Vatican News

Pope encourages Ghana bishops in Ebola aid, evangelization efforts

Vatican City, Sep 27, 2014 / 06:48 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Personal conversion is the key to the work and fruits of the Church, Pope Francis told bishops visiting Rome from Ghana, particularly noting the Church’s healthcare apostolate, due to the Ebola outbreak in several nearby countries.

“From the grace of Christ experienced in our own converted hearts comes the spiritual strength which helps us promote virtue and holiness in our priests, men and women religious, and laity,” the Pope said in his Sept. 23 address.

Benedict XVI to attend meeting with elderly this weekend

Vatican City, Sep 26, 2014 / 10:51 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will be present at an encounter with Pope Francis and the elderly on Sunday morning in St. Peter's Square, the Vatican announced Friday.

According to a Sept. 26 satement from the Holy See press office on, the encounter will precede a Mass said for grandparents and the elderly which will be said at 10:30 am.

Benedict XVI, who is 87, will depart prior to the beginning of Mass.

Life isn't Christian without a cross, Pope Francis assures

Vatican City, Sep 26, 2014 / 10:03 am (CNA).- Christ as Redeemer cannot be understood save through a willingness to take up the cross, said Pope Francis during his homily for Mass on Friday morning.

The Christian, he said Sept. 26, addressing the congregation gathered in the chapel of the Santa Martha residence, is like the “Cyrene” – referring here to Simon of Cyrene – who helped Christ carry his own Cross.

Vanity is like an onion, Pope Francis says

Vatican City, Sep 25, 2014 / 11:11 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a colorful Thursday homily, Pope Francis highlighted the sin of vanity, saying that Christians must reject it by peeling away one layer at a time.

He cited the Desert Fathers, the saints of early Christian Egypt, who saw that “vanity is a temptation against which we must battle our whole life, because it always comes back to take the truth away from us.”

Pope Francis prays, issues strong appeal for Ebola victims

Vatican City, Sep 24, 2014 / 08:14 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis has made an appeal for prayer and aid for the victims of the Ebola outbreak which has been sweeping through several West African countries.

Speaking during his General Audience, the Pope expressed his closeness “to the many people affected by this terrible disease. I invite you to pray for them and for the many who have so tragically lost their life.”

Former Dominican Republic nuncio on house arrest over sex abuse charges

Vatican City, Sep 23, 2014 / 05:45 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Holy See press officer announced Tuesday that Jozef Wesolowski, the former apostolic nuncio to the Dominican Republic who was laicized earlier this year, has been put under house arrest amid an official investigation into charges of pedophilia.

He is accused of having paid for sex with minors while nuncio to the Dominican Republic.

Don't overcomplicate the Christian life, Pope Francis warns

Vatican City, Sep 23, 2014 / 04:26 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis resumed daily Mass Tuesday after his papal visit to Albania, telling those present that living the Christian life is simple: listen to God's word and put it into practice.

“These are the two conditions in order to follow Jesus, hear the word of God and put it into practice. This is the Christian life, nothing more,” the Pope said Sept. 23 at the Saint Martha residence.  

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