Vatican

Pope tells ambassadors to focus on service, not politics
- Sep 17, 2016
In a special Jubilee session with his nuncios, or ambassadors, in the various countries of the world, Pope Francis advised them to focus on delivering service rather than involvement in political affairs, and said their core duty is to make “mercy palpable in this crushed and wounded world.”

By Elise Harris, CNA
Pope insists bodily resurrection is real, not a mere metaphor
- Sep 17, 2016
“A spiritualistic piety, a nuanced piety is much easier; but to enter into the logic of the flesh of Christ, this is difficult,” Pope Francis said on Friday, declaring that Christian faith holds “We will resurrect like the risen Christ, with our own flesh.”

By Junno Arocho Esteves
Pope says welcoming refugees keeps us safe from terrorism
- Sep 17, 2016
Speaking to a gathering of alumni from schools run by his own Jesuit religious order on Saturday, Pope Francis once again called on Europeans to be generous in welcoming the refugees arriving today on the Old Continent, calling it “our greatest security against hateful acts of terrorism.”

By Elise Harris, CNA

Vatican says abortion, attempted suicide are bars to priesthood
- Sep 16, 2016
The sacredness of human life is so absolute that performing or helping procure an abortion or attempting suicide is an obstacle to ordination as a Catholic priest, even if the man was not Catholic at the time the events occurred, said a new Vatican ruling personally okayed by Pope Francis.

By Cindy Wooden
Pope Francis visits neonatal unit as part of year of mercy
- Sep 16, 2016
On Friday, Pope Francis visited a neonatal hospital unit and a hospice for the terminally ill, stressing the dignity of human life from conception to natural death. The Sept. 16 visit is the latest in the Pope’s “Mercy Friday” initiatives, to spend time with various groups each month during the Jubilee of Mercy.

By Catholic News Agency
Humans different from all other creatures, pope says
- Sep 15, 2016
Pope Francis met with the Italian Biblical Association on the occasion of National Bible Week about their work. He made the point that consumerism and idolizing material things degrades us.

By Hannah Brockhaus