Articles by Ann Schneible
Pope Francis calls Benedict XVI the ultimate 'grandfather'
Sep 28, 2014 / 09:10 amRetired pontiff Benedict XVI joined some 50,000 pilgrims in Saint Peter's Square on Sunday, Sept. 28 for a meeting between Pope Francis and elderly people from around the world.
Future depends on encounter between young and old, Pope says
Sep 28, 2014 / 08:27 amThere is no future without the encounter between generations, Pope Francis said – addressing the tens of thousands of grandparents and elderly men and women gathered for Mass in Saint Peter's Square.
Beatification of Opus Dei head sparks call for global generosity
Sep 26, 2014 / 12:13 pmTo mark the impending beatification of Alvaro del Portillo, who led Opus Dei from 1975 to 1994, those attending the celebration are being invited to contribute to initiatives aimed at bringing aid and support to the people of Africa.
Life isn't Christian without a cross, Pope Francis assures
Sep 26, 2014 / 09:03 amChrist as Redeemer cannot be understood save through a willingness to take up the cross, said Pope Francis during his homily for Mass on Friday morning.
Pope Francis prays, issues strong appeal for Ebola victims
Sep 24, 2014 / 07:14 amPope Francis made an appeal for prayer and aid for the victims of the Ebola outbreak which has been sweeping through several West African countries.
Cardinal Burke: Media hijacking Synod on the Family
Sep 23, 2014 / 03:04 amNext month's Synod on the Family has undergone an attempted hijacking by some media sources, which are fueling expectations that impossible changes will be made to Church doctrine, said the head of the Church's highest court.
Pope gives flowers received in Albania to Blessed Mother
Sep 22, 2014 / 06:30 amIn thanksgiving to the Blessed Mother for the success of his short but eventful trip to Albania, Pope Francis paid a visit on Monday morning to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
Truth has 'power of attraction,' Pope says to religious leaders
Sep 21, 2014 / 08:21 amThe “conviction that truth has its own power of attraction,” said Pope Francis, negates the need for those secure in their faith to impose their beliefs on others.
Pope Francis: No one can use religion as a pretext for violence
Sep 21, 2014 / 03:02 amPope Francis opened his trip to Albania praising the “coexistence” between members of different faiths in the country, while condemning those who “consider themselves to be the 'armour' of God while planning and carrying out acts of violence and oppression.”
Weapons, low funding hinder Middle East humanitarian aid
Sep 20, 2014 / 06:53 amForeign weapons and a lack of funding are among the serious challenges facing humanitarian response efforts in the Middle East, said participants at a recent conference in Rome.
Pope Francis uses fast-track move to canonize first Sri Lankan
Sep 17, 2014 / 08:54 amBlessed Joseph Vaz will soon become Sri Lanka's first saint after Pope Francis Sept. 17 advanced his cause for canonization by waiving the requirement for a second miracle.
True Christians aren't elitist – they generate life, Pope says
Sep 17, 2014 / 05:19 amAt his weekly general audience Pope Francis spoke on what it means to evangelize, calling it apostolic work born of an encounter with Christ rather than lifeless efforts from the self-appointed “elect.”
No scandal here: How the 20 couples married by Pope Francis were legit
Sep 15, 2014 / 16:05 pmPope Francis’ witnessing of marriages between Catholics who cohabited or who have had annulments is not a change, but is part of the Church’s effort to bring people to Jesus Christ, said two experts on Christian marriage.
No plans to raise security ahead of Pope's Albania visit
Sep 15, 2014 / 08:40 amThere are no plans to increase security for Pope Francis' Sept. 21 trip to Albania despite new reports of a potential threat by Islamic militants, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said Monday.
Want to learn obedience? Look at the 'woman by the Cross'
Sep 15, 2014 / 07:08 amCelebrating Mass for the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows at the Santa Marta residence, Pope Francis reflected on the ultimate example of obedience demonstrated by Mary at the foot of the Cross.
'Why the Cross?' Pope asks during Sunday Angelus
Sep 14, 2014 / 08:33 amOn the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, Pope Francis used basic questions about the necessity of salvation to draw listeners deeper into Christ’s saving mystery.
Pope Francis to couples: Cross illuminates purpose of marriage
Sep 14, 2014 / 06:59 am“Marriage is a symbol of life... the Sacrament of love of Christ and the Church, a love which finds its proof and guarantee in the Cross.”
War ruins God's creative work, Pope says
Sep 13, 2014 / 07:26 amPope Francis warned against the destructive indifference towards our brothers and sisters that arises from ideologies of war during a Mass celebrated on Saturday, Sept. 13 for the victims of all wars.
Pope 'deeply saddened' by brutal killing of missionary nuns
Sep 11, 2014 / 01:05 amPope Francis has expressed his condolences following the brutal murder of three Italian nuns in Burundi over the weekend, assuring the community of his closeness.
God is a creator – not a magician, Pope Francis says
Sep 8, 2014 / 08:17 amMeditating on the feast of Mary's Nativity during his morning Mass, Pope Francis said that God is a creator who has endowed men and women with a free will and has accompanied us throughout history.