Articles by Elise Harris
Pope expected to visit Italian cities of Florence, Prato in November
Mar 27, 2015 / 14:49 pmAn informal announcement was made on Friday at the close of the Italian bishops conference's spring meeting in Rome revealing that Pope Francis will visit the two Tuscan cities Nov. 10.
'This is your house' – Pope Francis meets homeless in Sistine Chapel
Mar 27, 2015 / 10:24 amPope Francis stopped by to visit with 150 of Rome’s homeless in the Sistine Chapel after they were invited for dinner and a private tour by the Vatican.
Pope Francis to meet, celebrate Mass with relatives during Turin visit
Mar 26, 2015 / 07:48 amA son of Italian immigrants, Argentinian native Pope Francis will have the opportunity to meet with distant relatives during his visit to Turin for the first time since coming to Italy after his election.
Pope Francis on the family synod: 'We need prayers, not gossip'
Mar 25, 2015 / 05:10 amDuring his weekly general audience Pope Francis spoke about the gift and call of the Christian family, and urged attendees to pray for the intentions of the upcoming Synod of Bishops on the family.
Vatican invites 150 homeless for dinner, private tour of Sistine Chapel
Mar 24, 2015 / 12:48 pmIn addition to food, umbrellas, sleeping bags, showers and haircuts, the Vatican is now offering Rome’s homeless the gift of beauty.
Got plans for Holy Week? Pope Francis does
Mar 22, 2015 / 15:48 pmPope Francis' full slate of events for Holy Week includes plans for a traditional Stations of the Cross, Easter Masses and a universal blessing given on Easter Day.
Nuns watching soap operas and the 'terrorism' of gossip: Pope Francis and Naples' religious
Mar 21, 2015 / 11:30 amIn a wide-ranging, off-the-cuff speech to priests and religious in Naples, Pope Francis addressed various challenges of consecrated life, emphasizing above all the importance of poverty and resisting gossip.
'It's time to surrender,' Pope tells crime-ridden Naples
Mar 21, 2015 / 04:10 amPope Francis told the people of Naples – a city ravaged by crime and mafia violence – that change is possible, and encouraged those involved in organized crime to convert and work toward a better future.
Pope condemns Tunisia attack as act against 'the sacredness of life'
Mar 19, 2015 / 10:44 amOn behalf of Pope Francis, the Vatican’s Secretariat of State has sent a letter to the archbishop of Tunisia, assuring them of the Pope’s prayers after yesterday’s deadly terrorist attack killed at least 23 people.
A society that doesn't want children is 'sad and gray,' Pope says
Mar 18, 2015 / 04:36 amPope Francis said Wednesday that children are a joy-filled gift for the Church and the world, and cautioned against an overcast society that lacks life because it has rejected and run out of children.
With rise in extremist threat, Pope assures Nigerian bishops of his closeness
Mar 17, 2015 / 23:08 pmPope Francis has sent a letter to the bishops of Nigeria telling them not to be discouraged by problems caused by an increase of extremist violence in the country, and said he prays for them every day.
Hindu priest breaks into tears after elderly nun raped in India
Mar 17, 2015 / 14:51 pmAfter the “heinous” rape of an elderly nun in the Indian state of West Bengal over the weekend, protestors have rallied in opposition to violence against women, with one Hindu priest tearfully voicing sorrow for the vicious act.
'Family is not a fad': Dolce & Gabbana spark firestorm in backing traditional marriage
Mar 16, 2015 / 06:11 amCreators of the luxury Italian fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana sparked global controversy over the weekend after coming out in defense of marriage, saying that children have the right to a mother and a father.
Here's what the Church in Pompei is doing about the mafia
Mar 15, 2015 / 14:51 pmArchbishop Tommaso Caputo of Pompei said that his diocese has welcomed the Pope’s recent condemnation of organized crime and has several initiatives in place to help affected families.
Pope grieves Pakistan bombings, says world hides Christian persecution
Mar 15, 2015 / 05:49 amIn his Sunday Angelus address Pope Francis lamented today’s terrorist attacks against two Christian churches – one of them Catholic – in Pakistan, and prayed that such violence will stop.
Pope Francis declares Holy Year for Mercy
Mar 13, 2015 / 09:05 amDuring his homily for a Lenten penitential service, Pope Francis announced an extraordinary Jubilee to start at the end of the year, and which will be dedicated to a theme close to the pontiff’s heart: mercy.
When it comes to faith, there's no room for compromise, Pope says
Mar 12, 2015 / 13:58 pmIt is the saints – not the hypocrites – who carry the Church forward, Pope Francis said Thursday, cautioning that there is no middle ground on the path to heaven.
Pope Francis names new bishops for Spokane, Lexington dioceses
Mar 12, 2015 / 05:25 amOn Thursday the Vatican announced that Bishop Thomas Anthony Daly has been tapped to lead Spokane’s Catholic population, while Fr. John Stowe O.F.M., Conv. will take the reins in Lexington.
Pope Francis carries his late grandma's words with him every day
Mar 11, 2015 / 07:23 amPope Francis said Wednesday that the elderly play a key role in the lives of the youth, and revealed that he still keeps the letter his grandmother wrote him for his ordination in his daily prayer book.
Pope Francis talks ISIS, jokes about being a 'coward' when it comes to physical pain
Mar 10, 2015 / 06:45 amPope Francis gave a recent interview with an Argentinian shanty town's community paper, where he touched on how he feels about ISIS threats and jested about his lack of tolerance for physical pain.