Vatican

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  Don't use religion as a weapon of war, Pope Francis insists

  Jan 14, 2015

  In an oft-repeated message to interreligious groups, Pope Francis stressed again that believers must unite in condemning violence and insist that religion never be used to justify warfare.

  
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  Sri Lankan cardinal credits papal trip for post-election peace

  Jan 14, 2015

  After tense elections yielded a new president just days before Pope Francis' arrival in Sri Lanka, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said that the “miracle” of a smooth transition is due in large part to the Pope's visit.

  
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  Pope Francis' Address at Welcoming Ceremony in Colombo, Sri Lanka

  Jan 14, 2015

  Here is the address given by the Holy Father at the welcoming ceremony in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

  
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  A warm Sri Lanka welcome – Pope greeted by 40 elephants

  Jan 13, 2015

  In all, there were 40 elephants that the Sri Lankan authorities decided to include in Pope Francis’ welcome ceremony upon his first visit to the Asian nation.

  
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  Amid schedule delays, Pope cancels meeting with Sri Lanka bishops

  Jan 13, 2015

  Pope Francis decided to forego a scheduled meeting with the bishops of Sri Lanka Jan. 13 after delays in arriving at the apostolic nunciature in the country.

  
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  Pope calls for pursuit of truth over Sri Lanka's violent past

  Jan 13, 2015

  Pope Francis called on Sri Lanka to uncover the truth of what happened during its bloody civil war as part of a healing process between religious communities, as he arrived in Colombo a few days after the island's wartime leaders were voted out.

  
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  Pope Francis: Concern for the poor is rooted in the gospel, not communism

  Jan 13, 2015

  In an interview with Vatican journalists Andrea Tornielli and Giacomo Galeazzi, Pope Francis said that concern for the poor is in the Gospel, and not an invention of communism.

  
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  Pope: “Throwaway culture applied even to God" at the origin of the many conflicts that wound the world

  Jan 13, 2015

  The "the throwaway culture even applied to God" is the origin of many issues that stretch from fundamentalism to the rejection of those forced to leave their homeland and which contribute to undermining the desire for peace in the world.

  
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  Pope Francis: Sri Lankans can learn to live as one family

  Jan 13, 2015

  Pope Francis has begun his visit to Sri Lanka, voicing hopes for “days of friendship, dialogue and solidarity.”

  
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  Pope Francis lands in Sri Lanka for 'mission of mercy'

  Jan 13, 2015

  Pope Francis has arrived in Sri Lanka at the start of a six-day Asian visit which is expected to draw huge crowds.