Pope's chronic lung condition plus infection are serious, doctor says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While Pope Francis' life is not in immediate danger, the level of multiple infections in his lungs means he is not completely "out...
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Israel devastated by 'macabre' return of child hostages' bodies as ceasefire holds
JERUSALEM (OSV News) -- Israel has identified three of the bodies of hostages returned Feb. 20 but said the body of Shiri Bibas -- mother of two red-headed...
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Vance shines global spotlight on case of British army vet prosecuted for silent prayer
LIVERPOOL, England (OSV News) -- The British army veteran prosecuted for silently praying in front of an abortion clinic was, to his own surprise, caught...
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CORRECTED: British pro-lifers urge church to speak out in wake of nation's worst public abortion scandal
(OSV News) -- Pro-life campaigners have urged Britain's Catholic bishops to speak out against pressure for abortions. This comes after thousands of women...
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Pope's condition stable; tests show some improvement
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis' doctors described his condition as "stable" late Feb. 19 even though "blood tests, evaluated by the medical staff,...
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African church organizations 'devastated' amid USAID shutdown, call for dialogue on program cuts
NAIROBI, Kenya (OSV News) -- As the United States paused foreign assistance to countries across the world, confusion, panic and desperation has gripped...
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Pope continues to rest, do paperwork at hospital
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The morning after the Vatican confirmed Pope Francis has double pneumonia, the director of the Vatican press office said the pope...
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Pope diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- After undergoing a CT scan Feb. 18, Pope Francis was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia, the Vatican said. "The follow-up chest...
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British pro-lifers urge church to speak out in wake of nation's worst public abortion scandal
(OSV News) -- Pro-life campaigners have urged Britain's Catholic bishops to speak out against pressure for abortions. This comes after thousands of women...
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Church leaders discuss evangelization through culture at Vatican meeting
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Evangelizing through culture is a challenge for the church, especially in societies where faith is seen as "something alien," participants...
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As pope remains in hospital, Vatican announces schedule changes
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In another sign that Pope Francis' stay in Rome's Gemelli hospital will continue for some time, the Vatican announced a substitute...
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Pope's therapy adjusted again after tests reveal 'polymicrobial infection'
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- On his fourth day in Rome's Gemelli hospital, Pope Francis was without fever and devoted some time to work, the Vatican said. "The...
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Pope, from hospital, thanks people for their prayers
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- From his room on the 10th floor of Rome's Gemelli hospital, Pope Francis thanked everyone who is praying for his recovery and asked...
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Pope appoints religious sister to run Vatican City State
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist Raffaella Petrini, secretary-general of the office governing Vatican City State, will become president...
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Engagement with culture must be central to Catholic life, cardinal says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Catholics cannot confine their faith to the liturgy but must fully engage and dialogue with the culture that surrounds them, said...
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Cardinal Parolin: Palestinians must not be deported from Gaza
ROME (CNS) -- The same week U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his idea of emptying Gaza of more than 2 million Palestinians so it could become a "Riviera...
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Pope hospitalized for tests, bronchitis treatment
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- After suffering from bronchitis for more than a week and having obvious difficulty breathing, the 88-year-old Pope Francis was admitted...
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Nicaragua calls Vatican 'depraved' for keeping Bishop Álvarez as head of two dioceses from afar
ROME (OSV News) -- Nicaragua's government issued a harsh statement Feb. 8 condemning the Vatican following remarks by exiled Bishop Rolando Álvarez...
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Pope adds feast day of St. Teresa of Kolkata to universal calendar
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis has added the feast day of St. Teresa of Kolkata, a "beacon of hope" and an example of loving service to the poorest...
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Pope to U.S.: Migration policies built on force, not truth, 'will end badly'
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis has urged U.S. Catholics and people of goodwill to not give in to "narratives" that discriminate against and cause unnecessary...
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Strengthening religious practice could help reverse demographic crisis, says Irish study
DUBLIN (OSV News) -- A decline in religion will likely deepen Ireland's demographic crisis, according to a new study by a pro-family and pro-life Irish...
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Pope: Nicene Creed unites Christians, overcoming division through faith
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Nicene Creed is more than a statement of faith -- it is a powerful sign of unity among Christians, Pope Francis said as he welcomed...
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All Christians are called to be missionaries of hope, pope says
VATICAN (CNS) -- Every Christian, and not just those serving as missionaries in remote regions of the world, have an obligation to share the hope that...
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Congolese bishops say Goma situation remains grave; full scale of human toll still emerging
(OSV News) -- As an uneasy calm returned to the Congolese city of Goma, following a unilateral ceasefire declared by the rebels, people began burying the...
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Warm welcome, hot tickets: Sisters help U.S. visitors see the pope
ROME (CNS) -- Smiles, laughter, prayer and strategizing abound at the Bishops' Office for U.S. Visitors to the Vatican. Just a few blocks from Rome's...
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Pope: Like Mary, respond to God's love with action
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Christians are called to follow Mary's example by responding to God's love with action, reaching out to others instead of withdrawing...
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Vatican summit shared concrete ways to help kids, charity leader says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Governments have a serious responsibility to care for their nation's children, but no caring person can stand by idly when children...
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All Sodalitium-linked movements are ended, Vatican envoy confirms in Peru
(OSV News) -- An official of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith said Pope Francis' decision to suppress Sodalitium Christianae Vitae was based...
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Pope will prepare papal document to help church promote children's rights
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Wrapping up a Vatican summit on the rights of children, Pope Francis announced he was going to publish a papal document dedicated...
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Ceasefire overshadows Gaza's humanitarian crisis, pontifical charity says
(OSV News) -- The long-awaited and elusive ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has silenced bombs and halted air raids on the Gaza Strip, for the time being,...
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Latin American organization calls for respecting religious life in Nicaragua
(OSV News) -- The largest organization of women and men religious in Latin America called for the "respect of life" of women and men religious in Nicaragua...
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Help purify, restore relationships, pope tells judges at Vatican tribunal
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Concern for the salvation of souls is what guides the work of church tribunals and the implementation of reforms regarding the marriage...
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Excommunicated Bishop Williamson dies at 84
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Excommunicated traditionalist Bishop Richard N. Williamson died Jan. 29 in a hospital in Margate, England, at the age of 84 after...
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Vatican office clarifies rules for transferred holy days of obligation
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- When a holy day of obligation falls on a Sunday and so is transferred to another day, the Catholic faithful are encouraged to attend...
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At audience, pope talks about St. Joseph, comments on world events
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- St. Joseph is the perfect model of listening to the Lord and quietly putting his word and plan into action, Pope Francis said. "Joseph...
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Morality of AI depends on human choices, Vatican says in new document
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- "Technological progress is part of God's plan for creation," the Vatican said, but people must take responsibility for using technologies...
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Bishops across Europe remember Holocaust victims, urge world to fight rising antisemitism
(OSV News) -- Church leaders across Europe marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp with calls to remember...
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Amid horrors of Holocaust, Polish Franciscan mother superior saved hundreds of Jewish children
WARSAW, Poland (OSV News) -- "I will not send away any Jewish child," assured Mother Matylda Getter, superior of the Warsaw province of the Congregation...
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Peruvian Cardinal Cipriani rejects abuse allegations as 'completely false,' Vatican confirms sanctions still in place
ROME (OSV News) -- Peruvian Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, the first cardinal of Opus Dei, said Jan. 25 that abuse accusations made against him in a Spanish...
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Catholics will accept a common date for Easter in East, West, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Pope Francis reaffirmed the Catholic Church's willingness to accept a proposal...
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Bishop Álvarez gives first interview since exile as Nicaragua cancels another Catholic group
BUENOS AIRES (OSV News) -- Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, steadfast Nicaraguan church leader, gave his first interview since being exiled to...
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Palestinian statehood is 'the only solution' to conflict, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- On the day a ceasefire deal between Hamas militants and Israel went into effect, Pope Francis said he hoped all Israeli and Palestinian...
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As ceasefire starts, first Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners return home
JERUSALEM (OSV News) -- Starting at 4 p.m. on Jan. 19, crowds of Israelis arrived at what has become known as Hostages Square in the center of Tel Aviv...
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Be not afraid, because God is always near, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- God tells Christians not to be afraid because he is always close, accompanying the faithful throughout their lives and through all...
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AI is human creation that must be controlled by humans, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Artificial intelligence or any other technology that worsens inequality around the world and increases fake news should not be embraced...
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Pilgrimages are 'safe,' Holy Land church leaders say, telling pilgrims: 'We're waiting for you'
(OSV News) -- Catholic leaders in the Holy Land called on Christian pilgrims to return to the region following the implementation of the long-awaited ceasefire...
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