Articles by Hannah Brockhaus
Pope Francis challenges young people in April prayer video
Apr 5, 2017 / 12:51 pmYoung people are the subject of Pope Francis’ universal prayer intention for April, and in his prayer video presenting the petition, the pontiff challenges them to “be the protagonists of change.”
Dialogue is essential, Pope Francis tells British Muslim leaders
Apr 5, 2017 / 10:56 amPope Francis met Wednesday with a delegation of Muslim leaders from Great Britain along with Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster to promote dialogue and collaboration following the deadly attack in London last month.
Pope Francis condemns deadly attacks in Syria, Russia
Apr 5, 2017 / 04:47 amOn Wednesday, Pope Francis expressed his horror at a chemical weapon attack in the province of Idlib, Syria the previous day, also expressing his sorrow for the victims of an attack April 3 in St. Petersburg, Russia.
For Francis, human development is about 'integrating body and soul'
Apr 4, 2017 / 10:41 amOn Tuesday Pope Francis spoke about what an ‘integral human development’ looks like, saying that development must include the whole person, both physically and spiritually.
Pope Francis creates path for SSPX priests to celebrate marriages validly
Apr 4, 2017 / 04:53 amOn Tuesday Pope Francis approved a way for priests of the Society of St. Pius X to witness marriages validly, which had not been the case previously because they lacked the faculties to do so.
Even in tragedy, God’s love remains, Pope tells earthquake victims
Apr 2, 2017 / 08:41 amSunday Pope Francis encouraged people from earthquake-damaged communities to continue the process of rebuilding with courage and strength, never losing hope in God’s steadfast love.
Pope: Don’t dwell on suffering, let Jesus heal you
Apr 2, 2017 / 03:42 amSunday, Pope Francis said that each of us carries some kind of tomb inside our heart, whether from sin or suffering, and we can either stay bogged down in misery, focusing only on ourselves, or we can allow Jesus to come into that place and heal it.
Pope Francis says Catholic shrines are a key place for evangelization
Apr 2, 2017 / 00:24 amOn Saturday, Pope Francis moved the responsibility for Catholic shrines to be under the Congregation for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, stating that shrines, as sacred places, are especially suitable to conversion and the strengthening of faith.
Vatican official hopes Trump will 'rethink' some decisions
Mar 31, 2017 / 12:20 pmThursday Vatican official Cardinal Peter Turkson said he hopes President Trump will reconsider some of the decisions he is making in office, particularly his recent executive order curtailing environmental protections – but that he is glad U.S. bishops are offering a “different voice.”
Pope Francis makes surprise 'Year of Mercy'-style visit
Mar 31, 2017 / 08:16 amAlthough the Jubilee Year of Mercy has officially ended, Pope Francis today made a surprise “Mercy Friday” visit to a center for the blind and visually impaired in Rome – showing that he doesn't think works of mercy are just for special occasions – or years.
Don't believe in hell? You haven't seen Syria lately, cardinal says
Mar 30, 2017 / 14:02 pmSix years after the start of the Civil War, Syria's apostolic nuncio said that the country is in a “bloodbath” – a situation so desperate it leaves you with the impression of being in hell.
Pope Francis prays for Iraq as civilian death toll rises
Mar 29, 2017 / 03:56 amWith the battle for major ISIS strongholds heating up in Iraq, Pope Francis has voiced his closeness to the country, praying for the safety of people on the ground, particularly civilians caught in the crosshairs of the fighting.
Pope Francis: Eliminating nuclear weapons is a moral imperative
Mar 28, 2017 / 07:55 amOn Tuesday, Pope Francis acknowledged the difficulty of totally eliminating nuclear weapons, but said the challenge is still a necessary undertaking, especially given what’s at stake.
As abuse survivor leaves, Vatican group aims to listen better to victims
Mar 27, 2017 / 09:26 amAfter a victim who suffered past clerical abuse resigned from the Vatican's anti-abuse commission, the group is aiming for more effective ways to communicate with survivors and include them in its work.
How do we solve crises? Put the person first, Pope Francis tells EU
Mar 24, 2017 / 12:04 pmBeing disconnected from the values of the past – which upheld the human person and the family – has placed us in a new era of crises, Pope Francis told European leaders. However, he noted, there is hope.
Vatican abuse prevention event 'extremely important' for Church
Mar 23, 2017 / 13:22 pmOn Thursday a Vatican event on the prevention of child abuse narrowed in on the importance of education in schools and parishes in the safeguarding of children – not only for teachers, but for parents and children – and on the Church's role.
Dublin prepares for 2018 World Meeting of Families
Mar 22, 2017 / 23:08 pmJust a little more than a year away, the Archdiocese of Dublin released a video Wednesday inviting families from around the world to come together in Ireland for the World Meeting of Families in August 2018.
Pope Francis: This Lent, seek the only ‘well’ that satisfies – Christ
Mar 19, 2017 / 05:47 amOn Sunday Pope Francis said that Lent is the perfect time to remind ourselves of the life-giving water we received at our Baptism, turning away from things of the world, which ultimately leave us unsatisfied.
Pope Francis to visit Egypt April 28-29
Mar 18, 2017 / 05:11 amIn what will be his first international trip of the year, Pope Francis will be traveling to Cairo, Egypt, April 28-29, showing that interfaith dialogue is a priority.
Pope Francis goes to confession
Mar 17, 2017 / 10:48 amAt the end of his annual Lenten penitential service on Friday, Pope Francis was the first to go to the sacrament of confession, afterward hearing the confessions of seven laypeople, three men and four women, in attendance.