News Updates from Rome
Pope Francis: It’s time to rediscover amazement, surprise, gratitude
Pope Francis has said Christians should model the amazement, surprise and gratitude of Elizabeth and Zechariah — and their community — at the birth of their son, John.
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Give space peace a chance, Holy See says
After U.S. President Donald Trump called Monday for a new military branch referred to as the “space force,” the Holy See has encouraged a unified, peaceful approach to space exploration.
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On papal flight, Francis says intercommunion policy should be decided by diocesan bishops
Pope Francis said Thursday that the German bishops’ debate on the reception of the Eucharist by the non-Catholic spouses of Catholics, also referred to as intercommunion, should be decided by diocesan bishops, rather than bishops’ conferences.
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Pope Francis: God works in mysterious ways – trust him
On Sunday Pope Francis compared the action of grace to the growth of seeds planted in a garden, saying God often works in ways that are both unknown and surprising, but which always bring fruit, and because of this it is important to always trust and never lose faith.
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Pope says abortion of sick, disabled children reflects Nazi mentality
In a speech to a family association Saturday, Pope Francis again stressed that God’s vision of the family is between a man and a woman, and compared the abortion of children who are sick or disabled to a Nazi mentality.
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Pope: Migrants should be protected, especially children and families
In a message to a gathering of Mexican politicians and diplomats from the Holy See, Pope Francis said the fundamental rights and dignity of migrants must be protected, and “particular concern must be shown for migrant children and their families.”
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Pan-Amazonian synod doc leaves door open to married priests proposal
A preparatory document for next year’s Pan-Amazonian synod was released Friday, indicating that key themes for the meeting will be the role of women in the Church, the rights and traditions of indigenous people, and efforts to find “new ways” to provide greater access to the Eucharist.
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Pope on Corpus Christi: Only the Eucharist satisfies hearts
Only the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, the food of life, can satisfy the hunger of hearts for love, a universal experience, Pope Francis said during Mass Sunday for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi.
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Pope Francis: Like Mary, the Church is a mother
Pope Francis celebrated the first feast of Mary, Mother of the Church Monday saying that without the emphasis placed on motherhood, the Church would be isolated, composed of no more than “old bachelors.”
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Pope Francis: Holy Spirit tells bishops and popes when to step down
At the end of his morning homily Tuesday, Pope Francis asked Catholics to pray for priests, bishops, and the pope, who he said, must learn to leave their posts when it becomes necessary.
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