news updates from Rome
Francis: Catholics and Eastern Orthodox have a common ‘heritage of holiness’
In a meeting with the leader of the Czech and Slovak Orthodox Church Friday, Pope Francis recalled two of the saints the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Churches have in common – Sts. Cyril and Methodius – remarking on the holiness both Churches have inherited.
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Working document approved for synod on youth
After a two-day meeting in Rome, the governing council of the Vatican office for the Synod of Bishops approved the text to be used as the working document for the upcoming October gathering dedicated to youth.
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Pope: Nothing can erase baptism, that’s why it only happens once
Pope Francis said Wednesday that nothing can take away a person’s baptism or the salvation and identity they gain as a child of God, which is why the Church only allows for the sacrament to be administered once.
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Love is not just what we see in movies — it takes work, Pope Francis says
Love is not empty words or what is depicted in romantic films — it is action and service toward others, Pope Francis said in a homily at a Roman parish Sunday.
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Pope: Love demands ‘all possible assistance’ be given to sick and dying
God’s love requires that we give our best to each and every one of our brothers and sisters, even those who are in the final stage of their life, Pope Francis said during his Regina Coeli address Sunday.
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Francis shares a sweet treat with Rome’s poor for feast of St. George
I-scream, you-scream, Pope Francis screamed… ‘gelato!’ on the feast of his patron saint, George, offering some 3,000 ice creams to homeless served in Caritas soup kitchens and shelters around Rome.
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The sign of the cross is our badge, Pope Francis says
On Wednesday Pope Francis said that to make the sign of the cross is to mark ourselves as Christians, and that it is something we should do often to remind ourselves that we belong to God.
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Pope urges Catholics to be moved by joy of the resurrection
On Sunday Pope Francis visited a Roman parish, telling Mass-goers to allow themselves to be moved by the immense joy of the resurrection, which overcomes sin and renews believers, allowing them to have a youthful heart.
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Pope Francis issues exhortation praising the ‘middle class’ of holiness
Pope Francis released an apostolic exhortation in which he aims to “repropose” the universal call to holiness — which he says is the mission of life for every person.
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In April, Pope Francis prays for people with economic responsibility
In his prayer video for the month of April, Pope Francis requested prayers for those who have a large responsibility when it comes to economic affairs, that they will always value what is good for the human person over profit.
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