Vatican

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  Pope urges faithful to pray Rosary, requests prayers for peace

  May 08, 2014

  At the conclusion of his May 7 general audience, Pope Francis called upon Catholics to turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary and pray for peace.

  
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  Pope Francis reflects on Holy Spirit’s gift of counsel

  May 08, 2014

  Continuing his weekly catechesis on the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, Pope Francis devoted his May 7 general audience to the gift of counsel.

  
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  Ireland's invite to Pope could signal defrosting relations

  May 08, 2014

  After years of tension, news that Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny has invited Pope Francis to visit the country may be a sign that relations between the Holy See and Ireland are returning to normal.

  
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  Pope's upcoming meeting with UN officials presents opportunity

  May 08, 2014

  Pope Francis will meet with United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon May 9, as well as with the Chief Executives Board for Coordination, marking an opportunity for the Pope to encourage reform of the organization.

  

• Cardinal stresses interreligious dialogue in Wesak Day message

  May 07, 2014

  Interreligious dialogue is the peacemaker’s alternative to secularism and fundamentalism, a top Vatican official wrote in a message to Buddhists around the world.

  

• 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.