Francis has revolutionized the College of Cardinals by passing over large archdioceses like Los Angeles, Venice and Milan in favor of picking men from the peripheries who reflect his pastoral orientation and concern for the poor.
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Catholic leaders in U.S. and Holy Land reflect on an anniversary of violence
The violence has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent victims, but it also “struck a profound blow to the common feeling of belonging to the Holy Land, to the consciousness of being part of a plan of Providence.”
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Pope Francis to Catholics in the Middle East: Thank you for being able to pray and love despite everything
In a letter on the anniversary of the October 7 attacks in the Middle East, Pope Francis calls for an end to conflict and a dialogue of peace.
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Synod members vote to dialogue with study groups on controversial issues set up by Pope Francis
The study groups are investigating questions such as how to improve seminary education, ministry to LGBTQ Catholics and possible ministry roles for women in the Catholic Church.
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Synod bishop: Western Catholics ‘obsession’ with women deacons ignores marginalized women
When Catholics in the global North are “obsessed” with the issue of women’s ordination, “women who in many parts of the church and world are treated as second-class citizens are totally ignored,” Bishop Anthony Randazzo said.
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Pope Francis defends giving women and lay men voting rights at synod
Pope Francis said he wanted to respond to a “storm of chattering” that had developed around his expansion of synod membership.
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Secretive Synod study group says no to women deacons
Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, the Vatican’s doctrine chief, announced today that “based on the analysis so far…there is still no room for a positive decision” on ordaining women deacons.
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Pope Francis at synod opening Mass: No one has an ‘an exclusive right’ to God’s voice
“Those who arrogantly claim to have the exclusive right to hear the voice of the Lord cannot hear it,” Pope Francis said at the opening Mass of the Synod on Synodality.
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Synod opens with unusual penitential service: 7 cardinals ask for forgiveness for church’s sins
The Catholic Church cannot be credible in its mission of proclaiming Christ unless it acknowledges its mistakes and bends down “to heal the wounds we have caused by our sins,” Pope Francis said.
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Cardinal Müller questions ‘canonical status’ of synod because so many non-bishops are participating
German Cardinal Gerhard Müller, a former Vatican doctrinal chief, cast sharp criticism on the Synod on Synodality days ahead of the synod’s second and final session starting Oct. 2.