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FAITH/STORIES

Pope Francis meets in the apostolic palace Dec. 19, 2019, with six new ambassadors to the Vatican who were presenting their letters of credential to the pope. The new ambassadors represented Kenya, Niger, Mali, Latvia, Andorra and Seychelles.

New diplomats to Vatican meet with Pope Francis

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VATICAN CITY -- Peace requires setting aside indifference and fear so that a feeling of mutual respect may grow and flourish, Pope Francis told diplomats.

People greet Pope Francis as he leaves his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Dec. 18, 2019.
December 18, 2019

Pray before a Nativity Scene, Pope Francis suggests

VATICAN CITY -- Putting up a Nativity scene before Christmas is a reminder to stop and remember what Christmas is really about and to prepare one's heart like a manger for the coming of Christ, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis leads his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

Pope Francis lifts secrecy obligation for those reporting abuse

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has abolished the obligation of secrecy for those who report having been sexually abused by a priest and for those who testify in a church trial or process having to do with clerical sexual abuse.

December 16, 2019
A pilgrim holds up a figurine of the Christ Child as Pope Francis leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Dec 15, 2019.

Pope Francis blesses infant Jesus statues at Angelus audience

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis blessed hundreds of figurines of the baby Jesus -- ranging from tiny plastic figures to life-sized statues -- and encouraged children to make sure they have Nativity scenes at home.

Pope Francis greets an elderly woman as he meets with people of the Banado Norte neighborhood in Asuncion, Paraguay, in this July 12, 2015, file photo. On Dec. 16, 2019, the eve of his 83rd birthday, Pope Francis met with a group of his peers, although many were a few years younger, and told them that "old age is a time of grace."

Old age is time of grace, Pope Francis tells elderly peers

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VATICAN CITY -- On the eve of his 83rd birthday, Pope Francis met with a group of his peers -- although many were a few years younger -- and told them that "old age is a time of grace."

Pope Francis accepts a gift during an audience with a group of international performers at the Vatican Dec. 13, 2019. The performers, including U.S. singer Lionel Richie, were scheduled to perform at the Vatican's Christmas concert the next day.

People's hearts yearn for God, not possessions, Pope Francis says

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VATICAN CITY -- The Christmas season is a time to reflect on what life is all about, Pope Francis told an international group of performers.

December 12, 2019
Pope Francis uses incense as he venerates an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe during a Mass marking her feast day in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 12, 2019. In attendance were U.S. bishops from Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin making their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican.

Mary is loving mother, humble disciple, Pope Francis says on Guadalupe feast

VATICAN CITY -- Celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pope Francis said she reminds Catholics of her true essence as a woman, a mother and a "mestiza" or person of mixed race.

December 12, 2019
A sculpture with peace doves is seen in Beijing April, 25, 2019. In his message for the Jan. 1 World Day of Peace, Pope Francis said the world does not need more empty words, it needs committed, active peacemakers.

World needs peacemakers, not empty words, Pope Francis says in message

VATICAN CITY -- The world does not need more empty words, it needs committed, active peacemakers who do not exclude or manipulate, but are open to respectful dialogue, Pope Francis said in his annual message for the World Day of Peace Jan. 1.

Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes.

Causes for sainthood require thorough investigation, Pope Francis says

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VATICAN CITY -- The saints are "the true light of the church," so before they are proposed to all Catholics for imitation and veneration, a scrupulous investigation is required, Pope Francis said.

December 11, 2019
Pope Francis greets a newly married couple during his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Dec. 11, 2019.

Martyrdom comes from following Christ without compromise, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY -- There always will be martyrs among Christians in the world, Pope Francis said.

December 10, 2019
Pope Francis celebrates morning Mass in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, at the Vatican Dec. 10, 2019. The pope said God will console anyone who lets himself or herself be consoled; all that is needed is to ask forgiveness.

Let yourself be consoled by the Lord in confession, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY -- Anyone who wants to experience the consolation and tenderness of God simply needs to go to confession, Pope Francis said at his morning Mass.

Pope Francis prays as he leads a prayer service at a Marian statue overlooking the Spanish Steps in Rome Dec. 8, 2019, the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Pope Francis prays for 'Normandy Summit'

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis offered prayers for a summit in France that will seek to bring an end to the ongoing war in eastern Ukraine.

December 9, 2019
A firefighter places a wreath on a Marian statue overlooking the Spanish Steps in Rome Dec. 8, 2019, the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Immaculate Conception is feast of hope, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY -- Mary, conceived without sin, is a "masterpiece" who reflects "the beauty of God who is all love, grace and self-giving," Pope Francis said on the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

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