Vatican News

Pope Francis: Jesus was concerned with people, not popularity

Vatican City, Jan 31, 2017 / 08:49 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Jesus wasn’t worried about his polling results, Pope Francis said Tuesday – instead, he was concerned with each and every person, seeing everything about them, even those things which were seemingly small or inconsequential.

“Statisticians might have been inclined to publish: ‘Rabbi Jesus’ popularity is falling.’ But he sought something else: he sought people,” the Pope said Jan. 31 during Mass at Casa Santa Marta.

For Pope Francis, martyrs are the strength of the Church

Vatican City, Jan 30, 2017 / 10:37 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis said Monday the strength of the Church does not reside primarily in grand gestures, but in the quiet faith of Christians in minority areas, who continue to practice even in the face of persecution and martyrdom.

Pope Francis condemns shooting at Quebec mosque

Vatican City, Jan 30, 2017 / 09:34 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis met Monday with Cardinal Gérald Lacroix of Quebec, conveying his sorrow for the victims of a shooting the night before in a mosque in Quebec City. He condemned the attack, saying Christians and Muslims should unite in prayer over the tragedy.

According to a Vatican communique, Pope Francis met with Cardinal Lacroix Jan. 30 following his morning Mass in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta.

Why the Vatican thinks priests should learn about art, beauty

Vatican City, Jan 29, 2017 / 04:02 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Ugly churches with bad acoustics don't do justice to the richness and beauty of the liturgy – and it's this connection between art and faith that's vital for priests to understand today, a Vatican official insists.

Pope Francis: spiritual poverty is a cure to polemics

Vatican City, Jan 29, 2017 / 09:09 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Sunday Pope Francis said being poor in spirit doesn’t necessarily mean giving things up, but instead is rooted in humility and openness to others – an attitude capable of overcoming polemics and division, and leading to greater fraternity.

Knights of Malta appoint interim leader, reinstate Grand Chancellor

Vatican City, Jan 28, 2017 / 09:46 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After Pope Francis asked Knights of Malta Grand Master Matthew Festing to resign earlier this week, the Order has accepted the resignation, named an interim leader and reinstated their former Grand Chancellor, Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager.

Pope: everyone needs help living the faith – no one can do it alone

Vatican City, Jan 28, 2017 / 07:23 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Saturday Pope Francis stressed the importance of having a solid guide in the spiritual life since no one – neither laity nor consecrated persons themselves – can stay faithful for long without help.

“All of us consecrated, the young and those not so young, need adequate help for the human, spiritual and vocational moment we are living,” the Pope said Jan. 28. “We will never emphasize this need too much.”

Holocaust calls us to have 'respect for the dignity of every person'

Vatican City, Jan 27, 2017 / 11:43 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a message marking Friday's observance of Holocaust Remembrance Day, a Vatican official has said it is reminder that we need to maintain vigilance against violations of human dignity.

For Irish ambassador, Pope Francis' visit is a very big deal

Vatican City, Jan 27, 2017 / 06:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- With Pope Francis set to visit Ireland in 2018 – making him the first Pope to visit the country in nearly 40 years – Ireland's ambassador to the Holy See said it's an important trip, especially given the shared interest between the Vatican and Irish government on a number of key issues.

Modern martyrs exemplify true Christian unity, Pope says

Vatican City, Jan 27, 2017 / 05:08 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a speech to Catholic and Orthodox leaders, Pope Francis pointed, as he often does, to the example of Christian martyrs from various Churches, saying that in their death, those killed for their faith bear witness not only to Christ, but also the unity he prayed for.

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