Pope ties Church movements Mass to Pentecost

May 19, 2013 - 07:22 am .- St. Peter’s Square was “transformed into an open-air Cenacle,” Pope Francis said after he celebrated Pentecost with Church movements.

Spirit's surprises are way to happiness, Pope teaches

May 19, 2013 - 06:58 am .- Around 200,000 pilgrims packed St. Peter’s Square to celebrate Pentecost with Pope Francis, who called on them to be open to “God’s surprises” because they bring true happiness.

Gossip is like slapping Jesus, Pope asserts

May 18, 2013 - 09:15 am .- Pope Francis spoke today about how gossip by Christians is a “slap” to Jesus “in the person of his children.”

American seminarians win Clericus Cup second time

May 18, 2013 - 07:30 am .- The North American Martyrs succeeded in clinching the Clericus Cup for the second year in a row, beating the seminarians from Mater Ecclesiae by a score of 1-0.

Pope's mission app launch spreads Gospel

May 17, 2013 - 11:30 am .- With the touch of an iPad, Pope Francis became the first pontiff to unlock a new smartphone application and expanded the Church’s footprint in the digital world.

Pope tells story of bishop who felt 'unworthy'

May 17, 2013 - 10:35 am .- Pope Francis told the story of a man who felt ashamed of being a bishop to say that people should not worry of being sinners but should concentrate on allowing Jesus to transform them.

Pope points mission societies toward young churches

May 17, 2013 - 09:58 am .- Pope Francis met this afternoon with the directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies and encouraged them to help “the young churches” that operate in difficult and sometimes hostile circumstances.

'Chasm' exists between Pope, liberation theology

May 16, 2013 - 08:04 pm .- Even though Pope Francis is deeply concerned for the poor and has been praised by liberation theologians, there is a stark divide between the pontiff and them, according to a Vatican analyst.

Pope: 'If we annoy people, blessed be the Lord'

May 16, 2013 - 10:40 am .- The Pope told Christians it is better to be “annoying” and “a nuisance” than lukewarm in proclaiming Jesus Christ.

Relations with China affect timing of Matteo Ricci cause

May 16, 2013 - 10:00 am .- Approval for the beatification of the Italian Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci, who ministered in China 500 years ago, depends to some degree on the Vatican’s relations with China.

'Money has to serve, not rule!' Pope tells new ambassadors

May 16, 2013 - 05:47 am .- Pope Francis told the new ambassadors to the Holy See from Kyrgyzstan, Antigua and Barbuda, Luxembourg and Botswana to use money to serve and asked them to help reform the world economy along “ethical lines.”

Vatican bank plans website launch, annual report

May 16, 2013 - 04:18 am .- The institution often called the Vatican bank will launch a new website and begin publishing its annual report, as it continues to improve its transparency and image.

Clergy must be shepherds, not wolves, says Pope

May 15, 2013 - 04:03 pm .- Pope Francis said on Wednesday that bishops and priests must take care to avoid temptations in order to be an effective shepherd, protecting their flock from dangers.

Pope highlights religious freedom on Edict of Milan anniversary

May 15, 2013 - 01:31 pm .- Pope Francis stressed the importance of religious freedom in a message for the 1,700th anniversary of the Roman Emperor Constantine legalizing Christianity.  

Church movements bringing 50,000 more than Vatican expected

May 15, 2013 - 10:45 am .- The attendance response to a Pentecost weekend event for Church movements has exceeded the Vatican’s expectations by 50,000 people.

Cardinal O'Brien leaving Scotland for penance, prayer

May 15, 2013 - 09:39 am .- Cardinal Keith P. O’Brien will be spending several months in penance and prayer outside of Scotland after meeting with Pope Francis, according to the Vatican.

Holy Spirit leads to truth amid relativism, Pope counsels

May 15, 2013 - 04:42 am .- As he looked ahead to Pentecost, Pope Francis spoke about the Holy Spirit’s role in guiding Christians to know Jesus, who is the Truth, in an age of relativism.

Vatican announces its debut at Venice art festival

May 14, 2013 - 09:33 am .- The Vatican is participating for the first time in a famous international art exposition in Venice under the theme “Creation, Un-Creation and Re-Creation,” with the aim of promoting modern dialogue on faith.

Satan 'always rips us off,' Pope warns

May 14, 2013 - 08:01 am .- Christians who buy into Satan’s temptation to live selfishly get swindled, while those who live life as a “gift” to others are immersed in love and the Church community, Pope Francis said.

Vatican stats show continued growth in Africa, Asia

May 13, 2013 - 11:04 am .- Vatican statistics released today show that the number of Asian and African Catholics is continuing its upward trajectory, while the Church in Europe is still shrinking.