Archive for December 17, 2014

?w=200&h=150

By Andrea Gagliarducci

An early Christmas present: Pope Francis to meet man serving life sentence

As inmates are moved by a letter Pope Francis has sent to the prison of a small town in central... Read more

The hands of a Syrian refugee woman. ?w=200&h=150

By Kevin J. Jones

Debt, illness, discrimination – Syrian refugees struggle in Lebanon

After losing their homes and their livelihoods, Syrian refugees in Lebanon are now finding their plight worsened by the financial... Read more

?w=200&h=150

An Advent gift: God's mercy in the confessional, cardinal says

As Christmas approaches, priests and penitents should remind themselves of the “miracle” of confession and how we should approach the... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his Oct. 29, 2014 General Audience. ?w=200&h=150

By Elise Harris

Pope: Mary and Joseph exemplify mission, vocation of family life

Pope Francis spoke today about Jesus’ choice to be born into a family, saying that it shows the importance of... Read more

Pope Francis blows out candles on a cake for his 78th birthday in St. Peter's Square during his Wednesday general audience on Dec. 17, 2014. ?w=200&h=150

By Ann Schneible

Tea and cake for Pope Francis as he celebrates 78th birthday

Shouts of “Tanti auguri” – or, “Happy Birthday!” – filled St. Peter's Square Wednesday morning as Pope Francis circled around... Read more

St. Peter holds the keys in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. ?w=200&h=150

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis strengthens commission for the protection of minors

Pope Francis appointed eight new members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors on Wednesday, completing the ranks... Read more

Supporters hold signs Dec. 3, 2013 in support of imprisoned U.S. citizen Alan Gross. He was released from a Cuban prison Dec. 17, 2014. ?w=200&h=150

By Matt Hadro

Vatican, Pope played key role in US-Cuba prisoner release

The Vatican played a critical role behind a prisoner exchange and a groundbreaking new policy between U.S. and Cuba announced... Read more

Candlelight prayer vigil in London on Dec. 17, 2014 in memory of the 141 victims, mostly school children, at a school in Peshawar, Pakistan. ?w=200&h=150

By Elise Harris

School massacre incites horror in Pakistani community

An Australian priest who spent more than 30 years in Pakistan has only one word for the impact of a... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square, Dec. 11, 2013. ?w=200&h=150

Sing Sing inmates participate in gift exchange with Pope Francis

Inside the chapel of Our Lady of Hope at Sing Sing Prison, inmates sitting in the penitentiary’s chapel pews were... Read more

Pope Francis arrives at the airport in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ?w=200&h=150

New app takes Pope Francis' Philippines visit mobile

The new official app for the Pope’s January visit to the Philippines will help people follow the Pope’s activities and... Read more