Articles by Hannah Brockhaus
Pope Francis: The Gospel is a call to holiness in concrete actions
Jan 5, 2020 / 04:41 amThe Gospel is more than a nice story – it is the concrete revelation of God’s plan for the world and calls people to holiness, Pope Francis said Sunday.
Solidarity, subsidiarity needed to provide medical care to all, pope says
Jan 3, 2020 / 05:31 amThe principles of solidarity and subsidiarity should be used together to ensure everyone, including the person experiencing poverty, has access to suitable healthcare, Pope Francis said Friday.
On New Year's Eve, Pope Francis calls listening an act of love
Dec 31, 2019 / 10:35 amIt is an act of love to spend time with others, to listen to them and their needs, and to try to see them as Christ sees them, Pope Francis said on New Year’s Eve.
'Life is always beautiful': What 81 years and 6,000 babies have taught Flora Gualdani
Dec 29, 2019 / 05:00 amIn more than 40 years, Flora Gualdani delivered an estimated 6,000 babies, sometimes in the most difficult circumstances life can offer – illness, death, war, poverty, and despair.
Exorcist: Temptation – not possession – is the most significant demonic activity
Dec 26, 2019 / 18:54 pmThough dramatic representations of demonic possessions, as seen in Hollywood, can make them appear to be the primary method of the devil, one Dominican priest and exorcist has warned that the greater and more common threat to a person’s salvation is the temptation to sin.
Pope prays for Philippines, struck by deadly Christmas Day typhoon
Dec 26, 2019 / 06:20 amPope Francis Thursday prayed for the people of the Philippines, who were hit Christmas Day by a typhoon which has killed more than a dozen people and caused extensive damage.
St. Stephen's martyrdom shows 'true meaning of Christmas,' Pope Francis says
Dec 26, 2019 / 05:02 amThe death of St. Stephen, the Church’s first martyr, teaches Catholics to renew their commitment to charity and self-gift, part of the meaning of Christmas, Pope Francis said Thursday.
Sinner or saint – God loves you, Pope Francis says on Christmas Eve
Dec 24, 2019 / 14:21 pmA person’s weakness and sin does not change Christ’s love for them, and Catholics should strive to treat others the same way, serving anyone and not only those they consider worthy, Pope Francis said on Christmas Eve.
How an Italian basilica was destroyed by fire in the 19th century
Dec 23, 2019 / 03:43 amThe partial destruction of Notre Dame basilica in a fire earlier this year elicited mourning from Catholics and non-Catholic alike. But it is not the first time an iconic basilica has endured flames - and been rebuilt for worshippers and pilgrims.
Children are 'innocence, promise, many good things,' Pope Francis says
Dec 22, 2019 / 08:23 amPope Francis Sunday attended a party with the children and families receiving treatment and help at the Vatican's 98-year-old free health clinic.
Pope Francis: This Christmas, imitate St. Joseph's trust in God
Dec 22, 2019 / 04:57 amIn a difficult situation, St. Joseph put his whole trust in God and was obedient, an example for all Catholics to imitate, Pope Francis said during the Angelus Sunday.
Pope Francis accepts resignation of dean of cardinals, sets 5-year term limit
Dec 21, 2019 / 07:54 amPope Francis Saturday accepted the resignation of Cardinal Angelo Sodano as dean of the College of Cardinals and declared that the position will now have a five-year term limit with the possibility of renewal.
Pope Francis: A baby's smile is a sign of God’s love
Dec 21, 2019 / 05:44 amThe very first way the Child Jesus revealed the love and goodness of the Father was in smiling at his parents, just “like every newborn baby in this world,” Pope Francis said Saturday.
Church reform takes personal conversion, Pope Francis tells Roman Curia
Dec 21, 2019 / 05:02 amTo carry out the continuing reform of the Church requires a willingness to change and a commitment to personal conversion, Pope Francis said Saturday, during his annual Christmas greeting to the bishops and cardinals of the Roman Curia.
CDF official: Anthropology and Scripture document is not 'open' to same-sex unions
Dec 20, 2019 / 15:00 pmThe secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Archbishop Giacomo Morandi, said Friday that a new document by the Pontifical Biblical Commission does not give an “opening” to the validity of so-called same-sex unions.
Pope Francis surprises high school students before Christmas break
Dec 20, 2019 / 07:42 amPope Francis Friday made a surprise visit to a high school in Rome, where he spoke to about 800 students and answered questions about war, peace, and the coexistence of different cultures and religions.
Pope Francis installs cross in Vatican for migrants who died in Mediterranean
Dec 19, 2019 / 12:51 pmPope Francis Thursday hung a cross encircled by a life jacket inside a Vatican building in memory of migrants and refugees who have lost their lives in the Mediterranean Sea.
Does 'The Two Popes' fairly represent Francis and Benedict? Critics say ‘no’
Dec 18, 2019 / 11:36 amWhile filmmakers say the "The Two Popes" is a work of fiction, the movie’s director also says it represents his understanding of Pope Francis’ values. But critics emphasize the movie does not accurately represent Pope Benedict and Pope Francis, and instead reflects an ideological approach to the two men.
Pope Francis: Nativity scenes show a 'domestic Gospel'
Dec 18, 2019 / 03:12 amPope Francis Wednesday called Christmas nativity scenes a “domestic Gospel,” which helps to make the Holy Family present in one’s home.
Accused nuncio to France resigns post
Dec 17, 2019 / 05:27 amPope Francis Tuesday accepted Archbishop Luigi Ventura's resignation as apostolic nuncio to France. Ventura was accused of sexual assault earlier this year.