UPDATE: Regional representatives meet pope, discuss ‘continental phase’ of synod

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While some people want to “reform” the Catholic Church and others want “to put the brakes on the synod process,” those involved in preparing the continental phase of the synod process want “to mend” the church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the pope, said Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of […]

Even a two-minute examination of conscience is helpful, pope says

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A daily examination of conscience is an important tool for recognising where God is at work in one’s life and where “the evil spirit” tries to lead one astray, Pope Francis said. “Learn to read in the book of our hearts what has happened during the day. Do it. Just two […]

Seminaries don’t form ‘supermen,’ but humble servants, pope says

Friday, November 11, 2022

Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The mission of a seminary “is not to form ‘supermen’ who pretend to know and control everything,” but to help seminarians become priests who are humble servants of the communities they continue to belong to, Pope Francis said. “The Lord calls some of his disciples to be priests, that is, he […]

Framing Papal Visits – Vatican Connections

Monday, June 12, 2017

Emilie Callan

What’s behind the frame? When Pope Francis is photographed during a papal trip, it’s more than just a simple snapshot. Researchers at the University of Missouri School of Journalism wanted to know what we’re actually seeing in these photographs. By looking at Pope Francis’s apostolic visit to Cuba, they found the cultural background of photojournalists […]

Who are the Swiss Guards? – Vatican Connections

Monday, May 15, 2017

Emilie Callan

The Pontifical Swiss Guard is one of the smallest armies in the world, and one of the oldest still in operation. Its main responsibility is to protect the Pope and the Apostolic Palace. Although they have mostly held a ceremonial role in recent years, their training now includes unarmed combat and firearms. Not surprisingly, to […]

Spotlight on vocations – Vatican Connections

Monday, February 6, 2017

Emilie Callan

On the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, the Church also marked the World Day of Consecrated Life with Mass in Saint Peter’s basilica. In his homily, Pope Francis encouraged those present to rekindle “what originally set their hearts afire” to answer God’s call, which he came back to when meeting with a […]

Young voices key to preparing next Synod – Vatican Connections

Saturday, January 21, 2017

Emilie Callan

This week on Vatican Connections, the Church marks the Week of prayer for Christian Unity. In Rome, the Holy Father kicks it off with an ecumenical delegation from Finland and Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, shares with Vatican Radio what ecumenism looked like last year. The […]

Ring in the new year with a look back at the Year of Mercy

Saturday, December 31, 2016

Salt + Light Media

The Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy (Dec. 8, 2015 to Nov. 20, 2016) was the 27th holy year in history, and the first since the Great Jubilee of 2000, called by Pope John Paul II. In calling the 2016 holy year, Pope Francis said, “At times we are called to gaze even more attentively on […]

On eve of Benin visit, a closer look at the Pope’s health

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Salt + Light Media

In several hours, Pope Benedict will land in the western African nation of Benin. As was the case with his 21 previous papal visits, he faces a packed schedule — 16 events and 10 speeches over the course of 3 days. On the eve of another arduous trip, Catholic News Service examines the validity of […]