Putin meets pope, Italian leaders on one-day visit to Rome

Putin meets pope, Italian leaders on one-day visit to Rome

ROME — Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Pope Francis for "substantive talks" at the Vatican Thursday, and thanked the pontiff for discussions on a range of topics including Ukraine and the Catholic Church in Russia.Francis received Putin in an hour-long audience at the Vatican Apostolic Palace.

ROME — Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Pope Francis for "substantive talks" at the Vatican Thursday, and thanked the pontiff for discussions on a range of topics including Ukraine and the Catholic Church in Russia.Francis received Putin in an hour-long audience at the Vatican Apostolic Palace.

Pope laments current "culture of insults," church propaganda

Pope laments current "culture of insults," church propaganda

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has lamented what he calls today's "culture of insults" in the world.In his homily during Pentecost Mass Sunday in St.

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has lamented what he calls today's "culture of insults" in the world.In his homily during Pentecost Mass Sunday in St.

Pope: Abortion is never OK, equates it to 'hiring a hitman'

Pope: Abortion is never OK, equates it to 'hiring a hitman'

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis says abortion can never be condoned, even when the fetus is gravely sick or malformed.

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis says abortion can never be condoned, even when the fetus is gravely sick or malformed.

Pope makes historic 1st visit to North Macedonia

Pope makes historic 1st visit to North Macedonia

SKOPJE, North Macedonia — Pope Francis made the first-ever papal visit to North Macedonia on Tuesday and sought to encourage its efforts to integrate into European institutions after its name change resolved a decades-long dispute with Greece.In a meeting with government authorities, Francis praised North Macedonia's multi-ethnic and multi-faith culture and said its example of being a bridge between East and West showed that peaceful coexistence can exist in a country rich with diversity."These particular features are also highly significant for increased integration with the nations of Europe," he said. "It is my hope that this integration will develop in a way that is beneficial for the entire region of the Western Balkans, with unfailing respect for diversity and for fundamental rights."North Macedonia's previous constitutional name was the Republic of Macedonia.

SKOPJE, North Macedonia — Pope Francis made the first-ever papal visit to North Macedonia on Tuesday and sought to encourage its efforts to integrate into European institutions after its name change resolved a decades-long dispute with Greece.In a meeting with government authorities, Francis praised North Macedonia's multi-ethnic and multi-faith culture and said its example of being a bridge between East and West showed that peaceful coexistence can exist in a country rich with diversity."These particular features are also highly significant for increased integration with the nations of Europe," he said. "It is my hope that this integration will develop in a way that is beneficial for the entire region of the Western Balkans, with unfailing respect for diversity and for fundamental rights."North Macedonia's previous constitutional name was the Republic of Macedonia.

Pilgrims flock to Colosseum Good Friday event, led by Pope Francis

Pilgrims flock to Colosseum Good Friday event, led by Pope Francis

VATICAN CITY — Pilgrims and tourists flocked to the Colosseum for the Way of the Cross procession to join Pope Francis for a Good Friday night ritual in Rome.The procession commemorates the suffering of Jesus.

VATICAN CITY — Pilgrims and tourists flocked to the Colosseum for the Way of the Cross procession to join Pope Francis for a Good Friday night ritual in Rome.The procession commemorates the suffering of Jesus.

Pope Francis celebrates Holy Thursday ahead of foot-washing ritual

Pope Francis celebrates Holy Thursday ahead of foot-washing ritual

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis ushered in the most solemn period in the Catholic liturgical calendar by celebrating a Holy Thursday Mass and the ritual washing of the feet, made more poignant this year following the devastation of Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral.The Chrism Mass celebrates the unity of priests with their bishops.

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis ushered in the most solemn period in the Catholic liturgical calendar by celebrating a Holy Thursday Mass and the ritual washing of the feet, made more poignant this year following the devastation of Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral.The Chrism Mass celebrates the unity of priests with their bishops.

Police: Scammer targets Archdiocese of Milwaukee parishioners, pretending to be priest

Police: Scammer targets Archdiocese of Milwaukee parishioners, pretending to be priest

WHITEFISH BAY -- Whitefish Bay police issued a scam warning after someone contacted Archdiocese of Milwaukee parishioners pretending to be Father Tim Kitzke.Police said the suspect asks parishioners to purchase gift cards and send photos of the cards and their PIN numbers to a cellphone number.Police spoke to Father Kitzke and he requested no one buy gift cards on his behalf.

WHITEFISH BAY -- Whitefish Bay police issued a scam warning after someone contacted Archdiocese of Milwaukee parishioners pretending to be Father Tim Kitzke.Police said the suspect asks parishioners to purchase gift cards and send photos of the cards and their PIN numbers to a cellphone number.Police spoke to Father Kitzke and he requested no one buy gift cards on his behalf.

Pope praises girl who zipped by security to give him letter

Pope praises girl who zipped by security to give him letter

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE — Pope Francis has praised the courage of a young girl who broke through police barricades in Abu Dhabi to hand-deliver a letter to him.Francis was being driven around the city's sports stadium in his pope mobile before Mass when the child dashed from the crowd so quickly that police couldn't catch her."This child has a future!" Francis told reporters en route home Tuesday. "I liked that.

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE — Pope Francis has praised the courage of a young girl who broke through police barricades in Abu Dhabi to hand-deliver a letter to him.Francis was being driven around the city's sports stadium in his pope mobile before Mass when the child dashed from the crowd so quickly that police couldn't catch her."This child has a future!" Francis told reporters en route home Tuesday. "I liked that.

Pope to priest abusers: Turn yourselves in, no place to hide

Pope to priest abusers: Turn yourselves in, no place to hide

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis demanded Friday that priests who have raped and molested children turn themselves in and vowed that the Catholic Church will "never again" hide their crimes.Francis dedicated his annual Christmas speech to Vatican bureaucrats to abuse, evidence that a year of devastating revelations of sexual misconduct and cover-up around the globe has shaken his papacy and caused a crisis of confidence in the Catholic hierarchy.Francis acknowledged that the church in the past had failed to treat the problem seriously, blaming leaders who out of inexperience or short-sightedness acted "irresponsibly" by refusing to believe victims.

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis demanded Friday that priests who have raped and molested children turn themselves in and vowed that the Catholic Church will "never again" hide their crimes.Francis dedicated his annual Christmas speech to Vatican bureaucrats to abuse, evidence that a year of devastating revelations of sexual misconduct and cover-up around the globe has shaken his papacy and caused a crisis of confidence in the Catholic hierarchy.Francis acknowledged that the church in the past had failed to treat the problem seriously, blaming leaders who out of inexperience or short-sightedness acted "irresponsibly" by refusing to believe victims.

'Something that worries me:' Pope says he's worried about homosexuality in priesthood

'Something that worries me:' Pope says he's worried about homosexuality in priesthood

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has been quoted as saying homosexuality in the clergy "is something that worries me."In excerpts from an interview to be published soon in a book, he was also quoted as saying "in our societies it even seems homosexuality is fashionable."Italian daily Corriere della Sera's website Saturday ran book excerpts.Separately, the Italian news agency ANSA quoted Francis in the book as labeling as an "error" the argument that having gays in convents "isn't so grave." Francis says "there's no place for that kind of affection" among clergy.In the interview, Francis says homosexuals shouldn't be allowed to become priests or join other religious orders, even while living in service to the church, the Christian community and the "people of God."Catholic teaching considers homosexual activity sinful.

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has been quoted as saying homosexuality in the clergy "is something that worries me."In excerpts from an interview to be published soon in a book, he was also quoted as saying "in our societies it even seems homosexuality is fashionable."Italian daily Corriere della Sera's website Saturday ran book excerpts.Separately, the Italian news agency ANSA quoted Francis in the book as labeling as an "error" the argument that having gays in convents "isn't so grave." Francis says "there's no place for that kind of affection" among clergy.In the interview, Francis says homosexuals shouldn't be allowed to become priests or join other religious orders, even while living in service to the church, the Christian community and the "people of God."Catholic teaching considers homosexual activity sinful.

Pope prays for those stricken by California wildfires

Pope prays for those stricken by California wildfires

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has prayed for victims of California's wildfires and freezing weather on the U.S. East Coast.Addressing tens of thousands of faithful in St.

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has prayed for victims of California's wildfires and freezing weather on the U.S. East Coast.Addressing tens of thousands of faithful in St.