Colleen and Gerry analyze a letter Pope Francis sent to Israeli Jews. Why did the pope choose to address a religious group within Israel, rather than the entire nation?
Pope Francis
Posted inFaith, News
Pope Francis sends message of peace for the Lunar New Year
On Sunday, Pope Francis sent his greetings to all who will celebrate the Lunar New Year on Feb. 10 and invited everyone to pray for peace.
Posted inFaith, News
Full text: A letter from Pope Francis to his ‘Jewish brothers and sisters in Israel’
“In the light of the numerous communications that have been sent to me by various friends and Jewish organizations from all over the world…I feel the desire to assure you of my closeness and affection,” Pope Francis writes.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
A short history of Catholic-Anglican relations—and the last roadblocks to unity
In an exclusive interview with Gerard O‘Connell, two bishops—one Catholic, one Anglican—discuss the road ahead toward Christian unity.
Posted inFaith, News
Street artist of ‘Super Pope’ fame gets official Vatican stamp of approval
Mauro Pallotta, the Italian graffiti artist known as Maupal, has designed cartoon-like images of Pope Francis around the Vatican for a decade. On Thursday, he sat the podium at the Vatican news conference.
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
Rapid developments in Vatican-China relations: Here’s what you need to know
Colleen and Gerry explore the appointment of three new bishops and the approval of a new diocese in China, actions that indicate rapid developments in the Vatican’s complex relationship with China.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis: No peace in Israel and Palestine without two-state solution
“True peace remains distant” between Israel and Palestine until the two-state solution is implemented, Pope Francis said in an interview with the Italian daily La Stampa published today.
Posted inFaith, News
Another Chinese bishop, approved by Pope Francis and government, ordained
For the second time in less than a week, a Chinese bishop was ordained with the approval of both Pope Francis and the Chinese government.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis defends blessings of couples in ‘irregular situations,’ including same-sex unions
Pope Francis sought to clarify the declaration on blessings of couples in “irregular situations” in his address today to the plenary assembly of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
Why Pope Francis is worried about declining birth rates
Colleen and Gerry also parse the pope’s comments on declining birth rates in Italy and address the politicization of the issue and the pope’s call for global economic reforms that promote and support the well-being of young families.