Holy Year is a reminder to put mercy before judgment, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — On a cloudy, damp morning, Pope Francis’ voice echoed in the atrium of St. Peter’s Basilica: “Open the gates of justice.” With five strong thrusts, the pope pushed open the Holy Door, a symbol of God’s justice, which he said will always be exercised “in the light of His mercy.”
Gentle Revolution: Pope wants Year of Mercy to tenderly transform world
Discovering God's generous love kick-starts a virtuous circle, which "leads us to acting in a way that's more tolerant, patient, tender" and just, he said.
Homeless, poor get star treatment at Vatican movie premiere
A movie premiere at the Vatican is not your typical star-studded event, but did include those Pope Francis, the film's main star, deemed to be celebrities.
Bury the dead: a work of mercy through the centuries
Offering a Christian funeral and burial to those who would otherwise never have one is among the corporal works of mercy, but arguably the one least spoken of.
Year of Mercy begins Dec. 8
Phoenix are focusing on what it means for the faithful and how the year will be celebrated. The pope has asked that all dioceses around the world designate a “Door of Mercy” at their cathedral or another special church or shrine, and that every diocese implement the “24 Hours for the Lord” initiative on the Friday and Saturday before the fourth week of Lent.
Arizona Catholic Conference Bishops’ Statement on Syrian Refugees
In the wake of the tragic loss of innocent life taken by terrorist actions in Paris, the Bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC) understand the increasing hesitation on the part of our government and American citizens to receive Syrian refugees into the United States.
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."
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.
Bishop disturbed by calls to end resettlement of Syrian refugees in U.S.
"These refugees are fleeing terror themselves — violence like we have witnessed in Paris," said Seattle Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, chairman of the migration committee for the U.S. bishops.
South of Paris, woman prays for longtime friend injured at Bataclan
"Even if sometimes I have doubts, faith helps me see things with more peace and hope. It also makes me see that those who did these crimes must have lacked a lot of love," she said.
