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VATICAN CITY (CNS) — For the nearly 10 years that Pope Francis and retired Pope Benedict XVI lived on opposite sides of St. Peter’s Basilica, the two popes’ relationship was marked by a deep mutual respect and profound sense of solidarity, Pope Francis said. The retired pope, he said, would even defend Pope Francis before…
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Just as Jesus removed the stone that sealed his tomb on the morning of the Resurrection, on Easter Christ alone “has the power to roll away the stones that block the path to life” and which trap humanity in war and injustice, Pope Francis said. Through his resurrection, Jesus opens “those…
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis voted for Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, in the 2005 conclave that followed the death of St. John Paul II. “He was the only one who could be pope at that time,” Pope Francis said about his immediate predecessor in an excerpt from the upcoming book…
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Three semitrucks full of flowers and plants — doused with holy water by a bishop before beginning their journey from the Netherlands — arrived in St. Peter’s Square March 30. Since 1985 Dutch flower growers have created the garden of blooms paired with blossoming bushes and trees that frame the popes’…
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Easter is a promise that no matter how dark the world may seem and no matter how heavy the burdens one carries, victory belongs to the Risen Christ and all who believe in him, Pope Francis said. “Let us lift our eyes to him and ask that the power of his…
ROME (CNS) — For the second year in a row, Pope Francis followed the nighttime Way of the Cross service from his Vatican residence as 25,000 people gathered outside Rome’s Colosseum. While he had been scheduled to attend in person, the Vatican released a communique right at the start of the service March 29…