Author Archives: Francis X. Rocca

Pope, at Mass with millions, tells Filipinos to protect the family

Posted on January 18, 2015 by Francis X. Rocca

MANILA, Philippines (CNS) — At his last major event in the Philippines, Pope Francis told a crowd of millions gathered in a Manila park to protect the family “against insidious attacks and programs contrary to all that we hold true … Continue reading →

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You are not alone, pope tells typhoon survivors

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Francis X. Rocca

(CLICK HERE for updated version of this story, with video of the pope’s remarks) TACLOBAN, Philippines — Fourteen months after Typhoon Haiyan devastated much of the central Philippines, Pope Francis braved a tropical storm to encourage survivors in their ongoing … Continue reading →

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Pope, in Philippines, says same-sex marriage threatens family

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Francis X. Rocca

MANILA, Philippines (CNS) — Appealing to the traditional values of Filipino Catholic families, Pope Francis made one of his strongest calls as pope against movements to recognize same-sex unions as marriage. “The family is also threatened by growing efforts on … Continue reading →

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Pope says respect for religion should limit freedom of expression

Posted on January 15, 2015 by Francis X. Rocca

UPDATED VERSION: Pope says respect for religion should limit freedom of expression ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Commenting on recent killings by Islamist terrorists at a Paris newspaper, Pope Francis condemned killing in the name of God, … Continue reading →

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Pope proclaims Sri Lanka’s first saint, right to religious freedom

Posted on January 14, 2015 by Francis X. Rocca

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (CNS) — Canonizing Sri Lanka’s first saint, who ministered to Catholics under persecution three centuries earlier, Pope Francis proclaimed what he called the “fundamental human right” of religious freedom. “Each individual must be free, alone or in … Continue reading →

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Pope, in Sri Lanka, says reconciliation requires ‘pursuit of truth’

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Francis X. Rocca

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (CNS) — Arriving in Sri Lanka, a country recovering from two and a half decades of ethnic and religious civil war, Pope Francis said reconciliation would require exploring, not ignoring, its painful recent history. “The process of healing … Continue reading →

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Pope names 15 new cardinal electors, most from global south

Posted on January 4, 2015 by Francis X. Rocca

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Underscoring the geographical diversity of his selections, Pope Francis named 15 cardinal electors “from 14 nations of every continent, showing the inseparable link between the church of Rome and the particular churches present in the world.” … Continue reading →

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Pope confirms he will visit U.S. in September 2015

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Francis X. Rocca

VATICAN CITY  — Pope Francis said he would attend the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September 2015, making it the first confirmed stop on what is expected to be a more extensive papal visit to North America. The … Continue reading →

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Pope removes Cardinal Burke from Vatican post

Posted on November 8, 2014 by Francis X. Rocca

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has removed U.S. Cardinal Raymond L. Burke, 66, as head of the Vatican’s highest court and named him to a largely ceremonial post with a chivalric religious order. Cardinal Burke, formerly prefect of the Apostolic … Continue reading →

Posted in CNS, Vatican | 8 Comments

At stadium Mass, pope tells Koreans to resist materialism

Posted on August 15, 2014 by Francis X. Rocca

SEOUL, South Korea — Celebrating the feast of the Assumption of Mary in South Korea, Pope Francis prayed that Christian values would overcome demoralization in economically successful societies. “The hope held out by the Gospel is the antidote to the … Continue reading →

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