Be modern prophets by guiding others to the Holy Spirit, pope asks

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Christians are called to be modern-day prophets who guide others to see the Holy Spirit at work in everyday life and not to be superstitious people who try to predict or control the future, Pope Francis said.

‘Real’ people with strength from God better than superheroes, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Like every saint, St. Peter was not a superhero, he was just a real, imperfect person who generously said, "yes" to Jesus, Pope Francis said. "It appears that it is God who makes Peter strong with his grace, who unites us with his love, and forgives us with his mercy," the pope said June 29.

Artists, like prophets, must share truth for a better world, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Under Michelangelo's frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, Pope Francis told more than 200 musicians, writers, poets and other artists to be like prophets, pursuing true beauty and using their art to shake up the societies where they live.

Remain faithful to what counts, no matter the cost, pope says

Jesus says to have no fear of ridicule, persecution or criticism for being faithful to the Gospel, but to be afraid of wasting one's life chasing after trivial things, Pope Francis said.

Pope continues recovery working, resting, praying

Approaching his first week at Rome's Gemelli hospital after undergoing abdominal surgery June 7, Pope Francis' days were dedicated to working, reading, resting, praying and respiratory therapy, the Vatican said.

Pope has named two-thirds of cardinals eligible to elect his successor

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, the retired archbishop of Naples, celebrated his 80th birthday June 2 and, consequently, became ineligible to enter a conclave to elect a new pope.

World needs communities that welcome, give voice to vulnerable, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis named Tracey Rowland, an Australian theologian; Justin Farrell, a U.S. sociologist; and Tongdong Bai, a Chinese philosopher, to the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.

St. Peter’s Basilica opens exhibit on Marian coronations

Of the more than 1,300 Marian images crowned around the world, one of the first to receive this honor does not have a crown today.

Vatican launches compact for families with pope’s support

Asserting that "it is in the family that many of God's dreams for the human community are realized," Pope Francis asked Catholic universities and Catholic couples around the world to support the "Family Global Compact."

Those with political power must be ‘servants’ to citizens, pope says

The greatest way of life is serving others, and those in political power must see themselves as servants, too, Pope Francis said.