Public prayers for ailing pope show affection, faith, cardinal says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The nightly recitation of the rosary for Pope Francis and for all the sick "is a beautiful gesture" of affection and of faith, said...
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Pope suffers episodes of respiratory crisis, remains alert
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis suffered "two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency" March 3 but remained alert, the Vatican said, giving cause...
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No peace treaty possible without truth, justice, Ukrainian bishops say after diplomatic dispute
(OSV News) -- Ukrainian bishops spoke up as international reaction continued over U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance's Feb. 28 televised...
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God, honor, homeland: Polish 'cursed soldiers' remembered for their steadfast faith
WARSAW, Poland (OSV News) -- The story of the Polish "cursed soldiers" is about the highest price one can pay for their desire for freedom and one about...
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Pope selects theme centered on hope for church's celebration of migrants
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis has chosen "Migrants, missionaries of hope" as the theme for the Catholic Church's celebration of World Day of Migrants...
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Vatican secretary of state, Lithuanian president discuss Ukraine crisis
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- When Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, welcomed Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda to the Vatican March 3, Russia's...
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Archbishop: Pope's convalescence is reminder everyone deserves proper care
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis' extended hospitalization and care is a reminder that every human being, especially the frail or elderly, must be given...
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Pope, from hospital, writes about 'blessing' hidden in frailty
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis' condition remained "stable" March 2, and he "did not require non-invasive mechanical ventilation, but only high-flow...
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Day after breathing crisis, pope's condition is stable
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis remained in stable condition and did not suffer another respiratory episode a day after having "an isolated crisis of...
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Vatican decree on 19th-century doctor's canonization leaves Venezuelans rejoicing
(OSV News) -- Venezuelan Catholics attended cheerful Masses and held processions on Feb. 26, the day after Pope Francis approved the canonization of Blessed...
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UPDATE: Pope's condition worsened after inhaling vomit, on stronger ventilation
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- After experiencing progressive improvement the past few days, Pope Francis experienced "an isolated crisis of bronchospasm" which...
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Pope continues to improve, is doing respiratory therapy
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis' clinical condition continued to improve Feb. 27, the Vatican said, and he had respiratory physiotherapy in the morning...
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Vatican: Names of alleged abusers cannot be published without proof
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican Dicastery for Legislative Texts strongly cautioned against publishing "news" that would harm the reputation of an individual,...
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Tens of thousands of Israelis line streets for funeral procession for Bibas family
JERUSALEM (OSV News) -- Tens of thousands of mourners Feb. 26 lined the streets as the funeral procession for Shiri Bibas and her two children, Ariel and...
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Pope's condition shows 'further slight improvement'
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis' condition showed "further slight improvement" in the previous 24 hours, the Vatican said in its evening medical bulletin...
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Even from hospital, pope gives powerful witness of faith, prelates say
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Despite his illness, age and hospitalization, Pope Francis is still demonstrating his deep faith and exercising his role as pontiff,...
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For those who embrace Christ's love, death is not the end, pope writes
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- For those who recognize Christ as the savior, death is not an end or a form of "annihilation," Pope Francis wrote in his general...
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Despite 'critical' condition, pope is working from hospital room
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In a sign affirming that Pope Francis has been able to conduct work while in the hospital, the Vatican said the pope had met with...
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Faithful unite in St. Peter's Square praying for pope's health
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A light drizzle finally let up as hundreds of faithful headed to St. Peter's Square to pray the rosary for Pope Francis on the 11th...
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Pope in good spirits; Vatican to host rosary for him in St. Peter's Square
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The morning after Pope Francis' doctors said that he remained in "critical" condition and showed initial signs of renal insufficiency,...
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Pope's condition still 'critical' with signs of renal insufficiency under control
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis' condition remained "critical" the evening of Feb. 23, his doctors said, with blood tests showing "initial, mild renal...
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Pope's breathing 'crisis' reportedly passes, but he's still on oxygen
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While Italy's main news agency reported that Pope Francis' respiratory "crisis" had subsided, a Vatican source said he was still...
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Pope has respiratory 'crisis,' doctors say 'prognosis reserved'
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis experienced "an asthmatic respiratory crisis of prolonged magnitude, which also required the use of oxygen at high flows"...
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Pope's doctors say their patient is fragile but is not giving up
ROME (CNS) -- Briefing reporters on Pope Francis' medical condition, two of his doctors also gave them glimpses of a patient who is physically fragile,...
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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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