Pope Francis keeps making headlines, but not in a way that soothes all Catholics. This week CNN reported that “Pope says Christians should apologize to gay people”, a story which was relayed by NPR as “Pope Francis: Church Should Apologize To Gays And Other Marginalized Groups”. As usual, this upset a few Catholics who have Read more
Pope Francis has said he avoids conflict with Catholic ultra-conservatives. “They do their work and I do mine,” Francis said in interview published in Argentina’s La Nacion on Sunday. “I want a Church that is open, compassionate, that accompanies wounded families. They say no to everything,” the Pope said of ultra-conservatives. But he added, “I’m Read more
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has endorsed the mercy-filled ministry of his successor, Pope Francis. Benedict did this at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican at a ceremony held to celebrate the anniversary of his ordination as priest 65 years ago. Francis was at the event, as were some 30 cardinals and invited guests. The retired Read more
A statement from the traditionalist Society of St Pius X indicates that a new attempt at reconciliation with Rome has stalled. According to the statement, issued by SSPX superior general Bishop Bernard Fellay, the society “does not primarily seek recognition from the Vatican”. Bishop Fellay met Pope Francis for the first time in April. For Read more
Papal trips are important for many reasons, including their geopolitical significance, their meaning for relations with other Christian churches and other faiths, their impact on the local Catholic community, and the media coverage they generate. As a result, foreign trips are among the events every year in which a pope invests the most of himself Read more
Women in Catholic Latin American nations hit by the spread of the Zika virus are increasingly going online to obtain abortion pills. The Women on Web site has a long history of helping those in countries where abortion is illegal obtain pills to terminate early pregnancies. An online consultation with a doctor is involved. A woman is Read more
Pope Francis has called for the European Union to find new creative ways to stay together. This follows Britain’s planned exit from the EU. The Pope told reporters on his flight back from Armenia that it is clear “something isn’t working in this unwieldy union [the EU]”. Francis said Europe must reflect on the “air Read more
Pope Francis has expressed surprise at the reaction to his decision to have a commission study the role of deaconesses in the early Church. The Pope fielded a question on the topic during a press conference on his flight to Rome from Armenia on June 26. Francis offered to have a commission after he was questioned at Read more
Turkey’s deputy prime minister says Pope Francis reflects a “crusader mentality” for once again using the word “genocide” about a 1915 massacre in Armenia. During a visit to Armenia, Francis used the word in a speech. Francis departed from a carefully prepared text to use the word. As the prepared text indicated, Francis first referred Read more
Benedict XVI’s resignation and withdrawal into a life of prayer has taught the Church a lesson of doing “theology on its knees”, Pope Francis has said. Francis wrote this in the preface of a new book by the Pope Emeritus, titled “Teaching and Learning the Love of God”. It is the first volume of several Read more