Articles by Elise Harris
Vatican rolls out first-ever guidebook for Arab pilgrims
May 28, 2015 / 08:55 amIn a move intended to reach out to Arab pilgrims who make their way to the Eternal City, the Vatican has for the first time published a guidebook entirely in the Arabic language.
Love requires work – not just attraction or feelings, Pope tells couples
May 27, 2015 / 11:04 amIn his weekly general audience, Pope Francis said the process of engagement is essential for any couple on their way to marriage since it not only allows love to mature, but helps future spouses deepen in knowledge of one another.
'Little' friars credit vocation boom to Pope's name
May 26, 2015 / 14:33 pmGathered in Rome for their general chapter meeting, members of the Order of Friars Minor – better known as Franciscans – said that while vocations in general have been down in recent years, numbers have begun to rise again after Pope Francis’ election.
Think you're important because you have money? Think again, Pope says
May 26, 2015 / 07:21 amIn his homily Tuesday Pope Francis cautioned against the “counter-witness” of those who seek to follow both Jesus and worldly temptations, saying that to follow Christ means denying oneself and serving others.
Why no one wants to talk about China's female suicide problem
May 24, 2015 / 15:02 pmZhang Xihuan doesn't know what was going through her mind when she swallowed a mouthful of the pesticide stored behind the staircase in her home in rural Shandong province.
Pope: Oscar Romero was a martyr who fought violence with love
May 23, 2015 / 06:48 amOn the day of Oscar Romero’s beatification in San Salvador, Pope Francis sent a letter to the current archbishop, praising the martyr for his courageous service to the poor amid widespread national violence.
A drastic threat looms for an already ravaged Nepal – the rain season
May 23, 2015 / 03:02 amWith 3-4 months of heavy rain at their doorstep, Nepal citizens who have been without shelter for nearly a month due to several massive earthquakes are desperate to find some sort of sturdy housing.
Want to empower women? Support mothers, politician argues
May 22, 2015 / 08:45 amAhead of a conference discussing the presence of women in the 2015 development agenda, organizers said goals fall short of addressing issues such as attacks on motherhood and surrogacy.
Pope's visit to Vatican departments a 'beautiful experience,' official says
May 22, 2015 / 06:14 amOn Friday Pope Francis began making stops at different departments of the Roman Curia – the first in series of visits. Today’s rounds included four different offices.
Is economic growth the enemy of saving the environment? These Catholics say no
May 20, 2015 / 15:07 pmIn an international forum on economic growth and environmental sustainability, Catholic leaders and experts in the field argued that rather than being opposed, the two go hand-in-hand, and can lead to greater prosperity all-around.
A journey of pain and healing: one US Marine's prayer at Lourdes
May 20, 2015 / 13:09 pmAfter nearly losing his life in combat nine years ago, retired U.S. Marine Paul McQuigg journeyed to Lourdes with his wife and son this month to pray for healing and restoration from chronically painful injuries.
Pope Francis to parents: Come out of 'exile' and educate your children
May 20, 2015 / 09:41 amIn his general audience Pope Francis spoke of the essential role parents play in educating their children – a role he said has been usurped by so-called experts who have taken the place of parents and rendered them fearful of making any correction.
Pope Francis: Are you ready for your final goodbye?
May 19, 2015 / 13:27 pmIn his homily Tuesday Pope Francis focused on many different “goodbyes” that happen during life, and asked whether attendees were ready for the final, most important farewell before going to the Father.
Could Mother Teresa be canonized during the Holy Year for Mercy?
May 19, 2015 / 09:15 amVatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi has said that Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta could be canonized during the upcoming Jubilee for Mercy, although he clarified that no concrete plans have been made.
At Lourdes shrine, 'wounded warriors' can pray for peace and healing
May 17, 2015 / 15:00 pmMilitary service members’ annual pilgrimage to the Marian shrine of Lourdes can be a time of healing and peace, especially during the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, the head of the U.S. Archdiocese for Military Services has said.
Cyprus archbishop, Caritas presidential prospect: caring for creation means putting people first
May 13, 2015 / 16:44 pmMaronite Archbishop Joseph Soueif of Cyprus, one of two candidates to be the next president of Caritas International, has said that caring for creation means putting the human being first.
When was the last time you said 'thank you' and 'I'm sorry?' Pope asks
May 13, 2015 / 08:04 amIn his general audience Pope Francis focused on the concrete challenges families face in daily life, and said that simply remembering to be grateful and to apologize can go a long way in avoiding conflict.
You are not just aid workers – you are witnesses to Christ, Pope tells Caritas
May 12, 2015 / 14:38 pmOn Tuesday Pope Francis told global representatives of Caritas International that true service is about welcoming God and others, and called them to continue their mission by going out to the peripheries.
Synod will endorse Church teaching on family – Cardinal Pell
May 9, 2015 / 13:23 pmCardinal George Pell, prefect of the Vatican's Secretariat for the Economy, spoke this weekend on issues surrounding the family and the upcoming Synod of Bishops, saying the synod is unable to change Church teaching.
What's unprecedented about Pope Francis' Year for Mercy
May 8, 2015 / 17:02 pmIn tune with his knack for making history, Pope Francis' Year for Mercy will include things no other jubilee has: worldwide “missionaries of mercy,” and “holy doors” in every diocese for pilgrims to walk through.