Articles by Elise Harris
Pope Francis creates new Vatican office for integral human development
Aug 31, 2016 / 03:00 amOn Wednesday the Vatican announced Pope Francis’ decision to form a new mega-dicastery merging the Vatican offices for Justice and Peace, Migrants, charity and healthcare.
Vatican encourages works of mercy through new social media campaign
Aug 30, 2016 / 09:14 amIn honor of all “workers and volunteers of mercy,” the Vatican is encouraging those who volunteer in different service opportunities to share their testimony on social media with the hashtag #BeMercy.
Pope Francis meets Mark Zuckerberg and his wife at the Vatican
Aug 29, 2016 / 05:10 amOn Monday Pope Francis met with Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder and CEO of social networking giant Facebook, at the Vatican, marking the latest in a string of visits from other major tech-heads this year.
The powerful story of a nun who survived Italy's earthquake
Aug 26, 2016 / 15:40 pmSister Marjana Lleshi awoke in the early hours of Wednesday morning to the violent shaking of the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that killed 250 people, devastating several towns in central Italy.
Nonviolent politics to be the focus of next World Day of Peace
Aug 26, 2016 / 04:27 amAnnounced Friday, the theme Pope Francis selected for the 2017 World Day of Peace focuses on nonviolence as a political solution to what he has frequently termed a “piecemeal World War III” being waged throughout the globe.
In rare interview, Benedict XVI names his favorite saints
Aug 26, 2016 / 02:02 amSince he resigned from the papacy over three years ago, Benedict XVI rarely gives interviews. In a recent exception, however, the former pontiff took the time to chat not only about his successor, but the saints who've accompanied him throughout his life.
Life isn't black and white – teach priests to discern the gray, Pope says
Aug 25, 2016 / 03:18 amIn a conversation with members of the Jesuit order from Poland, Pope Francis said the real life situations of everyday Catholics aren’t black and white, but rather vary on a spectrum of gray.
Pope John Paul I to be honored with museum in northern Italy
Aug 24, 2016 / 10:04 amOn Friday a museum dedicated to Pope John Paul I will officially be inaugurated in the hometown of the “Smiling Pope,” whom Pope Francis has often quoted when speaking on the topic of mercy.
Pope tosses audience speech, prays rosary for victims of Italy quake
Aug 24, 2016 / 02:04 amInstead of giving the usual catechesis during his Wednesday general audience, Pope Francis decided to postpone the speech, leading pilgrims in praying the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary for the victims of an earthquake that rocked central Italy earlier that morning.
Reflections on Mother Teresa from her 'Apostle of the Rosary'
Aug 23, 2016 / 14:29 pmWomen’s rights activist Reggie Littlejohn is known for her fierce work fighting forced abortion and gendercide in China, often through grilling speeches given before the U.S. Congress and the United Nations.
Pope Francis dedicates Olympic month to praying for sports
Aug 21, 2016 / 07:27 amWhile Pope Francis has often spoken about sports as a means of fellowship and fraternity, the message has a special resonance in his August prayer intention, which coincided with the Rio Summer Olympics.
Pope prays for victims of 'bloody' attack at a wedding in Turkey
Aug 21, 2016 / 04:16 amAfter an explosion in southern Turkey lit up a wedding ceremony, killing 50 people and wounding nearly 100 more, Pope Francis offered his prayers for the victims, and asked for peace to be given to all.
Pope Francis to visit Assisi again for interreligious summit
Aug 19, 2016 / 09:03 amIn September Pope Francis will make his second visit to Assisi in just two months for an interreligious summit for peace, where he will pray and meet alongside major Islamic and Orthodox leaders.
Pope taps Dallas bishop to head new Vatican department for laity
Aug 17, 2016 / 03:13 amBishop Kevin Farrell of Dallas has been appointed the head of Francis’ new mega-dicastery for laity, family, and life – a decision that marks the second major appointment of an American to a Vatican position this summer.
France offering all Assumption Masses for the country's intentions
Aug 15, 2016 / 11:32 amFollowing the wave of Islamist terror attacks that have bloodied France since last year, the country’s bishops have decided to offer all Masses on the Feast of the Assumption for France.
The little-known Catholicism of a 'Walker, Texas Ranger' star
Aug 10, 2016 / 03:03 amClarence Gilyard is the seasoned Hollywood actor who kicked major bad-guy posterior as Chuck Norris' gun-slinging, karate-kicking deputy James Trivette on the hit 1993-2001 CBS series.
New Iraqi priests bring joy amid years of sadness, displacement
Aug 8, 2016 / 14:02 pmFr. Roni Salim Momika, one of three priests ordained in an Erbil refugee camp Friday, said the event has turned the dreary mood of displaced Christians into one of joy, which he hopes will give them the strength to stay in their homeland.
WYD Panama will 'revitalize' Church in Central America
Aug 1, 2016 / 15:53 pmAfter Pope Francis announced Panama as the host of the next World Youth Day, the country’s bishops said the decision is a reflection of his attention to the peripheries and voiced their hope to be a “bridge” for those who come from all continents.
Panama to host next WYD in 2019, Pope announces
Jul 31, 2016 / 02:28 amOn Sunday Pope Francis officially closed WYD in Krakow, thanking the thousands of youth who traveled across the world to participate, and announced that the next global encounter will take place in Panama.
This young postulant says 'don't be afraid' of God's calling
Jul 30, 2016 / 15:02 pmMany things happen during World Youth Day. Young people from all over the world travel to meet the Pope, they meet peers with whom they can share their faith, many have personal conversions and many even discover their vocations.