Pope Francis insisted Thursday that public officials live simply, honestly and transparently as he opened a visit to a Central American region that has been rife with corruption scandals and is now coping with political upheaval in nearby Venezuela.
Pope Francis
Posted inFaith, News
Pope brings World Youth Day to Panama’s detained youth
Francis on Friday will celebrate a special penitential Mass inside the Las Garzas de Pacora detention center, which is Panama’s main youth lockup.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis on St. Óscar Romero, a model saint for Central America’s bishops
The pope described St. Óscar Romero as one of the “prophetic fruits of the church in Central America.”
Posted inFaith, Politics & Society
Pope Francis: Panama has become “a hub of hope” by hosting World Youth Day
Panama’s President, Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez, gave Pope Francis a very warm state welcome at the Presidential Palace located on the site of the original 1673 building. He welcomed him to this land “of peace and dialogue.”
Posted inFaith, News
Pope reflects on using social media for good
Pope Francis said that forming strong communities, even online, requires people who are “animated by feelings of trust” and are pursuing a common objective.
Posted inFaith, News
Amid wall debate, pope says fear of migration makes us crazy
Pope Francis said Wednesday that fear of migration is “making us crazy” as he began a trip to Central America amid a standoff over President Donald Trump’s promised wall at the U.S.-Mexico border and a new caravan of migrants heading north.
Posted inFaith, News Analysis
One-third of U.S. bishops believe church ‘should’ ordain women as deacons
According to a report released by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University on Jan. 22, just 33 percent of bishops in the United States think the church “should” ordain women as deacons.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Inmates at Panama youth prison anticipate visit from pope
On his trip to Panama for the World Youth Day celebrations, Pope Francis will visit the Las Garzas de Pacora detention center in Las Garzas, which is Panama’s main youth lockup. While there, the pope will pray with the inmates, offer a message of peace and reconciliation and will also hear their confessions. This will be the first time Pope Francis has done so on a pilgrimage.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis puts dialogue with Lefebvrites under the doctrinal congregation
Pope Francis has suppressed the Ecclesia Dei Commission, a significant decision with consequences for the Holy See’s relations with the priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Vatican lowers expectations ahead of February’s sex abuse summit
The pope wants the February summit “to be an assembly of pastors, not an academic conference—a meeting characterized by prayer and discernment, a catechetical and working gathering.”