FAITH/STORIES
Synod synthesis shows agreement, divergences, including on 'synodality'
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceA report summarizing discussions at the assembly of the Synod of Bishops said the church may need more welcoming pastoral approaches, especially to people who feel excluded, but also acknowledged fears of betraying traditional church teachings and practices.
Vatican Nativity scene to honor 800th anniversary of St. Francis' creche
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceOn the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi setting up the first Nativity scene, the creche in St. Peter's Square in 2023 will come from the Diocese of Rieti, Italy, and pay tribute to the scene set up in the diocese in 1223.
Pope Francis calls on doctrinal dicastery to formally investigate Father Rupnik
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServicePope Francis has lifted the statute of limitations on abuse accusations against Father Marko Rupnik to allow for a formal investigation of the case by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Pope Francis again calls for release of hostages in Gaza, discusses aid with Biden
Pope Francis called for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and spoke with U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss the humanitarian crisis and the need to de-escalate violence in the region.
John Paul II still looms large over Vatican
By Magdalena Wolinska-Riedi, öÏÓãÊÓƵapp NewsRaniero Mancinelli has been an ecclesiastical tailor for more than 40 years. He owns a shop at Borgo Pio, one of the famous Roman streets leading straight to the Vatican gate of Porta Sant’Anna.
Pope Francis mentions planned Argentina trip, hints at Oceania tour
By Justin McLellan, Catholic News ServicePope Francis said a trip to his native Argentina remains on his schedule and that he has been encouraged to travel through Oceania.
Confidential synod documents made available on unsecured server
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceSome confidential documents from the assembly of the Synod of Bishops were accessible online to anyone who had the address before synod officials restored the need for a username and password, said Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the Dicastery for Communication.
Study, not blame or shame, needed with pope's wartime record, scholar says
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceThe era of divisive debate about Pope Pius XII has been left behind, and now Catholics and Jews, historians and theologians must take up serious and collaborative study, said the co-organizer of a major conference looking at the early results of new research into the wartime pontificate.
Saying terrorism, war solve nothing, Pope Francis prays for peace
"War is a defeat," Pope Francis insisted as he called for prayers for peace in Israel and Palestine.
'Laudate Deum': Planet mirrors a deeply flawed view of human life and activity
By Gina Christian, öÏÓãÊÓƵapp NewsPope Francis claims the clock is ticking on the dangers of climate change -- and both a paradigm shift and practical action are critically needed to avert looming disasters in nature and human society.
Pope Francis responds to cardinals on blessings for homosexuals, female priests
By Justin McLellan, Catholic News ServiceThe Catholic Church, in pursuit of "pastoral prudence," should discern if there are ways of giving blessings to homosexual persons that do not alter the church's teaching on marriage, Pope Francis said.
Creating cardinals from 16 nations, Pope Francis asks them to join church 'symphony'
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceComing from different parts of the world and having different experiences and talents, members of the College of Cardinals are called to create a "symphony," listening to one another and to the Holy Spirit, Pope Francis said.
öÏÓãÊÓƵapp stand in line to greet new cardinals from the 'peripheries'
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceOne consequence of Pope Francis choosing new cardinals from the "peripheries" is that friends, family and fans of the newly elevated are just as shocked and surprised as the new cardinals are themselves to have been given the honor.