Vatican

Pope Francis canonizes 3 saints; 13 other sainthood causes advance

Apr 04, 2014

In an April 3 audience with the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Pope Francis canonized three blesseds by the process of “equivalent canonization.”
Pope, Queen enjoy casual tea during first meeting

Apr 04, 2014

Although short, the April 3 encounter between Pope Francis and Queen Elizabeth in the Vatican has been described as cordial and informal, during which the two exchanged gifts and casual conversation.
Pope entrusts Rwandan reconciliation to Our Lady of Kibeho

Apr 04, 2014

Meeting with the Rwandan bishops for their ad limina visit Thursday, Pope Francis urged them to be be agents of reconciliation, commending them to the Marian apparition at Kibeho, in the country's south.
New Bible exhibit evangelizes through history of scripture

Apr 04, 2014

Featuring ancient biblical artifacts from all over the world, the Verbum Domini II exhibition has officially opened at the Vatican, and is something organizers hope will inspire faith in those who come.
Pope: Real prayer is courageous, frank dialogue with God

Apr 04, 2014

During his daily Mass Pope Francis reflected on the prayer of Moses to God in the first reading, saying that true prayer should be like speaking to a friend – with boldness and without fear.
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.