Sinner and sage: Despite troubled life, Caravaggio mastered spiritual meanings
Considered one of Caravaggio's best masterpieces, "The Entombment of Christ" was covetingly confiscated by the French for its newly opened Louvre Museum as Napoleon swept down the Italian peninsula in the late 18th century.
Women help religions share wisdom, promote peace, pope says
The world's religious traditions and their followers are called to offer wisdom to the world and to "infuse it with a spirit of warmth, healing and fraternity," which requires the participation of women as well as men, Pope Francis said.
God ‘suffers’ when believers injure, ignore those God loves, pope says
God suffers and grieves when those who profess to believe in him do not love the people he loves and do not work for the justice he desires, Pope Francis said.
In interview, pope says criticism is annoying, but can be helpful
Public criticism by cardinals and bishops is annoying -- "like a rash that bothers you a bit," Pope Francis said -- but differences need to be aired and criticism can be helpful, he told the Associated Press.
Pope tells Knights of Malta to strengthen unity, reject lust for power
Conflict and division hurt the mission of the Knights of Malta, and craving for power creates distance from Christ, Pope Francis told members of the religious, charitable and chivalric order.
Mission begins by meeting Jesus in the Scriptures and Eucharist, pope says
Having come to know Jesus through the Scriptures and in the Eucharist, Catholics are called to share with others the hope and joy that come from faith and that endure even when life gets difficult, Pope Francis said.
Christians must not be oppressed by guilt, but filled with joy, pope says
Christians must not "put pressure on others" to convert or induce in them "feelings of guilt," but take a weight off their shoulders through joyfully sharing the Gospel, Pope Francis said.
NEWS BRIEF: Bishop Dolan unveils scripture study for small groups
A workshop to unveil Christ in Our Neighborhood, the evangelization program developed by Bishop John Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix, drew more than 50 pastors, parish staff and volunteers to the Diocesan Pastoral Center Dec. 10.
Parenting Smarts: Adapting to change
When I was in college, my mother put a pink Post-it Note on my door. It remained there even after I married and had a home of my own, for written on the note in blue pen was a reminder we both needed during that time of transition: A bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you fail to make the turn.
Ready for Mass: Churching like a pro
There was a time when Catholics would “hear” the Mass — they might show up to church and spend their time watching and listening to the priest.
