In a heartfelt homily on the first Sunday of Lent, Pope Francis told his hearers to beware of the temptations of Satan, especially to wealth, vanity and pride, and warned them never to “dialogue with the devil.” On the second
In a fascinating exercise in sophistry, Charles C. Camosy, associate professor of theological and social ethics at Jesuit-run Fordham University,makes the case that Catholics can in good conscience vote for a candidate who professes to be a socialist, advocates same-sex marriage, works against religious freedom and insists on women’s right to abortion.
In a historic meeting Friday, Pope Francis met with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill at the Havana airport, and the two signed a joint declaration of common belief and purpose, including a vigorous defense of religious liberty, marriage between a man and a woman, and an unborn’s inviolable right to life.
On the first anniversary of the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) slaughter of 21 Coptic Christians on a beach in Libya, Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill denounced in a joint declaration the systematic persecution of Christians throughout the world.
Pope Francis met Friday with Patriarch Kirill in the first ever meeting between a pontiff and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, a historic development in the 1,000-year schism that has divided Christianity.
On the eve of Pope Francis’ trip to Mexico, Presidential candidate Donald Trump came down hard on the pontiff, calling him a “very political person” who is being exploited by Mexico at America’s expense. The Pope is leaving for Mexico
In one of the most visibly affectionate messages of his papacy, Pope Francis has sent a video to the people of Mexico in preparation for his upcoming visit.
On February 12, history will be made as Francis becomes the first pope ever to meet with the spiritual leader of Russian Orthodoxy, Patriarch Kirill of “Moscow and All Russia.” For over 1,000 years eastern and western Christianity have been
In an hour-long interview with the Asia Times, Pope Francis spoke about his general impressions of China as well as his hope that the Chinese people will be able to work together with other countries to bring about greater peace
In an address at the Vatican on Monday, Pope Francis spoke out strongly against what he called the “terrorism of gossip,” urging his hearers to learn to tame their tongues rather than speak badly about others in their communities.
Leonardo DiCaprio got a “terrifying” up-close look at the effects of climate change while shooting his Oscar-tipped film The Revenant last year, he told reporters backstage at the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Saturday night.
On Thursday, Pope Francis met with Titanic star Leonardo DiCaprio in the Vatican, where the two reportedly discussed the care of the environment, among other things.
In an email to top Vatican personnel and shared with his network of influential friends in Washington DC and around the world, Leonard Leo has blasted Pope Francis and the Vatican for the cozy photo that was allowed to be taken of Francis with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani that ran in newspapers around the world.
On a world day of commemoration of the Shoah, Pope Francis spoke of the history of the people of Israel and God’s special bond of love toward them. In his weekly audience Wednesday, Pope Francis compared God’s love for the
Cuban anti-communist dissidents have denounced communist agents – many, they say, Cuban soldiers disguised as civilians – for attacking the headquarters of the Ladies in White group, setting a fire in front of the building, and burning copies of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Muslims and Christians do not worship the same God, celebrated evangelist Franklin Graham said in response to the controversial claim by a faculty member at Wheaton College in Illinois.
Reiterating one of the leitmotivs of his pontificate, Pope Francis told leaders of the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos not to forget the poor in the midst of their deliberations, but to put them front and center. “To all
On Sunday afternoon, Pope Francis became the third pontiff to visit the Major Temple in Rome, the most important synagogue in the city, and was met with a standing ovation after he recalled the sufferings of the Jewish people at
In an oblique reference to Pope Francis, President Obama blasted those who refer to “World War III” when speaking of the state of the terror in the world today, calling such claims “over the top.” Pope Francis was the first
In his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama used the words of Pope Francis during his visit last fall to strengthen his call for further openness, specifically toward Muslims in the United States, and as a challenge, particularly to GOP frontrunner Donald Trump.
In his most biting condemnation yet of the jihadists of the Islamic State, Pope Francis told members of the international diplomatic corps in the Vatican Monday that every true religion promotes peace, and by contrast, religious extremists who kill in God’s name—such as the Islamic Caliphate—are a perversion of real religion.
If we are willing to recognize our sinfulness and ask God for forgiveness, Pope Francis said Friday, He is always ready to give it.
On the Christian feast of the Epiphany, the commemoration of the visit of the three “kings,” or “wise men,” to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem, Pope Francis underscored the need to lift one’s gaze above the daily cares of this world to discover God.
Exactly one year after the notorious Paris jihadist attacks on the offices of the French weekly magazine Charlie Hebdo, the journal has released an anniversary issue depicting a cover drawing of God toting an AK-47 on his back with the
In his weekly Angelus message Sunday, Pope Francis continued his reflections on the meaning of Christmas, reminding his hearers that on coming into the world Jesus was rejected, and that we too must make a choice whether or not to accept him.
In a meeting with youth this week, Pope Francis was asked what, as a child, he had desired to be when he grew up, to which he offered the surprising response that he had wanted to be a butcher.
In his New Year’s address Friday, Pope Francis said that despite many negative signs that make us think God is absent in the world, His mercy is the only thing capable of overcoming the misery that threatens our world.
CNN Correspondent Tom Foreman declared that 2015 presented “the best argument yet for addressing global climate change” during CNN’s “All the Best, All the Worst 2015” special. Foreman said, during a segment on severe weather in 2016, “By November, 2015
Catholic Cardinal Daniel Sturla wants “flexibility” in the application of a new law requiring zero blood alcohol for Uruguayan drivers, insisting that priests who say Mass necessarily consume some wine during the ceremony.
Contents: Central Americans reach agreement on letting Cuban refugees reach the US; ISIS may be linked to massive suicide bombing in northwest Pakistan
A priest in the Philippines who rode around his church on a hoverboard at the end of Christmas mass has been temporarily suspended by his diocese for a period to “reflect” on his actions.
GOP frontrunner Donald Trump is tied with Pope Francis as the second-most admired man in the world, according to a recent Gallup survey.
Seventy-year-old Cuban-American Francisco Morales, who has lived in the United States for 40 years, was arrested in Cuba on December 23 for setting up a public Christmas display featuring an inflatable Santa Claus and Mickey Mouse.
Pope Francis urged the world in his Christmas message on Friday to unite to end atrocities by Islamist militants that he said were causing immense suffering in many countries. Security was tight at the Vatican as Francis, marking the third
In the Pope’s annual Christmas message to the world that traditionally highlights the gravest problems facing humanity, Francis repeatedly underscored the evils of terrorism, especially in areas dominated by the Islamic State, and completely skipped over environmental concerns that have often figured prominently in his discourses.
In his Christmas Eve homily Thursday, Pope Francis noted the simplicity of Jesus’ birth as he rebuked what he called societies’ intoxication with consumerism, pleasure, abundance and wealth.
Pope Francis will accept next year’s Charlemagne prize, a prominent annual German award for promoting European values, organisers said Wednesday. The Argentine pontiff will receive the medal at a ceremony in Rome on a date still to be determined, the
In preparation for Christmas, Pope Francis underscored Christ’s option to be born into a poor, humble family, adding that people cannot buy their way into Heaven, but must do things God’s way, which is the way of simplicity.
In a meeting with pilgrims Friday, Pope Francis told his audience that at the first Christmas, Jesus didn’t just make an appearance only to leave again but came because he wanted to stay with us and share fully in our lives.
Pope Francis has urged Slovenians to “uphold family values” as the country votes in a referendum on gay marriage. The vote could see Slovenia becoming the first Eastern European country to legalise gay marriage, in what is considered a strongly
