apr2014

Cardinal Kasper's proposal sparks controversy

Jesus said of divorce: “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” For the Church, therefore, marriage, if real, is “forever,” indissoluble. Yet, divorce has become increasingly common. In this context, at the request of Pope Francis, Cardinal Kasper has made a proposal... A family attending mass. Kasper’s Position: “The Doctrine of the [...]

Pope’s trip to the Holy Land to focus on unity

Pope Francis embraces Ecumenical Patricarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians. The Latin-rite Patriarch of Jerusalem, Faoud Twal, says Pope Francis’ trip to the Holy Land in May will center on the unity of Christians. The schedule for the trip has now been released... When Pope Francis visits the Holy Land in [...]

Vatican Accepts Resignation of Germany’s “Bishop Bling”

Under this Pope, the push for coherence of life — to live according to Christ’s Gospel, not simply preach it — is causing many, including bishops, to rethink their lifestyles... The Vatican has accepted the resignation of a German bishop who was at the center of controversy over expenditures for his residence and a diocesan center. [...]

IOR: Gotti Tedeschi’s Counter-Attack

The former Vatican bank director, Paolo Cipriani, and his deputy, Massimo Tulli, receive a court summons. The acquitted former bank president, Ettore Gotti Tedeschi, says he will take “legal action” against those who denigrated him personally and professionally. One of the most striking, and perplexing, scandals of the final year of Pope Benedict’s papacy was the [...]

Pope to Mafia: “Turn Away from the Road to Hell”

Pope Francis and Father Luigi Ciotto, founder of the Italian anti-Mafia group Libera. The Pope of mercy and forgiveness used unusually tough words for Mafia members, urging them to change their lives to avoid going to Hell . Surrounded by survivors of innocent people killed by the Mafia, Pope Francis made an emotional appeal [...]

“Bless me, Father”: Pope Leads by Example, Goes to Confession

A priest hears Pope Francis’ confession during a penitential liturgy in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican March 28. Pope Francis surprised his liturgical adviser by going to confession during the service. Pope Francis did it again. On March 28, unexpectedly, as a Lenten liturgy was taking place in St. Peter’s, he decided to [...]

Pope Francis Gains Interest of American Publishers

Father Giuseppe Costa, the Salesian priest who has rejuvenated the Vatican Press. In the year since the election of Pope Francis, his words and actions have attracted global attention. And there has been a flood of best-selling books... Pope Francis’ words are grabbing the attention of American publishing houses as well of the US [...]

Interview with Archbishop Georg Gaenswein

Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, Personal Secretary of Emeritus Pope Benedict and Prefect of the Pontifical Household, during the interview. What is Pope Francis’ style like for you? Archbishop Georg Gaenswein: As you can see for yourself, he is a very direct, very uncomplicated, very authentic man.... He is the same now as bishop of Rome [...]

Archbishop Georg Gaenswein: “My First Reaction was ‘Impossible’…”

An extraordinary interview on German television with Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, personal secretary of Pope Emeritus Benedict, sheds light on the relations between the “two Popes”. “I can tell you a nice story. In August Pope Francis granted a lengthy interview to Jesuit Padre Spadaro, who is the director of the most important Jesuit magazine Civiltà Cattolica, [...]

Two views of the encounter – President Obama and Pope Francis

Pope Francis received the US President on March 27 for 52 minutes. What did the two men discuss? Stories differ.. Following the 52-minute meeting (it went almost twice as long as expected) between Pope Francis and US President Barack Obama on March 27, two conflicting versions about what was said emerged, the President’s and [...]

Load More Posts

Title