by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Feb 17, 2021 / 03:15 am MT (CNA).- The 40 days of Lent are an opportunity to turn from the slavery of sin to the freedom found in reconciliation with God, Pope Francis said on Ash Wednesday. “The journey of Lent is an exodus from …

by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Jan 12, 2021 / 09:00 am MT (CNA).- The Vatican gave guidance Tuesday about how priests can distribute ashes on Ash Wednesday amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments published a note Jan. 12, directing priests to …

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Feb 12, 2021 / 07:00 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis has encouraged Catholics to practice charity in Lent this year by caring for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic. In his message for Lent 2021, the pope asks people to “experience Lent with love,” which …

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Feb 8, 2021 / 06:30 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis told diplomats at the Vatican Monday that it is “painful” for him to see more countries move away from “their inalienable duty to protect human life” from conception to natural death. “The pandemic forced us …

by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Feb 6, 2021 / 05:20 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis Saturday appointed a Spanish priest and a French religious sister as under-secretaries of the Synod of Bishops. It is the first time a woman has held a position of this level within the general secretariat …

by CNA Staff CNA Staff, Feb 4, 2021 / 05:34 pm MT (CNA).- Following Pope Francis’ appeal to pray for the homeless deceased, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco is supporting a local initiative that has launched a “Year for the Homeless.” The Year for the Homeless is an initiative …

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Feb 3, 2021 / 04:10 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis said on Wednesday that it is essential for Christians to participate in the liturgy and the sacraments to encounter the Real Presence of Jesus. “Every time we celebrate a baptism, or consecrate the bread and …

by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Feb 2, 2021 / 06:00 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis on Tuesday added the memorial of Sts. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus to the General Roman Calendar, giving the siblings the combined feast day of July 29. A decree from the Congregation for Divine Worship said …

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Jan 31, 2021 / 06:30 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis announced Sunday the establishment of an international day to honor grandparents and the elderly to take place each year in July. “The Holy Spirit … arouses thoughts and words of wisdom in the elderly today: …

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Jan 31, 2021 / 08:00 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis said Saturday that catechists have the vital responsibility of leading others to a personal encounter with Jesus through prayer, the sacraments, and Scripture. “The kerygma is a person: Jesus Christ. Catechesis is a special space …