Pope Francis’ first encyclical to be published July 5
Pope Francis' first encyclical, which he has said is largely the work of retired Pope Benedict XVI, will be published July 5. The Vatican announced July 1 that "Lumen fidei" (The Light of Faith) will be presented at a news conference featuring Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation of Bishops; Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; and Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization.
‘No more death, no more exploitation,’ pope says at U.S.-Mexico border
Pope Francis said both countries are showing symptoms of "self-destruction as a result of oppression, dishonor, violence and injustice." He also said mercy was a way to win over opponents.
Playing organ for New York teams is sports heaven for church musician
Paul Cartier is used to putting in long days balancing roles as an organist for a New York parish and two professional sports teams plus 15 hours weekly as a volunteer commissioner, firefighter and emergency medical technician, but he's still in sports heaven despite a recent 19-inning Yankees game.
University of Mary President named to FOCUS Board of Directors
FOCUS missionaries serve on 125 college campuses nationwide. The organization just gained a prominent board member.
Pope shares his ‘dreams’ for Amazon region, its Catholic community
True to what the universal Catholic Church is, "Querida Amazonia" (Beloved Amazonia), seeks a Church present and active with "Amazonian features," which means local cultures are preserved, nature is protected and more.
God never shuts the door; church always must be open, too, pope says
The pope dedicated his catechesis to the symbol of the Holy Door, which will be opened at St. Peter's Basilica Dec. 8 to mark the start of the extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy.
Pope calls European Parliament to rejuvenate ‘grandmother’ Europe
Instead of making a pastoral visit, Pope Francis went to the heart of European unity and bureaucracy: the European Parliament, the legislative arm of the 28-member European Union; and the Council of Europe, an organization of 47 countries formed to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law on the continent.
God is mercy: Holy Year affirms belief Christians, Muslims, Jews share
In his official proclamation of the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis noted that the Christian profession of faith in God's mercy "relates us to Judaism and Islam, both of which consider mercy to be one of God's most important attributes."
University of Mary reserves new scholarship for active military
The university is offering an unlimited number of scholarships to undergraduate students on active duty.
Supreme Court rulings set up ‘worrisome’ future, says U.S. archbishop
The "future of our democracy" is "very, very worrisome," U.S. Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone said in reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court's June 26 rulings striking down the federal Defense of Marriage Act and refusing to rule on the merits of a ban on same-sex marriage in California.
