Articles by Hannah Brockhaus
Ahead of Burma visit, Pope says he's coming to promote peace
Nov 17, 2017 / 05:29 amOn Friday, Pope Francis sent a video greeting to the people of Burma – also known as Myanmar – ahead of his Nov. 27-30 trip, saying he is coming to proclaim the Gospel and promote peace in a country gripped by a heated humanitarian and political crisis surrounding the Rohingya Muslim minority.
Pope Francis: The Mass needs silence, not 'chit-chat'
Nov 15, 2017 / 03:49 amOn Wednesday, Pope Francis called out the common habit of chatting with people around you before Mass, stressing that this is a time for silent prayer, when we prepare our hearts for an encounter with the Lord.
If you died today, would you be ready? Pope Francis asks
Nov 12, 2017 / 05:36 amOn Sunday Pope Francis encouraged people not to wait to reflect on their lives, but to ask themselves: If this was my last day on earth, am I prepared? Am I cooperating with God’s grace?
Pope Francis: The future of the world depends on the family
Nov 11, 2017 / 11:16 amThe future of the Church and the world is dependent on the good of the family, said Pope Francis in a video message Saturday.
Pope Francis: Despite naysayers, there's hope for a nuke-free world
Nov 10, 2017 / 05:18 amIn a key speech on the global effort to eradicate nuclear arms, Pope Francis called the weapons immoral and said they should be made illegal in war, but he also voiced hope that despite pessimism, things are moving in the right direction.
Former child trafficking victim: Awareness needs to produce action
Nov 9, 2017 / 14:54 pmFormer trafficking victim Rani Hong, who was kidnapped and sold into slavery at seven years old, is speaking out, saying we’ve raised awareness, but now it’s time to put our knowledge into action to help victims.
Pope encourages Ukrainian seminarians to peace, ecumenism
Nov 9, 2017 / 11:16 amMeeting with the community of a Ukrainian Greek Catholic seminary in Rome on Thursday, Pope Francis encouraged them build up justice and peace in their homeland.
Like Mother Cabrini, treat migrants with charity and justice, Pope says
Nov 9, 2017 / 00:08 amPope Francis praised St. Frances Cabrini in the preface to a book about her life for her foresight in addressing the needs of migrants, saying she’s an example of how to treat people with both charity and justice.
Pope: Mass is for the Eucharist, not pictures. Put the phone away.
Nov 8, 2017 / 04:35 amOn Wednesday a fiery Pope Francis chastised those who spend Mass talking to others, looking at their phone or even taking pictures during papal liturgies, saying these are distractions that take focus away from the “heart of the Church,” which is the Eucharist.
Vatican to host nuclear disarmament conference
Nov 7, 2017 / 11:52 amThe Vatican is preparing for a conference on nuclear disarmament this week in the wake of an international effort to ban nuclear weapons.
Pope names two laywomen to key positions in Vatican's family office
Nov 7, 2017 / 07:16 amOn Tuesday the Vatican announced Pope Francis’ appointment of two lay women – experts in bioethics and canon law – as the first two under-secretaries of the mega-dicastery for Laity, Family and Life.
How do we help trafficking victims re-enter society? Vatican conference takes a look
Nov 6, 2017 / 15:21 pmA Vatican workshop this past weekend drew attention to the vast challenges faced by victims of human trafficking when reintegrating into society, suggesting concrete steps for helping victims.
New book reveals details of John Paul I’s death
Nov 6, 2017 / 04:08 amA new book discloses details about the death of Pope John Paul I – who died in 1978 after just 33 days in office – and conclusive evidence that his death was the result of a heart attack, as previously thought.
In latest prayer video, Pope shines light on challenges in Asia
Nov 3, 2017 / 10:04 amIn his prayer video for November Pope Francis prays for the Church in Asia, that despite challenges it may continue to be a source of peace and dialogue between religions.
Choose everlasting life, not death, Pope Francis says
Nov 3, 2017 / 03:43 amOn Friday Pope Francis said that in contemplating death we are reminded of our ultimate purpose – and how the choices we make here on earth will determine whether we eventually spend eternity in heaven.
On All Souls' Day, Pope Francis prays for an end to war
Nov 2, 2017 / 08:52 amWe should beg God to put an end to the violence and destruction wrought by war, especially as the world seems to prepare for another conflict, Pope Francis said on All Souls' Day.
Catholics, Lutherans look toward Christian unity in Reformation statement
Oct 31, 2017 / 09:02 amThe Reformation anniversary gives us a renewed impetus to work for reconciliation, said a statement released jointly Tuesday by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Lutheran World Federation.
Pope Francis: In the Eucharist we receive the grace to love
Oct 29, 2017 / 06:14 amOn Sunday Pope Francis reflected on Jesus’ command to love God above all things, and your neighbor as yourself, saying that it is in the Eucharist that we receive the grace to carry this out.
Pope to European civil and Church leaders: men and women are different
Oct 28, 2017 / 09:36 amIn a lengthy speech to civil and ecclesiastical leaders of Europe on Saturday, Pope Francis defended the family as being made up of a man and woman open to life – saying that this fundamental community is also a model for secular communities.
Civil, ecclesial leaders of Europe find common ground in their concerns
Oct 27, 2017 / 10:55 amThe concern felt by both the Catholic Church and local civil leaders for the future of Europe provides an opportunity for collaboration in creating a better future, a high-level European politician said Friday.