Articles by Elise Harris
The world needs Christ more than ever, Pope Francis says
Jun 19, 2016 / 04:12 amOn Sunday Pope Francis said that with a growing sense of emptiness and insecurity gripping the world, Jesus Christ is needed more than ever before, since he alone knows how to answer humanity’s deepest questions.
Priests in Rome get a surprise visit from Pope Francis
Jun 17, 2016 / 11:00 amOn Friday afternoon Pope Francis visited two communities of priests in Rome as part of his “Mercy Friday” initiative to spend time with various groups each month during the Jubilee of Mercy.
Vatican lends hand in welcoming new group of Syrian refugees to Rome
Jun 17, 2016 / 07:29 amSince 2015, when the refugee crisis reached a fever pitch in Europe, five Syrian families fleeing civil war have found refuge in Italy with the help of the Vatican. As of Thursday, nine more people have been added to that list.
Christians in Aleppo offer food to poor Muslims during Ramadan
Jun 16, 2016 / 23:08 pmDespite the war raging around them, Syriac Orthodox Christians in Aleppo have decided to provide food to poor Muslim families throughout the Islamic month of Ramadan.
You are 'artisans of wonder,' Pope Francis tells performers
Jun 16, 2016 / 09:14 amPope Francis told a group of nearly 6,000 traveling performers that while their work is demanding and at times unstable, it gives them the ability to bring light to what is an often dark world.
Are you 'bothered' by the cry of the poor? If so, it’s a problem, Pope says
Jun 15, 2016 / 03:50 amPope Francis said Wednesday that we must listen to the cries of the poor and needy, resisting the temptation to close our hearts because we are “bothered” by their constant pleas for help.
Here's how Benedict XVI will celebrate his 65th anniversary as a priest
Jun 14, 2016 / 11:13 amOn June 29 Benedict XVI will celebrate the 65th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood – a milestone he will commemorate in a special ceremony with Pope Francis inside the Vatican’s apostolic palace.
Vatican insists new lay movements are nothing to be afraid of
Jun 14, 2016 / 05:46 amThe Vatican’s doctrinal watchdog has issued a new document affirming that while some might be hesitant in the face of new lay movements in the Church, they are a “great gift” in ecclesial life.
Pope Francis calls it – discrimination against the disabled is 'ugly'
Jun 11, 2016 / 10:56 amNo single person is more valuable than another, especially when it comes to those with disabilities, Pope Francis said on Saturday,, insisting that these people have a unique richness, and that discriminating against them is “one of the ugliest things” we can do.
Social media, WYD, and a 'tweetable' Pope – evangelizing in a digital era
Jun 11, 2016 / 05:48 amAs thousands of young people prepare to hit Krakow in July for World Youth Day, the race to spread the word about the event is well underway, with organizers turning to social media as a primary platform in conveying the message of a very “sharable” Pope Francis.
Vatican pens new contract with global auditing firm
Jun 10, 2016 / 04:36 amAfter putting a freeze on their contract with external auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers in April, the Vatican has announced a new agreement with the company, who will now serve as an aide to the Holy See’s own internal auditing entity.
Pope sets up group to allocate crisis funds in Ukraine
Jun 9, 2016 / 23:37 pmAfter raising funds for humanitarian relief in Ukraine through a special collection in Europe, Pope Francis has established a committee to decipher the most urgent needs and get help to where it's most needed.
Sick, disabled to take on main roles in jubilee Mass at Vatican
Jun 9, 2016 / 14:02 pmThe sick and disabled have always held a special place in Pope Francis’ heart, and have been the recipients of some of his most tender acts as Bishop of Rome. Now they will take on the prominent roles at a Mass for the Year of Mercy at the Vatican.
Simplification, decentralization the keywords in ongoing curial reform
Jun 8, 2016 / 09:55 amThis week Pope Francis’ council of nine cardinals completed their 15th round of meetings on curial reform, tossing around suggestions on how to better harmonize and simplify the various Vatican departments.
Pope Francis: Want to celebrate well? Drink wine.
Jun 8, 2016 / 04:09 amIn an in-depth look at Jesus’ first miracle of turning water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana, Pope Francis pointed to several key moments in the scene that illuminate our understanding of Christ.
Leprosy is still a problem...and these religious leaders are working to fight it
Jun 7, 2016 / 14:55 pmWhile many in the developed world might consider leprosy a thing of the biblical past, the illness – officially called Hansen’s Disease – is still a problem for less-advanced nations coated with social stigma.
Francis pleas for solidarity with elderly, marginalized in latest prayer video
Jun 5, 2016 / 10:15 amFor Pope Francis, June is a month dedicated to praying for a demographic he frequently brings up in his speeches and homilies: the elderly, sick and marginalized, particularly for solidarity for those in big cities.
New saints show the power of Jesus' resurrection, Pope Francis says
Jun 5, 2016 / 03:30 amSt. Stanislaus of Jesus and Mary and St. Maria Elizabeth Hesselblad are key examples of how to unite oneself to Jesus’ Passion and death, as well as the power of his resurrection, Pope Francis said Sunday, after canonizing the two.
Archbishop Shevchuk on the 'silent war' no one cares about
May 29, 2016 / 15:02 pmIt's a conflict that's been raging in Ukraine for two years, costing thousands of lives and displacing millions of people. But the international community seems to have largely forgotten about it.
Pope Francis to author new book answering teens' questions
May 29, 2016 / 10:52 amAfter becoming the first Pope to author a children's book earlier this year, Pope Francis will soon come out with another, based on his responses to questions posed by youth through a new online platform.