Vatican News

Pope Francis to journalist's condom question: the problem is much bigger

Vatican City, Nov 30, 2015 / 12:12 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- On a Nov. 30 in-flight press conference returning from his trip to Africa, Pope Francis said that efforts to push the Church to allow condom use to prevent HIV are too narrow and do not see the whole picture.

Pope calls Central African Christians, Muslims to unite against violence

Bangui, Central African Republic, Nov 30, 2015 / 03:28 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Christians and Muslims must unite against acts which “disfigure the Face of God” by promoting peace, Pope Francis told Islamic representatives on the final day of his visit the war-torn Central African Republic (CAR).

Pope to Central African Christians: Be artisans of renewal in your country

Bangui, Central African Republic, Nov 30, 2015 / 03:19 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During the final Mass of his first visit to Africa, Pope Francis called the Christians of the Central African Republic (CAR) to be missionaries in their nation, bringing renewal amid suffering, and hope for eternal life.

Pope advocates for peace, unity in Central African Republic

Bangui, Central African Republic, Nov 29, 2015 / 04:39 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After landing in the war-torn Central African Republic, Pope Francis urged the country’s leaders to work for peace and reconciliation, particularly through disarmament and a stable administration.

“As the Central African Republic progressively moves, in spite of difficulties, towards the normalization of its social and political life…I come as a pilgrim of peace and an apostle of hope,” the Pope said Nov. 29.

Pope Francis’ three words for Ugandan religious: Memory, fidelity and prayer

Kampala, Uganda, Nov 28, 2015 / 10:41 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis wrapped up his public appearances in Uganda with an address to the priests, religious and seminarians of the country at the Cathedral in Kampala.

In an off-the-cuff homily in the Jesuit tradition – brief, with three main points – Pope Francis reflected on three words: memory, fidelity and prayer.

Like the martyrs, witness to Jesus with your life, Pope tells Ugandans

Kampala, Uganda, Nov 28, 2015 / 12:52 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Marking his first full day in Uganda with Mass to celebrate the nation’s martyrs, Pope Francis said the call to be missionary disciples falls on all of us, whether at home or abroad, with our families or among our enemies.

Full text of Pope Francis' powerful, unscripted talk with Kenya's youth

Nairobi, Kenya, Nov 27, 2015 / 12:43 am (CNA/EWTN News).- An impassioned Pope Francis went off-the-cuff in a vast, widespread speech to Kenyan youth, touching on challenging topics such as how to stop youth from being recruited to terrorist activities.

The encounter fell on the Pope’s last day in Kenya. His Nov. 25-27 visit to the country was part of a larger African tour that will also take him to Uganda and the Central African Republic later this week.

Pope off-the-cuff to priests, religious: indifference makes God vomit

Nairobi, Kenya, Nov 26, 2015 / 08:08 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis tossed his prepared remarks aside for a meeting with Kenyan priests, religious and seminarians, telling them that if anything disgusts God, it’s the attitude of indifference.

He also gave some practical advice, such as keeping the Lord at the center of their lives through prayer and the sacraments, and stressed that the Church is not a business, but rather a mystery intended to serve others.

Pope in Kenya: Interreligious dialogue not an option, but a necessity

Nairobi, Kenya, Nov 26, 2015 / 02:15 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In light of recent terror attacks in Kenya and abroad, Pope Francis began the second day of his trip to Africa stressing the need for interreligious leaders to work together for peace.

In a morning meeting on Nov. 26 with interreligious and ecumenical leaders at the apostolic nunciature in Nairobi, Kenya, Pope Francis said while ecumenical relationships can be demanding, they are not optional.

Pope to Kenyan families: 'radiate God’s love'

Nairobi, Kenya, Nov 26, 2015 / 12:48 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis Thursday praised Kenya’s traditional family values, particularly their respect for children and the elderly. He also made an appeal for the youth to use these values as a guide to ending discrimination and injustice in the future.

“The health of any society depends on the health of its families,” the Pope told Mass attendees at Kenya’s Nairobi University Nov. 26.

Retreat House Bandra