Articles by Elise Harris
Pope Francis: when you say 'love,' do you really know what it means?
Jan 8, 2016 / 05:22 amLove was the center of Pope Francis’ second daily homily after taking a break for Christmas - he said the word has become so casual that we no longer know exactly what we mean when we say it.
Vatican paper blasts Charlie Hebdo cover as 'insulting' to all faiths
Jan 7, 2016 / 10:01 amOne year after the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris that left 12 dead, the Vatican daily newspaper has condemned the French satirical paper’s anniversary cover which depicts God as an armed terrorist.
In first prayer video, Pope stresses interfaith unity: 'We are all children of God'
Jan 7, 2016 / 04:40 amThe Pope’s first-ever video message on his monthly prayer intentions was released Tuesday, highlighting the importance of interreligious dialogue and the beliefs different faith traditions hold in common, such as the figure of God and love.
Pope: Humanity seeks God, and the Magi show us where to find him
Jan 6, 2016 / 04:29 amIn a restless age when humanity fails to find the answer to their continuous searching, the Magi who go out looking for Christ only to find him in a humble stable in Bethlehem are a key example of where to turn, Pope Francis has said.
Soon to be saints? India's Christians killed in brutal 2008 massacre
Jan 5, 2016 / 16:41 pmThe green light has officially been given to open the cause for sainthood of the nearly 100 Christians murdered in the Indian state of Odisha in 2008.
After second abduction, Franciscan priest freed in Syria
Jan 5, 2016 / 12:10 pmFranciscan priest Fr. Dhiya Aziz, who had been briefly kidnapped by unknown jihadist militants in Syria in July and was abducted a second time just before Christmas, and has again been set free by his captors.
Look for the presence of God in your life, Pope says on New Year's
Dec 31, 2015 / 18:12 pmAs this year comes to an end, Pope Francis has encouraged faithful to look back at the events of 2015, telling them to be attentive to both the presence of God, and the signs he is giving.
Only God can overcome 'monstrous' evil in the world, Pope says on Christmas
Dec 25, 2015 / 08:38 amIn his annual Christmas “Urbi et Orbi” blessing Pope Francis prayed for all those affected by violence, conflict and poverty throughout the world, asking that they rejoice in salvation offered by the birth of Christ.
The beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians was 'just the beginning'
Dec 22, 2015 / 12:02 pmWhile the days of the Muslim Brotherhood are over, one expert says the February murder of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians by ISIS has opened the door to an even wider persecution – one that's gaining steam under new forms of Islamic authoritarianism.
Pope Francis wants the 'great mystic' Gaudi to become a saint
Dec 18, 2015 / 18:25 pmOn Wednesday Pope Francis met with members of the organization in charge of promoting the cause for canonization of Antoni Gaudi, known as “God's architect,” telling them that he hopes the cause moves forward quickly.
It’s official! Mother Teresa is going to be canonized
Dec 18, 2015 / 02:22 amAfter months of anticipation, the miracle allowing for the canonization of Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta has officially been approved by the Vatican, though as of now no specific date for the event has been given.
Has much changed since India’s 2008 massacre of Christians?
Dec 17, 2015 / 03:04 amThough it has been almost a decade since a spat of violence left nearly 100 Christians dead in the Indian state of Odisha, it’s still foggy as to whether or not things have improved.
Pope Francis ups effort to make annulments more accessible
Dec 15, 2015 / 15:19 pmOn Friday Pope Francis clarified a few points in his streamlined marriage annulment process. He reiterated that not only do the new rules trump everything that came before them, they also restore power to the Vatican’s main marriage court in order to prevent unnecessary procedural delays.
To obtain peace, we have to fight indifference with mercy, Pope says
Dec 15, 2015 / 04:17 amPope Francis’ message for 2016’s World Day of Peace is packed with bold pastoral and practical advice for both the Church as well as international leaders.
Pope Francis urges action after Paris climate agreement reached
Dec 13, 2015 / 06:48 amIn his Sunday Angelus address Pope Francis commended world leaders for reaching an agreement in the recently-concluded Paris climate talks, urging the international community promptly put it into action.
As Jesus' birth nears, sadness is 'not allowed,' Pope says
Dec 13, 2015 / 03:40 amOn Gaudete Sunday Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of Rome’s basilica of St. John Lateran, telling attendees that the joy of Jesus’ birth overcomes the sadness caused by hatred and violence.
This priest was abducted by ISIS, but he isn't giving up on a mission of mercy
Dec 12, 2015 / 16:06 pmA Syrian priest who spent more than four months as a captive of the Islamic State is headed back to the conflict zone – and he wants both Christians and Muslims to embrace mercy.
How Pope Francis is fulfilling a legacy of Vatican II
Dec 11, 2015 / 15:40 pmAttention to the poor was one of the greatest of the bishops' contributions during the Second Vatican Council – and is a legacy Pope Francis carries forward with impressive force, according to some.
The new annulment process went into effect this week
Dec 10, 2015 / 15:33 pmWith the launch of the Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis’ reforms to the annulment process have gone into effect, giving more of a role to the local bishop, dropping automatic appeals, and ensuring that the process is free of charge.
Pope Francis postpones Milan visit due to 'intense' Jubilee schedule
Dec 10, 2015 / 05:31 amThe Vatican announced today that due to Pope Francis’ busy schedule during the Jubilee of Mercy, he has decided to postpone his May 7, 2016, visit to the diocese of Milan until the following year.