Citing bronchitis, pope cuts speech short: ‘I can’t speak well’

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis declined to read his prepared remarks during an audience with Catholic communicators from France, saying he has bronchitis and "can't speak well." "I would like to read the whole speech, but I have a problem; I have a bit of bronchitis, and I can't speak well," the pope told communications representatives of dioceses, religious congregations, parishes and other Catholic groups in France during a meeting at the Vatican Jan. 12.

Community, Catholic schools celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Alec Bansal and Jacob Krotonsky, both seniors at Brophy College Preparatory — a Jesuit Catholic high school in Phoenix — recalled meeting Sean, a homeless man who had holes in his shoes. Rather than offer him cash, the pair opted to go to the nearby Dick’s Sporting Goods to buy him a new pair of socks and shoes. This encounter with somebody on the margins led Bansal and Krotonsky to establish Soles 2 Souls, a Brophy club and non-profit organization dedicated to providing shoes for the homeless populations.

Wine, working the land, selling its fruits are gifts from God, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The skills of winegrowers -- respect, perseverance and knowing how to prune to produce fruit -- are also valuable messages for the soul, Pope Francis said." Wine, the land, farming skills and entrepreneurial activity are gifts from God," the pope told winegrowers, winemakers and others taking part in an event organized by Vinitaly -- an international wine and spirits exhibition held in Verona, Italy, every year for industry professionals. The event was dedicated to Italian wine and "the economy of Francesco," an economy inspired by St. Francis of Assisi that respects the earth and promotes peace and justice.

40-year journey ends with opening of a new church for St. Benedict

PHOENIX – When the leaders of St. Benedict Parish in the Ahwatukee area of southeastern Phoenix began planning more than two decades ago for...

Pope praises priest who restored dignity of the poor through education

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis praised the legacy of an Italian priest who looked for ways the Catholic Church could make sure the poor were not left further behind in the world." And with wisdom and love," the late Father Lorenzo Milani found "the answer in education, through his model of schooling, which is putting knowledge at the service of those who are considered the last by others, but first for the Gospel and for him," the pope said.

Red Mass brings together Arizona’s legal, legislative community to seek God’s guidance

PHOENIX --- When Presiding Magistrate, the Hon. John Lamb, takes the bench in Tolleson City Court, he brings more than his nearly 40 years...

Holy Spirit creates harmony, pope tells ecumenical dialogue commission

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Seeing young people involved in ecumenical initiatives is a sign of the Holy Spirit at work, Pope Francis said. The Holy Spirit is the one "who rejuvenates the church in harmony, inspires paths of communion and grants wisdom to the young and prophecy to the old," he told members of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

Catholic women’s conference proposes femininity, not feminism, in this year’s “Full of Grace” event

Catholic women’s conference proposes femininity, not feminism, in this year’s “Full of Grace” event. God poured out his grace to fill many feminine hearts at...

Phoenix, Tucson bishops join non-Catholic counterparts to pray for Christian Unity

Bishop John P. Dolan — along with Tucson Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger — joined their counterparts from other Christian traditions throughout the state of...

Become a part of the Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit’s Mission at FriarQ

The parish hall at St. Bernard of Clairvaux in Scottsdale was packed on February 25, 2023, everyone clinging to the words of Sr. Martha...