February 11, 2013, was a historical day. On that day Benedict XVI announced his decision to resign. Yet not everybody knows that the Pope made this announcement in the course of a public consistory summoned for the canonization of Blessed Antonio Primaldo and his companions from Otranto, who died martyrs’ deaths at the hands of the [...]
The Indian Cardinal Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Bombay and also president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), was one of the ten cardinal electors from Asia who voted in the conclave which elected Pope Francis. In this exclusive interview, he reflects on that conclave and the election of the first Pope from Latin America. [...]
On April 13, Pope Francis announced the first major decision of his papacy: he chose eight cardinals from around the world to make up a sort of “advisory board,” with a bishop as secretary, that will meet periodically to infuse energy into a reform of the Roman Curia that the College of Cardinals asked for during [...]
In recent weeks, there have been several constants in the preaching of the new Pope, Francis. God’s mercy, the centrality of Christ, forgiveness. But also, the protection of Mary, and the danger of the devil... Pope Francis went to the Basilica of St. Mary Major on the evening of May 4, the first Saturday of [...]
Pope Francis’ pontificate is already characterized by a number of new emphases, especially his emphasis on a “poor Church for the poor” and on an “environment-friendly” attitude. This is the view of Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, ranked among the “contenders” for the See of Peter during the conclave which [...]