Articles by Elise Harris
When it comes to work, don't feed off the backs of others, Pope says
Aug 19, 2015 / 10:25 amPope Francis said Wednesday that work is something sacred, and called out those who abuse it by either contributing to the unemployment crisis, or refusing to work in order to feed off the system.
Pope Francis assures his prayers, solidarity after deadly Bangkok attacks
Aug 19, 2015 / 06:37 amAfter two bombings this week in the Thai capital of Bangkok left several dead, injured and fearful of other attacks, Pope Francis offered his condolences and prayers to the victims and their families.
Pope Francis mourns death of Hungarian Cardinal Laszlo Paskai
Aug 18, 2015 / 06:52 amIn a letter of condolence Pope Francis has offered his comfort and prayer to the Church of Hungary following the recent death of Cardinal Laszlo Paskai, archbishop emeritus of Budapest.
Greece tour brings Saint Paul's ministry to life for priests
Aug 17, 2015 / 23:02 pmA two-week trip to Greece will let priests in Rome follow in the steps of St. Paul: all the way from his conversion in Philippi, to his preaching in Corinth and finally his overnight stop in Crete as a prisoner.
Pope Francis: let yourself be transformed by the Eucharist
Aug 16, 2015 / 04:59 amOn Sunday Pope Francis said that the Eucharist is no mere symbol, but is in fact the true body and blood of Jesus Christ, which has the ability to transform our hearts and minds to be more like him.
For Pope Francis, Mary's greatness comes down to this one virtue
Aug 15, 2015 / 06:18 amOn the feast of the Assumption of Mary, Pope Francis said that faith is the defining virtue of her greatness, and that the mysterious way she was taken into heaven is a foreshadowing of what awaits each of us.
Could the release of 22 Christians signal another Islamic State attack?
Aug 13, 2015 / 23:03 pmAfter Islamic State militants on Tuesday freed 22 Christians they have held captive since February, a Syrian archbishop cautioned that while the news is good, it could be a distraction ahead of another major assault.
Pope Francis baptizes children of an old friend at the Vatican
Aug 12, 2015 / 23:31 pmIn a whirlwind trip, Lucas Schaerer and his family – friends of Pope Francis from his time in Buenos Aires – traveled to the Vatican, where the Pope baptized their daughters, Simona and Charo.
Pope Francis: Sundays are a gift from God – don't ruin it
Aug 12, 2015 / 04:20 amMoments of rest and celebration were the focal point of Francis’ Wednesday general audience, during which he spoke out against a profit-centered mentality and encouraged families to live life at a more human pace.
US embassy to the Holy See begins move to new location
Aug 11, 2015 / 16:12 pmThis week the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See has begun its move to a new building – which shares the same campus as both the U.S. Embassy to Italy and the U.S. Mission to the United Nations.
For Pope Francis, achieving peace means overcoming indifference
Aug 11, 2015 / 06:59 amThe Vatican announced Tuesday that the theme for 2016’s World Day of Peace will focus on a topic Pope Francis has spoken out against relentlessly since the beginning of his pontificate: indifference.
This Syriac bishop will be beatified on the 100th anniversary of his martyrdom
Aug 11, 2015 / 02:04 amOn Saturday Pope Francis approved a decree recognizing the martyrdom of Flavien-Michel Malké, a Syriac Catholic bishop who was killed in 1915 amid the Ottoman Empire's genocide against its Christian minorities.
The Pope's new doctor is an expert in liver disease, surgical medicine
Aug 9, 2015 / 11:16 amThe Vatican announced Saturday that Pope Francis has selected Professor Fabrizio Soccorsi – an expert in liver diseases and surgical medicine – as his new personal doctor, who will accompany Francis on his upcoming trip to the United States and Cuba.
'No to war!' – Pope pushes for nuclear disarmament on atomic bomb anniversary
Aug 9, 2015 / 05:27 amOn Sunday Pope Francis said the “horrific” atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are the icon of man’s destructive misuse of scientific progress, and called for an end to all nuclear arms and weapons of mass destruction.
Pope Francis: Beware the 'false peace' that comes from the devil
Aug 7, 2015 / 06:00 amPope Francis on Friday told a group of youth that the greatest challenge in his vocation so far has been finding true peace, and encouraged them to learn how to discern between this peace and the one offered by the devil.
To welcome refugees is a witness of the resurrection, Pope says
Aug 6, 2015 / 05:47 amOn the first anniversary of the arrival of Iraqi refugees in Jordan, Pope Francis sent a letter thanking the country for welcoming thousands forced to flee their homes, and urged the international community not to remain indifferent.
Greece in crisis – and what Catholics are doing to help
Aug 6, 2015 / 03:02 amAs Greece's financial and political situation reaches a fever pitch in complexity, Caritas has stepped up and is offering help to the growing number of poor and migrants inhabiting the country.
Meet Saint Nektarios – a philosopher, poet and miracle worker
Aug 5, 2015 / 03:01 amBuried in a hilltop monastery on a small Greek island, Saint Nektarios – one of the most widely known and venerated Greek Orthodox saints – draws thousands of pilgrims each year, and is known for his writings and miracles.
Pope Francis' advice to altar servers: Let Christ draw near to you
Aug 4, 2015 / 10:46 amIn his first public audience in a month, Pope Francis told thousands of young altar servers on Tuesday that they should be open to Christ, who isn’t someone far off, but is close to us in the Eucharist and the other sacraments.
New Armenian Catholic patriarch pulled from retirement to take the reins
Aug 1, 2015 / 14:04 pmIn a rare move, the Armenian Catholic Church has pulled their new patriarch from out of retirement to take on the role as their new head. Church leaders cited his energy and authority as necessary when dealing with current issues, particularly those in the Middle East.