Vatican

• 

  Pope Francis: married couples are an icon of God's love

  Apr 03, 2014

  In his weekly general audience Pope Francis closed his catechesis on the sacraments by reflecting on the vocation of marriage, noting that the marital couple is a unique example of divine love in the world.

  

• Without prayer, Mass, and confession, a priest becomes insipid

  Apr 02, 2014

  Pope Francis devoted his March 26 general audience to the Sacrament of Holy Orders. While all in the Church are called to share in the three sacraments of Christian initiation, there are two sacraments — Holy Orders and Marriage — that “correspond to two specific vocations.”

  

• What distinguishes the sinners and the corrupt?

  Apr 02, 2014

  Preaching to 500 members of the Italian parliament, Pope Francis distinguished between sinners and the corrupt in a March 27 homily.

  
• 

  Pope makes a beeline for his own confession as penitents look on

  Apr 02, 2014

  Before hearing confessions in St. Peter’s Basilica on March 28, Pope Francis surprised his aides by making his own confession.

  
• 

  Pope preaches against 'spiritual sloth,' shutting out God's grace

  Apr 02, 2014

  Pope Francis spoke about spiritual sloth and “anesthetized” Christians in his homily at Mass on April 1.

  
• 

  LA's 'little ambassador' to Pope recalls encounter

  Apr 02, 2014

  Jersey Vargas, the 10 year old daughter of undocumented immigrants who traveled from Los Angeles to the Vatican to ask the Pope’s help for herself and children like her, said she is thrilled to have met him.

  
• 

  Pope warns against the wandering of an 'existential tourist'

  Apr 01, 2014

  In his homily Monday, Pope Francis spoke of the importance of having direction in our lives rather than turning in circles and never advancing, emphasizing that we move forward only through faith in God.

  
• 

  Papal canonizations to be a spiritual event, cardinal stresses

  Apr 01, 2014

  At a Monday news conference detailing preparations for the canonization of Bl. John Paul II and Bl. John XXIII, the Holy See announced initiatives designed to help the Church live the event in a spiritual way.

  
• 

  Be open to the light of Christ, encourages Pope

  Mar 31, 2014

  During his Sunday Angelus message, Pope Francis urged the faithful to open themselves to the light of Christ and not be hindered by pride or interior blindness.

  

• Program offers African students ‘second home’ in Rome

  Mar 31, 2014

  African students studying in Rome are finding a home away from home in an outreach program dedicated to accompanying them spiritually, culturally, and socially.