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
The Pentagon has weighed in on the Islamic State’s demolition of a 1400-year-old Christian monastery in Iraq, with U.S. Col. Steve Warren calling the move “a battle of savagery against decency.” Speaking from Baghdad, Warren said that the “enemy has
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
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis on Sunday becomes the third pope to visit Rome’s main synagogue in a sign of continued Catholic-Jewish friendship that was highlighted by a recent Vatican declaration that it doesn’t support official efforts to convert
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 an unprecedented display of praise for a pop figure, Vatican Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi tweeted encomium to David Bowie in honor of his passing, offering a final blessing for the rock star with lyrics from one of his most famous
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
As Christians around the world prepare for the canonization of Mother of Teresa of Calcutta, Salon Magazine has responded as one might expect: by smearing the Nobel laureate who spent her entire adult life serving the poorest of the poor.
A completely naked man wearing only a pair of sneakers and a backpack went streaking through Saint Peter’s Basilica Monday afternoon, until he was finally apprehended by members of the Vatican gendarmerie, or police force. The man is reportedly an
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.
Not every reviewer walked away feeling impressed with J.J. Abrams’ first Star Wars film. The reviewer for the Vatican’s daily newspaper felt the villains in George Lucas’ earlier films were better.
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.
This year the Vatican is reclaiming the traditional Judeo-Christian symbol of the rainbow, decorating the enormous Christmas tree in Saint Peter’s Square in rainbow colors as a presage of the coming of the Messiah rather than a symbol of the LGBT movement.
Pope Francis has officially recognized the second miracle of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, clearing the way for her canonization, which will reportedly take place on September 4, 2016, as a major event of the Jubilee Year of Mercy.
A group of prominent Orthodox rabbis in Israel, the United States and Europe have issued a historic public statement affirming that Christianity is “the willed divine outcome and gift to the nations” and urging Jews and Christians to “work together as partners to address the moral challenges of our era.”
Local Church officials have opened a new Catholic university in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, which Erbil Archbishop Bashar Warda has called “a way of fighting back against Islamic State.”
In its latest video, the Islamic State portrays its vision of the end of the world culminating in an epic battle with the West waged in Rome.
JERUSALEM – The global Jews for Jesus organization has denounced the Vatican for its recent pronouncement instructing the Catholic Church to refrain from to converting Jews to Christianity, saying that the Vatican is pandering to Jewish leaders. David Brickner, the
The Vatican has announced the program for Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to Mexico, which will include a visit to the U.S.-Mexican border with the celebration of a “cross-border” Mass.
The Vatican Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews released a text Thursday highlighting the unique relationship between Jews and Christians, underscoring the irrevocable character of God’s covenant with the Jewish people, and urging Christians to work together with Jews to combat “all manifestations of racial discrimination against Jews and all forms of anti-Semitism.”
After officially kicking off the Jubilee Year Tuesday, Pope Francis addressed crowds on Wednesday, telling them that the purpose of a Holy Year is to “live mercy” and that what God likes best is “forgiving his children.”
In anticipation of the millions of pilgrims expected to come to Rome during the Jubilee Year, Rome authorities have initiated a counterterrorism program designed to instruct taxi drivers in the art of recognizing suspicious activities that could signal terroristic intent.
Amidst unprecedented security measures, tens of thousands of pilgrims flocked to Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City early Tuesday for Pope Francis’ inauguration of the Jubilee Year of Mercy and the opening of the Holy Door. The crowds started arriving
Historical souvenir vendors from the oldest Roman Jewish families took to the streets this week in protest of new regulations that forbid street vendors from selling their wares near the Vatican. Though ostensibly a security measure, the vendors—called urtisti—see the
Italian counterterrorism forces are taking no chances of an incident for the opening of the holy door of Saint Peter’s Basilica on December 8 and have prohibited the transport of fuel and natural gas in the city, as well as ammunition, weapons, and toxic gases.
Virtually every newspaper in Italy had the California shooting splashed across its front page Thursday, often in tandem with pieces on the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL), as Italians grapple with the possibilities of violent Islamist assault on their own territory.
In the most recent issue of Nikkei Asian Review, Romanian born political scientist and military analyst Edward N. Luttwak lays out a persuasive theory explaining how Italy has been so successful in thwarting Islamic terror attempts. In a word: Italy is not afraid to deport those it considers to be a threat to national security.
Just when you thought Pope Francis had no more surprises up his sleeve, he has released his first prog-rock album titled “Wake Up!”
After last year’s infamous dustup when German Cardinal Walter Kasper dissed the African bishops present in the Vatican synod, the Germans have once again gone after the Church in Africa as poor, ignorant, and socially backward.
On arriving in Uganda, the second visit of his three-nation tour through Africa, Pope Francis praised the generosity of the Ugandan people in welcoming refugees.
In the last day of his visit to Kenya, Pope Francis visited a poor neighbourhood and spoke to young people in a sports stadium, hammering home his message of outreach to the poor and downtrodden and the need for economic
In an address before the United Nations Office in Nairobi Thursday, Pope Francis reiterated his environmental message, declaring that it would be “sad, and I dare say even catastrophic,” were particular interests to prevail over the common good at the
On the second day of his historic trip to Africa, Pope Francis denounced the recruitment of young people for violence and terrorism by radical Islamists.
In a strongly worded homily, Pope Francis is calling Christmas a “sham” in the face of recent terrorist attacks and wars.
