Saints of Past Ages: Who’s St Francis, whose love for the poor, creation, and peace inspires Pope Francis?
GIOVANNA DELL’ORTO, of Associated Press, takes a look at the life of St Francis and why Pope Francis adopted his name…
Conversations: A new book helps to answer – Do animals go to Heaven?
Catholic priest Rev Terry Martin tells CHARLES C CAMOSY he wrote his book after his own suffering in silence connected him to the suffering of animals…
Essay: Pope Francis may have surprised many by inviting comedians to the Vatican, but the value of humour has deep roots in Catholic tradition
JOANNE M PIERCE, a specialist in medieval Christian history, looks – in an article first published on The Conversation – at how Christians have long embraced the role of humour as a valuable part of Christian spirituality…
Vatican to unveil nativity scene celebrating the 800th anniversary of the crèche
Vatican City RNS A life-size crèche representing the nativity will be unveiled at St Peter’s Square on Saturday, celebrating the 800th anniversary of a Catholic tradition long since adopted by Christians across denominations. The crèche has enjoyed great popularity in Italy and beyond ever since St Francis of Assisi created the first one in 1223 […]
Health Insight: ‘Tis the season to be jolly – singing Christmas carols together isn’t just a tradition, it’s also good for you
In an article first published on The Conversation, WENDY HARGREAVES and MELISSA FORBES, of the University of Southern Queensland, say group singing engages many beneficial biological, psychological, behavioural and social processes…
Pope appeals to the young to save the planet, find peace
Assisi, Italy AP Pope Francis, visiting Assisi, the birthplace of his namesake saint who was close to nature, called on Saturday for “courage” in abandoning fossil fuels and lamented that older generations didn’t know how to protect the planet and secure peace. He told young people he was pinning his hopes on their efforts in […]
Inspired by Pope Francis, graffiti artist brings pop message to young people in Assisi
Vatican City RNS Pope Francis’ economic vision meets graffiti art in a new show by Roman artist Mauro Pallotta, or Maupal, who hopes his work will inspire the thousands of young adults gathering in Assisi this week as they imagine a new kind of global economy. The artist’s nine most influential works are on exhibit in […]
Pope offers hope to poor in visit to namesake’s Assisi home
Assisi, Italy AP Pope Francis travelled to the hilltop town of his namesake for the fifth time in his pontificate on Friday to honour the poorest and most marginal and urge that they be welcomed and cared for by the church. In one of his first outings in Italy since the coronavirus pandemic, Francis took […]
Sight-Seeing: “No man is an island,” wrote John Donne on a grim Christmas amid a pandemic
In an article first published by Religion News Service, ANDREW MCGOWAN, Anglican priest and dean of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, reflects on how the recognition that death is not the end may help Christians in what is a “grim” Christmas for many…
Pope in first post-lockdown outing goes to Assisi to sign text
Assisi, Italy AP Pope Francis travelled to the tomb of his nature-loving namesake and signed an encyclical Saturday laying out his vision of a post-COVID world built on solidarity, fraternity and care for the environment. In his first outing from Rome since late February, Francis celebrated Mass in the crypt of the Basilica of St […]