Pope thanks Inspectorate for Public Security for commitment to public safety

Pope thanks Inspectorate for Public Security for commitment to public safety

Vatican news Pope Francis thanks the Italian Public Security Inspectorate of Vatican City, responsible for ensuring security in and around St. Peter’s Square, and invites them to take advantage of the Holy Doors of St. Peter and others papal basilicas. By Christopher Wells On the occasion of his annual audience with members of the Italian…

Pope to seminarians: Life is sustained by countless Simon of Cyrenes

Pope to seminarians: Life is sustained by countless Simon of Cyrenes

Vatican news Without the hope that Jesus brings, Pope Francis told seminarians in Cordoba, Spain, embarking on life’s journey would be folly. By Kielce Gussie Seminarians from Cordoba, Spain, spent the morning in audience with Pope Francis, who welcomed them to “the path of life.” The Pope explained that there are different signs of hope…

Pope to Methodists: Reconciliation is a ‘task of the heart’

Pope to Methodists: Reconciliation is a ‘task of the heart’

Vatican news Pope Francis greets a delegation from the World Methodist Council and encourages ecumenical efforts as the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea approaches. By Devin Watkins Pope Francis met Monday with several members of the World Methodist Council, an association of about 80 churches around the world that represent some 80 million…

Pope Francis meets Vice President of Bolivia

Pope Francis meets Vice President of Bolivia

Vatican news Pope Francis receives in audience David Choquehuanca Cèspedes, vice-president of Bolivia. By Vatican News Pope Francis sends a message at a conference in Rome that brought together cardinals and experts to discuss climate change and its negative effects on the most vulnerable. Pope Francis received David Choquehuanca Céspedes, vice-president of the Plurinational State…

Pope to seminarians: ‘A priest not close to his bishop is lame’

Pope to seminarians: ‘A priest not close to his bishop is lame’

Vatican news Pope Francis challenged seminarians and clergy in Toledo, Spain, to foster closeness to God, their bishops, fellow priests and the people of God. By Kielce Gussie “Have a nice day. How silent you are! It was with these words that Pope Francis greeted a group from a seminary in Toledo, Spain. He jokingly…

Pope commends Italian Financial Police on their 250th anniversary

Pope commends Italian Financial Police on their 250th anniversary

Vatican news Pope Francis welcomes the members of the “Guardia di Finanza” on the occasion of their 250th anniversary and thanks them for the historic and ongoing commitment of the institution to the economic and financial security of Italy. By Linda Bordoni Reflecting on their motto, “Nella tradizione, il futuro” (In tradition, the future), Pope…

Newly ordained Bishops participate in Vatican formation course

Newly ordained Bishops participate in Vatican formation course

Bishops ordained in the last 12 months from around the world are gathering at the Vatican for a comprehensive formation course. The event, which also includes newly consecrated bishops from the Eastern Churches, is organized by the Dicastery for Bishops, the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches and the Dicastery for Evangelization. By Father Paweł Rytel-Andrianik…

Pope meets Sardinian shepherd exonerated of murder after 33 years in prison

Pope meets Sardinian shepherd exonerated of murder after 33 years in prison

Vatican news Pope Francis held a private audience with Beniamino Zuncheddu, the Italian shepherd from Sardinia who spent 33 years in prison for allegedly murdering three people in 1991 but was acquitted in January. By Vatican News The audience with the Pope took place in the library of the Apostolic Palace. Beniamino Zuncheddu, arrested in…

Pope Francis receives president of Malawi at Vatican

Pope Francis receives president of Malawi at Vatican

Vatican news Pope Francis receives Malawian President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera at the Vatican on Monday. By Vatican News On Monday, Pope Francis was received in audience at the Apostolic Palace by the President of the Republic of Malawi, Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, who then met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Paul…