ebola victims, “extraordinary measures” are needed to halt the epidemic, a Vatican advisor on health issues has said.

“For example, in a health care center with a capacity of 70 patients, there is need for at least 250 health workers, and now there is a lack of them,” Monsignor Robert Vitillo told CNA.

Pope sends letter of condolence to family of James Foley

Vatican City, Aug 25, 2014 / 07:25 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a letter sent to the family of a U.S. journalist killed by ISIS last week, Pope Francis assured his closeness, and prayed for reconciliation and peace throughout the world.

“The Holy Father, deeply saddened by the death of James Wright Foley, asks you kindly to convey his personal condolences and the assurance of his closeness in prayer to James’ loved ones,” the letter states.

Pope Francis challenges with question: How is your faith?

Vatican City, Aug 24, 2014 / 08:52 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During his Angelus address Sunday Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel account of Saint Peter's recognition of Jesus as the Lord, urging those present to honestly evaluate their own faith.

“Brothers and sisters, what happened in a unique way in Saint Peter, also takes place in every Christian who develops a sincere faith in Jesus the Christ,” he told crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square on Aug. 24.

Papal envoy: Francis donated $1 million to Iraqi refugees

Vatican City, Aug 22, 2014 / 01:19 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis has given $1 million as a personal contribution to help Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq who have been forced from their homes, according to his personal envoy to the country.

Cardinal Fernando Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, visited Erbil as Pope Francis' envoy from Aug. 12-20.

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