Articles by Hannah Brockhaus
Pope reappoints O’Malley to head further work of safeguarding commission
Feb 17, 2018 / 05:10 amOn Saturday the Vatican announced that Pope Francis has reconfirmed Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston as head of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, also reconfirming seven members and appointing nine new.
Priesthood isn't an assignment – it's a mission, Pope tells seminarians
Feb 16, 2018 / 07:38 amOn Friday Pope Francis met with the community of the Pontifical Maronite College, explaining how their seminary formation isn’t about them or even for them, but for the people they will eventually serve in their parishes and dioceses.
Pope says he prays for those who call him a heretic
Feb 15, 2018 / 12:50 pmPope Francis told Jesuits in Chile last month that he’s willing to have discussions with people who disagree with him, but that when people just shout ‘heretic’, he prays for them instead.
Francis modifies norms for the resignation of bishops
Feb 15, 2018 / 10:22 amOn Thursday Pope Francis tweaked the Church’s policies on bishops and Curial officials reaching the age of retirement, indicating that they should accept what God wants, whether accepting retirement or accepting continued service.
Pope on Ash Wednesday: Lent is the perfect time to 'come home'
Feb 14, 2018 / 09:33 amAt Mass for Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis invited everyone to live the 40 days of Lent as a time to “pause” from things which keep us from virtue and to return home to the loving and merciful embrace of God the Father.
Rocket launch prompts talk of living on Mars – what’s a Catholic to think?
Feb 14, 2018 / 00:41 amA major rocket launch by entrepreneur Elon Musk’s aerospace company, SpaceX, on Feb. 6 has been hailed as a major step toward cheaper and more frequent spaceflight – and the eventual population of Mars.
Pope offers Mass alongside patriarch of Melkite Greek Church
Feb 13, 2018 / 06:55 amAt Mass at Santa Marta Tuesday, Pope Francis concelebrated Mass with the patriarch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Youssef Absi, saying that offering the liturgy together is like an embrace between the two Churches.
Pope Francis 'signs up' for World Youth Day in Panama
Feb 11, 2018 / 05:30 amAfter the Angelus Sunday, with the help of a tablet and two young people, Pope Francis signed up for World Youth Day 2019 in Panama, announcing that registration for the international event has opened.
Pray for each other, Pope Francis tells Stigmatine Fathers
Feb 10, 2018 / 10:22 amIn an off-the-cuff speech Saturday, Pope Francis told members of the Stigmatine Fathers that in community life, fraternity is a grace which requires concrete prayer for each other, and that to hold onto resentment after arguments is a sin.
Vatican conference unites police and Church in fight against human trafficking
Feb 9, 2018 / 10:05 amA conference on human trafficking and modern-day slavery was held at the Vatican Feb. 8-9, bringing together church leaders and senior police officers from more than 30 different countries to discuss progress and setbacks in initiatives.
Francis, Prime Minister of Estonia meet ahead of possible papal visit
Feb 9, 2018 / 07:40 amWith a papal visit to Estonia likely on the horizon, Pope Francis on Friday met the country’s Prime Minister, Jüri Ratas, at the Vatican, discussing their good diplomatic ties and the contributions of the Catholic Church in Estonian society, despite its small minority.
Colosseum to be lit red for persecuted Christians
Feb 7, 2018 / 13:49 pmThe Roman Colosseum will be illuminated by red lights later this month to draw attention to the persecution of Christians around the world, and especially in Syria and Iraq.
Vatican congregation approves miracle, opening door to Paul VI’s canonization
Feb 6, 2018 / 10:15 amOn Tuesday the Congregation for the Causes of Saints approved the second miracle needed for the canonization of Blessed Pope Paul VI, allowing his canonization to take place, possibly later this year.
This Lent, revive your enthusiasm for the faith, Pope says
Feb 6, 2018 / 05:29 amIn his message for the upcoming Lenten season, Pope Francis urged people to renew their enthusiasm for the faith, using this season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving as an opportunity to stoke the flame of charity in their heart.
Pope, Turkish president, discuss Middle East in first Vatican meeting
Feb 5, 2018 / 13:00 pmOn Monday, Pope Francis and the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, met at the Vatican, discussing the situation in the Middle East, in particular the status of Jerusalem, and the need for peace and stability in the region.
Don’t let technology replace real encounters, Francis says on Candlemas
Feb 2, 2018 / 10:50 amPope Francis told consecrated men and women Friday that they are called to have real encounters with their brothers and sisters, and that technology should never have a higher priority than time spent with God and others.
Pope: It’s blasphemy to commit crimes in the name of God
Feb 2, 2018 / 08:00 amOn Friday Pope Francis met with participants in a conference on violence committed in the name of religion, emphasizing that to use God as justification for sin is one of the worst blasphemes, and something religious leaders must work to combat.
Two new day-trips in Italy added to Pope’s schedule
Feb 2, 2018 / 07:48 amThe Vatican announced Friday that Pope Francis has added two day-trips in Italy to his schedule for spring 2018, including his already-scheduled visit to the towns of Pietrelcina and San Giovanni Rotondo for the 50th anniversary of Padre Pio’s death.
Remember you're going to die, Pope Francis counsels
Feb 1, 2018 / 09:05 amSpending time reflecting on your own death can be a freeing experience, and one that can even help us to become better people, Pope Francis said in a homily at the Casa Santa Marta Thursday.
Pope's Lenten spiritual exercises to focus on the 'Thirst of Christ'
Jan 31, 2018 / 10:00 amThe annual Lenten retreat for the Pope and members of the Roman Curia will this year focus on the theme, “Praise of Thirst.”