Pope Francis

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Transgender Christians Slam 'Hurtful' New Vatican Document

Declaration approved by Pope Francis says surrogacy, gender-affirming surgery are affronts to human dignity

(Newser) - The Vatican on Monday declared gender-affirming surgery and surrogacy as grave threats to human dignity, putting them on par with abortion and euthanasia as practices that violate God's plan for human life. The Vatican's doctrine office issued "Infinite Dignity," a 20-page declaration that's been in...

Pope in Good Form at Easter Mass
Pope in Good Form
at Easter Mass
Mar 31, 2024 7:30 AM CDT

Pope in Good Form at Easter Mass

Pontiff, 87, shakes off winter illness as he calls for peace

(Newser) - Rallying from a winter-long bout of respiratory problems, Pope Francis led some 30,000 people in Easter celebrations Sunday while making a strong appeal for a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine. From the AP :
  • Francis presided over Easter Sunday Mass in a flower-decked St.
...

Pope Skips Procession at Last Minute

Vatican announces decision was made to conserve Francis' health

(Newser) - Pope Francis skipped the traditional Good Friday procession at Rome's Colosseum to protect his health, the Vatican said, adding to concerns about his frail condition during a particularly busy liturgical period. Francis had been expected to preside over the Way of the Cross, which reenacts Christ's Passion and...

Ukraine Responds to Pope's 'White Flag' Remarks

Zelensky, foreign minister, others don't seem inclined to surrender to Russia anytime soon

(Newser) - Allies of Ukraine have been expressing their dismay at recently aired comments made by Pope Francis last month, in which he said Ukraine should have the "courage" to send up the "white flag" in its war with Russia, implying Ukraine should surrender. Now, a slew of Ukrainian officials...

Allies Join Ukraine in Criticizing Pope's 'White Flag' Remark

Responses include references to prewar appeasement of Hitler

(Newser) - Ukrainian and allied officials criticized Pope Francis for saying that Kyiv should have the "courage" to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, a statement many interpreted as a call for Ukraine to surrender. The foreign minister of Poland, a vocal ally of Kyiv, and Ukraine's ambassador...

Francis Struggles Getting Into Popemobile

Mobility, respiratory issues continue to plague the 87-year-old pontiff

(Newser) - Pope Francis again asked an aide to read his remarks and was unable to get back into his popemobile on Wednesday, as lingering respiratory and mobility problems continued to take their toll on the 87-year-old pontiff. Francis presided over his weekly general audience, held outside for the first time this...

Bishop Scolds Priests Over YouTube Joke About Pope

Group had laughed at comment about praying that Francis goes to heaven soon

(Newser) - A Spanish bishop rebuked comments made by priests on a weekly internet program about praying for Pope Francis to die as soon as possible. The priests later apologized. Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves of Toledo posted a statement on the archdiocese's website Wednesday saying it rejected the comments and warned...

Illness Sidelines the Pope
Illness
Sidelines
the Pope
Feb 24, 2024 1:55 PM CST

Illness Sidelines the Pope

Vatican attributes event cancelation to mild flu

(Newser) - Pope Francis has canceled an audience scheduled for Saturday as a precaution after coming down with mild flu, the Vatican press office said in a short statement. Francis was scheduled to meet with Rome deacons in the morning, the AP reports. The press office described the illness as "a...

After Criticism, Pope Reassures Israeli Jews

Francis expresses concern over antisemitism in letter

(Newser) - Pope Francis on Saturday reaffirmed Christians' special relationship with Jews amid rising antisemitism since the outbreak of the Gaza war in a letter to the Jews of Israel that he said was prompted by messages from Jewish organizations around the world. The letter served as fence-mending after Francis was criticized...

Pope Warns Against the 'Demon of Lust'

But he says sexual pleasure is a 'gift from God'

(Newser) - Pope Francis has been delivering weekly sermons on the seven deadly sins. Last week, he addressed gluttony—and this week, it was the turn of what he described as the "demon of lust." In his Vatican address Wednesday, Francis said sexual pleasure is a "gift from God"...

After Pope's Public Comments, Nicaragua Frees Jailed Bishop

Along with 18 other clergy members

(Newser) - Nicaragua's government released a prominent Catholic bishop and 18 other clergy members imprisoned in a crackdown by President Daniel Ortega and handed them over to Vatican authorities, who welcomed them in Rome on Sunday. Bishop Rolando Alvarez—described by the New York Times as "one of the most...

Alabama Priest Who Married Teen Is Laicized by Pope

Alex Crow is no longer a Roman Catholic priest

(Newser) - The Alabama priest who fled to Europe with an 18-year-old and then married her has been removed from the priesthood, with Pope Francis confirming Alex Crow's laicization in a letter. The archdiocese of Mobile, Alabama, said Crow "initiated the process for his own laicization." Archbishop Thomas Rodi...

Pope Wants a Universal Ban on 'Despicable' Practice

Francis puts surrogate motherhood on blast

(Newser) - Pope Francis called Monday for a universal ban on what he called the "despicable" practice of surrogate motherhood, as he included the "commercialization" of pregnancy in an annual speech listing threats to global peace and human dignity. In a foreign policy address to ambassadors accredited to the Holy...

'Tonight, Our Hearts Are in Bethlehem'
Pope: 'Our Hearts
Are in Bethlehem'
UPDATED
Dec 25, 2023 6:34 AM CST

Pope: 'Our Hearts Are in Bethlehem'

Pope Francis laments victims of Israel-Hamas war in Christmas address

(Newser) - Pope Francis continued his theme about the tragedy of war in his Christmas Day message, denouncing the "instruments of death" that fuel such conflicts, reports the AP . Speaking from St. Peter's Basilica, the pope said he grieved both the "abominable attack" by Hamas on Israeli civilians in...

Pope: Priests Can Bless Same-Sex Couples

Those seeking God's love and mercy shouldn't be subject to 'exhaustive moral analysis' to get it

(Newser) - If same-sex couples go to their priest looking for a blessing, Pope Francis is cool with it. This news comes via a new document approving a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God's love and mercy shouldn't be subject to "an exhaustive moral...

Pope Celebrates After 'Quite a Year'
Children Help Pope Celebrate
Dec 17, 2023 1:05 PM CST

Children Help Pope Celebrate

'It was quite a year' for Francis, who turned 87, professor says

(Newser) - Pope Francis turned 87 on Sunday, closing out a year that saw big milestones in his efforts to make changes in the Catholic Church as well as health scares that raise questions about his future in office. Francis celebrated his birthday with cake during a festive audience with children Sunday...

In a First, Vatican Court Convicts a Cardinal

Angelo Becciu, who was a close adviser to Pope Francis, found guilty of embezzlement

(Newser) - Cardinal Angelo Becciu, a onetime adviser to Pope Francis who was touted as a potential successor, was convicted Saturday by a Vatican court of embezzlement. Cardinal Angelo Becciu was sentenced to 5½ years in prison, the BBC reports. He was charged after an investigation sparked by a losing property investment...

Pope Calls for Global AI Rules
Pope Urges Global AI Treaty
Dec 14, 2023 7:15 PM CST

Pope Urges Global AI Treaty

'Brilliant' technology's dangers require regulation, Francis says

(Newser) - Pope Francis, who has been victimized by the technology, called Thursday for a global treaty to regulate artificial intelligence. In his message marking the World Day of Peace, the pope acknowledged the possible benefits of AI, the Washington Post reports, describing the technology as "brilliant." But it also...

Pope: I've Chosen My Tomb, and It's Not in the Vatican

Francis is working on simplifying papal funeral rites

(Newser) - Pope Francis plans to break with tradition in death as well as in life. In an interview with Mexico's N+ television on Tuesday, the pope said he plans to be the first pontiff in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican, Reuters reports. Francis, who turns...

Pope's Top Critic Is About to Have to Find New Digs

Pontiff has apparently had it with Cardinal Raymond Burke

(Newser) - Cardinal Raymond Burke , an American who's led conservative resistance to Pope Francis' progressive moves since his election a decade ago, has apparently poked the pontiff one too many times. As the New York Times reports, Francis has "frequently demoted and stripped the American cleric of influence"—...

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