Hannah Brockhaus

Council of Cardinals prep new constitution for Roman Curia

Pope Francis and his Council of Cardinals met this week to continue their discussion of curial reform and to work on the draft of a new apostolic constitution outlining the structure and duties of the Roman Curia.

Pope Francis: The Christian life is a battle against evil

On Wednesday Pope Francis spoke about the temptations encountered in the Christian life, encouraging the faithful not to be discouraged by the struggle, but to be reassured and strengthened by the prayers of the Church.  

Dictatorship the underlying problem in Nicaragua riots, priest says

As violent clashes continue between security forces and anti-government protestors in Nicaragua, an eye witness has said the country's underlying problem is the president's authoritarian bent.

Pope Francis to new priests: Be like Jesus the Good Shepherd

On Sunday Pope Francis ordained 16 men to the priesthood, reminding them to be like Jesus the Good Shepherd in the way they serve the members of their spiritual flock and minister to those who are lost and searching for God.

Christians must help others meet Jesus, Pope Francis says

Laywomen among new CDF appointees

On Saturday Pope Francis named five new consultors of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, including three female academics and two priests.

There's no 'maybe' when answering the Lord's call, pope says

Speaking in the southern Italian town of Alessano on Friday, Pope Francis said that we should be on fire for our faith, combining prayer and action after the example of the Italian bishop Tonino Bello.

Benedictines provide an 'oasis' of silence, Pope Francis says

Speaking to members of Benedictine communities in Rome Thursday, Pope Francis said the religious order provides a space for quiet and prayer in an otherwise rushed world, helping people to put God at the center of their lives.

Father of Alfie Evans meets with pope, pleads for asylum in Italy

A private meeting took place early Wednesday morning between Pope Francis and Tom Evans, the father of two-year-old Alfie Evans, who is currently at the center of a legal battle to keep him alive.

The sign of the cross is our badge, Pope Francis says

On Wednesday Pope Francis said that to make the sign of the cross is to mark ourselves as Christians, and that it is something we should do often to remind ourselves that we belong to God.

'Pope's choir' to go on first-ever US national tour

The Vatican’s Sistine Chapel Choir, known as ‘the pope’s choir,’ will head to the United States this summer for an eight-city concert tour.

Ukrainian Archbishop of Philadelphia retires for health reasons

Pope Francis on Monday accepted the resignation for medical reasons of Archbishop Stefan Soroka of the Ukrainian Archeparchy of Philadelphia. Bishop Andriy Rabiy, an auxiliary bishop of the archeparchy, was appointed apostolic administrator.

Pope Francis: The Church cannot be silent about economic suffering

In the preface to a book on his economic thought, Pope Francis has written that the Gospel is not an unattainable ideal, but something that the whole Church should seek, especially where there is economic injustice.

Rome seminar highlights 'unsung heroes' among religious sisters

A symposium in Rome on “women religious on the front lines” praised the often unrecognized and unappreciated work of religious sisters, especially those working with survivors of human trafficking and war.

Children should be baptized in the faith, Pope Francis says

Pope Francis spoke about the sacrament of Baptism on Wednesday, emphasizing the importance of the Catholic practice of baptizing infants, since the grace of the Holy Spirit helps them to grow in virtue.

Pope to visit Marian shrine, attend Neocatechumenal Way meeting in May

On Tuesday papal spokesperson Greg Burke announced two new additions to Pope Francis’ May calendar: A visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Love in Rome and a meeting with members of the Neocatechumenal Way.

Pope Francis: We experience God's mercy before we share it

Speaking to nearly 600 Missionaries of Mercy on Tuesday, Pope Francis said that to be “collaborators of mercy” with the Lord, they must remember that they have been recipients of that mercy first.

Pope Francis issues exhortation praising the ‘middle class’ of holiness

Pope Francis released the apostolic exhortation Gaudete et exsultate in which he aims to “repropose” the universal call to holiness – which he says is the mission of life for every person.

Pope: Relationship with Jesus is our own personal love story

On the Second Sunday of Easter, also known as Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis said that our relationship with God is a personal one, filled with his love and mercy, where we proclaim like St. Thomas: “My Lord and my God!”

Cardinal Burke: Pope's authority is derived only from obedience to God

Speaking Saturday in Rome, Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke said that the pope is the highest authority in the Church, but because his power is derived from the divine law, the faithful are obligated to reject his teaching if it falls outside that divine law.