Colombian Cardinal Pedro Rubiano Sáenz of Bogotá, a leader in the move to promote peace and reconciliation in his homeland, died April 15 at the age 91.
His death leaves the College of Cardinals with 237 members, of whom 128 are under the
Today's "growing culture of indifference and individualism" must be countered with prayer and adoration, which inspires solidarity with those in need, Pope Francis said.
Charitable efforts guided and inspired by the Catholic faith "must be continually nourished by participation in the life of
Eight people united in their anguish carried into the papal library posters bearing the faces of their loved ones who are held in captivity by Hamas.
The father, mother, aunt, uncle, cousin, brother or twin sister of various Israeli hostages met with Pope
In the book-length interview, "El Sucesor" ("The Succesor"), published in Spain April 3, the pope said he "did not realize" that he was a serious candidate for the papacy in 2013, but that he began to put together the pieces of a
For the nearly 10 years that Pope Francis and retired Pope Benedict XVI lived on opposite sides of St. Peter's Basilica, the two popes' relationship was marked by a deep mutual respect and profound sense of solidarity, Pope Francis said.
The retired pope,
Pope Francis voted for Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, in the 2005 conclave that followed the death of St. John Paul II.
"He was the only one who could be pope at that time," Pope Francis said about his immediate
Just as Jesus removed the stone that sealed his tomb on the morning of the Resurrection, on Easter Christ alone "has the power to roll away the stones that block the path to life" and which trap humanity in war and injustice,
Of the thousands of people packed into the Paul VI Audience Hall for Pope Francis' weekly general audience, two visitors received special praise from the pope for their unlikely friendship.
The presence of Bassam Aramin from Palestine and Rami Elhanan from Israel, seated
Contemplating Christ's passion should inspire Christians to be more patient in the face of their own suffering and trials, Pope Francis said.
"There is no better witness to the love of Christ than meeting a patient Christian," Pope Francis said during his general
The pope told employees of the Italian state broadcasting corporation, RAI, that their work should be "a response to the needs of citizens," and he encouraged them to serve the common good "with a spirit of universal openness."