Vatican News

Pope: 'Responsible parenthood' doesn't mean birth control

Aboard the papal plane, Jan 19, 2015 / 12:15 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis backed Blessed Paul VI's teaching against birth control and urged openness to life, but reminded couples that “responsible parenthood” does not require them “to be like rabbits” in order to be good Catholics.

"I believe that openness to life conditions the sacrament of matrimony. A man cannot give the sacrament to the woman, and the woman give it to him, if they are not in agreement on this point to be open to life," Pope Francis said.

Africa, South America trips in Pope's sights for next two years

Vatican City, Jan 19, 2015 / 12:10 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis has revealed that he hopes to make extensive voyages to Africa and Latin America in the next two years.

“The plan is to go to Central African Republic and Uganda. These two, this year,” Pope Francis said during a press conference Jan. 19 on his return flight to Rome from the Philippines.

The Pope’s revelation comes in response to a French journalist aboard the flight.

Pope confirms three US stops in September, no Mexico for now

Aboard the papal plane, Jan 19, 2015 / 12:01 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- During his in-flight press conference from Manila to Rome, Pope Francis confirmed he plans stops in Philadelphia, New York City and Washington D.C. during his visit to the United States this autumn.

"The three cities are Philadelphia for the meeting of families, New York … for the visit to the UN, and Washington. It is these three," the Pope told journalists during his Jan. 19 return flight to Rome from the Philippines.

Exclusive: Details of the proposal for Pope Francis' US visit revealed

Manila, Philippines, Jan 18, 2015 / 12:56 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Archbishop Bernardito Auza – a member of the organizing committee for Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to the U.S. – has revealed details of the proposed schedule, which includes visits to three cities.

“He would arrive on the 22nd and he would leave the evening of the 27th. It’s really a full six days, plus the travel, so it’s really one week,” Archbishop Auza told CNA in Manila on Jan. 18.

Pope Francis' heartfelt words for typhoon survivors: Jesus is there for you!

Manila, Philippines, Jan 16, 2015 / 07:44 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis on Saturday spoke to survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in an impromptu homily, voicing compassion for their plight and encouraging them to look to the love of Jesus Christ on the Cross.

“I’m here to be with you,” he said. “A little bit late, I have to say. But I’m here. I’ve come to tell you that Jesus is Lord. That Jesus never lets us down.”

Pope on Charlie Hebdo: Don't kill in God's name but don't insult faith

Aboard the papal plane, Jan 15, 2015 / 05:37 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During an in-flight press conference Pope Francis spoke on the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attack, saying that freedom of expression has limits but no one has the right to kill in the name of God.

"Let's go to Paris. Let's speak clearly," said Pope Francis in reference to the Charlie Hebdo killings. He was asked by a French journalist if he saw freedom of expression as a fundamental human right.

Pope Francis to canonize evangelizer of the Wild West

Vatican City, Jan 15, 2015 / 05:24 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a surprise addition to his fall 2015 trip to the U.S., Pope Francis is planning to canonize the founder of California's first missions, Bl. Junipero Serra.

"In September, God willing, I will canonize Junipero Serra in the United States," declared Pope Francis aboard Sri Lankan Air Flight UL4111 on the way to Manila.

An environment encyclical in March? Pope Francis hopes so

Aboard the papal plane, Jan 15, 2015 / 05:06 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During an in-flight press conference on his way to the Philippines, Pope Francis said he plans to have his much-anticipated encyclical on man's relationship with creation finished in March.

“At the end of March, I think it will be completed,” he told journalists aboard the papal plane Jan. 15. “I think that if the translations go well, in June or July, it could come out.”

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