Pope Francis Slams Vatican Leaks as ‘Deplorable Act’
In his Sunday midday Angelus message, Pope Francis came down hard on those involved in leaking confidential Vatican documents to the press, saying that many people had been upset by the news.
Tag: Vatican
Pope’s Slip on St. Peter’s Steps Raises Health Questions
The Pope’s health is always a question—especially when dealing with a 78-year-old pontiff with a history of serious health issues—and tripping on the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica Saturday has added more grist to the rumor mill.
More Vatican Leaks Result in Two Arrests
Two former members of the economic commission entrusted with overseeing the reform of the Vatican Bank are charged with handing over confidential documents in what is being called Act 2 of the Vatileaks scandal.
Pope Francis Visits Rome Graveyard on ‘All Saints Day’ to Pray for the Dead
On Sunday afternoon, Pope Francis traveled to Rome’s largest cemetery to celebrate Mass and pray for the “faithful departed,” an ancient Christian custom associated principally with All Saints Day (Nov 1) and All Souls Day (Nov 2).
Pope Francis Praises the Many Un-Canonized, ‘Next-Door Saints’
In his Angelus message on the Christian feast of All Saints, the Pope said to the large crowd assembled in the sunny Saint Peter’s Square: “we experience in a particularly vivid way the reality of the communion of saints, our extended family, made up of all members of the Church, both those who are still pilgrims on earth, and those—immensely more—who have already departed for heaven.”
Pope Francis: God Doesn’t Acquit Because of ‘Lack of Evidence’
In his homily Friday morning, Pope Francis said that when God forgives us, He knows full well that we are guilty, not like a judge who acquits a criminal for lack of evidence; yet He pardons us anyway.
Pope Francis: An Attack on the State of Israel Is ‘Anti-Semitism’
Pope Francis says direct attacks on Jews are not the only form of anti-Semitism, but that attacks on the State of Israel and its right to exist are also anti-Semitism.
Catholic Nun Excommunicated after Secretly Attempting to Be Ordained a Priest
A 67-year-old Roman Catholic nun was excommunicated and ousted from her religious order last week after revealing that she had been secretly ordained a priest earlier this year and has since been presiding over Catholic rituals.
Pope Francis: Christians and Jews No Longer ‘Enemies and Strangers,’ but ‘Friends and Brothers’
In an address to an interreligious audience Wednesday, Pope Francis paid tribute to the Jewish people, noting that in Jewish-Christian relations, “indifference and opposition have turned into cooperation and goodwill.”
Gay Rainbow Catholics Foresee ‘New Era’ of Pastoral Care
The Global Network of Rainbow Catholics is out with a response to the recently concluded Vatican synod on marriage and the family, noting its optimism that “a new era for inclusive pastoral care of LGBT people is going to start after the synod.”
Catholic Bishops Launch Radical Appeal to ‘Put an End to the Fossil Fuel Era’
In the lead-up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris next month, a group of cardinals, patriarchs and bishops have called for a radical, legally binding international climate agreement that mandates, among other things, complete global decarbonization by 2050 and “an end to the fossil fuel era.”
Pope Offers Tribute to ‘Fearless’ Hero of Catholic Underground Behind Iron Curtain
Pope Francis said that on hearing the news of the passing of Cardinal Korec, he was moved with “deep emotion” and sorrow, calling him “a generous and zealous shepherd who in his long ministry in the Church offered a fearless witness of the Gospel” and was a “staunch defender of the faith and human rights.” The pontiff sent a telegram of condolences to the President of Slovakia’s bishops’ conference.
After Drubbing in Rome, Catholic Left Still Claims Victory
The left-wing of Catholicism just concluded a two-year campaign to convince the universal Church to change its teachings on marriage, divorce, communion, and homosexuality.
Did Bishops ‘Defeat’ Pope Francis in Vatican Synod?
In spite of sensational media claims that Pope Francis suffered a major “defeat” at the hands of conservative bishops during the recently concluded synod on the family, all evidence suggests that the Pope got exactly what he wanted: a frank debate on the situation of Christian families in the world today and how the Church can more effectively serve them.
Left Tastes Sour Grapes as Vatican Synod Leaves Doctrine Untouched
As the Vatican synod on marriage and the family draws to a close with no significant change in Catholic doctrine or practice, liberals are left nursing their wounds over yet another revolution that didn’t happen.
Vatican Denies Rumors of Papal Brain Tumor
Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi is vigorously denying rumors that Pope Francis is suffering from a brain tumor, calling the reports “entirely unfounded” and the reporting “gravely irresponsible.”
Pope Francis Asserts Authority of the Papacy at Synod of Bishops
In his most important address yet to the bishops gathered for the Vatican Synod on the Family, Pope Francis reasserted his authority Saturday, reminding the bishops that the synod operates “not only with Peter, but also under Peter.”
New Book Reveals Vatican Plot to Assassinate Hitler
Although many people have come to swallow the caricature of Pope Pius XII as “Hitler’s Pope,” after the malicious smear campaign by John Cornwell, the facts now seem overwhelmingly to reveal the opposite: not only was Pius adamantly opposed to the Führer’s policies; he actively sought to have him assassinated.
Lesbian Ex-Nuns Tell Catholic Church: ‘Love Me, Love My Sin’
A recent article in the Atlantic features “a totally ordinary Catholic family,” one composed of two Lesbian ex-nuns and their adopted daughter. They’re campaigning to be accepted in the Roman Catholic Church.
Pope Francis: Universe ‘Not the Result of Chance’
Pope Francis is expressing his esteem for science, but also coming down hard against the “new atheists” such as Richard Dawkins who deny the existence of anything beyond the material world. Francis adds that “the Creator is infinitely greater than our knowledge.”
Pope Francis Praises Saint Paul as ‘Great Defender of Doctrine’
Pope Francis, who has often said that doctrine is not everything, praised Saint Paul Thursday morning as a model of one who defended doctrine–the doctrine of the greatness of God’s love.
Pope Francis Apologizes for Vatican ‘Scandals’
“In the name of the Church, I would like to ask forgiveness for the scandals that have occurred in recent times, both in Rome and in the Vatican,” Pope Francis said at the beginning of Wednesday’s General Audience.
Philly Archbishop Warns Vatican Synod of Danger of Pushing ‘Inclusiveness’ too Far
The redoubtable Archbishop of Philadelphia, Charles J. Chaput, told his fellow bishops gathered in the Vatican Synod on the Family that in a world as confused as our own, precise language is critical for keeping the Church united, and unity is key.
France Backs Off Appointment of Openly Gay Ambassador to Vatican
In the immediate wake of the Vatican sacking of a gay priest who attempted to upstage the Vatican Synod on the Family by “coming out” with his boyfriend the day before it began, Socialist French President François Hollande has withdrawn his proposal of Laurent Stefanini, an openly gay official, for the post of ambassador to the Holy See.
Cardinals’ Letter to Pope Francis Reveals Rift in Vatican Synod
On Friday, an unprecedented letter written to Pope Francis by thirteen cardinals taking part in the Vatican synod on marriage and the family was published online, revealing contention regarding the revamped synodal process as well as the suitability of the draft document being used to guide the bishops’ discussions.
