Pope John Paul II
Pope Francis breathes new life into Cardinal Bernardin’s contested legacy
By David Gibson — October 24, 2013
(RNS) “The point that (Bernardin’s) consistent ethic makes is exactly the same point that Pope Francis is making – let’s look at the whole picture and not just focus almost exclusively on three or so issues,” said Archbishop Michael Sheehan of Santa Fe, N.M.
Record crowds expected for John Paul II, John XXIII canonizations
By Eric J. Lyman — October 22, 2013
ROME (RNS) Crowd estimates were made Tuesday for next year's canonization of the man who will be known as St. Pope John Paul II.
Pope to canonize John Paul II and John XXIII in April
By Eric J. Lyman — September 30, 2013
ROME (RNS) Popes John Paul II and John XXIII will be formally declared saints on April 27, 2014 -- a bit of ticket-balancing by Pope Francis, who may be hoping to heal splits in the church by pairing the canonization of a pope who is a hero to the left and one who is a hero to the right.
5 things we learned about Pope Francis from his blockbuster interview
By David Gibson — September 20, 2013
(RNS) Here are five broader insights that this wide-ranging interview revealed about Pope Francis -- and why they will be keys to reading his pontificate, and perhaps the future of Catholicism.
Liberation theology finds new welcome in Pope Francis’ Vatican
By Alessandro Speciale — September 9, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The revival of liberation theology under Pope Francis is remarkable about-face for a movement that swelled in popularity but was later stamped out by the conservative pontificates of John Paul II and his longtime doctrinal czar, Benedict XVI.
Pope Francis’ peace appeal for Syria marks Vatican’s return to global stage
By Alessandro Speciale — September 5, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) For Pope Francis, just six months on the job, the Syria question will test his ability to summon the power of his global bully pulpit, and could play a major role in shaping the global image of a man who's been lauded for his down-to-earth pastoral appeal.
Are miracles really needed to become a saint?
By Alessandro Speciale — July 15, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) With a rare, if not unprecedented, move, Francis has rekindled a years-old debate in Catholic circles, with some asking whether miracles are really needed for sainthood anymore.
Pope Francis proclaims John Paul II, John XXIII as new saints
By Alessandro Speciale — July 5, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis waived the requirement for a second miracle credited to Pope John XXIII's intercession, with the Vatican's spokesman saying that "no one doubts his virtues."
Former aide confirms John Paul II on verge of sainthood
By Alessandro Speciale — July 3, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) If Pope John Paul II is declared a saint later this year, as expected, he would become a saint only eight years after his death, easily beating the record of 27 years set by Opus Dei founder Josemaria Escriva, who was declared a saint in 2002.
Buoyed by a new pope, priests gather to urge church reform
By David Gibson — June 14, 2013
(RNS) The Association of U.S. Catholic Priests gathers this month to discuss an agenda for church reform. They point to support among the laity as well as inspiration from the top: Pope Francis.
Catholics try their hand at old-fashioned evangelism
By Tim Townsend — April 25, 2013
SHREWSBURY, Mo. (RNS) About 125 Catholics packed a basement conference room -- most of them lay people, many of them older. They gathered to learn how to spread the faith, a concept that is both fundamental to Christianity and nearly foreign to modern Roman Catholics.
ANALYSIS: John Paul II, Oscar Romero and the politics of making saints
By David Gibson — April 24, 2013
(RNS) Reports this week that the late John Paul II may be on the verge on canonization isn't a huge surprise, but Pope Francis' decision to take a second look at martyred Salvadoran archbishop Oscar Romero shows that the process of making saints is as much about politics as anything else.
Pope Francis redirects employee bonuses to charity
By Alessandro Speciale — April 18, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis apparently meant what he said when he spoke of a "poor church, for the poor": Vatican employees won't get the $1,300 bonus many were expecting with the election of a new pope.
Pope Francis a huge hit with U.S. Catholics (for now)
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — April 4, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Pope Francis is known now for his keep-it-simple style and focus on the poor. But once he starts making appointments and taking action, his favorable ratings may change.
Pope Francis has a model for Muslim engagement in St. Francis of Assisi
By Omar Sacirbey — March 15, 2013
Just as many Catholics have connected Pope Francis' humility and austere lifestyle with that of St. Francis of Assisi, those seeking clues on the new pontiff's approach to Christian-Muslim relations see another example in his iconic namesake.