Pope Francis on Feb. 17 offered a long reflection on his more than 52 years of priesthood, giving advice to other clerics in what he said might be the “swan song” of his priestly life.  

The amazed joy of Simeon and Anna at encountering and embracing Christ at the Temple is a virtue that consecrated religious should remember and imitate, the pope said in a homily addressed to religious brothers and sisters. 

ROME (CNA) - At the beginning of the Catholic Church’s day of prayer for peace in Ukraine, Pope Francis made an earnest appeal to those in power: “Please, no more war.” “I invite you to pray for peace in Ukraine and to do so often throughout this day,” the pope said at the end of his general audience Jan. 26. “Let us ask the Lord insistently that this land may see fraternity flourish and overcome wounds, fears, and divisions.”

Pope Francis said on Jan. 5 that it is a civilizational loss when dogs and cats replace children in society, encouraging couples to “take the risk” to become parents. 

VATICAN CITY ‑ Pope Francis said on Jan. 5 that it is a civilizational loss when dogs and cats replace children in society, encouraging couples to “take the risk” to become parents.  “The other day, I was talking about the demographic winter that we have today … many couples do not have children because they do not want to, or they have just one — but they have two dogs, two cats,” Pope Francis said at his general audience on Jan. 5.