Category Archives: Vatican

Don’t ‘blackmail’ kids into coming to church, archbishop says

Posted on June 25, 2020 by

By Cindy Wooden  Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Although he said, “I would never go to war” over the proper age to administer the sacrament of confirmation, Archbishop Rino Fisichella said too often it seems that the sacrament … Continue reading →

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Catechesis is about a relationship, not just information, Vatican says

Posted on June 25, 2020 by

By Cindy Wooden  Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Teaching the faith is a work of evangelization meant to lead people to a deeper relationship with Jesus and not just impart information, said the updated “Directory for Catechesis.” The … Continue reading →

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God listens to everybody — sinner, saint, victim, killer, pope says

Posted on June 24, 2020 by

By Carol Glatz  Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Everyone lives a life that is often inconsistent or a “contradiction” because people can be both a sinner and a saint, a victim and a tormentor, Pope Francis said. No … Continue reading →

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Pandemic highlights need to protect refugees, creation, pope says

Posted on June 22, 2020 by

By Junno Arocho Esteves  Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Among the many challenges the coronavirus pandemic has underscored is the need to safeguard the rights and dignity of refugees, Pope Francis said. Recalling the observance of World Refugee … Continue reading →

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Retired pope returns to Vatican after visiting his brother in Germany

Posted on June 22, 2020 by

By Cindy Wooden  Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Retired Pope Benedict XVI returned to the Vatican June 22, five days after flying to Germany to spend time with his ailing, 96-year-old brother. During his last morning in Regensburg, … Continue reading →

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Pandemic showed just how much people need each other, pope says

Posted on June 22, 2020 by

By Cindy Wooden  Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — During the darkest, most deadly days of the COVID-19 pandemic in northern Italy, medical professionals and volunteers were “silent artisans of a culture of closeness and tenderness,” a culture that … Continue reading →

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Laudato Si’ must inspire building better world, panelists at Vatican say

Posted on June 19, 2020 by

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The coronavirus pandemic and ongoing global crises clearly indicate that Pope Francis’ encyclical on caring for creation urgently needs to be implemented worldwide, a panel of church leaders said. “After … Continue reading →

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Retired pope travels to Germany to visit his brother

Posted on June 18, 2020 by

Updated June 19 By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Retired Pope Benedict XVI, who is 93 years old, traveled to Germany to visit his ailing older brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, who is 96. The Vatican press … Continue reading →

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Pope reaches out to seafarers stuck on ships or without work

Posted on June 17, 2020 by

By Cindy Wooden  Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As travel restrictions continue in the hope of slowing the spread of the coronavirus, Pope Francis offered his prayers and solidarity to those who work at sea and have either … Continue reading →

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Christians called to intercede for, not condemn, others, pope says

Posted on June 17, 2020 by

By Junno Arocho Esteves  Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — True believers do not condemn people for their sins or shortcomings but intercede on their behalf with God through prayer, Pope Francis said. Just as Moses implored God’s mercy … Continue reading →

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