Pope Francis opened the new year by highlighting in his homily for the feast of Mary, Mother of God, and his Angelus message the same day, the central role women have played in salvation history and that they still have for bringing peace to the world.
Gerard O’Connell
Gerard O’Connell is America’s senior Vatican correspondent and author of The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Story of the Conclave That Changed History. He has been covering the Vatican since 1985.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
In Christmas Message, Pope Francis calls for peace between Israel and Palestine, and throughout the world.
Pope Francis urged people to pray and work for peace in no less than ten conflict situations worldwide.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis tells Curia: The real Catholic divide is not between progressives and conservatives.
In his annual Christmas address to cardinals and bishops who work at the Vatican, Pope Francis said the real division in the church since Vatican II is “between lovers and those who have lost that initial passion.”
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
This Palestinian bishop is worried Christians will disappear from Gaza
“After this war, I fear there will be no more Christians in Gaza after a continuous presence of more than 18 centuries,” Bishop William Shomali said in an exclusive interview.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis allows blessings of couples in same-sex relationships
In a new Vatican document, Pope Francis opened the door for ‘blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples.’
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
On 87th birthday, Pope Francis denounces bombing and shooting of unarmed civilians in Gaza
Francis condemned the killing of two women in the Holy Family parish in Gaza, and the attack on the convent of Mother Teresa’s nuns that care for disabled persons.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Vatican tribunal sentences Cardinal Becciu to prison for financial crimes
A Vatican tribunal has condemned Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu to five years and six months in prison.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Vietnam’s president has invited Pope Francis to visit the country
Vietnam’s Catholic bishops and community have long wanted the pope to come, and Francis has throughout his pontificate given special attention to Asia.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis says he will not be buried at the Vatican, simplifies papal funeral rite
Francis, who will celebrate his 87th birthday on Dec. 17, spoke freely about his health, the possibility of resignation and whether he is losing patience with detractors.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis: ‘The commitment to human rights is never ended.’
Marking the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Pope Francis called for peace in Gaza and respect for human rights.