Articles by Elise Harris
Vatican offices urge re-calibration of financial markets
May 17, 2018 / 11:20 amTwo Vatican offices called Thursday for the development of new forms of economy and finance with regulations directed to the common good and respect for human dignity.
Homeless woman says 'miracle' allowed her to come to Rome
May 16, 2018 / 09:56 amWhen Marina “Nina” Vela learned that she had been selected from the community of homeless people on the streets of Denver to go on an annual pilgrimage to Rome, she did not believe the trip would actually happen.
Analysis: Why Francis might follow Benedict’s lead on Chilean abuse scandal
May 15, 2018 / 13:08 pmThis week 34 Chilean bishops are meeting with Pope Francis to discuss the country’s clerical sexual abuse scandal, which involves at least one of the bishops attending the meeting. The meeting is significant, but not unprecedented.
Chilean bishops to spend first day of Rome meeting in prayer
May 15, 2018 / 10:44 amOn their first day of meetings with Pope Francis, Chilean bishops have been asked to make a 24-hour retreat, using the time to pray and reflect on specific themes provided by Pope Francis until their next audience on Wednesday.
Before meeting with Pope, Chilean bishops vow to end abuse
May 14, 2018 / 12:55 pmSpeaking on the eve of a 3-day meeting with Pope Francis about a massive clerical abuse scandal, several Chilean prelates said they are ready to listen, and to work toward eradicating sexual abuse in the Church.
Pope Francis prays for victims of deadly Indonesian attacks
May 13, 2018 / 05:20 amAfter multiple bombings at churches in Indonesia left 11 dead dozens more injured, Pope Francis prayed for the repose of the souls of those who died and asked God to bring an end to hatred and violence.
Pope to meet Chilean bishops, discuss 'devastating' impact of abuse crisis
May 12, 2018 / 04:42 amFrom May 15-17 Pope Francis will meet with 33 Chilean bishops to share his personal take on the country's massive clerical abuse crisis and help the local Church to find a way forward implementing processes of healing and prevention.
Selfies and Twitter – how one Polish diocese is promoting life
May 11, 2018 / 09:36 amThe Archdiocese of Lublin has launched a campaign urging Catholics to take to social media in defense of the unborn, using selfies as a way to voice gratitude for one's life and the right to be born.
Pope tells lay movements to be bold, persevere in living the Gospel
May 10, 2018 / 04:17 amPope Francis Thursday paid a visit to two small Catholic communities in central Italy dedicated to living solidarity and promoting ecumenical unity, telling members that their “prophetic” way of living the Gospel must continue with boldness and perseverance.
Sistine Chapel Choir's Met performance a real 'wow moment'
May 9, 2018 / 14:08 pmA surprise performance by the Sistine Chapel Choir at the Met Gala this week left attendees in awe and helped convey the joy and beauty of the Church, said one of the organizers of the performance.
Working document approved for synod on youth
May 9, 2018 / 10:14 amAfter a two-day meeting in Rome, the governing council of the Vatican office for the Synod of Bishops approved the text to be used as the working document for the upcoming October gathering dedicated to youth.
Pope: Nothing can erase baptism, that's why it only happens once
May 9, 2018 / 01:46 amPope Francis said Wednesday that nothing can take away a person's baptism or the identity they thereby gain as a child of God, which is why this sacrament cannot be repeated.
Vatican promotes 'Bridges of Solidarity' for Venezuelan emigrants
May 7, 2018 / 09:18 amThe ongoing crisis in Venezuela has produced a tremendous flow of emigration, with thousands fleeing the instability and hyperinflation under Nicolas Maduro's socialist government to seek refuge in neighboring countries.
Virtual reality: An answer to the pope's call for creativity in medicine?
May 5, 2018 / 14:45 pmChronic pain reduction. Improvement in paralysis. Restoration of sight amid macular degeneration. These are just some of the results being seen in experimental treatments using virtual reality technology.
Former Vatican communications chief gives talk on fake news
May 4, 2018 / 11:51 amSix weeks after resigning as head of the Vatican communications office over a fake news controversy, Msgr. Dario Edoardo Vigano gave a talk on the subject of fake news at a high-profile conference in Rome.
On intercommunion, Vatican returns the ball to German bishops
May 3, 2018 / 12:58 pmAfter several German bishops appealed to the Vatican over an alleged proposal to allow non-Catholic spouses in mixed faith marriages to receive communion, the Church’s top authority on doctrine has sent the ball back, saying Pope Francis wants Germany’s bishops to come to an agreement among themselves.
In May prayer video, Pope asks laity to live creatively their mission
May 3, 2018 / 07:53 amIn his prayer video for the month of May, Pope Francis said laypeople are on the “front lines” of the Church's life and activities, and asked Catholics of all states and vocations to pray for the laity and their mission.
Iraq gathering aimed to honor Mary, empower women
May 2, 2018 / 12:52 pmIraqi women rebuilding their lives after ISIS occupation were invited to a three-day gathering aimed, according to organizers, at empowering Christian women and offering them spiritual support.
Meeting abuse survivors, Pope apologizes for being 'part of the problem'
May 2, 2018 / 10:13 amAfter meeting with Pope Francis over the weekend, Chilean survivors of clerical sexual abuse said the pontiff was open, sympathetic and deeply impacted by the situation, at one point voicing sorrow for having been “part of the problem.”
Pope lauds 'courageous' effort made by Korean leaders for peace
Apr 29, 2018 / 03:16 amOn Sunday Pope Francis praised the recent agreement signed by North and South Korean leaders aimed at reconciliation and denuclearization, praying that the peace process on the peninsula would continue undeterred.