Articles by Elise Harris
Pope makes unexpected stop at Franciscan monastery
Jul 30, 2016 / 10:26 amBefore heading to an evening prayer vigil with youth, Pope Francis made an unannounced stop at a Franciscan monastery housing the relics of two martyrs, where he prayed for peace and an end to violence.
Are young Catholics cynical about politics? Nope, Cardinal Dolan says
Jul 30, 2016 / 02:02 amWith political discourse taking a turn for the nasty(er) as the U.S. presidential elections draw near, are youth disillusioned by the inflammatory, insulting remarks that have come to define this year's race?
The cruelty of Auschwitz still continues, Pope tells youth
Jul 29, 2016 / 12:46 pmSpeaking from the balcony of the bishop's palace in Krakow, Pope Francis told youth gathered below that the horror lived by prisoners in the Auschwitz extermination camp isn’t over, but still continues in those who suffer various forms of cruelty today.
Three words every couple should know, according to Pope Francis
Jul 28, 2016 / 13:28 pmMarried couples were the focus of Pope Francis’ second “balcony talk” in Poland on Thursday, receiving from him three words he has often said are key to a successful marriage.
In first balcony talk, Pope tells youth to 'make chaos'
Jul 27, 2016 / 15:51 pmOn his first night in Krakow Pope Francis was already stirring things up with participants in WYD by hosting an off-the-cuff Q and A and telling them to ‘make chaos’ by spreading the joy of their faith.
The story of Poland's majestic 'underground salt cathedral'
Jul 27, 2016 / 02:49 amLocated just southeast of Krakow, the Wieliczka salt mine is famous for many things – most notably its underground chapels, made entirely out of rock salt.
Pope Francis goes to Krakow tomorrow – here's what to watch for
Jul 26, 2016 / 10:05 amMany special moments are anticipated during Pope Francis' visit to Poland this week for World Youth Day, especially considering his visit to Auschwitz and his meeting with 10 Holocaust survivors.
For youth in Krakow, seeing Pope Francis will be 'out of this world'
Jul 25, 2016 / 13:40 pmAs thousands of youth are setting foot in Krakow for World Youth Day, many voiced their excitement not only to meet peers who share the same faith, but above all to see Pope Francis in person.
Pope shakes up cloisters with new norms focused on prayer, centralization
Jul 22, 2016 / 05:53 amAmid modern challenges emerging from a culture which provides increasingly easier access to outside distractions, Pope Francis has issued new norms for women’s cloistered communities, which place a special emphasis on prayer and the centralization of communities.
Mary Magdalene – 'Apostle to the Apostles' – gets upgraded feast day
Jul 22, 2016 / 02:57 amFaithful to the wish of Pope Francis, a new decree has bumped the liturgical celebration honoring St. Mary Magdalene from a memorial to a feast, putting her on par with the apostles.
The powerful witness of Iraqi young people at World Youth Day
Jul 21, 2016 / 11:02 amAmong the swarms of pilgrims registered for World Youth Day in Poland next week is a large group of Iraqi youth, who aim to witness to the joy of their faith despite ongoing violent persecution.
Pope Francis to meet Holocaust survivors during Auschwitz visit
Jul 20, 2016 / 12:49 pmThough rumors have been floating for some time, the Vatican confirmed that the Pope will meet with 10 Holocaust survivors during his upcoming visit to Auschwitz while in Poland for World Youth Day.
Who is 'the Black Madonna' and why is she so important?
Jul 19, 2016 / 02:02 amOur Lady of Czestochowa, also known as the “Black Madonna,” will be one of Pope Francis' primary stops during his visit to Poland at the end of this month for the global World Youth Day gathering.
As reforms roll out, Pope Francis proves a man of his word
Jul 15, 2016 / 14:03 pmSeveral recent appointments by Pope Francis to Vatican departments show that his reform of the Roman Curia is in tune with what he's said from the beginning about his vision for the Church.
Gammarelli legacy passes to sixth generation of papal tailors
Jul 15, 2016 / 02:02 amFor five generations the Gammarellis have dressed and shod the Vicar of Christ through their family business, Rome’s historic Ditta Annibale Gammarelli.
Vatican condemns Nice attack as 'homicidal madness'
Jul 15, 2016 / 01:52 amAfter a truck plowed through crowds celebrating Bastille Day in the French city of Nice, killing 84, the Vatican has expressed solidarity with the victims, firmly condemning all acts of terrorism and hate.
Vatican event draws heavy hitters to discuss faith, sports
Jul 14, 2016 / 10:31 amAlongside other global institutions such as the United Nations and the International Olympic Committee, German-based insurance carrier Allianz has partnered with the Vatican for a sports conference aimed at exploring the benefits of faith and sport, and to put these into action.
Vatican department for Latin America gets surprise visit from Pope Francis
Jul 13, 2016 / 09:35 amAfter a trip to the dentist Wednesday, Pope Francis made the spontaneous decision to stop by the Pontifical Commission for Latin America – a visit one official says demonstrates his close pastoral concern for those in his care.
Pope takes new step in relaunching dialogue with Al-Azhar
Jul 13, 2016 / 05:20 amLess than two months after one of Sunni Islam’s highest authorities came to the Vatican following several years of icy relations, Pope Francis has sent a representative to Egypt’s Al-Azhar University in a bid to relaunch dialogue between the two.
Pope taps US religious freedom advocate for Vatican communications team
Jul 13, 2016 / 05:06 amOn Wednesday the Vatican released the names of 16 people appointed by Pope Francis to the Vatican’s Secretariat for Communications, among whom is American religious freedom and prolife attorney Kim Daniels.