The Pope embraced a Church that survived persecution, writes Carol Glatz

Pope Francis named a slate of new members to the Vatican's financial watchdog agency, replacing an all-Italian panel with members from Italy, Switzerland, Singapore and the United States. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, also promoted Tommaso Di Ruzza, an Italian, to be the agency's "ad interim" vice-director. A former official at the Pontifical…

Everyone in Zimbabwe – rich, poor, black, white – needs God's gift of conversion and healing, Pope Francis told the nation's bishops. "Fearlessly proclaim this Gospel of hope, bringing the Lord's message into the brokenness of our time, tirelessly preaching forgiveness and the mercy of God," the pope said in a message to the bishops. Meeting bishops…

God is always by our side, never giving us more than we can handle, Pope Francis said. The countless women and men who stand tall through enormous difficulties, pain and especially persecution, are armed with the divine gift of fortitude that gives them the strength and hope to go on, he said. "It will do…

Christians who are too serious and gloomy have the Holy Spirit missing from their lives, Pope Francis has said. Be meek and open to the Spirit and don't fight the joy and unexpected newness he brings, the pope said May 13 during his early morning Mass at the Domus Sanctae Marthae. People who think they can…

A major refurbishment of the Santa Scala is underway

“He became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich”