Elise Ann Allen/ Crux, Author at Catholic Herald

Elise Ann Allen/ Crux

Pope Francis reveals he was used in ‘manoeuvre’ during 2005 conclave to prevent Benedict’s election

April 02, 2024

ROME – Pope Francis has said that he was used in an “manoeuvre” to block the election of the future Benedict XVI during the 2005 conclave, but that he resisted the move and voted for Benedict himself. The revelation comes in a new book about Pope Francis’ relationship with his predecessor, “It was a complete

Easter Vigil: We must roll away the stones in our hearts, preaches Pope Francis

March 30, 2024

ROME – Presiding over the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday night Pope Francis drew particular attention to the concerns of the women who went to Jesus’s tomb after his crucifixion to anoint his body. He focused on how they were worried about the stone that would be blocking them from getting to the tomb. And

Jesus died on the Cross for everyone, says papal preacher in Good Friday liturgy

March 29, 2024

ROME – In a service Friday commemorating Jesus’s suffering and death on the cross, papal preacher Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa said his sacrifice was for everyone, no exception, and was illustrative of God’s true power, found not in might, but in loving sacrifice. Speaking during a Good Friday Passion service in St Peter’s Basilica, Cantalamessa, 89,

Pope Francis washes feet of 12 women prisoners in Maundy Thursday Mass

March 29, 2024

ROME – Pope Francis on Holy Thursday washed the feet of 12 women inmates at a Roman prison, notably including no men in the ritual, telling them to never tire of asking for God’s forgiveness. Speaking off-the-cuff during his March 28 Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, the Pope said, “At this moment

In first Holy Week homily Pope urges Catholics not to be afraid of guilt

March 28, 2024

ROME – In his first major liturgy for Holy Week, Pope Francis offered an extended reflection on the spiritual underpinnings of so-called “Catholic guilt”, a by now almost notorious concept associated by many (especially critics of Catholicism) with an almost compulsive need to feel overly guilty for any perceived offense. He addressed the ancient tradition

Confession safe from Communist security reforms, says Hong Kong Church

March 23, 2024

After new national security legislation was passed unanimously in Hong Kong this week, the local diocese assured that amid concerns that the sweeping new measures will not interfere with the secrecy of confession. In a brief statement, the Diocese of Hong Kong addressed what it said was “social concern” over the church’s Sacrament of Confession

Assisted suicide Bill threatens ‘most fragile people’, French bishops warn Macron

March 22, 2024

ROME – After French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent announcement of new legislation that would allow adults facing terminal illnesses to access assisted suicide, the country’s bishops have hit back against the measure, stressing the need for further investment in palliative care. In a March 21 statement, the French bishops, who are currently meeting in Lourdes

Church leaders say Europe must return to Christian roots ahead of EU elections

March 21, 2024

ROME – With European elections just three months away, the continent’s bishops have joined other Christian Churches in lamenting how the Christian principles on which Europe was founded are either being sidelined or instrumentalised for political gain. They have also called for an open and consistent dialogue between Church and State, and asked that all

Top cardinal addresses difficulties of two-state solution for Israel and Palestine

March 18, 2024

ROME – A top cardinal and leading papal diplomat who served as Pope Francis’ special envoy to Iraqhas addressed the issue of how peace in the Holy Land could require a change of mentality in which both Israel and Palestine recognise and respect each other’s right to exist, regardless of whether that is together as

Cardinal Parolin backs Pope over Ukraine and negotiation, citing ‘real’ risks of nuclear escalation

March 13, 2024

ROME – Vatican Secretary of State Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin has defended Pope Francis’s recent remarks suggesting that Ukraine step back and consider opening negotiations to end its ongoing war with Russia. The Pope’s comments received a significant amount of backlash, especially his comment about “the courage of the white flag”. Speaking to Italian journalist

Ukrainian groups criticise Pope’s comments about negotiations to end war

March 11, 2024

ROME – There has been a significant backlash from both Ukrainian civil and ecclesial authorities in the wake of a recent interview Pope Francis gave in which the pontiff appeared to imply that Ukraine ought to consider the “white flag” option and opening negotiations to end the ongoing war with Russia. Speaking while visiting the

Pope talks of ‘courage to negotiate’ to end war in Ukraine

March 11, 2024

ROME – The Pope has spoken of Ukraine needing to consider negotiations to end the ongoing war with Russia. In weighing up the debate between those who say it is time for Ukraine to consider a negotiated settlement and those who argue the country must fight on, the Pope has said he believes “the strongest

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