pope francis
21 Jan
Pope Francis called Sunday for the release of a group of people including six nuns kidnapped in Haiti, the Caribbean nation plagued by gang violence.
8 Jan
Pope Francis called Monday for a global ban on surrogacy, saying the practice of a woman carrying another person's child was "deplorable".
8 Jan
Pope Francis’ December 2023 approval of a ruling allowing priests to bless unmarried and same-sex couples has understandably thrown up controversy, even disdain, in a Christian world sharply polarised between living in strict accordance with scriptural doctrines ...
25 Dec
People donned Santa caps on beaches, ski slopes and streets around the globe on Monday to celebrate Christmas, as Pope Francis called for an end to the wars in Gaza and Ukraine that this year have cast a shadow over one of the world's favourite holidays.
25 Dec
Pope Francis has kicked off global Christmas celebrations with a call for peace, as Israel's war on Hamas and Russia's invasion of Ukraine cast a shadow over one of the world's favourite holidays.
21 Dec
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has said that the recent pronouncement of the Pope on same-sex marriage does not in any way change the Catholic Church’s teaching on marriage. According to the bishops, the declaration by the Pope seeks to clarify the different forms of blessing that can be given to persons and…
19 Dec
Pope Francis has authorized Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples, marking a significant step towards inclusivity for LGBTQ+ individuals within the Church. However, the new policy stops short of recognizing same-sex marriage, upholding the traditional church teaching that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. This decision, outlined in a document issued…
19 Dec
Pope Francis formally permitted Roman Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples on Monday, in a significant shift in the church’s approach to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+) people. The blessings may be carried out providing they are not part of regular church rituals or liturgies, nor at the same time as a civil union,…
14 Dec
Pope Francis on Thursday called for world leaders to adopt a global treaty on the use of artificial intelligence to ensure it is used ethically. The 86-year-old pontiff appealed in a six-page message published ahead of the Catholic Church's World Day of Peace on January 1, which this year is focused on the theme of…
13 Dec
Pope Francis has chosen to be buried not in St Peter's Basilica alongside his immediate predecessors but in a basilica in Rome, he revealed in an interview broadcast on Wednesday. "The place is already prepared. I want to be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore," the pontiff, who turns 87 this weekend, told Mexican broadcaster Televisa's…
27 Nov
He has used science to underpin his moral missives on climate change. Now Pope Francis hopes his historic presence at UN talks will help tip the balance in critical negotiations.
27 Nov
Pope Francis is improving after suffering from flu symptoms at the weekend, the Vatican said Monday, noting that the 86-year-old pontiff was postponing some appointments during his recovery.