Pope Francis hears confession from a man during a penitential liturgy in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in 2014. Photo: L'Osservatore Romano/Reuters. By Carol Glatz The seal of confession is so important and sacred that a priest would be automatically excommunicated under canon law for directly revealing the contents of a confession. The sacramental seal is absolutely inviolable an...

A shaft of light illuminates Pope Francis as he responds to a question from reporter Anna Matranga of CBS News aboard his flight from Dublin to Rome on 26 August. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS. By Cindy Wooden Pope Francis said Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano's long document calling on him to resign is written in a way that people should be able to draw their own conclusions. "I read the statem...

Italian Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, is pictured at his residence at the Vatican in this 20 October 2011 file photo. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS. By Junno Arocho Esteves A former apostolic nuncio to the United States accused Church officials, including Pope Francis, of failing to act on accusations of abuse of conscience and power by now-Archbishop ...

Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington on 24 September 2015, file photo. The Pope made history as the first pope to address Congress. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS. By Cindy Wooden The world needs leaders who can “put into practice a more just way for all of us to live in this world as sharers in a common destiny”, Pope Francis has said. The Sup...

The Diocese of Rome has formally opened the sainthood process for Chiara Corbella Petrillo, a young Italian wife and mother. Photo: Cristian Gennari/CNS. By Carol Glatz The Diocese of Rome formally opened the sainthood process for a young Italian wife and mother who avoided inducing a premature birth and invasive treatment for cancer while she was pregnant. The diocese described Ch...

Pope Francis waves as he leads the Angelus on 15 July from the window of his studio overlooking St Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Photo: Fabio Frustaci/CNS. By Cindy Wooden Pope Francis reminded some 15,000 people gathered at St Peter’s Square on 15 July that all Christians are called to be missionaries, concerned more with sharing the Gospel than with earning money or even with being...

Pilgrims take pictures as Pope Francis leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St Peter’s Square on 8 July at the Vatican. Photo: Riccardo Antimani/CNS. By Carol Glatz God does not conform to people’s expectations and He often presents himself and his graces in surprising ways, Pope Francis said. “God does not conform himself to preconceptions. We have to make a...

New cardinals and archbishops are seen as Pope Francis celebrates Mass marking the feast of Sts Peter and Paul in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on 29 June. At the conclusion of the Mass, Pope Francis presented palliums in boxes to dozens of new archbishops from around the world. Photo: CNS/Paul Haring. By Carol Glatz God wants his disciples to bring his mercy and love to everyone, ...

Fr Charles Gauci is currently the administrator of St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral in Adelaide. Photo: Supplied. Pope Francis has last week appointed Fr Charles Gauci the seventh Bishop of Darwin. Archbishop Mark Coleridge, President of Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, welcomed the appointment of a man who is known for his deep spirituality and commitment to evangelisation. “F...

Pope Francis listens as Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Academy for Life, speaks during an audience with members of the Academy at the Vatican on 25 June 25. Photo: CNS/Vatican Media). By Junno Arocho Esteves Behind the indifference toward human life lies a contagious illness that blinds people to the lives, challenges and struggles of others, Pope Francis said...