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FAITH/STORIES

Pope Francis delivers his Christmas message and blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) from the Hall of Blessings at the Vatican Dec. 25, 2020. Also pictured are Cardinal Angelo Comastri, archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, and Msgr. Guido Marini, papal master of ceremonies.

Pope Francis on Christmas: Share hope, promote peace, give vaccine to all

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VATICAN CITY -- On a Christmas like no other, Pope Francis prayed for people who could not be with their families because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but he urged everyone to recognize and help those who are suffering even more.

A figurine of the baby Jesus is pictured as Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 24, 2020. The Mass was not open to the general public and began at 7:30 p.m. local time so that the limited number of attendees could return home in time to observe Italy's 10 p.m. curfew.
December 25, 2020

Christmas Eve: Jesus' birth brings hope in troubling times, Pope Francis says

The birth of Christ is a gift from God that brings people hope and courage in troubled times, Pope Francis said Christmas Eve.

CDF: current COVID-19 vaccines morally acceptable without alternatives

CDF: current COVID-19 vaccines morally acceptable without alternatives

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VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican's doctrinal office said that when alternative vaccines are not available, it is morally acceptable to receive COVID-19 vaccines developed or tested using cell lines originating from aborted fetuses.

Solar panels are seen on the roof of the Paul VI audience hall at the Vatican in this Dec. 1, 2010, file photo. In a videomessage, Pope Francis told the Virtual Climate Ambition Summit that Vatican City is aiming for net zero carbon emissions.

Vatican aims for net-zero emissions

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis pledged Vatican City State would achieve net-zero carbon emissions before the year 2050, and he urged everyone in the world to be part of a new culture of care for others and the planet.

A nurse holds a vial of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at University Hospital in Coventry, England, Dec. 8, 2020, the first day of the largest immunization program in British history.

Vatican will offer Pfizer COVID vaccine to employees

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VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican health service will begin vaccinating employees and Vatican citizens against COVID-19 using the Pfizer vaccine, the director of the Vatican health service told Vatican News.

December 14, 2020
Pope Francis uses incense as he celebrates Mass marking the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 12, 2020.

Mary is reminder of God's blessing, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY -- The humble image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a reminder of the gift of God's abundant blessings to all men and women, Pope Francis said.

The original image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Guadalupe devotion rising for Indigenous

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The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is not some distant, colourful, Mexican tradition for former New Brunswick Lieutenant Governor Graydon Nicholas.

Pope Francis prays at the base of a tall Marian statue overlooking the Spanish Steps in Rome Dec. 8, 2002, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. The pope prayed at the statue shortly before the Rome firefighters' traditional early morning event in honor of the Immaculate Conception.

Say 'no' to sin, 'yes' to grace, Pope Francis says on Immaculate Conception feast

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VATICAN CITY - Mary's Immaculate Conception offers a glimpse to the promised life for all Christians who open their hearts to God and his grace, Pope Francis said.

Statues of Mary, the child Jesus and St. Joseph are seen at St. Mary Josefa Parish in Rome Feb. 19, 2017. In a Dec. 8 apostolic letter, Pope Francis proclaimed a yearlong celebration dedicated to St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus.

Pope Francis proclaims year dedicated to St. Joseph

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VATICAN CITY - Marking the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph being declared patron of the universal church, Pope Francis proclaimed a yearlong celebration dedicated to the foster father of Jesus.

Carmelo Barbagallo, president of the Vatican's Supervisory and Financial Information Authority, poses in a July 2, 2020, photo. Pope Francis has approved a new statute for the Vatican's financial watchdog agency to improve independence and oversight powers.

Pope Francis approves changes for Vatican's financial watchdog agency

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis approved new changes to the Vatican's financial watchdog agency concerning its internal governance, hiring procedures and its role as a "supervisory" body.

A priest hears confession inside the cathedral in Valencia, Spain, May 19, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview Dec. 5 with the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, said confession by phone is still most likely invalid.

Cardinal upholds 'probable invalidity' of confession by phone

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VATICAN CITY - Even though the world is facing a pandemic that may limit many people's ability to celebrate the sacraments, particularly those people who are in isolation, quarantining or hospitalized with COVID-19, confession by phone is still most likely invalid, said Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary.

Pope Francis greets Iraqi President Barham Salih at the Vatican Jan. 25, 2020. The Vatican has confirmed Pope Francis will visit Iraq March 5-8.

Pope Francis plans to visit Iraq in March

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VATICAN CITY - Barring any obstacles caused by the global pandemic, Pope Francis is set to begin international travel again in 2021 by visiting Iraq in March, which would make him the first pope to visit this nation.

Red birettas are pictured during Pope Francis' Mass with new cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Nov. 29, 2020.

Pope Francis creates 13 new cardinals at consistory

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VATICAN CITY -- One by one 11 senior churchmen, including two U.S. citizens -- Cardinals Wilton D. Gregory of Washington and Silvano M. Tomasi, a former Vatican diplomat -- knelt before Pope Francis to receive their red hats, a cardinal's ring and a scroll formally declaring their new status and assigning them a "titular" church in Rome.

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