Articles by Hannah Brockhaus
Rome's poor to be guests of honor at Vatican concert
Oct 26, 2016 / 09:48 amThe Vatican will host a concert for the poor and homeless of Rome next month, not only using the concert to raise money for Pope Francis’ charities, but also inviting the poor to attend as the guests of honor.
To welcome the stranger is to welcome Christ, Pope Francis says
Oct 26, 2016 / 04:09 amWhen we perform the corporal works of mercy – specifically welcoming the stranger in the form migrants and refugees – we are welcoming Christ in them, and helping to restore their full dignity as humans, Pope Francis said Wednesday.
Vatican: Cremated bodies may not be scattered
Oct 25, 2016 / 08:44 amThe Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released an instruction Tuesday regarding burial and cremation, reiterating the Church's teaching that cremation, while strongly discouraged, can be permissible under certain restrictions – and that scattering the ashes is forbidden.
A message from Rome on the power of liturgical music
Oct 24, 2016 / 14:17 pmLiturgical music has the ability to communicate the love of God – and it's this message that gives it the power to help bring others to Christ, said the choir director of the Diocese of Rome.
Be 'men for others', not wrapped up in clericalism, Francis tells Jesuits
Oct 24, 2016 / 09:52 amBringing all people the lasting joy of the Church should be the focus of their service, Pope Francis told representatives of the Jesuits on Monday, as he urged them to shun pursuit of worldly leadership and position.
The reality of poverty is challenging, but don't avoid it, Pope says
Oct 19, 2016 / 03:35 amOn Wednesday Pope Francis said that while donating money to charity might make us feel good, seeing real poverty in the flesh is a challenge we have to face, rather than trying to avoid it.
The Memorial of Moses reopens, where he viewed the Promised Land
Oct 18, 2016 / 23:08 pmAfter 10 years of renovations the Memorial Sanctuary of Moses on Mount Nebo has reopened, highlighting the importance of sacred art and holy spaces in the preservation of the faith.
Francis, Benedict praise Bartholomew I as a brother in faith
Oct 17, 2016 / 09:55 amIn their forewords to a new book about the head of the Eastern Orthodox Church Patriarch Bartholomew I, Pope Francis and retired Pope Benedict XVI praised the faith and goodness of the ecumenical patriarch.
Pope at canonization Mass: Prayer isn’t always easy, pray anyway
Oct 16, 2016 / 05:50 amOn Sunday, Pope Francis canonized seven new saints in the Catholic Church, saying that prayer isn’t always a smooth path, but that like the saints, Christ supports us even when it is difficult.
Have grandkids? Pope Francis wants you to talk with them
Oct 15, 2016 / 10:35 amOn Saturday, Pope Francis told grandparents that they are valuable and that their wisdom should be shared with the younger generation, to help them grow and to support them in their faith.
Pope Francis’ delayed Milan trip to take place in March
Oct 15, 2016 / 04:11 amAfter having to postpone the trip earlier this year, because of an over-full schedule for the Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis will travel to Milan on March 25, 2017, the Vatican announced Saturday.
Pope Francis grieves over death of Thailand's king
Oct 14, 2016 / 09:21 amFriday Pope Francis expressed his sorrow to learn of the death of the King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died Thursday at a hospital in Bangkok.
Pope visits young children from difficult family situations
Oct 14, 2016 / 09:08 amOn Friday Pope Francis visited with young children at the “SOS Village” in Rome, a community made up of homes for children who are in positions of family or social hardship, as recommended by social services.
Pope Francis donates $100,000 to Haiti for hurricane relief
Oct 14, 2016 / 04:55 amPope Francis has decided to send an initial contribution of $100,000 to Haiti to help with emergency recovery in the wake of Hurricane Matthew, the Vatican announced Friday.
All Christians must follow Jesus closely, Pope Francis tells Lutherans
Oct 13, 2016 / 09:42 amOn Thursday, asked about what he likes and doesn’t like in the Lutheran ecclesial community, Pope Francis said he likes Lutherans who are active followers of Christ, while he dislikes Christians who are hypocritical or who have a lukewarm faith.
Cardinal Parolin visits Fatima ahead of Pope's trip
Oct 12, 2016 / 20:49 pmCardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, is traveling to Fatima, Portugal ahead of Pope Francis’ own visit, which will take place next year for the 100-year anniversary of Mary’s appearance there.
Pope pleads for ceasefire amid 'inhuman conflict' in Syria
Oct 12, 2016 / 03:36 amOn Wednesday, Pope Francis begged for an end to the terrible conflict in Syria, asking for an immediate ceasefire to allow the evacuation of civilians, especially children.
How do we evangelize the Americas?
Oct 10, 2016 / 23:02 pmAs society becomes increasingly global, the question of how to spread the Gospel, particularly in the U.S., depends more and more on how effectively we engage with the varying cultures around us – just as the many missionaries to America did before, say Catholic leaders.
In service, conversion of heart is the first step, says Pope Francis
Oct 10, 2016 / 10:40 amIn this transitory and often difficult life, it is necessary to have Christ as the center of everything you do, working to increase your own faith in Jesus and the faith of those you serve, Pope Francis said Monday.
Charity is the heart of all missionary action, Pope Francis says
Oct 7, 2016 / 06:59 amAfter electing their new General Superior, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate had a meeting with Pope Francis, who told them that in the midst of a rapidly changing world, humanity needs missionaries filled love and zeal for the Gospel.