Articles by Hannah Brockhaus
Mercy Friday: Pope makes surprise visit to residence centers for the sick
Dec 7, 2018 / 10:39 amContinuing his ‘Mercy Friday’ initiative, Pope Francis visited two live-in health centers in the far southern suburbs of Rome today, where he spoke with residents and gifted a 22-pound Christmas cake.
The Algerian martyrs shed their blood for Christ, pope says
Dec 7, 2018 / 10:02 amAhead of the beatification Saturday of Bishop Pierre Claverie and his 18 companions, who were martyred in Algeria between 1994 and 1996, Pope Francis said martyrs have a special place in the Church.
Pope approves new legislation governing Vatican City
Dec 6, 2018 / 11:01 amPope Francis Thursday published new laws governing the administration of Vatican City State, including the formation of a new oversight body for verifying departmental compliance with regulations and procedures within the governorate.
American sculptor humbled to bring sand nativity to Vatican
Dec 5, 2018 / 10:36 amGrowing up next door to Daytona Beach in Florida, Rich Varano spent a lot of time making things out of sand with his dad. He never imagined it could turn into his full-time gig – but 30 years later, he cannot imagine doing anything else.
Pope Francis: To pray, begin with humility
Dec 5, 2018 / 03:45 amLearning to pray well is a continual process, but should always start from a place of humility, as Jesus demonstrated in the Gospels, Pope Francis said Wednesday.
Holy See urges implementation of Paris Agreement
Dec 4, 2018 / 15:19 pmAt a UN climate change summit in Poland Monday, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin underlined the Holy See’s view that climate change is a moral issue and has an effect on human dignity.
Pope Francis lights candle for children in Syria
Dec 2, 2018 / 05:50 amPope Francis Sunday lit a candle, a symbol of hope, to pray for the children affected by violence and war in Syria and across the Middle East.
Pope Francis: Advent is a time of joy-filled waiting
Dec 1, 2018 / 09:38 amAs the Advent season begins, it is a good time to reflect on the Christian call to joyful expectancy, finding hope and consolation in waiting for Christ, Pope Francis said Saturday.
Vatican official: There is a clear link between Amazon synod, missionary month
Nov 30, 2018 / 10:32 amAccording to the president of the Pontifical Mission Societies, there is a clear link between next October’s focus on missionary work and the synod on the Amazon that makes the convergence of the two events fortuitous.
Francis praises witness of Pakistani Catholic killed in 2011
Nov 30, 2018 / 06:59 amServant of God Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic politician from Pakistan who was killed in 2011, is a witness of how to act with love in the face of hatred, Pope Francis said Friday.
Shrines are places of God's mercy, Pope Francis says
Nov 29, 2018 / 09:55 amShrines and sanctuaries should be places of welcoming and mercy where the sacraments can be received, Pope Francis said Thursday to an international gathering of shrine rectors and pastoral workers.
Pope sends message to conference on closed churches
Nov 29, 2018 / 05:27 amPope Francis wrote in his 2015 encyclical, Laudato si, that, “by learning to see and appreciate beauty, we learn to reject self-interested pragmatism.”
The Ten Commandments are God's 'x-ray,' Pope Francis says
Nov 28, 2018 / 04:42 amBy reflecting on the Ten Commandments, Christians can examine their hearts to see where disordered attachments and desires have made them in need of Christ’s healing, Pope Francis said Wednesday.
Pope Francis says priests, bishops should keep an open dialogue
Nov 26, 2018 / 10:14 amIn a meeting with seminarians Saturday, Pope Francis said it is necessary for priests to maintain an open and filial discussion with their bishop, since he is the unifying figure of the diocese.
Pope: The power of the Kingdom of God is love
Nov 25, 2018 / 06:45 amThe Kingdom of God takes its power from the strength of Christ’s love, not the strength of the sword, Pope Francis said Sunday, on the feast of Christ the King.
Pope Francis: Sacred music points to the beauty of Paradise
Nov 24, 2018 / 06:50 amLiturgical and sacred music can be a powerful instrument of evangelization, because it gives people a glimpse of the beauty of heaven, Pope Francis said Saturday at an international meeting of choirs.
February meeting on abuse to have 'synodal dimension,' child protection expert says
Nov 23, 2018 / 09:42 amThe approach of Pope Francis’ meeting of bishops in February, on the topic of abuse prevention in the Church, will reflect the synodal journey, Fr. Hans Zollner told Vatican Media Friday.
Cupich named to organizing group of Vatican's February meeting on abuse crisis
Nov 23, 2018 / 05:15 amThe Vatican announced Friday Pope Francis’ selection for the organizing committee of the Vatican’s February meeting of bishops on abuse prevention. Among the group named is Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago.
Human freedom is a gift from God, Pope Francis says
Nov 22, 2018 / 11:05 amTo be able to take “risks” in helping others is a gift of the freedom received from God the Father and revealed through Jesus Christ, Pope Francis said in a video message Thursday.
Follow Mary's 'yes,' pope says ahead of World Youth Day
Nov 21, 2018 / 11:31 amServing others first requires listening to God in prayer, so that one can give the same ‘yes’ to God’s will that Mary gave, Pope Francis said in a message for World Youth Day 2019.