Articles by Elise Harris
Pope Francis asks kids to join Syrian children in praying for peace
May 29, 2016 / 05:19 amMillions of children have either been killed, displaced or orphaned as a result of Syria’s ongoing, bloody civil war.
Want to be a good servant? Be generous, Pope Francis tells deacons
May 29, 2016 / 02:52 amOn Sunday Pope Francis celebrated a special jubilee for deacons, telling them that a good servant is one who forgets themselves, letting go of their own plans and humbly placing their lives at the disposal of those to whom they are called to minister.
Iraqi refugee children make First Communion in Erbil camp
May 28, 2016 / 04:13 amOn Friday, the first of three rounds of displaced Iraqi children made their First Communion in a refugee camp in Erbil, providing a silver lining to an otherwise bleak situation.
Pope Francis' message for Corpus Christi: Let yourself be broken for others
May 26, 2016 / 10:44 amIn breaking bread for his disciples Christ gave an example of what it means to allow oneself to be broken for the good of others, Pope Francis said on the feast of Corpus Christi, explaining that it is the Eucharist which gives us the strength to do this.
Pray without ceasing – not just when you want to, Pope says
May 25, 2016 / 05:56 amFor Pope Francis, prayer is neither a “magic wand” used to get what we want nor something casual we do only when we feel like it, but is rather the strength that sustains our faith in difficult moments.
From the Vatican, top Sunni imam calls for end to terrorism
May 24, 2016 / 11:34 amAfter his historic meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican Monday, Egypt's Grand Imam of al Azhar issued a global appeal to counter terrorism, which he said is “deviant” of true Islam and threatens the both east and west alike.
Pope Francis to meet top Sunni imam at the Vatican
May 19, 2016 / 08:08 amAn official meeting between Pope Francis and Imam Ahmed al Tayyeb will take place Monday at the Vatican, signaling a new step in Catholic-Muslim relations.
Your job is to give voice to the suffering, Pope tells new ambassadors
May 19, 2016 / 06:40 amAs six new ambassadors to the Holy See presented Pope Francis with their credentials, the pontiff stressed that as representatives of their people, they must be the voice of those suffering from tragedies.
This Saint Bernard just met Pope Francis
May 18, 2016 / 11:16 amWhile Pope Francis might have chastised animal-lovers who treat their pets better than people in last week’s general audience, that didn’t stop him from giving a good pat on the head to Magnum – the Saint Bernard with VIP access to today’s audience.
'To ignore the poor is to despise God,' Pope Francis says
May 18, 2016 / 07:03 amIf we don’t show mercy to others we shouldn’t expect to get it from God, Pope Francis said, stressing that while turning a blind eye to the poor might make life on earth easier, the eternal result will be much different.
Don't let fear keep you from World Youth Day, cardinal says
May 17, 2016 / 12:39 pmWith millions of youth set to arrive in Krakow for World Youth Day in just a few weeks, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz said that “there is no danger” and urged those still on the fence to not miss the opportunity out of fear.
You have the right to practice your faith, Pope Francis says in new interview
May 17, 2016 / 08:59 amIn a new interview focused heavily on migration and dialogue with Islam, Pope Francis touched on growing concerns surrounding the hot-button topic of religious freedom.
Pope Francis: the Holy Spirit makes Jesus' teaching come to life
May 15, 2016 / 03:35 amOn the solemnity of Pentecost Pope Francis said the Holy Spirit, rather than giving a new message, brings Jesus’ timeless teachings to life and helps us to both understand and live it throughout our lives.
We were made to be God's children, Pope says on Pentecost
May 15, 2016 / 01:51 amAlthough sin separates us from God, Pope Francis stressed on the feast of Pentecost that we haven’t been left as orphans, but that thanks to Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we can reconcile with the Lord and continue to live as his children.
Why Pope Francis' visit matters to Armenians
May 13, 2016 / 15:45 pmPope Francis’ visit to Armenia this summer comes at a poignant time in the country’s history.
What did Pope Francis actually say about the female diaconate?
May 13, 2016 / 03:55 amYesterday Pope Francis raised eyebrows around the world after declaring his openness to establishing a commission to study the female diaconate, but a careful look at his full response is less of a shocker, and points to nothing new.
Pope Francis says he's open to studying the female diaconate
May 12, 2016 / 09:18 amOn Thursday Pope Francis said he would be open to the idea of forming a commission to study the historical context of the female diaconate, as well as the possibility of women serving as deacons today.
The amazing promise of adult stem cells, and how the Church supports it
May 11, 2016 / 15:51 pm3-D printing of human tissue. Organ transplant therapy for cancer victims that reduces fatalities by 75 percent.
No one can take our dignity – not even the devil, Pope Francis says
May 11, 2016 / 03:11 amOn Wednesday Pope Francis said the father’s embrace in the Parable of the Prodigal Son is a reminder that we never ought to despair, because nothing and no one can take away our dignity as children of God.
Why many women in China won't celebrate Mother's Day
May 8, 2016 / 15:09 pmMothers across the globe are celebrating Mother’s Day today with their husbands and children. But for many women in China, Mother’s Day is a haunting reminder of the cost of their country’s harsh reproductive laws.