St. Francis of Assisi

The nativity set is alive and well, whatever you think of the Vatican’s
- Dec 13, 2020
If the Vatican isn’t actually where the action is in terms of the presepe, maybe we shouldn’t make such a fuss over whatever it chooses to put up every year.

By John L. Allen Jr.
Pope: Involve poor people in planning post-pandemic economy
- Nov 22, 2020
Pope Francis urged young economists, entrepreneurs and business leaders Saturday to promote post-pandemic development models that involve the poor.

By Associated Press
Amid kerfuffle over title, new encyclical accents ‘brothers and sisters’
- Oct 4, 2020
Since the title of the pope’s new encyclical Fratelli Tutti was announced a month ago, there’s been debate over the translation, with several groups arguing that the phrase – translated by some into English as “All Brothers” – is exclusive of women.

By Elise Ann Allen

Empty Assisi reflects ‘fraternity of pain’ Pope Francis came to heal
- Oct 3, 2020
“Right now we’re experiencing a fraternity of pain all over the word,” Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino of Assisi said, “a pain that strikes even the most powerful people in the world. We’ve felt our fragility, that we are all fragile.”

By John L. Allen Jr.

In first trip since COVID, pope visits Assisi to sign new encyclical
- Oct 3, 2020
In his first trip outside of Rome since the coronavirus pandemic began, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the tomb of his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, and signed his new encyclical on human fraternity.

By Elise Ann Allen
As Pope named ‘Francis’ heads to Assisi, a lot rides on new encyclical
- Oct 3, 2020
Today, the pope travels to Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, to continue his effort to deliver on the expectations taking that name created.

By John L. Allen Jr.
Vatican cardinal hopes spin won’t spoil potential of new papal encyclical
- Sep 25, 2020
“To me, it’s surprising that some people, some journalists and also some members of the Church, take all this as if it were some sort of ideological campaign by Pope Francis,” said Spanish Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot.

By John L. Allen Jr.
What’s in a name? At the Vatican, a debate on inclusiveness
- Sep 17, 2020
The Vatican responded Wednesday to criticism that the title of Pope Francis’ upcoming encyclical on the post-COVID world is sexist, saying the document, “Fratelli Tutti,” (“Brothers All”) in no way excludes women.

By Nicole Winfield