Pope Francis delivered a Christmas message this week calling on the faithful to serve the less fortunate around the world. The pope told the faithful not to place themselves above others, but rather lower themselves and place themselves at the service of the poor. “It is an ugly thing when one sees a Christian who does not Read more
The Advocate, a leading lifestyle magazine which actively promotes gay rights, has named Pope Francis its person of the year. “If someone is gay and seeks the Lord with good will, who am I to judge?” is the quote that earned the pontiff the title. The holy father’s made the statement during an interview with Read more
Pope Francis has reshuffled the membership of the Congregation for Bishops, one of the most important organizations in the Vatican. On Monday, the Vatican announced the removal of Cardinal Raymond L. Burke from the group and replaced him with another American, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C.. Burke is known as an outspoken critic of Read more
Pope Francis has met players from his favourite football team, San Lorenzo, to celebrate their victory in the Argentine top division. He held up a replica of the trophy on the steps of St Peter’s Basilica and was presented with a team jersey. The jersey has the words Francisco Campeon (Francis Champion) emblazoned on the Read more
Time magazine’s choice of Pope Francis a Person of the Year has prompted interest from the New Zealand media. Auckland Diocese spokesperson Lyndsay Freer was interviewed on RadioLive last Thursday. Mrs Freer told CathNews, “It’s no surprise, after reading his apostolic exhortation, Joy of the Gospel, and the many impromptu homilies at his daily Masses and Read more
Since reading Pope Francis’ new document, The Joy of the Gospel, I have a huge amount of hope for the future of the Church’s work with the young. It raises many points that would mean, if we do it right, we’re much more open, available and welcoming to young people. While I think the Pope’s Read more
Pope Francis said in an Italian newspaper interview on Sunday that he is not a Marxist but that even Marxists can be good people. The pontiff also denied reports that he would name a woman cardinal. He also said there was good progress in cleaning up Vatican finances and confirmed that he would visit Israel Read more
Pope Francis has recently come under criticism from a growing number of traditionalist Catholics for cracking down on a religious order that celebrates the old Latin Mass. The Associated Press reported that the case has become a flashpoint in the “ideological tug-of-war” in the Catholic Church over the pontiff’s agenda. The matter concerns the Franciscan Read more
Pope Francis has ruled out the possibility of female cardinals in an exclusive interview with the Italian daily newspaper, La Stampa. Speaking to the Vatican expert, Andrea Tornielli, in response to rumours earlier this year that Pope Francis was going to appoint a female cardinal, the Pope said: “I don’t know where this idea sprang Read more
MTV’s college channel in namined Pope Francis and pop singer Lorde as its man and woman of the year. MTVU says both figures challenged their followers with unexpected stands. Since becoming Pope, Francis has urged the Catholic Church not to become obsessed with “small-minded rules” The New Zealand teenager Lorde released a debut single, “Royals,” Read more