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Pope Francis offers prayers for those affected by California wildfires

by Gerard O’Connell October 13, 2017

Pope Francis today assured his “heartfelt solidarity” and “prayers” for all those affected by the wildfire that is causing disasters in California. He mentioned in particular “those who mourn the loss of their loved ones” and those “who fear for the lives of those still missing.” He also sent words of “encouragement” to the civil authorities and […]

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Faith, Vatican Dispatch

To celebrate 400th anniversary, Vincentians gather with Pope Francis

by Gerard O’Connell October 12, 2017

The Vincentian family was founded 400 years ago.

Pope Francis speaks during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 11. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Faith, Vatican Dispatch

Pope Francis: The death penalty is contrary to the Gospel

by Gerard O’Connell October 11, 2017

The pope’s comments and the timing of them suggest that a revision of the Catechism of the Catholic Church may be forthcoming to reflect this new development in the church’s understanding.

Pope Francis gestures as he leaves his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 11. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Dispatches, Faith

Pope Francis reaches Twitter milestone, with more than 40 million followers

by Michael J. O’Loughlin October 11, 2017

Pope Francis and President Trump are now tied as Twitter’s most followed global leaders.

Pope Francis prepares to greet bishops during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 4. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Faith, News

Pope Francis: Canon law must serve Vatican II vision of the church

by Cindy Wooden - Catholic News Service October 10, 2017

The Catholic Church’s Code of Canon Law is an instrument that must serve the church’s pastoral mission of bringing God’s mercy to all and leading them to salvation, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis arrives to lead his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 4. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Faith, News

Pope Francis recognizes the martyrdom of Franciscan priest and layman killed in Guatemala

by Catholic News Service October 10, 2017

Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of nine men and women, including a Franciscan priest who championed the land rights of farmers in Guatemala.

Pope Francis greets family members during an audience with participants in an international congress on protecting children in a digital world, at the Vatican Oct. 6. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano)

Faith, News

Listen to families on ‘Amoris Laetitia,’ bishops and theologians say

by Michael J. O’Loughlin October 6, 2017

“Amoris Laetitia” has yet to resonate with many black Catholics in the United States.

Pope Francis greets Muireann O'Carroll, 16, from Ireland during an audience with participants in an international congress on protecting children in a digital world, at the Vatican Oct. 6. The pope pledged "to work strenuously and with foresight for the protection of minors and their dignity." (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano)

Dispatches, Politics & Society

Pope Francis commits the church to protect children from abuse in the digital world

by Gerard O’Connell October 6, 2017

The Declaration of Rome appealed “to leaders of the world’s great religions to inform and mobilize members of every faith to join in a global movement to protect the world’s children.”