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...

Pope Francis shakes hands with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin during a private audience at the Vatican on 15 November. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS. By Carol Glatz Pope Francis welcomed Israeli President Reuven Rivlin to the Vatican on 15 November for a private discussion that included the importance of building greater trust between Israelis and Palestinians. During their 35-minute meeting...

Pope Francis kisses a baby during his general audience in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on 7 November. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS. By Carol Glatz Life is for loving, not amassing possessions, Pope Francis said on 7 November during his weekly general audience. In fact, the true meaning and purpose of wealth is to use it to lovingly serve others and promote human dignity, the Holy Father ...

Pope Francis celebrates Mass on the feast of All Souls on 2 November at Laurentino Cemetery in Rome. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS. By Cindy Wooden The Mass for the feast of All Souls is “realistic, concrete” in calling Catholics to remember the people and events of their past, to consider how they live today and to hope for eternal life with God and their loved ones who preceded them, Pope Fran...

Pope Francis holds his pastoral staff as he celebrates the closing Mass of the Synod of Bishops on young people, the faith and vocational discernment in St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on 28 October. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS. By Carol Glatz Speaking on behalf of all adult Catholics, Pope Francis formally closed the Synod of Bishops by asking young people for forgiveness. “Forgive us i...

Melbourne Auxiliary Bishop Mark Edwards shares a laugh with Indonesian youth delegate Anastasia Indrawan before a session of the Synod of Bishops on young people, the faith and vocational discernment at the Vatican on 9 October. The synod’s final document will seek to address issues concerning all young people and not just those issues facing young men and women living in Western countries, s...

The banners of new saints Oscar Romero and Paul VI hang from the facade of St Peter’s Basilica as Pope Francis celebrates the canonisation Mass for seven new saints in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on 14 October. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS. By Catholic News Service Reporters Carrying Pope Paul VI’s pastoral staff and wearing the blood-stained belt of Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador...

Then-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, retired Archbishop of Washington, and Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington concelebrate Mass in 2010 in St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. Photo: Nancy Wiechec/CNS. By Cindy Wooden Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, claims former Cardinal Theodore E McCarrick had been told by Vatican officials to withdraw from public life beca...