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For Pope Francis, a year of reform and evangelization
By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — As leader of the universal church, a pope must direct his ministry in both of the ways traditionally described by the Latin terms “ad intra” and “ad extra”: inwardly to the church itself, and outwardly to the rest of the …
Pope Francis has ‘added new life’ to office he holds, U.S. bishops say
By Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — In his first year as the 265th successor of Peter, Pope Francis “has brought to light new dimensions of the Petrine ministry and added new life to the office he holds,” the U.S. bishops’ Administrative Committee said March 11. He has done this in …
Vatican medical experts OK reported miracle attributed to Archbishop Sheen
By Catholic News Service PEORIA, Ill. — A seven-member team of medical experts convoked by the Vatican reported there is no natural explanation for the survival of a child delivered stillborn and whose heart did not start beating until 61 minutes after his birth.
Lent comes ‘to reawaken us,’ pope says at Ash Wednesday Mass
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service ROME — Lent is meant to wake up Christians and help them see that God can give them the strength to change their lives and their surroundings, Pope Francis said. Before receiving and distributing ashes at an evening Mass March 5, Ash Wednesday, Pope …
10 things most people don’t know about Pope Francis
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — When Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran walked onto the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, telling the crowds in Latin: “I announce to you a great joy. We have a pope!” not many people recognized the name of then-Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos …
‘Son of God’ movie ‘a love story,’ say husband-wife producers
By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — The upcoming movie “Son of God” should be seen as “a love story,” according to two of its executive producers, the husband-and-wife team of Mark Burnett and Roma Downey.
Go directly to confession, don’t wait, pope says at audience
Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — If you haven’t been to confession recently, don’t wait, Pope Francis told people at his weekly general audience. One may walk into the confessional with a heavy heart, but forgiveness brings freedom and lightness. “If a lot of time has passed, don’t lose even …
Who needs Oscar? Here’s our list of 10 best pictures and family films
By John Mulderig Catholic News Service NEW YORK — For much of 2013, Hollywood seemed to be in the doldrums, turning out a good deal of product, but very little of quality. With the approach of year’s end, and the looming awards season, however, things improved remarkably. So much so, …
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI lives low-key life one year after resignation
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — In retirement, Pope Benedict XVI follows a daily schedule similar to that of any retired bishop or religious: He prays, reads, strolls, talks with people and offers them spiritual advice, the Vatican spokesman said. Although he “lives in a low-key way, …
U.N. Committee demands Vatican action on clerical abuse charges
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child continued to insist that the Vatican compile and publish detailed statistics on clerical sexual abuse of minors and that the pope, as head of the church, can and should order Catholic dioceses …