Below is Pope Francis’ message to the faithful for Lent, 2014. Dear Brothers and Sisters, As Lent draws near, I would like to offer some helpful thoughts on our path of conversion as individuals and as a community. These insights are inspired by the words of Saint Paul: “For you know the grace of our ...read more

  Fr. John Braganza, OSB Abbot, Westminster Abbey Mission, British Colombia A crazy thought for each of us: one of the deepest motivations of my faith and my vocation has been this: my life began not in my mother’s womb but in the heart of my Father in heaven who knew me in his Son ...read more

  Following the first consistory of Pope Francis’ pontificate the first major overhaul of the Roman Curia was revealed. Pope Francis created the Secretariat for the Economy and appointed Australian Cardinal George Pell as the prefect of the new secretariat. This new body will oversee the finances of all Vatican departments, carry out budgeting and ...read more

Tonight on  Perspectives Pope appeals for peace in Venezuela And pope emeritus benedict says allegations about his resignation are absurd ...read more

On This week’s Vatican Connections we look at the long-awaited beatification decree for Archbishop Oscar Romero. We talk to Father Frank Desiderio, a Paulist priest who worked with the producer of the 1989 film about the martyr, and we look at the reaction of Salvadoreans who have long referred to their slain archbishop as “el ...read more

By Raymond Syms Catholic News Service PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago (CNS) — Even as he prepares to receive a red biretta from the hands of Pope Francis, Cardinal-designate Kelvin Felix hopes he can continue his ministry as a “country parish priest.” But he admitted he may have a few new assignments from Pope ...read more

Tonight on perspectives  The head of Ukrainian Catholic Church asks for an end to the bloodshed And we take a look at today’s general audience ...read more

  By Ezra Fieser Catholic News Service SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (CNS) — In naming Spanish Archbishop Fernando Sebastian Aguilar a cardinal, Pope Francis chose an outspoken leader who played an important role in developing the positions of the Spanish church over a career that has spanned six decades. At 84, Cardinal-designate Sebastian, retired archbishop ...read more

Have you watched Reel Faith? Every week, hosts David DiCerto and Steven Greydanus offer a Catholic perspective on the latest Hollywood releases, and Father Robert Lauder selects his Movie With a Message. These are film reviews you can have faith in. This week, on a Reel Faith special, David and Steven will be joined by ...read more

By Jonathan Luxmoore Catholic News Service OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (CNS) — When Archbishop Philippe Ouedraogo of Ouagadougou was told he had been named a cardinal Jan. 12, he thought it was someone playing a joke. The telephone call from Rome was in Italian, a language the prelate hardly understood, and he had not been notified ...read more