Search Results
Pope Francis
By Cindy Wooden
VATICAN CITY — Away in a cave near Greccio, Italy, St. Francis of Assisi had the first Nativity scene — a live one — staged for the faithful on Christmas Eve in 1223. A 15th-century fresco now decorating the cave inspired the Nativity scene erected in St. Peter’s Square for the 800th anniversary celebrations. Before […]
Pope Francis
By Justin McLellan
VATICAN CITY — To connect with God, Christians must disconnect from the “pollution of vain words and chatter” that reach them through social media and instead seek silence in the desert, Pope Francis said. The desert is “the place of silence and essentials, where someone cannot afford to dwell on useless things, but needs to […]
Pope Francis
By Justin McLellan
ROME — Mary’s conception, free from original sin, shows that the destiny of humanity lies in life, brotherhood, harmony and peace rather than death, hate, conflict and war, Pope Francis said on the feast of the Immaculate Conception. “Your person, the fact that you exist, reminds us that evil does not have the first nor […]
Global
By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú
Young Edoardo Santini, considered “the most handsome man in Italy,” has decided to leave his promising career as a model and enter a seminary to become a priest. Dancer, swimmer, actor — these were a few of the dreams of Santini, a 21-year-old Italian who in 2019 when he was 17 earned the title of […]
Pope Francis
By Courtney Mares
Pope Francis announced Dec. 8 that the Catholic Church will celebrate its first World Day of Children in May 2024. Speaking in his Angelus address to mark the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the pope shared that the Church’s first children’s day will be celebrated in Rome on the weekend […]
Global
Advent begins this year Dec. 3. Most Catholics, even those who don’t often go to Mass, know that Advent involves a wreath with candles, possibly a “calendar” of hidden chocolates, and untangling strings of Christmas lights. But Advent is much more than that. Here is an explainer of what Advent is really about. What is […]
Global
By Peter Pinedo
The beatification cause for Antoni Gaudí, the Catalan architect known as “God’s architect” and designer of the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, Spain, just completed an important step on the path to officially declaring him a saint in the Catholic Church. Gaudí’s cause for beatification has been transferred from a civil association to an ecclesial […]
Pope Francis
By Cindy Wooden
VATICAN CITY — Christians must rely more on the Holy Spirit than on their own plans and strategies if they hope to fulfill their mission to share the good news of God’s love and of salvation in Christ, Pope Francis said. The pope began his weekly general audience Dec. 6 explaining to the crowd that […]
Books
Pope Francis
By Cindy Wooden
VATICAN CITY — Whether simple or elaborate, the same every year or constantly changing, a Nativity scene echoes “the beauty of our faith,” Pope Francis wrote. Marking the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi putting together the first Christmas crèche in a cave in Greccio, Italy, the Vatican publishing house compiled texts by Pope […]
Popular
Local
6/15/26
Reading Time
4
minPopular
Local
6/15/26
Reading Time
4
min
Parishes
6/18/26
Reading Time
4
min
The forerunner’s mission