Like Saint Francis, the pope said, “each of us is called to follow in his footsteps by becoming a peacemaker, an ‘artisan’ of peace.”
Vatican Dispatch
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis celebrates first Communion with 245 children in Bulgaria
Even as pope, Francis considers himself a parish priest—“the world’s parish priest” as he once told a friend. This morning, he presided in a small Catholic enclave more than 100 miles from Sofia, the capital city.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis meets with Bulgarian Orthodox Patriarch Neofit
The meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Neofit was only the second meeting in more than a thousand years between a pope and a Bulgarian Orthodox patriarch.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis hails Bulgaria as “a culture of encounter”
“God Bless Bulgaria,” Pope Francis prayed, and “keep her in peace and ever hospitable, and grant her prosperity and happiness.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
What to expect from Pope Francis’ trip to Bulgaria and North Macedonia
Pope Francis will visit Bulgaria and North Macedonia from May 5 to 7, two majority Orthodox countries with very small Catholic populations.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis at Easter appeals for peace in the world, prays for victims of “cruel violence” in Sri Lanka
Pope Francis prayed for victims of the attacks in Sri Lanka and called for peace, highlighting 18 conflicts around the world.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
“Do not bury hope,” says Pope Francis at Easter Vigil
Pope Francis called on Christians not to give into a “tomb psychology,” and quoted the American poet Emily Dickinson, who wrote “We never know how high we are/Till we are called to rise.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
The Chilean church has lost its credibility. Bishop Aos is hopeful he can change that.
On March 23, Pope Francis appointed the Spanish-born Capuchin friar, Bishop Celestino Aos Braco as apostolic administrator of the archdiocese of Santiago, Chile.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
Guaidó supporters describe a ‘silent war’ in Venezuela
The executive branch headed by President Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela “lacks legitimacy” but has de facto power, while Mr. Guaidó has legitimacy but not executive power. Venezuela in effect has two governments.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
South Sudan’s political and religious leaders to begin a retreat at the Vatican in effort for peace
The Vatican described the retreat as “a propitious occasion for reflection and prayer, as well as an occasion for encounter and reconciliation.”