by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Jan 31, 2021 / 06:30 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis announced Sunday the establishment of an international day to honor grandparents and the elderly to take place each year in July. “The Holy Spirit … arouses thoughts and words of wisdom in the elderly today: …

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Jan 31, 2021 / 08:00 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis said Saturday that catechists have the vital responsibility of leading others to a personal encounter with Jesus through prayer, the sacraments, and Scripture. “The kerygma is a person: Jesus Christ. Catechesis is a special space …

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Jan 30, 2021 / 08:00 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis met with Cardinal Blase Cupich on Saturday, 10 days after the cardinal publicly criticized the U.S. bishops’ official statement on the inauguration of President Joe Biden. The private audience occurred in the Apostolic Palace on …

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Jan 20, 2021 / 05:00 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis urged Christians to pray for “the gift of unity” on Wednesday, saying that the devil always seeks to sow division and discord. “During this time of serious hardship, this prayer is even more necessary so …

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Jan 17, 2021 / 06:00 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis said Sunday that great joy is found when one offers his life in service to God’s call. “There are different ways of carrying out the plan that God has for each of us, which is …

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Jan 11, 2021 / 04:05 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis issued a motu proprio Monday changing canon law to allow women to serve as lectors and acolytes. In the motu proprio “Spiritus Domini,” issued on Jan. 11, the pope changed canon 230 § 1 of …

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Jan 10, 2021 / 05:30 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis prayed Sunday for the United States, asking the Immaculate Virgin Mary to help foster a “culture of encounter” after the recent violence at the U.S. Capitol Building. “I extend an affectionate greeting to the people …

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Jan 3, 2021 / 09:30 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis warned Sunday against the temptation to ignore the suffering of others during the coronavirus pandemic and said that things will get better in the new year to the extent to which the needs of the …

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Dec 24, 2020 / 01:00 pm MT (CNA).- On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis said that the poverty of Christ’s birth in a stable contains an important lesson for today. “That manger, poor in everything yet rich in love, teaches that true nourishment in life comes …

by Courtney Mares Rome Newsroom, Dec 23, 2020 / 11:00 am MT (CNA).- The first known nativity scene figurines are on display this Christmas in one of Rome’s oldest basilicas. The underground Chapel of the Nativity in the Basilica of St. Mary Major — known to Italians as Santa Maria …