Vatican

• Parishes reach out and evangelise

  May 07, 2014

  In a meeting with nearly 7,000 members of the Italian lay movement Catholic Action, Pope Francis spoke of the need for parishes to be open and outgoing.

  
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  Martyrdom is the most powerful witness, Pope says in homily

  May 07, 2014

  Reflecting on the martyrdom of St. Stephen, in his homily at Mass on May 6, Pope Francis said that the calls for Stephen’s death were motivated by “the devil’s hatred of Christ.”

  
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  Report shows 'egregious' religious freedom violations in Syria

  May 07, 2014

  The U.S. government should designate Syria as a “country of particular concern” due to “particularly severe violations of religious freedom” in its ongoing conflict, a global religious liberty group said.

  
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  Pope: Follow God for pure intentions rather than personal gain

  May 06, 2014

  During his daily Mass Pope Francis warned against those who use their faith vainly in order to obtain power or money, and prayed that all might have the grace to follow the Lord out of love.

  

• Pope encourages Sri Lanka’s bishops to work for unity

  May 05, 2014

  Five years after the conclusion of the Sri Lankan Civil War, Pope Francis encouraged the bishops of the South Asian island nation to evangelize and promote unity.

  

• Pope offers Mass of thanksgiving for St. John Paul’s canonization

  May 05, 2014

  Pope Francis visited Rome’s parish for Polish residents on May 4 and offered a Mass of thanksgiving for St. John Paul II’s canonization.

  
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  Pope reflects on Emmaus encounter, prays for Ukraine

  May 05, 2014

  In his Sunday Regina Caeli address, Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel reading at Mass, Christ’s encounter with the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Lk. 24:13-35).

  
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  Pope: Jesus journeys with us in the Eucharist

  May 05, 2014

  In his Sunday homily delivered at a Polish parish in Rome, Pope Francis meditated on the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist as a source of strength for Christians.

  

• Pope’s message for canonizations of John XXIII, John Paul II

  May 02, 2014

  Pope Francis had issued messages on the occasion of the canonizations of Blessed John XXIII and Blessed John Paul II.

  
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  Popes John Paul II, John XXIII officially declared saints

  May 02, 2014

  In a packed St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis officially declared former pontiffs John Paul II and John XXIII as Saints.