Articles by Elise Harris
We want solutions, not guns – a Syrian bishop speaks out
Sep 16, 2015 / 14:03 pmOutside entities who drive the Syrian war – either through the selling of arms or their own political and strategic interests – must stop, and the country should look inside itself to resolve the conflict.
Four American prelates added to synod list by Pope Francis
Sep 15, 2015 / 14:02 pmThe official list of participants in this year’s synod of bishops on the family has been released, showing 45 new names personally appointed by Pope Francis – four of whom are Americans.
Pope Francis names new bishop for Kansas City-St. Joseph
Sep 15, 2015 / 07:07 amThe Vatican announced today that Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr. of Springfield-Cape Girardeau has been selected as the new head of the Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese.
Pope Francis will likely meet Fidel Castro during Cuba visit
Sep 15, 2015 / 05:24 amWhile Pope Francis is in Cuba next week chances are high that he will meet with former president Fidel Castro, though no specific time has been set, Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi has announced.
Refuse to have kids? Then make room for migrants, Pope Francis says
Sep 14, 2015 / 02:11 amIn a new, wide-ranging interview Pope Francis spoke at length of the European refugee crisis – saying that incoming migrants are now filling the void left by a sterile continent that refuses to have children.
Jesus shows us the path to freedom, not success, Pope says
Sep 13, 2015 / 04:58 amThe path Jesus takes as a humble servant isn’t easy, Pope Francis has said, explaining that to follow him doesn’t guarantee earthly success or honor, but rather true freedom and unity with God.
Pope Francis warns of 'grave consequences' if climate change is ignored
Sep 11, 2015 / 15:28 pmThe environment is facing serious threats such as climate change and global warming, Pope Francis has said – adding that finding solutions is a matter of justice since it's often the poor who are most affected.
Marriage – between a man and a woman – is under attack, Pope Francis says
Sep 10, 2015 / 11:26 amPope Francis told couples to defend God's design for the family as the union of a man and woman for the procreation of children, and urged them to be merciful to those whose marriages have failed.
Vatican officially confirms Pope Francis' visit to Africa in November
Sep 10, 2015 / 06:22 amThe Vatican today officially announced that Pope Francis will travel to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic in November, a plan informally revealed by the Pope himself this summer.
The Pope's annulment move? It's a good thing, Vatican official says
Sep 10, 2015 / 01:02 amA member of the Vatican council charged with interpreting Church law says the increased role of bishops in the annulment process is a positive step that will ensure the procedure is done responsibly.
Queen Elizabeth II's remarkable reign – and what her faith has to do with it
Sep 9, 2015 / 14:20 pmShe has met the Beatles. She speaks fluent French. She has survived 12 U.S. Presidents and she even has a Facebook page. She served in WWII, driving a truck for the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service where she was known to change a flat tire or two.
Revamped annulment process focuses on speed, role of local bishops
Sep 8, 2015 / 06:34 amIn a revamped marriage annulment process, Pope Francis has made significant changes, giving more of a role to the local bishop, dropping automatic appeals, and declaring the process free of charge.
Pope engages Americans on immigration, abortion in pre-trip virtual audience
Sep 5, 2015 / 06:48 amIn a virtual audience with Americans Pope Francis heard emotive testimonies from undocumented immigrants, comforted a single mother, and encouraged greater solidarity in world racked with many problems.
Doctrine and pastoral care go hand-in-hand, Pope Francis reminds theologians
Sep 4, 2015 / 11:14 amThe Church's teaching and her pastoral ministry are not opposed, Pope Francis said in a video message on Thursday, even though this false dichotomy is frequently made.
Blessed Junipero Serra's cross gets a kiss from Pope Francis
Sep 4, 2015 / 05:07 amPope Francis on Wednesday kissed and blessed a cross that was buried with Father Junipero Serra, the early California missionary whom he will canonize during his U.S. visit later this month.
Strong words from the Vatican as migrant crisis spikes worldwide
Sep 3, 2015 / 14:06 pmA Vatican official in charge of assisting migrants spoke about the increasing number of refugees around the globe and stressed that they should be welcomed as brothers and sisters – not seen as a burden.
Pope listens to what Francis of Assisi can teach us about creation
Sep 1, 2015 / 13:46 pmOn the first World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, the preacher to the papal household said that St. Francis of Assisi is a key model in showing the link between faith in God and care for our common home.
All priests will be able to forgive sin of abortion during Jubilee for Mercy
Sep 1, 2015 / 05:33 amIn a new set of pastoral guidelines for the upcoming Holy Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has made some significant moves, allowing all priests to forgive the sin of abortion and granting SSPX priests the faculty to forgive sins.
Pope Francis: conversion isn't just an appearance – it's a matter of the heart
Aug 30, 2015 / 06:07 amIn his Sunday Angelus address Pope Francis said that merely obeying the rules isn’t enough to make us holy, but that if we truly want to serve God our conversion has to be deeper, changing the heart.
Pope Francis mourns death of 71 migrants who suffocated in abandoned truck
Aug 30, 2015 / 03:51 amIn his Sunday Angelus address Pope Francis lamented the death of 71 migrants – mostly from war-torn Syria – whose bodies were found in an abandoned truck on an Austrian highway. He offered prayers for the victims.