Reflections on life, meaning and purpose

Vatican offers plenary indulgence for World Day for Grandparents (Vatican Press Office)

Pope Francis has authorized the granting of a plenary indulgence to all the faithful who participate in the Third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. The plenary indulgence will be available— under the usual conditions— to those who participate in the July 23 ceremony in St. Peter’s basilica, and to all those who prayerfully […]

Vatican commission to collect stories of 21st-century martyrs (CNA)

The Vatican has created a special commission to collect the stories of Christian martyrs in this century. In a letter released July 5, Pope Francis announced the establishment of the commission, within the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, to record the accounts of Christian martyrdom since the year 2000. He noted that “the martyrs […]

New DDF prefect open to same-sex blessings (InfoVaticana)

The newly appointed prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) has indicated that he is open to church blessings for same-sex couples. In his first interview since his appointment as the Vatican’s top doctrinal official, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez said that a same-sex union cannot be considered a marriage. But he […]