In his Apostolic Letter Patris Corde, Pope Francis describes St. Joseph as a beloved father; a tender and loving father; an obedient and accepting father; a working father who was creatively courageous; and, finally, as the “shadow of the Father,” reflecting the Eternal Fatherhood of God. Priests are also called …

by Hannah Brockhaus Rome Newsroom, Mar 10, 2021 / 03:30 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis said Monday that he was looking forward to resuming his general audiences with the presence of the public as soon as COVID-19 conditions allow. Until 2020, Francis had met with the public almost every Wednesday …

by Hannah Brockhaus Rome Newsroom, Mar 10, 2021 / 04:30 am MT (CNA).- Cardinal Robert Sarah on Wednesday rejected claims that he and Pope Francis are enemies, in his first interview since stepping down from his Vatican post. In an interview with an Italian newspaper published March 10, the Guinean …

Vatican City, Mar 8, 2021 / 12:00 pm MT (CNA).- The Vatican COVID-19 Commission called on Monday for the Catholic Church and governments to increase support for women suffering from violence amid the coronavirus crisis. In a seven-page document released March 8, International Women’s Day, the commission said that the …

Rome Newsroom, Mar 7, 2021 / 04:30 am MT (CNA).- Here is the full prepared text of Pope Francis’ Angelus address, delivered March 7, 2021, in Bakhdida (Qaraqosh), Iraq. Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning! I am grateful to the Lord for the opportunity to be among you this morning. …

CNA Staff, Mar 7, 2021 / 08:50 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis on Sunday expressed joy at the vitality of the Church in Iraq despite years of fierce persecution. Celebrating Mass in the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil on March 7, the pope praised the country’s dwindling Christian community for …

CNA Staff, Mar 6, 2021 / 03:15 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis on Saturday appealed for harmony among the followers of the world’s major monotheistic religions at an interreligious meeting in the Plain of Ur, southern Iraq. Speaking at the ancient site, believed to be the birthplace of Abraham, the …

Baghdad, Iraq, Mar 5, 2021 / 07:00 am MT (CNA).- Here is the full prepared text of Pope Francis’ address to the Iraqi authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps, delivered March 5, 2021, at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad. Mr President, Members of Government and the Diplomatic Corps, Distinguished …

by Courtney Mares Rome Newsroom, Mar 4, 2021 / 07:20 am MT (CNA).- Iraqi Catholics have asked Pope Francis to bless a statue of the Virgin Mary that was desecrated by the Islamic State. The Marian statue was decapitated in the Christian village of Karamles, between Mosul and Erbil, during …

by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Mar 3, 2021 / 05:00 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of March is for a renewed experience of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In his video for the prayer intention, created by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, the pope asked for …