Pope Francis’ second Asian voyage ended the way all of his trips have ended: with an extensive press conference on board the return flight and flurry of headlines – some accurate, some not. The voyage also delivered unscripted moments typical of the Jesuit pope. Twice Pope Francis ditched his prepared text to speak off the ...read more

Here’s what’s been happening across the country this past week. In Rimouski, the church is in shock after Archbishop Pierre André Fournier died suddenly at the age of 71. In the prairies, there is increasing discussion around the idea that maybe there are other, more effective alternatives to the standard approach taken by the criminal ...read more

It is not unheard of for non-Catholics to visit Catholic churches and shrines. It is less common to have non-Catholics visit those sites, pray alongside the faithful and claim to have received graces through the experience. Sri Lanka’s Madhu Shrine is such a site, and it had a profound effect on Pope Francis. The shrine ...read more

Pope Francis delivered his Christmas present to the Church a little late, but still well within the liturgical Christmas season. On January 4, while leading the Angelus, Pope Francis announced the names of the 15 men under 80 he wants to elevate to the rank of cardinal. Among them are Latin Americans, Africans, Asians, and ...read more

In 2007 I was a fresh-faced reporter at a diocesan newspaper. My editor assigned me to write a piece on the history of the nativity scene. I tracked down a priest and professor of church history and set off interview him about the history of the nativity scene. I did not do a Google search ...read more

  Although it stands tall next to the obelisk in the middle of St. Peter’s Square every year, the Vatican’s Christmas tree is relatively new addition to the Holy See’s yuletide traditions. St. John Paul II introduced the Christmas Tree to St. Peter’s square in the early 80s. Why was the piazza bereft of a ...read more

Eight people were appointed to the Vatican’s Commission for the Protection of Minors this week, including an abuse survivor. With the appointments the commission is now fully formed and set to begin working in early February. The new members come from different parts of the world and have expertise in some aspect related to sexual ...read more

Here are some stories being talked about across the Church in Canada this week: When Pope Francis met recntly with people who have autistic disorders and their families, he called on everyone to work together to end the stigma that often comes with the disorder. One Toronto parish has been working on exactly that. Ever ...read more

This week the Council of Cardinals met again in Rome, a consistory was announced, a papal interview was published, and Pope Francis delivered a powerful homily for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe . The Guadalupe homily, delivered in Spanish during a mass Pope Francis celebrated at St. Peter’s, packs a powerful punch and ...read more

Here’s what’s been making headlines in the church across Canada this week: In Montreal: Hockey legend Jean Beliveau passed away this week. The obituaries in national media focused on his hockey skill and his upstanding sportsmanship. None mentioned his commitment to his Catholic faith. Montreal Archbishop Christian Lepin will preside at the funeral Mass for ...read more