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.

Spirit prevents 'Nobel Prize for Holiness' thoughts, Pope says

May 13, 2013 - 10:31 am .- The Holy Spirit helps Christians remember their personal history so they do not think they are “a winner of the ‘Nobel Prize for Holiness,’” Pope Francis said this morning.

Popemobile trip surprises March for Life participants

May 13, 2013 - 08:25 am .- Pro-lifers who had just finished the third annual Italian March for Life on Sunday were surprised to see Pope Francis coming toward them in the popemobile.

Pope canonizes hundreds of Italian martyrs

May 12, 2013 - 01:30 pm .- Pope Francis on Sunday canonized hundreds of fifteenth century Italian martyrs who died rather than renounce their Christian faith.

Stay focused on human life, Pope tells pro-life marchers

May 12, 2013 - 11:00 am .- Pope Francis greeted the thousands of people who had gathered this morning in Rome to protest against abortion, praising efforts to secure legal protection for human beings at their earliest stages of life.

Pope: Sad Christian faces are like pickled peppers

May 10, 2013 - 09:33 am .- Pope Francis underscored the importance of being joyful by contrasting sad Christian faces – which are more like “pickled peppers” – with the testimony of a beautiful life.

Ohio University band gives Vatican taste of America

May 10, 2013 - 09:01 am .- Priests and Vatican employees opened their office windows this afternoon to find out why they were hearing trumpets and drums, and in the piazza below them they discovered the University of Ohio marching band.