Confession

The Latest

Penitential celebration with Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica on March 4, 2016.

God did not create us to remain crushed by sin, Pope says

Mar 4, 2016

By Elise Harris

Leading his annual penitential service on Friday, Pope Francis told attendees to stand tall and be open to forgiveness, and... Read more

Friar Roberto.

This 95-year-old priest walked three miles while hearing confessions

Mar 3, 2016

A 95-year-old priest named Friar Roberto walked more than three-and-a-half miles while hearing confessions during a recent “Penitential Walk” in... Read more

Pope Francis goes to confession as part of a penitential Mass at St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on March 28, 2014.

Pope Francis will hear confessions on Friday at St. Peter's

Mar 2, 2016

The office of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations has announced that Pope Francis will hear confessions from the faithful at St. Peter’s... Read more

Why this diocese is holding a 24 hour confess-a-thon

Feb 24, 2016

By Kevin J. Jones

Priests will be available for confession throughout a special 24-hour period in the Diocese of Bismarck to help celebrate the... Read more

Pope Francis listens to confessions on July 26, 2013 during World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

How to be a great confessor – Pope Francis' advice for priests

Feb 9, 2016

Priests who are good confessors must recognize their own sins in order to forgive and comfort penitents, Pope Francis said... Read more

'Confess-a-thon' at Colombian mall draws 350 priests

Oct 14, 2015

In the South American nation of Colombia – where an estimated 70 percent of the population identifies as Catholic –... Read more

Pope Francis delivers an Angelus address in St. Peter's Square, June 15, 2015.

Pope: In Confession we encounter God's immense mercy

Aug 2, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Delivering his weekly Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, Pope Francis said that while everyone feels shame before... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on Dec. 3, 2014.

This Lent, the Pope has a message for lapsed Catholics: It's never too late

Feb 27, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Fallen away Catholics are being invited to “come home” this Lent through a worldwide initiative led by Pope Francis, which... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during his Wednesday general audience on June 18, 2014.

Confession isn't the 'dry-cleaners' – it's an embrace from God

Jan 23, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis said that confessing our sins isn't a “mechanical” procedure like getting a stained removed but rather a joyful... Read more

An Advent gift: God's mercy in the confessional, cardinal says

Dec 17, 2014

As Christmas approaches, priests and penitents should remind themselves of the “miracle” of confession and how we should approach the... Read more

Confessional.

Priests at Mexico City Cathedral hear 5000 confessions

Dec 8, 2014

Responding to an invitation from Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera to seek reconciliation with Christ during the season of Advent, nearly... Read more

Repentance: A tough but true topic for divorced, remarried

Nov 20, 2014

The divorced and remarried can receive absolution like any other member of the faithful, the Vatican's doctrinal office has affirmed:... Read more

'The right to forget': sins are left behind in the confessional

Nov 17, 2014

Speaking about the “right to forget” sins after confessing them, a Vatican official stressed that God’s mercy truly frees us... Read more

United States Supreme Court.

Supreme Court asked to defend Seal of Confession in La. case

Sep 6, 2014

By Matt Hadro

The Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court to review a ruling that a diocesan... Read more

Confession.

La. diocese: priest cannot break seal of confession

Jul 10, 2014

After the Louisiana Supreme Court ruled that a priest may have to testify about an alleged confession, the Diocese of... Read more

Pope Francis receives the sacrament of Confession at a penance service held at St. Peter's Basilica, March 28, 2014.

God never tires of forgiving us, Pope reflects

Mar 28, 2014

Pope Francis dedicated his homily at Friday’s Mass to the mercy of God, emphasizing that while God is firm in... Read more

Pope Francis delivers his first Sunday Angelus on March 17, 2013.

Upcoming day of reconciliation announced by Pope

Mar 23, 2014

During his Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis announced that March 29-30 would be “24 hours for the Lord,” during which people... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square before the Wednesday general audience Dec. 11, 2013.

Pope Francis: Be courageous, go to confession

Feb 19, 2014

During his Wednesday audience, Pope Francis encouraged the pilgrims filling St. Peter's Square to receive the sacrament of reconciliation.  Read more

Confession.

Computer system could help deaf Catholics make confessions

Dec 20, 2013

A Phoenix, Ariz., priest has invented a computer system intended to help Catholics who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired to... Read more

Pope Francis greets bishops during his general audience on Sept. 25, 2013

Church is 'depository' of God’s forgiveness, Pope says

Nov 20, 2013

By Elise Harris

In his weekly general audience, Pope Francis spoke about the power Jesus gave the apostles to forgive sins in his... Read more