Articles by Elise Harris
Simplicity, humility, divinity – God never makes a scene, Pope says
Mar 9, 2015 / 19:11 pmIf there’s one thing that marks the presence of God, it’s humility rather than making a scene, Pope Francis said Monday.
Vatican declines ransom offer for stolen Michelangelo letters
Mar 9, 2015 / 13:23 pmAfter receiving an offer from a former employee to regain missing letters signed by Michelangelo for a price, the Vatican has said that it is not biting the bait, but is cooperating with police.
A man captured by Christ: The legacy of Father Giussani 10 years on
Mar 6, 2015 / 14:50 pmTen years after the death of Father Luigi Giussani, founder of the global fraternity Communion and Liberation, the priest's life continues to shed light on man's deepest questions, his biographer says.
Abandonment is the greatest suffering of the elderly, Pope says
Mar 5, 2015 / 13:00 pmPope Francis said Thursday that when it comes to caring for the elderly, palliative care is necessary because it counters a mentality of utility that often leaves elderly persons marginalized and alone.
Saints in the Little Flower family grow as parents set for canonization
Mar 4, 2015 / 15:39 pmLast week it was informally announced to journalists that the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin, will be canonized this year in the same month as the synod on the family.
Pope slams culture of waste, says it’s 'a mortal sin' to discard elderly
Mar 4, 2015 / 05:16 amIn his general audience Pope Francis condemned modern society for silently disposing of the elderly, saying that a civilization which views them only as burdensome is ‘perverse’ and ill.
Pope taps Cordileone’s auxiliary to head San Diego diocese
Mar 3, 2015 / 05:01 amThe Vatican announced Tuesday that Pope Francis has appointed San Francisco’s native auxiliary bishop, Robert W. McElroy, as the new head of the archdiocese of San Diego.
Pope Francis back from Ariccia with new seeds planted
Feb 27, 2015 / 06:15 amAfter a weeklong spiritual retreat outside of Rome, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude to the priest who led the reflections, saying that although it’s not easy to preach to priests, seeds have been planted.
Jesuit priest's cheerful disposition kept hope alive during Afghan captivity
Feb 27, 2015 / 02:01 amA key player in working for the release of a Jesuit priest held by suspected Taliban militants in Afghanistan for eight months said Thursday the priest never lost hope and was confident in the efforts being made to secure his freedom.
Turkish border closed as Christian hostages in Syria spike to 250
Feb 26, 2015 / 07:13 amThe number of ISIS hostages in Syria has increased to at least 250 after continued attacks on Christian villages, and civilians fleeing to the Turkish border have been stranded when not allowed to cross.
Ancient Roman pilgrimage revs-up spiritual aspect of Lent
Feb 25, 2015 / 15:46 pmFor pilgrims in Rome, Ash Wednesday marked not only the start of the Church’s Lenten season, but also a traditional Lenten pilgrimage that helps offer a more spiritual outlook on the journey toward Easter.
Vatican: Pope's 'Mexicanization' comment not intended to offend
Feb 25, 2015 / 11:02 amThe Vatican on Wednesday issued a statement clarifying a private comment made by Pope Francis to a friend warning that his native Argentina was in danger of a “Mexicanization” by drug traffickers.
Patriarch urges prayer after at least 90 Christians kidnapped in Syria
Feb 24, 2015 / 06:34 amWith reports circulating saying that ISIS forces have kidnapped at least 90 Christians from villages in northeast Syria, Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan said prayer is the only possible response.
Ukranian bishop meets with Pope Francis as country's crisis rages on
Feb 20, 2015 / 15:32 pmAfter meeting with Pope Francis during their ad limina visit to Rome, one of Ukraine's bishops said the country faces a humanitarian crisis in conflict areas and called for dialogue and prayers for peace.
Using God as a cover for injustice is no trifling matter, Pope says
Feb 20, 2015 / 08:32 amIn his homily Friday, Pope Francis said that love of God and of neighbor are inseparable, and castigated the actions of those who give to the Church, but at the same time exploit and mistreat others.
Rise of racism, exclusion in Europe prompts call for action
Feb 20, 2015 / 00:49 amChurch representatives across Europe cautioned Wednesday against a rise in xenophobic attitudes toward minorities and urged political leaders to stop pinning blame, and start promoting human values.
Pope Francis' daily challenge: Who will you follow – God or the world?
Feb 19, 2015 / 05:35 amIn his homily Thursday Pope Francis said that every day we are faced with choices between good and evil, and stressed that God is always there to help us when the right decision is hard to make.
Siblings help you keep your eyes off yourself, Pope says
Feb 18, 2015 / 00:57 amIn this week’s general audience Pope Francis spoke on the role of siblings in family life, saying the fraternity we learn from them teaches us how to overcome barriers and leads to greater freedom.
Pope offers Mass for murdered Coptic Christians, hails them as 'martyrs'
Feb 17, 2015 / 07:37 amPope Francis offered his Tuesday morning Mass for the repose of the souls of the 21 Egyptian Christians killed by ISIS militants, praying that man learn to reject his evil temptations, and choose what is good.
How Benedict XVI and his 'scandalous' hero speak to the modern crisis
Feb 15, 2015 / 17:05 pmTheological giants Benedict XVI and one of his heroes – the controversial Cardinal Jean Danielou – have been hailed for illuminating through their respective works the ever-relevant answer to a modern world in crisis: Jesus Christ.