Pope Francis

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis' 2019-20 Christmas season celebrations will include the usual liturgies and traditions.

VATICAN CITY -- The saints are "the true light of the church," so before they are proposed to all Catholics for imitation and veneration, a scrupulous investigation is required, Pope Francis said. ​​​​​​​

VATICAN CITY -- The world does not need more empty words, it needs committed, active peacemakers who do not exclude or manipulate, but are open to respectful dialogue, Pope Francis said in his annual message for the World Day of Peace Jan. 1.

VATICAN CITY -- In Caravaggio's painting of Matthew, the sinful tax collector being called by Jesus to "Follow me," Pope Francis sees the same unexpected, grace-filled moment found in his own call to the priesthood.

VATICAN CITY -- There always will be martyrs among Christians in the world, Pope Francis said, calling on the faithful to ask Paul's intercession "to rekindle our faith and help us be completely faithful to our vocation as Christians."