Articles by Elise Harris
Why a Jubilee of Mercy? Because the Church needs it, Pope Francis says
Dec 9, 2015 / 11:18 amThe day after opening the Holy Year of Mercy, Pope Francis dedicated his general audience remarks to answering the question of why he called for a jubilee on the subject, saying the primary reason is simply because it’s needed.
Pope Francis to youth: Have you thought about being a missionary?
Dec 2, 2015 / 07:16 amPope Francis’ recent trip to Africa was the focal point of his general audience, during which he emphasized the key role that missionaries play on the continent, and asked youth to consider it as an option for their future.
Put ethics at heart of climate talks, Vatican says at Paris summit
Dec 1, 2015 / 10:39 amIn his speech at the COP-21 climate summit in Paris, the Vatican’s Secretary of State urged global leaders to orient their discussion toward a clear ethical objective, one that puts the human person, the poor in particular, at the center.
Pope to displaced persons: peace is impossible without tolerance, forgiveness
Nov 29, 2015 / 08:12 amPope Francis’ first stop after arriving in the Central African Republic Sunday was to a refugee camp housing thousands of persons displaced by the country’s ongoing conflict.
Pope advocates for peace, unity in Central African Republic
Nov 29, 2015 / 04:39 amAfter landing in the war-torn Central African Republic, Pope Francis urged the country’s leaders to work for peace and reconciliation, particularly through disarmament and a stable administration.
Pope off-the-cuff to priests, religious: indifference makes God vomit
Nov 26, 2015 / 08:08 amPope Francis tossed his prepared remarks aside for a meeting with Kenyan priests, religious and seminarians, telling them that if anything disgusts God, it’s the attitude of indifference.
Pope to Kenyan families: 'radiate God’s love'
Nov 26, 2015 / 00:48 amPope Francis Thursday praised Kenya’s traditional family values, particularly their respect for children and the elderly. He also made an appeal for the youth to use these values as a guide to ending discrimination and injustice in the future.
Trial begins for five accused in second 'Vatileaks' case
Nov 24, 2015 / 10:31 amOn Tuesday a preliminary hearing of the five individuals accused of leaking and disseminating confidential financial documents was held in the Vatican, with the next hearing set to begin Nov. 30.
Pope names first Catholic bishop to oversee Anglican ordinariate
Nov 24, 2015 / 07:56 amPope Francis has appointed Msgr. Steven Lopes, a Catholic priest from California, as the new bishop who will head the Anglican Ordinariate in the United States and Canada.
The Pope in a war zone – what his visit means to Central African Republic
Nov 22, 2015 / 16:02 pmPope Francis' visit to the Central African Republic next week will be the first time he steps into an active war zone. It is a meaningful visit for locals which portrays the image of father coming to console his suffering children.
Cardinal Sarah on new book: I want to help people rediscover God
Nov 21, 2015 / 10:51 amAt the presentation of his new book Cardinal Robert Sarah said that Western society is rapidly forgetting God, and expressed his desire to help people rediscover him through both prayer and witness.
Vatican charges five in leak of confidential docs
Nov 21, 2015 / 09:34 amThe Vatican has formally indicted five people for the recent leak and dissemination of private financial documents, two of whom are former members of a Holy See commission, and two journalists.
In Pope's meeting with Ukrainian president, peace takes center stage
Nov 20, 2015 / 09:53 amPope Francis today met with Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko, discussing both the good relations between Ukraine and the Vatican, as well as their shared concerns over the current conflict with Russia.
Pope Francis: What will be left of a world torn apart by war?
Nov 19, 2015 / 09:58 amIn his homily Thursday, Pope Francis said that just as Jesus wept for Jerusalem in the day’s Gospel reading, he continues to weep today, because the world has rejected the path of peace in exchange for war.
Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica uncovered as Jubilee nears
Nov 19, 2015 / 06:04 amHidden since the Jubilee of 2000, the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica was revealed Tuesday as the brick wall covering it was removed in anticipation of the Holy Year of Mercy launching next month.
Parolin on ISIS threats: Vatican may be a target, but we're not backing down
Nov 17, 2015 / 10:17 amIn wake of Friday’s violent terror attacks in Paris, the Vatican’s Secretary of State said that while the small country is also on extremists’ horizons, they won’t let themselves be “paralyzed” by fear.
In interfaith move, Pope Francis will visit Rome’s synagogue in January
Nov 17, 2015 / 07:55 amThe Vatican announced today that Pope Francis will soon become the third-ever Roman Pontiff to visit the Great Synagogue in Rome, following in the footsteps of St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
Pope Francis: What will Jesus ask you on judgement day?
Nov 15, 2015 / 11:40 amOn Sunday Pope Francis paid a visit to Rome’s Lutheran community, where he took questions and told attendees that what we will ultimately be judged on is how we cared for the poor and less fortunate.
Using God’s name to justify violence is 'blasphemy,' Pope Francis says
Nov 15, 2015 / 05:55 amOn Sunday Pope Francis again expressed shock and sorrow for Friday’s terror attacks in Paris, condemning the acts as an “affront to human dignity,” and encouraging attendees to find hope in Jesus.
A new look into the Vatican's stunning museums
Nov 15, 2015 / 04:01 amThose who haven't made it to the world famous Vatican Museums needn't worry – the Church’s treasures will now come to them through a new DVD series aimed at sharing the small country’s rich patrimony with the world.