A Catholic priest can bless a gay or other unmarried couple as long as it is not a formal liturgical blessing and does not give the impression that the Catholic Church is blessing the union as if it were a marriage, the Vatican doctrinal office said.
Doctrinal dicastery explains how, when gay couples can be blessed
Faith and forgiveness: Holy Year is ‘also for the incarcerated’
The Vatican hopes to show the pilgrims who come to Rome for the jubilee that the spirit of forgiveness remains front and center of the church’s long tradition of celebrating Holy Years.
Pope says he has serious bronchial infection
During a brief meeting with participants in a seminar on the ethics of health care management, the pope said he was suffering from a serious bronchial condition.
Father Ron Rolheiser: Helplessness as Fruitful
Sometimes passivity is more fruitful and generative than if we were doing something. We see an example of this in Jesus. He gave both his life and his death for us – but in separate moments.
Pope clears way for beatification of Cardinal Pironio
Pope Francis has recognized the miraculous healing of a toddler in Argentina as the miracle needed for the beatification of Argentine Cardinal Eduardo Pironio.
Doctrinal dicastery says transexuals can be baptized
If it would not cause scandal or confusion among other Catholics, “a transsexual may receive baptism under the same conditions as other faithful,” said a document from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Cardinal denies working on changes to procedures for papal elections
Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda, a top adviser to Pope Francis on matters involving canon law, denied reports the pope had asked him to draft revisions to the rules governing the preparations for electing a new pope.
Pope encourages children to speak up, work for peace
Thousands of children representing every continent joined Pope Francis for the event “Let Us Learn from Boys and Girls” to focus attention on children’s simple and sincere desires for peace and harmony in the world.