St. Francis of Assisi
Pope Francis of Assisi? A pontiff boosts the birthplace of a saint
By Josephine McKenna — September 15, 2016
ASSISI, Italy (RNS) When the pontiff visits this Umbrian hilltown next week it will mark the third time in less than four years -- and locals couldn't be happier.
Pope condemns ‘wave of terror,’ urges young people to shun indifference
By Yonat Shimron — July 30, 2016
KRAKOW, Poland — 'Once and for all, may we realize that nothing justifies shedding the blood of a brother or sister,' the pope told a gathering of youth.
In choosing the name ‘Francis,’ new pope sent a clear message
By Kimberly Winston — September 17, 2015
(RNS) When Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected pope on March 13, 2013, he picked a new papal name -- “Francis.” It sent a clear message that he would be a new kind of pontiff with his own ideas for the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics.
Franciscan order on verge of bankruptcy after financial fraud is uncovered
By Josephine McKenna — December 19, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The scandal has shaken the order inspired by its founder’s devotion to poverty and prayer. It is active in 110 countries and had more than 14,000 members.
The ‘Splainer: Yom Kippur, Eid, St. Francis and the poor goats
By Kimberly Winston — October 2, 2014
(RNS) You've heard of the scapegoat, right? Here's how it fits into the overlap of Yom Kippur, Eid al-Adha and St. Francis of Assisi.
Inspired by St. Francis, young adults look to emulate his bond with nature
By Renée K. Gadoua — February 24, 2014
(RNS) The national ecumenical program encourages young adults, aged 18 to 35, to connect social and environmental justice activities with Franciscan teachings that stress the interconnectedness of creation.
The Pope Francis effect: ‘Francesco’ now Italy’s most popular baby name
By Eric J. Lyman — October 18, 2013
ROME (RNS) After Pope Francis' election on March 13, "Francesco" lept into first among most popular names in Rome and has grown more popular since then.
Pope Francis walks in the shadow of namesake saint in Assisi
By Eric J. Lyman — October 4, 2013
ROME (RNS) Then-Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio surprised Vatican watchers by becoming the first pope in 2,000 years to pick the name Francis, and he has since looked to emulate his namesake by keeping much of the luxuries of the papacy at arm's length.
COMMENTARY: Pope Francis and a new vision of Catholic reform
By David Steinmetz — April 8, 2013
(RNS) It would be a mistake to conclude from his first unprecedented actions that Pope Francis is disdainful of Catholic tradition. On the contrary, the new pope seems attuned to very specific Catholic traditions of church reform that claim his attention and color his vision of genuine Christianity.
ANALYSIS: How long will the pope’s honeymoon last?
By David Gibson — March 22, 2013
(RNS) Since the moment of his election on March 13, Pope Francis has been warmly embraced by his own flock and even the media. But some constituencies in the church are decidedly cautious or even unhappy with Francis, and their grumbling may portend future troubles for the pope.
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.
At St. Francis Shrine in the city of St. Francis, pride in a new Pope Francis
By Kimberly Winston — March 14, 2013
(RNS) In San Francisco, the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi is attracting attention after the new pope's decision to take the 13th-century saint as his namesake.
Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio elected as Pope Francis
By Alessandro Speciale — March 13, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as Pope Francis on Wednesday after only two days of voting in the conclave tasked with choosing a successor to Pope Benedict XVI.
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