Massive crowd in Brazil attends prayer service with pope
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (CNN) -- A massive crowd packed Copacabana Beach late Saturday for a prayer service with Pope Francis.The pope addressed Catholic pilgrims who came for the weeklong World Youth Day celebration.Organizers said 3 million attended the service.
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (CNN) -- A massive crowd packed Copacabana Beach late Saturday for a prayer service with Pope Francis.The pope addressed Catholic pilgrims who came for the weeklong World Youth Day celebration.Organizers said 3 million attended the service.
High-level security for pope after motorcade incident
RIO DE JANEIRO (CNN) -- Security for Pope Francis' visit to Brazil has been raised after an incident involving his motorcade, a Brazilian federal official told CNN.The papal visit is now classified at the highest level of security -- it was raised to "high risk" from "medium risk" after his car got stuck in a crowd of enthusiastic followers Monday, the official said.The source says the problem in part stemmed from the pope instructing drivers not to avoid crowds.After Francis arrived in Brazil on Monday, he got into a silver hatchback Fiat for the drive from the airport to downtown Rio de Janeiro.
RIO DE JANEIRO (CNN) -- Security for Pope Francis' visit to Brazil has been raised after an incident involving his motorcade, a Brazilian federal official told CNN.The papal visit is now classified at the highest level of security -- it was raised to "high risk" from "medium risk" after his car got stuck in a crowd of enthusiastic followers Monday, the official said.The source says the problem in part stemmed from the pope instructing drivers not to avoid crowds.After Francis arrived in Brazil on Monday, he got into a silver hatchback Fiat for the drive from the airport to downtown Rio de Janeiro.
Monday a nightmare day for Pope's security detail
COPACABANA BEACH, Brazil (CNN) -- Don't blame the pope's Swiss Guards if they had nightmares Monday night.
COPACABANA BEACH, Brazil (CNN) -- Don't blame the pope's Swiss Guards if they had nightmares Monday night.
Bomb found near site of Pope Francis visit, Brazil says
(CNN) -- Brazilian military police say they destroyed a small explosive device over the weekend after discovering the item in a bathroom near a sanctuary Pope Francis is scheduled to visit later this week.The device was found in Aparecida, where Francis is scheduled to visit a historic Roman Catholic sanctuary Wednesday.
(CNN) -- Brazilian military police say they destroyed a small explosive device over the weekend after discovering the item in a bathroom near a sanctuary Pope Francis is scheduled to visit later this week.The device was found in Aparecida, where Francis is scheduled to visit a historic Roman Catholic sanctuary Wednesday.
Pope Francis en route to Brazil, where protesters await
RIO DE JANEIRO (CNN) -- (CNN) -- For the first time in the history of the Catholic Church, a Latin-American pope will touch down on his own continent on Monday.Pope Francis, the 76-year-old Argentine, begins his first apostolic visit Monday in Brazil, home to the world's largest Catholic population.
RIO DE JANEIRO (CNN) -- (CNN) -- For the first time in the history of the Catholic Church, a Latin-American pope will touch down on his own continent on Monday.Pope Francis, the 76-year-old Argentine, begins his first apostolic visit Monday in Brazil, home to the world's largest Catholic population.
Pope Francis makes it a crime to abuse children on Vatican grounds
ROME (CNN) -- Pope Francis has laid down a law making it a crime to abuse children sexually or physically on Vatican grounds, the Holy See announced Thursday.The acts were already crimes under church law, but are now specifically outlawed within the Vatican city-state, which is home to hundreds of people.The legislation also covers child prostitution and the creation or possession of child pornography.But it has a "broader scope," according to Radio Vatican.It adds provisions of international laws against war crimes, racial discrimination and humiliating treatment or punishment to the Vatican's legal system.It includes wording from the Geneva Conventions.Francis issued the new laws as a "moto proprio," meaning that the document was his own initiative, Vatican Radio said.The new criminal laws are part of an ongoing update of the Vatican's legal system, which began under Pope Benedict XVI.The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, a U.S. advocacy group for victims of abuse by priests and other clergy, dismissed the law as "a feel good gesture.""For the Vatican's image, this is a successful move.
ROME (CNN) -- Pope Francis has laid down a law making it a crime to abuse children sexually or physically on Vatican grounds, the Holy See announced Thursday.The acts were already crimes under church law, but are now specifically outlawed within the Vatican city-state, which is home to hundreds of people.The legislation also covers child prostitution and the creation or possession of child pornography.But it has a "broader scope," according to Radio Vatican.It adds provisions of international laws against war crimes, racial discrimination and humiliating treatment or punishment to the Vatican's legal system.It includes wording from the Geneva Conventions.Francis issued the new laws as a "moto proprio," meaning that the document was his own initiative, Vatican Radio said.The new criminal laws are part of an ongoing update of the Vatican's legal system, which began under Pope Benedict XVI.The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, a U.S. advocacy group for victims of abuse by priests and other clergy, dismissed the law as "a feel good gesture.""For the Vatican's image, this is a successful move.
Pope Francis, Benedict release new encyclical, focused on faith
ROME (CNN) -- A key religious text co-written by Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict, who stepped down earlier this year, was released by the Vatican on Friday.The encyclical, the first to be published since Francis became pope, sets out the priorities for the Roman Catholic Church.It's called "Lumen Fidei," which is Latin for "The Light of Faith."The groundwork for the 84-page encyclical was laid by Benedict, the Vatican said in a media briefing, while Francis "added further contributions to the existing first draft."The introduction to the text, which is divided into four chapters, reiterates the importance of having faith in a man's life, it said.Francis writes that it is faith that helps man "distinguish from good and evil" and that he "who believes, sees."He stresses that in modern times, faith has become more important than in the past.In the first chapter, he refers to the biblical figure Abraham and explains faith as "listening to the Word of God, the call to come from the isolated self in order to open up oneself to a new life and the promise of the future."Subsequent chapters talk about the connection between "faith and truth," evangelization and how faith is connected to the common good.Vatican Radio said the encyclical completes a trilogy of papal teachings on the three theological virtues -- faith, hope and charity -- that was begun by Benedict with his encyclicals "Deus Caritas Est" in 2005, and "Spe Salvi" in 2007.The encyclicals are circulated to Catholic bishops around the world and help outline the pope's thinking on doctrinal matters.The Vatican has declared 2013 to be the "Year of Faith."The latest encyclical is perhaps unprecedented in featuring the contribution of two living popes.Benedict XVI shocked the Roman Catholic world in February when he announced his resignation, making him the first pope to stand down in almost 600 years.
ROME (CNN) -- A key religious text co-written by Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict, who stepped down earlier this year, was released by the Vatican on Friday.The encyclical, the first to be published since Francis became pope, sets out the priorities for the Roman Catholic Church.It's called "Lumen Fidei," which is Latin for "The Light of Faith."The groundwork for the 84-page encyclical was laid by Benedict, the Vatican said in a media briefing, while Francis "added further contributions to the existing first draft."The introduction to the text, which is divided into four chapters, reiterates the importance of having faith in a man's life, it said.Francis writes that it is faith that helps man "distinguish from good and evil" and that he "who believes, sees."He stresses that in modern times, faith has become more important than in the past.In the first chapter, he refers to the biblical figure Abraham and explains faith as "listening to the Word of God, the call to come from the isolated self in order to open up oneself to a new life and the promise of the future."Subsequent chapters talk about the connection between "faith and truth," evangelization and how faith is connected to the common good.Vatican Radio said the encyclical completes a trilogy of papal teachings on the three theological virtues -- faith, hope and charity -- that was begun by Benedict with his encyclicals "Deus Caritas Est" in 2005, and "Spe Salvi" in 2007.The encyclicals are circulated to Catholic bishops around the world and help outline the pope's thinking on doctrinal matters.The Vatican has declared 2013 to be the "Year of Faith."The latest encyclical is perhaps unprecedented in featuring the contribution of two living popes.Benedict XVI shocked the Roman Catholic world in February when he announced his resignation, making him the first pope to stand down in almost 600 years.
Victim shares story of clergy sex abuse at age 8
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Over 6,000 pages revealing records of sexual misconduct by priests in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee were released on July 1st, blacking out all of the victim's names to protect their identities."These files are showing people they were not mislead, they were directly lied to," says John Pilmaier, one of the victims of the documented abuse.Pilmaier made a decision to share his story in the hopes that other victims will know they're not alone."One of the things survivors try to do is find out why this happened to them - what circumstances led to their abuse, what church officials knew about it, and what they did or didn't do," says Pilmaier.Pilmaier recalls Associate Pastor David Hanser visiting his classroom when he was just eight-years-old."I was a second grade student at St.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Over 6,000 pages revealing records of sexual misconduct by priests in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee were released on July 1st, blacking out all of the victim's names to protect their identities."These files are showing people they were not mislead, they were directly lied to," says John Pilmaier, one of the victims of the documented abuse.Pilmaier made a decision to share his story in the hopes that other victims will know they're not alone."One of the things survivors try to do is find out why this happened to them - what circumstances led to their abuse, what church officials knew about it, and what they did or didn't do," says Pilmaier.Pilmaier recalls Associate Pastor David Hanser visiting his classroom when he was just eight-years-old."I was a second grade student at St.
Proposal to lift statute of limitations for sex abuse victims
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The release of 6,000 pages of documents revealing priest misconduct by the Archdioceses of Milwaukee has prompted state lawmakers to propose a bill temporarily lifting the statute of limitations.John Pilmaier's story is depicted in those documents.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The release of 6,000 pages of documents revealing priest misconduct by the Archdioceses of Milwaukee has prompted state lawmakers to propose a bill temporarily lifting the statute of limitations.John Pilmaier's story is depicted in those documents.
Archbishop Jerome Listecki addresses church abuse scandal
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki says the Catholic Church is ready to turn the page a day after thousands of pages of church documents were released.The released documents provide new information about how the Milwaukee Archdiocese handled cases of sexual abuse.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki says the Catholic Church is ready to turn the page a day after thousands of pages of church documents were released.The released documents provide new information about how the Milwaukee Archdiocese handled cases of sexual abuse.
Thousands of pages of documents on priest sex abuse cases released
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Thousands of pages of secret church documents and depositions were released on Monday, July 1st.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Thousands of pages of secret church documents and depositions were released on Monday, July 1st.
SNAP calling for federal investigation into Dolan's transfer of money
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- On Monday, July 1st, thousands of pages of documents, detailing the role of the Milwaukee Archdiocese and its officials in sex abuse cases involving clergy, and actions of the Archdiocese as it relates to finances and the Archdiocese's bankruptcy proceedings were released.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- On Monday, July 1st, thousands of pages of documents, detailing the role of the Milwaukee Archdiocese and its officials in sex abuse cases involving clergy, and actions of the Archdiocese as it relates to finances and the Archdiocese's bankruptcy proceedings were released.
Church docs show priest was shuffled while abuse continued
MILWAUKEE -- Father Daniel Budzynski is accused of molesting more than 40 young boys over 31 years, while the Milwaukee Archdiocese shuffled him around to a dozen local parishes.
MILWAUKEE -- Father Daniel Budzynski is accused of molesting more than 40 young boys over 31 years, while the Milwaukee Archdiocese shuffled him around to a dozen local parishes.
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Archdiocese of Milwaukee set to release sex abuse files
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Archdiocese of Milwaukee on Monday, July 1st is set to release thousands of records related to Archdiocese sex abuse cases.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Archdiocese of Milwaukee on Monday, July 1st is set to release thousands of records related to Archdiocese sex abuse cases.
Milwaukee Archdiocese to release documents of priest abuse
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Milwaukee Archdiocese is set to release over 6,000 pages of secret documents on Monday, July 1st, detailing substantiated allegations of abuse by priests.Victims have been working for almost two years to have the documents unsealed."As a survivor, we've lived with the truth of these documents for a long time.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Milwaukee Archdiocese is set to release over 6,000 pages of secret documents on Monday, July 1st, detailing substantiated allegations of abuse by priests.Victims have been working for almost two years to have the documents unsealed."As a survivor, we've lived with the truth of these documents for a long time.
Milw. Archdiocese releases statement on audit by Capuchins
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Archdiocese of Milwaukee released a statement Thursday, June 20th regarding the voluntary release of an audit by the Midwest Province of Capuchin Franciscans.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Archdiocese of Milwaukee released a statement Thursday, June 20th regarding the voluntary release of an audit by the Midwest Province of Capuchin Franciscans.
Pope Francis receives two classic Harley-Davidson bikes
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Pope Francis got a special gift from Harley-Davidson!Pope Francis was reportedly given two classic Harley-Davidson motorcycles as part of the company's 110th anniversary celebration.Festivities in Rome got underway Thursday, June 13th and run through Sunday.On Sunday, Pope Francis will bless hundreds of bikes in a special ceremony at Saint Peter's Square.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Pope Francis got a special gift from Harley-Davidson!Pope Francis was reportedly given two classic Harley-Davidson motorcycles as part of the company's 110th anniversary celebration.Festivities in Rome got underway Thursday, June 13th and run through Sunday.On Sunday, Pope Francis will bless hundreds of bikes in a special ceremony at Saint Peter's Square.
Pope Francis: `Gay lobby' exists inside Vatican
(CNN) -- Pope Francis said a "gay lobby" exists inside the Vatican, according to a Catholic website, a surprising admission from a pope who has already delivered his share of stunners, and a resurrection of church conflicts that bedeviled his predecessor's papacy."In the Curia," Francis said, referring to Catholicism's central bureaucracy, "there are holy people.
(CNN) -- Pope Francis said a "gay lobby" exists inside the Vatican, according to a Catholic website, a surprising admission from a pope who has already delivered his share of stunners, and a resurrection of church conflicts that bedeviled his predecessor's papacy."In the Curia," Francis said, referring to Catholicism's central bureaucracy, "there are holy people.
Vatican spokesman refutes claims that Pope performed exorcism
(CNN Belief Blog) -- A Vatican spokesman on Tuesday refuted claims that Pope Francis performed an exorcism on a man in St.
(CNN Belief Blog) -- A Vatican spokesman on Tuesday refuted claims that Pope Francis performed an exorcism on a man in St.