People who approach the Church should find the doors open and not have their way blocked by Catholics who invent an eighth commandment of “pastoral customs”, Pope Francis has warned. The Pope was giving his homily on the May 25 Gospel reading from Mark 10 in which the disciples rebuked people who were bringing children Read more
A day after the beatification of a Sicilian priest killed by the Mafia, Pope Francis called for “these gangsters” to convert to God. Father Giuseppe Puglisi, who was murdered by Sicilian Mafia in 1993, was beatified in Palermo on May 25. Shocked by his death and inspired by his example, many of Sicily’s priests began Read more
Though the Vatican has denied that Pope Francis exorcised a man in St Peter’s Square on Pentecost Sunday, debate continues over whether the blessing he gave could be classed as an exorcism. After celebrating Mass, the Pope blessed several people in wheelchairs. When he held his hands on one man’s head, the man shuddered and Read more
Who could have imagined what has happened in the last weeks? When I decided, months ago, to resign all of my official duties on the occasion of my 85th birthday, I assumed I would never see fulfilled my dream that — after all the setbacks following the Second Vatican Council — the Catholic church would Read more
Emphasising that everyone has the potential to do good, Pope Francis has said Christ’s saving act on the cross was for everyone, no matter their belief. “The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone. Even the atheists. Everyone,” he insisted. “We Read more
In his first address on the world economy, Pope Francis has called for global financial reform that respects human dignity, helps the poor and promotes the common good. “Money has to serve, not to rule,” he told a group of diplomats. He called for ethical financial reform that would “benefit everyone” and for the world Read more
Fifteen students from Divine Word University (DWU) in Madang travelling on a pilgrimage to Rome on 14-21 June for the Year of Faith have asked to pray with Pope Francis at his usual morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta while in Rome. The group of students from Arts, Health and Business faculties will visit Vatican Read more
A cardinal who was tipped as a possible successor to Pope Benedict XVI has spoken of “signs” from the Holy Spirit that led to the election of Pope Francis. Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, the Archbishop of Vienna, said he had personally had two “strong signs” that Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was “the chosen one” in the Read more
Pope Francis has agreed that Cardinal Keith O’Brien, who resigned after allegations of sexual misconduct, should leave Scotland “for several months” for the purpose of spiritual renewal, prayer and penance. This news, which had been rumoured for some weeks, was confirmed by the Vatican press office in a brief statement issued in both English and Read more
Pope Francis has a general policy of not administering Communion to members of the congregation at the public Masses he celebrates. Though the Pope has give no explanation for this practice, Vatican journalist Sandro Magister has come up with the reason: He does not want to give unrepentant sinners a photo opportunity. Magister said the Read more