Articles by Hannah Brockhaus
For Pope Francis, martyrs are the strength of the Church
Jan 30, 2017 / 10:37 amPope Francis said Monday the strength of the Church does not reside primarily in grand gestures, but in the quiet faith of Christians in minority areas, who continue to practice even in the face of persecution and martyrdom.
Pope Francis condemns shooting at Quebec mosque
Jan 30, 2017 / 09:34 amPope Francis met Monday with Cardinal Gérald Lacroix of Quebec, conveying his sorrow for the victims of a shooting the night before in a mosque in Quebec City. He condemned the attack, saying Christians and Muslims should unite in prayer over the tragedy.
Why the Vatican thinks priests should learn about art, beauty
Jan 29, 2017 / 16:02 pmUgly churches with bad acoustics don't do justice to the richness and beauty of the liturgy – and it's this connection between art and faith that's vital for priests to understand today, a Vatican official insists.
Devastating wildfires in Chile prompt message from Pope Francis
Jan 26, 2017 / 10:21 amPope Francis sent a letter to Chile voicing his nearness to everyone suffering from the devastating effects of more than 100 wildfires, which have ravaged areas of the country for over a week now.
Pope Francis appoints two new auxiliary bishops for Milwaukee
Jan 25, 2017 / 07:11 amOn Wednesday, the Vatican announced the appointment of two priests from Milwaukee – Fr. Jeffrey R. Haines and Fr. James T. Schuerman – to serve as auxiliary bishops for the archdiocese.
Trusting in God means letting go of what we want, Pope says
Jan 25, 2017 / 06:28 amOn Wednesday Pope Francis said having total faith and trust in God means recognizing that he always knows and wants what is best for us, even if it’s hard to accept because it doesn’t align with our own plans.
Pope Francis: The Christian life is about showing up
Jan 24, 2017 / 11:43 amTo live a Christian life, we can’t run away or hide from God’s will, Pope Francis said Tuesday. Rather, we must continuously show up – speaking to God in prayer and striving to do his will.
Vatican sends team to Aleppo in support of those suffering from the war
Jan 24, 2017 / 08:57 amOn behalf of Pope Francis, the secretary of the new Vatican department for Promoting Integral Human Development made a six-day visit to the Syrian city of Aleppo, ravaged by years of conflict between rebels and pro-government forces.
On Trump presidency, Pope says we must 'wait and see'
Jan 22, 2017 / 08:05 amIn a new interview published Saturday, Pope Francis said he will wait to see what U.S. President Donald J. Trump does before making any judgments, emphasizing God’s own patience with him and his faults.
Pope leads 'Hail Mary' for those affected by latest disasters in Italy
Jan 22, 2017 / 04:56 amAfter his Angelus address Sunday Pope Francis prayed for those who have lost family and friends after the latest set of earthquakes in central Italy this past week, as well as for all those who provide assistance, including rescue workers.
Pope to Dominicans: Your good works give glory to God
Jan 21, 2017 / 10:50 amSaturday Pope Francis encouraged Dominicans to persevere in their good works of the last 800 years, which have been like the “salt” and “light” of Christ, spreading the Gospel throughout the world.
Pope Francis makes a strong call for better marriage prep
Jan 21, 2017 / 09:45 amIn his annual speech to the Holy See's main court on Saturday, Pope Francis stressed the pressing need for effective education and preparation for the sacrament of marriage – not only to guard against invalid marriages, but also to strengthen the faith of the couple as they prepare for the unique blessings and challenges of married life.
Concert marks one year after Pope's historic synagogue visit
Jan 20, 2017 / 10:33 amOne year after Pope Francis visited the Great Synagogue in Rome, the Hebrew Choir of Rome “Ha-Kol,” and the Choir of the Diocese of Rome joined together to give a concert Jan. 19 on the theme: “Sing to the Lord a new song.”
Pope Francis: The Christian life requires fighting against Satan
Jan 19, 2017 / 12:28 pmPope Francis spoke Thursday about the struggles inherent to the Christian life, and how temptation, while a normal part of trying to live virtuously, must be fought adamantly.
Polish parliament recognizes coronation of Mary as nation's queen
Jan 18, 2017 / 06:08 amPoland's government has adopted multiple resolutions establishing 2017 as a Jubilee Year for the country, celebrating the 300th anniversary of the first canonical coronation of the image of Our Lady of Czestochowa.
Pope Francis: prayer is an act of hope that leads us to God
Jan 18, 2017 / 04:10 amOn Wednesday Pope Francis said hope in salvation is what leads us to turn to the Lord in prayer, trusting in faith particularly in moments when we are faced with the fear generated by death or injury.
Dominicans celebrate 800 years with reflection, prayer
Jan 17, 2017 / 14:15 pmAs the Order of Preachers, better known as the Dominicans, celebrate the 800th anniversary of their founding, they gather in Rome from around the world to reflect on their history, their charism of preaching, and how they can continue to put this charism at the service of the Church today.
Pope sends condolences to Kyrgyz town devastated by plane crash
Jan 16, 2017 / 10:14 amPope Francis Monday sent a telegram to survivors of a cargo plane crash in the Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan, expressing his sorrow for all those who died and sending his prayers for the rescue efforts.
Dinner and a warm place to sleep: How Rome is reaching out to the homeless
Jan 15, 2017 / 16:02 pmAs colder weather settled over Rome last week, two area charities have found ways to reach out to those without food or shelter during the cold winter nights: one by turning a church into a temporary shelter, another by partnering with a newly-opened McDonald’s near the Vatican.
Love God now – because you might not have tomorrow, Pope says
Jan 12, 2017 / 08:56 amPope Francis reflected on Thursday how each person, not knowing what will happen in the future, has only “today” to love God and open their heart to the Holy Spirit – while the temptation to put things off is foolish, because there may not be another day.