The declaration signed by Pope Francis and Sheik Ahmad el-Tayeb, the grand imam of al-Azhar, during the Holy Father’s trip to the United Arab Emirates “is a clarion call for robust dialogue that leads to peace,” said the Catholic Chairman of the National Catholic-Muslim Dialogue and the chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs.

By Carol Glatz Having considered the holiness of Saint Paul VI and the influence of his ministry for the Church worldwide, Pope Francis has approved putting the saint on the church's universal calendar of feast days as an optional - not obligatory - memorial. The celebration of the late Pope falls on 29 May (on the General Roman Calendar), the universal schedule of holy days and feast days ...

Pope Francis told reporters he is more afraid of the consequences of not engaging in interreligious dialogue than he is of being manipulated by some Muslim leaders. He told reporters flying back to Rome with him on 5 February from Abu Dhabi that people are always saying he's letting himself be used by someone, "including journalists, but it's part of the job." "For me, there is only one gre...

For West Australians Simeon Dzieciol and Annellee Aguilar, their World Youth Day (WYD) pilgrimage which saw them visit Mexico and Costa Rica, before eventually arriving in Panama, was an experience they will cherish for the rest of their lives.

Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH), Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) and the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) are inviting Catholics to mark St Bakhita Day on 8 February and at weekend Masses on 9 and 10 February.

Pope Francis twirls a football presented by a member of CirCuba, the Cuban national circus, during his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican on 2 January. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS. By Cindy Wooden Christians are not better than other people, Pope Francis said, but they do know that God is their Father and they are called “to reflect a ray of his goodness in this world thirsting for ...

Pope Francis greets the audience during the Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on 16 December. Photo: Giuseppe Lami/EPA. By Carol Glatz With Christmas in our midst, visitors came to St Peter’s Square with their Baby Jesus figurines for a traditional blessing by the Holy Father. Many children came with small figurines for their family Nativity scene, others held delicate...

Pope Francis is pictured through the Christmas tree as he leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on 8 December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS. By Carol Glatz Advent is a time for people to think about what they can change about themselves so that they can sow the seeds of peace, justice and fraternity i...

Western Australia lieutenant Jack Gardner KC*HS greets Pope Francis on 16 November in Rome. Photo: Servizio Fotografico L’Osservatore Romano. By Matthew Lau Pope Francis inspired the world’s lieutenants during a quinquennial meeting in Rome on 16 November, influencing them to place the evangelical love of thy neighbour as the final aim of their works. The Holy Father encouraged the...

In this 2016 file photo, Pope Francis walks with World Youth Day pilgrims as he arrives for a prayer vigil at the Field of Mercy in Krakow, Poland. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS. By Junno Arocho Esteves In a video message to young men and women around the world, Pope Francis called on them to provoke an uprising of change by serving others. In helping those who are suffering, both young belie...