Articles by Elise Harris
New press office directors given warm Vatican welcome
Jul 12, 2016 / 10:07 amAfter the appointment of two laypersons as the new directors of the Holy See Press Office, Msgr. Dario Vigano said that while their roles haven’t yet been clearly defined amid ongoing reforms, the two will play a key role in Vatican communications.
The Good Samaritan isn't just a parable, it's a way of life, Pope says
Jul 10, 2016 / 04:56 amOn Sunday Pope Francis said the parable of the Good Samaritan isn’t just a nice passage to reflect on, but signifies a concrete choice we make in deciding how to live and treat those around us.
WYD pilgrims to receive a social doctrine app from the Pope
Jul 9, 2016 / 16:52 pmPope Francis has established a tech-savvy track record as Pope, and now in addition to breaking records on Instagram and becoming the first Pope to use Google Hangouts, he will give World Youth Day pilgrims a new electronic app.
This layman who refuted Nazism was declared a martyr by Pope Francis
Jul 8, 2016 / 12:16 pmOn Friday Pope Francis moved eight martyrs a step further on the path to sainthood, one of whom is Josef Mayr-Nusser, an Italian layman killed for refusing to swear an oath to Hitler during the Second World War.
Vatican sentences cleric, laywoman in second 'Vatileaks' trial
Jul 7, 2016 / 09:50 amAfter an eight month trial weighing the guilt of five individuals in the leaking and disseminating of confidential financial documents, the Vatican has reached a verdict, sentencing a Vatican official and a laywoman for the crime.
Archbishop Cupich appointed to Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops
Jul 7, 2016 / 05:43 amOn Thursday the Vatican announced Pope Francis’ decision to nominate Archbishop Blase Cupich of Chicago as a new member of the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops.
Respect indigenous cultures, traditions, Pope asks in new prayer video
Jul 6, 2016 / 23:08 pmPope Francis has dedicated the month of July to praying for the world’s indigenous peoples, asking specifically in his new prayer video that their identity and cultural traditions be respected.
Pope Francis tells poor they are 'the treasures of the Church'
Jul 6, 2016 / 06:27 amOn Wednesday Pope Francis met with a group of poor and disabled pilgrims, calling them the “treasures of the Church,” and entrusting them with the special task of praying for the proud, greedy, vain and hypocrites.
Pope Francis meets with parents of American student killed in Rome
Jul 6, 2016 / 02:50 amAfter the tragic death of Beau Solomon in Rome late last week, Pope Francis met with the young student’s parents, who traveled to the city once they heard that their son was missing.
Pope to world leaders: if you want to help Syrians, stop funding the war
Jul 5, 2016 / 03:34 amIn his message for a new campaign promoting peace in Syria, Pope Francis called out world leaders who speak of ending the conflict, but at the same time fund the war through the sale of arms.
Pope Francis says Mother Angelica was 'a holy woman'
Jul 3, 2016 / 05:01 amAfter speaking to EWTN News about how he recently helped his elderly mother to meet Pope Francis, Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo was able to show the Pope himself a few clips of the interview.
His mother rejected an abortion – now, this priest helped her meet the Pope
Jul 2, 2016 / 08:13 amIt was during the thalidomide sleeping pill craze that Sarah Figueiredo became pregnant with her fourth and last child, Anthony.
Bangladesh attack an offense against God, humanity, Pope Francis says
Jul 2, 2016 / 07:50 amPope Francis has again voiced his sorrow for another “barbarous” terrorist attack, offering his prayers for the families and victims of a July 1 a siege on a restaurant in Bangladesh left 20 people dead.
How to understand Pope Francis' 'apology' to the gay community
Jun 30, 2016 / 08:35 amAs Pope Francis on Sunday backed the idea of apologizing to gay individuals who may feel marginalized by the Church, discussion has once again broken out over how to interpret the pontiff’s words.
Mercy without works is dead, Pope Francis says
Jun 30, 2016 / 04:10 amIn his Jubilee general audience for the month of June, Pope Francis focused his speech on the works of mercy and how to put them into action. He also gave thanks for his recent visit to Armenia, and spoke of his coming trips to Georgia and Azerbaijan.
Pope Francis mourns victims of 'heinous' attack on Istanbul airport
Jun 29, 2016 / 03:30 amDuring his Wednesday Angelus address Pope Francis offered prayers for the victims of Tuesday’s deadly attack on an Istanbul airport, asking that God would convert the hearts of those who choose violence.
Prayer is the 'way out' of a closed heart and mind, Pope Francis says
Jun 29, 2016 / 02:15 amOn Wednesday Pope Francis gave 25 new archbishops the pallium, encouraging them to remain strong in prayer, which he said helps in staying open to God’s surprises, rather than closing in on oneself.
Benedict XVI to Francis: 'your goodness is a place where I feel protected'
Jun 28, 2016 / 05:22 amOn Tuesday, Benedict XVI gave his second public speech since his final day as Pope, expressing gratitude for a lengthy priesthood and for Pope Francis' “goodness,” which he said moves him deeply.
Pope Francis says Church must accompany gays, not discriminate
Jun 26, 2016 / 14:24 pmIn a wide-ranging inflight press conference on his way back from Armenia on Sunday, Pope Francis responded to a question on recent comments made by Cardinal Reinhard Marx, who said the Church must apologize to homosexual persons for having “marginalized” them.
How can disabled persons be more integrated into the Church?
Jun 20, 2016 / 11:13 amA Vatican conference dedicated to the up-and-coming 'theology of disability' aims not only to end common stigma surrounding persons with disabilities, but to show that their lives are a gift and to help integrate them more fully into the life of the Church and of society.