FAITH/STORIES
Pope Francis meets former Israeli and Palestinian officials promoting peace
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServicePope Francis met a former prime minister of Israel and a former Palestinian foreign minister who believe they have a workable peace plan for the Holy Land.
The celebration of World Mission Sunday will see Pope Francis declare Canadian Blessed Marie-Léonie Paradis, founder of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family, and 13 others as new saints.
Pope Francis hears testimonies from transgender and intersex Catholics
By Justin McLellan, Catholic News ServicePope Francis met with a group of transgender and intersex Catholics, along with LGBTQ+ allies and a medical doctor specializing in transgender healthcare, during a nearly 90-minute audience at his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae.
Synod begins looking at institutional changes to promote synodality
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceIf members of the Synod of Bishops are serious about sharing their experience of "synodality" with all members of the Catholic Church, then they must identify concrete ways to do so, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich told members.
Pope Francis and Zelenskyy discuss repatriation of Ukrainian captives
By Justin McLellan, Catholic News ServicePope Francis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met for the third time since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, focusing their discussion on the repatriation of Ukrainian nationals held in öÏÓãÊÓƵapp captivity.
Synod seeks to expand consultations on women's ministry, diaconate
By Justin McLellan, Catholic News ServiceThe Vatican group studying the question of women's ministry, including the ordination of women to the diaconate, will expand its consultative phase to include women who do not serve as consultors to the dicastery in charge of the study group, synod officials announced.
Evangelize with simplicity, prayer, dialogue, service, Pope Francis tells Jesuits
Evangelization does not have to be complicated or "sophisticated," even in highly secularized places, Pope Francis told Jesuits living in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
Vatican doctrinal chief tells synod it's not time for women deacons
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service"Rushing" to open the diaconate to women in the Catholic Church would short-circuit a necessary reflection on the relationship between ordained ministry and charismatic leadership, particularly as it impacts the participation of women in the church, said the head of the Vatican's doctrinal office.
Ending of Synod on Synodality begins
By Maria Wiering, öÏÓãÊÓƵapp NewsThe second meeting of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops begins this week at the Vatican. Like last year's meeting, it's a four-week-long gathering of 368 voting delegates -- with scores more of nonvoting participants -- from six continents to address the theme "For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission" and experience synodality, a posture of listening, accompaniment and communion in the church.
Church must recognize, ask pardon for its sins, Pope Francis says before synod
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceThe Catholic Church cannot be credible in its mission of proclaiming Christ unless it acknowledges its mistakes and bends down "to heal the wounds we have caused by our sins," Pope Francis said.
Vatican announces visitation of Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter
By Catholic News ServiceThe Vatican dicastery charged with overseeing and assisting religious orders confirmed that it plans to conduct an apostolic visitation of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, which was founded in 1988 by traditionalist priests wanting to maintain the old liturgical rites while remaining in full communion with the pope.
University expresses sharp disagreement over Pope Francis' stance on women
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceStudents at the world's oldest Catholic university applauded Pope Francis for his calls to protect the environment and promote justice, but he was challenged when it came to his vision of the role of women in the church and society.
Pope Francis: Humanity suffers from 'dangerous syndrome' of repeating mistakes
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceHumanity needs to be motivated by spiritual values if it is to avoid being thrown into dangerous exploits and useless massacres, Pope Francis said.