Voices

Gerard O’Connell is America’s Vatican correspondent and author of The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Story of the Conclave That Changed History. He has been covering the Vatican since 1985.
Dispatches
Pope Francis acknowledged that he has not given sufficient attention to the middle class when he speaks about the world rsquo s economy but instead has focused much on the polarization between the rich and the poor and the throw-away culture He said he has ldquo erred rdquo in not thinking more
Dispatches
Asuncion ldquo A faith without solidarity is a weak faith a sick faith a dead faith rdquo nbsp Pope Francis told thousands of shanty town dwellers when he visited them in their settlements in the wetlands of Banado Norte on the last day of his visit in here ldquo I have looked forward to be
Dispatches
Francis address business leaders, politicians in Asuncion
Dispatches
Within hours of his arrival in Paraguay Pope Francis called for the consolidation of democracy in this poor country of 7 million people together with ldquo unceasing efforts rdquo and ldquo a firm will rdquo to fight corruption nbsp He also insisted on the development of an economy that does
Dispatches
ldquo Dear Brothers and Sisters I could not leave Bolivia without seeing you rdquo Pope Francis told thousands of inmates and their families in a prison 15 km outside Santa Cruz on July 10 before leaving Bolivia and flying to Paraguay The prison of Santa Cruz-Palmasola ndash known as an ldqu
Dispatches
In a talk of the utmost importance that is likely to spark discussion and inspire action worldwide Pope Francis made his strongest call yet for ldquo structural change rdquo in the way the world rsquo s economy is run saying the present system ldquo runs counter to the plan of Jesus rdquo nb
Dispatches
Immediately after arriving at La Paz the capital of Bolivia on July 8 Pope Francis spoke of the great challenges facing this country today and declared that ldquo Bolivia is at a historic crossroads rdquo and ldquo Now is the time for Integration rdquo Though he spent less than four hours in
Vatican Dispatch
Francis wants to implement and develop the teaching of Vatican II on collegiality.
Dispatches
In Quito on the last day of his visit to Ecuador Pope Francis made a passionate appeal for social justice and called on Catholics ldquo to be builders of unity rdquo and ldquo to work for inclusivity at every level to avoid forms of selfishness to build communication and dialogue and to encou
Dispatches
GUAYAQUIL A million people from Ecuador and neighboring countries interrupted Pope Francis several times with enthusiastic applause as he delivered an inspiring and encouraging homily on the family and assured them that thanks to Jesus ldquo the best wine is yet to come rdquo He offered this enc