by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Feb 6, 2021 / 05:20 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis Saturday appointed a Spanish priest and a French religious sister as under-secretaries of the Synod of Bishops. It is the first time a woman has held a position of this level within the general secretariat …

by CNA Staff CNA Staff, Feb 4, 2021 / 05:34 pm MT (CNA).- Following Pope Francis’ appeal to pray for the homeless deceased, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco is supporting a local initiative that has launched a “Year for the Homeless.” The Year for the Homeless is an initiative …

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Feb 3, 2021 / 04:10 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis said on Wednesday that it is essential for Christians to participate in the liturgy and the sacraments to encounter the Real Presence of Jesus. “Every time we celebrate a baptism, or consecrate the bread and …

by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Feb 2, 2021 / 06:00 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis on Tuesday added the memorial of Sts. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus to the General Roman Calendar, giving the siblings the combined feast day of July 29. A decree from the Congregation for Divine Worship said …

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 …

Vatican City, Jan 29, 2021 / 04:35 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis urged Catholics on Friday to engage in a “mission of compassion” to a world ravaged by the coronavirus crisis. Writing in his World Mission Day message, released on Jan. 29, the pope warned Catholics not to succumb to …

by CNA Staff CNA Staff, Jan 28, 2021 / 09:47 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis has granted a plenary indulgence for those who take part in this year’s March for Life, an annual peaceful protest against abortion, which is set to take place virtually Jan. 29. An indulgence is the …

Vatican City, Jan 27, 2021 / 03:50 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis said on Wednesday that commemorating the Holocaust means to be aware that “these things can happen again.” Speaking at the end of his general audience, the pope noted that Jan. 27, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, …