Articles by Elise Harris
Catholic-Lutheran hurdles still exist, but surprising progress has been made
Oct 27, 2016 / 11:11 amAhead of Pope Francis’ coming trip to Sweden to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Catholic and Lutheran leaders have said that while there is still a long way to go toward unity, seemingly impossible steps have already been made.
Syrian refugees arrive to Rome with the hope of a better life
Oct 26, 2016 / 02:03 amThis week 130 Syrian refugees landed in Rome as part of a pilot program aimed at providing safe passage for migrants seeking to enter Europe, all of whom voiced their gratitude and desire to leave war behind.
Pope Francis talks nationwide crisis in meeting with Venezuela's Maduro
Oct 25, 2016 / 04:34 amOn Monday Pope Francis met with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, head of the country’s socialist regime, at the Vatican to discuss the dire political, social and economic situation of Venezuela and its citizens.
Christian girls who barely escaped ISIS credit Mary for their safety
Oct 23, 2016 / 11:57 amSeven young women in Kirkuk credit the Virgin Mary for their safety after spending a harrowing eight hours hidden underneath beds while Islamic State group fighters used their room as a hideout during an assault on the city.
As battle for Mosul rages, Pope appeals for an end to violence in Iraq
Oct 23, 2016 / 05:24 amWith the Iraqi Army currently embroiled in an effort to liberate Mosul and the Plains of Nineveh from the Islamic State, Pope Francis Sunday offered prayers for an end to violence in the country so it can move forward on the path of hope and reconciliation.
Holy See and Benin sign agreement on Church’s legal status
Oct 22, 2016 / 15:05 pmThe Holy See and the Republic of Benin have signed an agreement formally recognizing the legal status of the Catholic Church in the country, guaranteeing the Church’s ability to carry out her mission in service of the common good.
Castel Gandolfo, the summer home of Popes, opens to the public
Oct 22, 2016 / 11:04 amUsed for centuries as a private summer residence for Popes, the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo has now been opened to the public. Visitors may access rooms where Popes have died and where some 50 babies were born during the Second World War.
Pope Francis: don't interrupt others – it won't end well
Oct 22, 2016 / 02:53 amDialogue is a key element of mercy, Pope Francis said Saturday, explaining that when we interrupt others in order to push our own opinions without truly listening, we risk ruining relationships.
Pope Francis: Where are vocations from? An encounter with God
Oct 21, 2016 / 14:54 pmWhen it comes to promoting vocations in the Church, Pope Francis said it all begins with an encounter with God – and that pastoral ministry in the area should focus on listening to youth and being there to answer their questions.
When it comes to Venezuela, new Jesuit head 'critical' of Maduro regime
Oct 21, 2016 / 09:19 amA fellow Jesuit who has known Fr. Arturo Sosa for more than 50 years has said the newly elected head of the order, while not always explicitly vocal, is critical of the current socialist government in Venezuela pioneered by Hugo Chavez.
Vatican, Al-Azhar to officially resume dialogue
Oct 21, 2016 / 05:17 amOn Friday, the Vatican announced it will be sending a representative to Egypt to set plans for the official re-launching of dialogue between the Holy See and the Al-Azhar Mosque and adjunct University, marking a seismic step in Catholic-Muslim relations.
Ratzinger prize recipients include first-ever Orthodox winner
Oct 20, 2016 / 09:50 amAmong the recipients of this year’s Ratzinger Prize is Greek-born Orthodox professor Ioannis Kourempeles, who is widely known for his extensive teaching career and work in dogmatic theology.
Cardinals up in arms over new 'McVatican' proposal
Oct 18, 2016 / 08:27 amThe decision to open a McDonald’s restaurant inside a Vatican property just around the corner from St. Peter’s Square has been met with harsh criticism from cardinals who live in the building.
Pope's Iraq envoy says peace stifled by lack of 'political will'
Oct 17, 2016 / 12:40 pmArchbishop Alberto Ortega, the Pope's Apostolic Nuncio in Iraq and Jordan, has said that in the midst of a drawn-out humanitarian crisis and ongoing feelings of mistrust and betrayal, Christians can be a sign of reconciliation where political efforts continue to fall short.
Iraqis hopeful in battle for Mosul, yet cautious of what lies ahead
Oct 17, 2016 / 10:06 amHours after Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced a ground offensive to retake Mosul from the clutches of Islamic State, a priest working in the thick of the country’s refugee crisis said people are happy with the advances, but unsure what the future will hold.
Pope Francis to visit Italian diocese of Genoa May 27
Oct 17, 2016 / 01:37 amShortly after their bishop was named the new president of the Council of Catholic Episcopal Conferences in Europe, the Archdiocese of Genoa announced that Pope Francis will make a daytrip to the city this coming spring.
Venezuelan Fr. Arturo Sosa elected as new head of Jesuit order
Oct 14, 2016 / 04:01 amAfter several weeks of discussion and discernment, the Jesuit order has elected Fr. Arturo Sosa as their new Superior General, who will be taking over after the resignation of their former leader, Fr. Adolfo Nicolás.
How Europe's bishops plan to guide the Church through murky waters
Oct 13, 2016 / 19:02 pmCardinal Angelo Bagnasco has been elected the new President of the European Bishops Conference – a move which makes a clear statement in terms of how the continent's leaders plan on facing a broad spectrum of current crises.
For Cardinal Vegliò, closing the door to migrants isn't Christian
Oct 13, 2016 / 13:25 pmOn Thursday the Vatican’s longtime point-man on the topic of migration said that the issue is an urgent one that can’t be solved by the “human egoism” that closes doors and fosters a xenophobic attitude toward foreigners.
Christian TV networks in Pakistan ordered to close over lack of permits
Oct 13, 2016 / 05:04 amSeveral Christian television stations in Pakistan were ordered to stop transmitting last month, after the nation's media regulator found that they didn’t have the legal permit required to broadcast their materials.