Read more about the article Pope, Iraqi Shiite leader affirm importance of dialogue, respect
Pope Francis and Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, one of Shiite Islam's most authoritative figures, meet during a courtesy visit in Najaf, Iraq, March 6, 2021. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

Pope, Iraqi Shiite leader affirm importance of dialogue, respect

Pope Francis underlined the importance of collaboration and friendship among religious communities

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Read more about the article For Lent, ask if one’s life is centered on God or oneself, pope says
Pope Francis sprinkles ashes on the head of a cardinal during Ash Wednesday Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Feb. 17, 2021. (CNS photo/Guglielmo Mangiapane, Reuters)

For Lent, ask if one’s life is centered on God or oneself, pope says

"It is a time to reconsider the path we are taking…and to rediscover our profound relationship with God, on whom everything depends," he said.

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Read more about the article In Iraq, pope hopes to encourage Christians, build bridges to Muslims
Pope Francis embraces Cardinal Louis Sako, the Baghdad-based patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, at the Vatican June 28, 2018. Pope Francis plans to visit Iraq March 5-8, 2021. (CNS photo/Tony Gentile)

In Iraq, pope hopes to encourage Christians, build bridges to Muslims

"I am the pastor of people who are suffering," Pope Francis told CNS ahead of the first-ever papal visit to Iraq March 5-8.

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Read more about the article Naming undersecretaries for synod, pope gives a woman a vote
Xaviere Missionary Sister Nathalie Becquart attends a news conference at the Vatican in this Oct. 9, 2018, file photo. Last May Sister Becquart was one of six consultants appointed by Pope Francis to the general secretariat of the Synod of Bishops. Five of those appointed were women, and it was the first time women had served in that role. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) See VATICAN-LETTER-WOMEN Jan. 9, 2020.

Naming undersecretaries for synod, pope gives a woman a vote

Xaviere Missionary Sister Nathalie Becquart will be the first woman with a right to vote at a meeting of the Synod of Bishops

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Read more about the article Pope establishes World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly
Pope Francis greets people during an encounter with the elderly in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican in this Sept. 28, 2014, file photo. During his Jan. 31 Sunday Angelus, the pope announced the establishment of a World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Pope establishes World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly

The celebration will coincide with the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, Jesus' grandparents. The first celebration of this day will be July 25.

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Read more about the article Popes Francis, Benedict receive their first doses of COVID-19 vaccine
Health care workers prepare doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 at a vaccination center in Naples, Italy, Jan. 8, 2021. (CNS photo/Ciro De Luca, Reuters)

Popes Francis, Benedict receive their first doses of COVID-19 vaccine

Pope Francis encouraged everyone who could get the vaccine to do so to protect themselves and others.

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Read more about the article Pope amends canon law so women can be installed as lectors, acolytes
A lector delivers a reading during Mass at a church in Ronkonkoma, N.Y., Aug. 20, 2014. Pope Francis ordered a change to the Code of Canon Law so that women may be formally instituted as lectors and acolytes. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Pope amends canon law so women can be installed as lectors, acolytes

This formalizes the practice that most dioceses around the world have permitted for decades, that women and girls can read and serve at Mass.

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Read more about the article Like the Magi, look to the heavens for hope, pope says on Epiphany
Pope Francis walks near a figurine of the baby Jesus as he celebrates Mass on the feast of the Epiphany in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 6, 2021. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Like the Magi, look to the heavens for hope, pope says on Epiphany

The Lord grants us the strength to deal with life’s problems, Pope Francis said.

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Read more about the article Soccer legend Maradona was ‘poet’ on the field, pope says
Former Argentine soccer star Diego Maradona gives Pope Francis a jersey during a special audience at the Vaticanís Paul VI hall Sept. 1. The pope organized an interreligious "Match for Peaceî and appealed for an end to conflicts around the world. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano via Reuters) See POPE-SOCCER Sept. 2, 2014.

Soccer legend Maradona was ‘poet’ on the field, pope says

Maradona’s creativity and athleticism brought joy to countless fans

Continue ReadingSoccer legend Maradona was ‘poet’ on the field, pope says