Vatican

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  Pope: Christ’s wounds are sign of God’s love

  May 02, 2014

  At the canonization mass for Popes John Paul II and John XXIII on Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of Christ’s suffering as a visible sign of divine love.

  

• Pope’s phone call on divorce, Communion confuses

  May 02, 2014

  Reports that Pope Francis had advised a woman that she should receive Communion, despite a divorce and remarriage, have caused a flurry of corrections and clarifications, including a cautionary note from the Vatican press office.

  
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  Pope urges Christian communities to be ones of peace

  Apr 30, 2014

  Returning to his usual daily Mass schedule, Pope Francis reflected today that our contemporary faith communities ought to reflect that of the first Christians, who were united in “heart and mind.”

  
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  New saints lauded for pioneering dialogue on women

  Apr 29, 2014

  The newly-canonized John Paul II and John XXIII have drawn praise for sparking discussion within the Church on modern women and paving the way for what Pope Francis is addressing now.

  
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  Deacons find vocational inspiration in saintly papal witness

  Apr 29, 2014

  The April 27 canonizations of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII are a source of spiritual inspiration for young men on the path to priesthood.

  
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  Pilgrims fill Roman churches in vigils before canonizations

  Apr 28, 2014

  Parishes throughout the city of Rome were filled the evening of April 26 with pilgrims spending the night in prayer in anticipation of the next day’s canonization of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII.

  
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  Do not be 'afraid of joy,' Pope encourages

  Apr 25, 2014

  Pope Francis rebuked Christians who are “afraid of joy” and “mournful,” encouraging them to remember that Jesus Christ accompanies them.

  
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  Spread Christ's joy as did St Jose de Anchieta, Pope urges

  Apr 25, 2014

  During a Thanksgiving Mass for the canonization of St. Jose de Anchieta, Pope Francis spoke Thursday on the theme of joy, saying that while it can be intimidating, it is a gift of God which ought to be spread.

  

• Coptic Catholic cleric named as Pope’s 2nd priest-secretary

  Apr 24, 2014

  Pope Francis has appointed a Coptic Catholic priest, Father Yoannis Lahzi Gaid, to work as his 2nd personal secretary, Andrea Tornielli of La Stamp reports.

  

• Pope washes the feet of women and non-Catholics

  Apr 24, 2014

  Non-Catholics and women were among the 12 disabled and elderly people whose feet Pope Francis washed and kissed when he celebrated the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.