By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS)— Although attempts were made to simplify the ceremony, Pope Francis officially inaugurated his ministry as pope and bishop of Rome in a liturgy filled with biblical symbolism and signs of the universality of his mission. Also Read: Inaugural homily: Pope Francis …

By John Stegeman The Catholic Telegraph  A surveying of media reports concerning the 266th pope shows the former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio to be a man of humble stature, a man of the people and most of all a man of God. Here are some of the more interesting stories on …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis is “a Jesuit’s Jesuit” who understands the importance of St. Francis of Assisi in the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, said the Jesuits’ secretary for the promotion of the faith. U.S. …

By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Two U.S. cardinals described Pope Francis as an ideal choice to lead the church in the modern world. “He is the perfect choice for this moment in the church,” said Washington Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl March 14. Cardinal Timothy M. …

By John Stegeman The Catholic Telegraph After watching the introduction of Pope Francis to the world Wednesday, Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr hosted a press conference at the Synod Hall at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains. Many of the media outlets in the greater Cincinnati area were present to …

By Francis X. Rocca & Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, the leader of a large urban archdiocese in Latin America, was elected the 266th pope and took the name Francis. He is the first pope in history to come from …

Staff Report The Catholic Telegraph The new pope is His Holiness Pope Francis. He is the first to take that name. Read more about Pope Francis: Following Benedict’s footsteps, Pope Francis joins Twitter The top 5 Pope Francis memes Getting to know Pope Francis World offers words of hope, joy …

By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While the 115 cardinal electors have been locked in the Sistine Chapel voting for a new pope, the elder members of the College of Cardinals have been sitting out the election. Ninety of the world’s cardinals are 80 years old …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — More black smoke poured from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel at 11:40 a.m. March 13, which seemed to indicate the 115 cardinal electors failed to elect a pope on their second and third ballots. The cardinals …

By John Stegeman The Catholic Telegraph ROME — The first black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 7:41 Rome time (2:41 EDT). Less than 20 minutes later Father Ryan Ruiz, a Cincinnati priest studying in Rome, took the time to speak with The Catholic Telegraph about …