Cardinal Marc Ouellet, the prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, has told a Canadian newspaper that he has received “very concrete” directions from Pope Francis. The Canadian cardinal, whose congregation oversees the selection of bishops, said what the Pope told him “made me think this man knows where he goes and there is a determination. Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Pope Francis’
Speculation over beatification for Oscar Romero
Tuesday, March 26th, 2013The election of a Latin American Pope has renewed speculation about the likelihood of beatification for Bishop Oscar Romero, the Archbishop of San Salvador who was murdered at the altar 33 years ago. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints has been examining Romero’s cause since 1996. Bishop Gregorio Rosa Chavez, Auxiliary Bishop of San Read more
Pope Francis will attend World Youth Day in Brazil
Tuesday, March 26th, 2013The president of the Brazilian bishops’ conference, Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno Assis, has confirmed that Pope Francis will attend World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro in July. Some four million young people from around the world are expected to attend the event, from July 23 to 28. The theme for the gathering will be Jesus’ Read more
Pope’s emphasis on social justice could reinvigorate the Church
Friday, March 22nd, 2013
He’s convinced the cardinals, wowed the crowds and on Saturday he attempted perhaps the trickiest task of all – to woo the hardbitten media. And Pope Francis pulled it off spectacularly, speaking warmly to several thousand journalists crowded into the Vatican’s Paul VI hall about their hard work covering his election and passionately of “a poor church for Read more
Pope Francis pondered leaving priesthood for young woman
Friday, March 22nd, 2013
Pope Francis considered abandoning his priestly vocation after being “dazzled” by a young woman he met at an uncle’s wedding while he was a seminarian. He revealed the experience last year in a book-length dialogue with a rabbi, which will be published in English in May. “I was surprised by her beauty, her intellectual brilliance…and, Read more
Cardinals want Roman Curia to be reformed
Friday, March 22nd, 2013
Cardinal Claudio Hummes of Brazil has confirmed that he and other cardinals are convinced of the need for reform of the Roman Curia. In an interview with the Italian newspaper Avvenire — which is owned by the Italian Catholic bishops’ conference — he said : “The topic of the Roman Curia has been much discussed Read more
Pope repeats Catholic commitment to ecumenical unity
Friday, March 22nd, 2013
Pope Francis reaffirmed the commitment of the Catholic Church to ecumenical unity at a meeting with several dozen representatives of Christian churches and other world religions who had attended his inauguration. “For my part, I wish to assure, in the wake of my predecessors, the firm wish to continue on the path of ecumenical dialogue,” Read more
Unlawful Chinese ordination on Pope’s inauguration day
Friday, March 22nd, 2013
A Chinese bishop who was ordained without Vatican authorisation ordained two priests on March 19 — the day of the inauguration Mass for Pope Francis. Bishop Joseph Ma Yinglin of Kunming led prayers for the new Pontiff at the unlawful Chinese ordination ceremony, praying particularly that the Pope could restore unity within the Church. A Read more
Francis installed as Pope: Ultimate power is service of the weak
Wednesday, March 20th, 2013
An estimated 200,000 crammed St Peter’s Square and environs on Tuesday to participate in Pope Francis’ inauguration Mass. Before Mass, Pope Francis toured St. Peter’s Square unprotected in a simple open white jeep, stopping frequently to greet those in the sprawling square, kissing babies and getting out at one point to bless a disabled person. The Read more