Articles by Alan Holdren
Child protection is 'gospel priority' for Church, Pope Francis
Sep 10, 2014 / 15:28 pmThe protection of minors from sexual abuse is a number one priority for Pope Francis, says the new secretary of a papal commission to protect minors, who believes that the global Church can play a leading role against abuse.
Full transcript of Pope's in-flight interview from Korea
Aug 18, 2014 / 15:30 pmSpeaking to journalists aboard the Aug. 18 flight to Italy from South Korea, Pope Francis said he supports international intervention in Iraq and is willing to go to there personally if it will help end the violence against Christians and other religious minorities.
Pope Francis backs intervention in Iraq to stop 'aggressor'
Aug 18, 2014 / 11:07 amPope Francis supports international intervention in Iraq and is willing to go to there personally if it will help end the violence against Christians and other religious minorities.
En route to Korea, Pope prays for journalists killed in Gaza
Aug 13, 2014 / 11:23 amAboard the papal flight to South Korea today, Pope Francis led an impromptu moment of silence to pray for a photojournalist who was killed in Gaza, and thanked journalists for their work.
Ratzinger Prize honorees show intellectual vitality, cardinal says
Jun 20, 2014 / 03:00 amCardinal Camillo Ruini praised Tuesday the two winners of the 2014 Ratzinger Prize for their academic accomplishments and their commitment to the faith.
Manoppello's Holy Face shrine sees uptick in US interest
Jan 26, 2014 / 16:04 pmThe Shrine to the Holy Face of Christ tucked into Italy's Appennine mountains is starting to catch the attention of the world, particularly that of American Catholics.
Rome's near-abandoned Guadalupe shrine marks feast
Dec 12, 2013 / 15:38 pmSeveral hundred yards from the heart of the ancient forum, devotees are gathering in the run-down Basilica of San Nicola in Carcere today where one of the first copies of the Virgin of Guadalupe is on display.
Interviewer: Pope’s adherence to Church abortion teaching is clear
Sep 20, 2013 / 12:04 pmPope Francis is “absolutely clear” about Catholic teaching on abortion, but his first focus is to bring God’s salvation to everyone, “most of all sinners,” says the Jesuit priest whose lengthy papal interview was published yesterday.
New encyclical to clarify poverty vows, cardinal says
Sep 5, 2013 / 03:12 amA new encyclical that is being written by Pope Francis will help address how to live out a vow of poverty in the modern world, according to one cardinal.
Wisconsin cardinal takes possession of Roman see
May 26, 2013 / 13:11 pmFar from his native Milwaukee, Cardinal James M. Harvey took possession of his “titular church” in Rome, a vibrant suburban parish that will now look to him as its cardinal patron.
Pope to sisters: living with Jesus outside Church is absurd
May 8, 2013 / 09:01 amPope Francis told leaders of women’s religious orders today that their vocations can only be recognized within the fold of the Church.
Former NBA player visits Swiss Guard basketball team
Apr 19, 2013 / 09:25 amThe former Los Angeles Lakers player Vlade Divac was thrilled to meet with the Swiss Guard to discuss sports and learn about their work at the Vatican.
Pope Francis and Benedict XVI meet as 'brothers'
Mar 23, 2013 / 09:48 amPope Francis met with Benedict XVI on Saturday for the first time since his selection, an historic visit that took place in a fraternal atmosphere.
Pope Francis could renew Catholicism in Americas, says Knights' chief
Mar 15, 2013 / 11:11 amJust as Pope John Paul II influenced many in Poland, the rise of an Argentinian to the papacy is set to dramatically change the lives of many Christians, according to head of the Knights of Columbus.
Pope's Twitter success praised as evangelization breakthrough
Jan 11, 2013 / 13:30 pmPope Benedict's mass of 2.5 million followers in eight languages during his first month on Twitter has one Vatican priest calling the pontiff's online presence “a new frontier” of evangelization.
Bishops say Our Lady of Guadalupe still brings Christ to Americas
Dec 12, 2012 / 16:57 pmNearly five hundred years later, Our Lady of Guadalupe is still drawing men and women of the Americas to Christ, two U.S. Catholic bishops said at the “Ecclesia in America” conference in Rome.
Cardinal Ouellet: Cultural renewal in Americas requires Mary's message
Dec 12, 2012 / 04:09 amThe message of Our Lady of Guadalupe promotes a culture of life and is at the center of the New Evangelization of the Americas, said Cardinal Marc Ouellet at a conference in Rome.
International conference examines meaning of marital union
Sep 22, 2012 / 16:09 pmScholars at a two-day conference in Rome explored the beauty of God’s plan for the marital union and the importance of this union for individuals and society as a whole.
Catholic organization launches online multimedia portal
Sep 20, 2012 / 15:39 pmCatholic media network Aleteia.org has launched a new website to present a collection of the “best print and multimedia content” from Catholic organizations across the globe.
Caritas increases aid as refugees flood out of Syria
Sep 9, 2012 / 15:40 pmCaritas Internationalis is ramping up its efforts to help the growing number of Syrian families who have fled the conflict in their homeland.