Articles by Elise Harris
Pope Francis dedicates October to praying for the unemployed
Oct 8, 2017 / 05:50 amHaving dignified work is a topic Pope Francis has continuously returned to since his election, and it surfaced again in his latest prayer video, which urges viewers to spend October praying that employees have just working conditions, and for the unemployed.
The 'novelty' of Christianity is love, not revenge, Pope Francis says
Oct 8, 2017 / 03:39 amOn Sunday Pope Francis said the new and unique perspective offered by Christianity is an attitude of love, rather than revenge, which God continues to adopt even in the face of our sins and errors.
One hundred years later, Fatima still offers a potent message
Oct 7, 2017 / 11:19 amAlthough the Fatima apparitions occurred 100 years ago, the Vatican’s resident Fatima expert has said they contain a message that is both relevant and needed in the world today.
Religious, secular experts unite in call to protect child safety online
Oct 6, 2017 / 11:12 amIn a joint declaration on the need to protect youth on the internet, leaders and experts from various fields stressed the need Friday to raise awareness of digital dangers and to collaborate on child protection.
Pope Francis: 'painful' failures help Church lead in protecting minors
Oct 6, 2017 / 03:41 amOn Friday Pope Francis told a group of religious and secular experts from around the world that protecting minors against increasing online threats is a serious new concern, and one in which the Church can be a leading voice given the experience gleaned from past mistakes.
Microsoft rep calls Catholic Church a key ally in protecting kids online
Oct 5, 2017 / 11:19 amThe head of Microsoft's office for online safety has said the Catholic Church is a key ally in the ongoing effort to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation online.
Amid fresh unrest, all Iraqis must work for unity, Pope says
Oct 5, 2017 / 03:49 amAs the Chaldean Catholic Church begins their annual synod, Pope Francis kicked the meeting off by telling leaders of the eastern rite that given the new apprehensions arising from increasing political instability, they must urgently work to promote unity at all levels of society.
Internet porn is the 'neon colosseum' of the digital age, expert says
Oct 4, 2017 / 15:57 pmIt's well-known that in ancient Rome hundreds of thousands of people would to pile into the stacked layers of stone seating in the Colosseum to watch gladiators fight to their death, cheering on as the warriors met a bloody and often drawn-out end.
Pope announces pre-synod meeting with youth as participants
Oct 4, 2017 / 08:57 amPope Francis announced Wednesday that ahead of next year's synod of bishops on youth, a preliminary meeting will take place drawing young people from various countries and walks of life.
Christians must be 'missionaries of hope,' Pope Francis says
Oct 4, 2017 / 02:51 amTrue Christians are not sad or gloomy, but have the specific task of being bearers of hope, Pope Francis said Wednesday – and not only with their words, but with actions as simple as a smile or an act of charity.
Cardinal Parolin: When protecting kids in the digital world, don't forget the peripheries
Oct 3, 2017 / 14:09 pmIn the keynote speech at a conference on protecting children in the digital world, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said child safety is one of the most urgent issues of modern times, and stressed that children on the global “peripheries” shouldn't be forgotten.
Vatican conference tackles new technology and medicine
Oct 2, 2017 / 23:43 pmTechnology will be at the heart of an upcoming Vatican conference on accompanying human life in the digital era, particularly with regard to the medical field.
Pope mourns victims of 'senseless' Las Vegas shooting
Oct 2, 2017 / 05:34 amOn Monday, Pope Francis offered his condolences and spiritual support to victims of a deadly shooting in Las Vegas that left at least 50 people dead and hundreds more wounded when a gunman opened fire at a country music festival.
Pope zeroes-in on 'fake news' for next communications day
Sep 29, 2017 / 05:24 amWith social platforms increasingly targeting so-called “fake news,” Pope Francis has decided to weigh-in, dedicating his message for the 2018 World Day of Social Communications to providing the truth and eliminating the spread of false information.
Cardinal Parolin: Iraqi Christians are called to be 'artisans' of reconciliation
Sep 28, 2017 / 23:21 pmDuring a conference on rebuilding Christian villages on the Plains of Nineveh, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said Christians are an essential part of Iraqi society, and must strive to be witnesses of peace true reconciliation.
Euthanasia movement is weaker than it seems, expert says
Sep 27, 2017 / 17:45 pmA leading opponent of assisted suicide says that while the movement supporting euthanasia seems strong, the reality is that, at least in the United States, it has had few political victories.
Pope Francis launches campaign to encounter and welcome migrants
Sep 27, 2017 / 11:18 amPope Francis on Wednesday announced a new initiative encouraging a “culture of encounter” and efforts to warmly welcome immigrants and refugees.
For homeless woman, Rome trip proves that 'good things can happen'
Sep 25, 2017 / 23:24 pmAfter a long struggle with alcoholism and homelessness, Melanie Medina has turned her life around. She said that a recent pilgrimage to Rome has proven that change is possible, and that “good things can happen.”
Inclusion, dialogue highlighted in new Vatican guidelines for educators
Sep 24, 2017 / 21:36 pmThe Vatican has issued new guidelines for Catholic educators, developed to help them respond to the modern challenges of a globalized society, placing a heavy emphasis on inclusion, the need to dialogue and the importance of “humanizing” education so the person is at the center.
Pope and Peruvian president discuss Venezuela, upcoming papal visit
Sep 24, 2017 / 17:54 pmPope Francis met with Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski Friday to discuss the country’s fight against poverty, the crisis in Venezuela and the Pope's upcoming visit, among other topics.