Articles by Elise Harris
Lukewarm Christians who don’t love are 'in grave danger,' Pope warns
Jan 30, 2015 / 11:20 amIn his homily Friday Pope Francis encouraged Christians to remember the first time they felt the love of God, and warned that those who forget this moment risk becoming lukewarm and losing salvation.
Pope says palliums will be given to new archbishops at home – not Rome
Jan 29, 2015 / 16:35 pmAs a sign of “synodality” with local Churches, Pope Francis has decided that new metropolitan archbishops will officially be imposed with the pallium in their home diocese, rather than the Vatican.
Beyond the digital, into the heart: a Vatican take on communication
Jan 29, 2015 / 00:01 amThe Vatican's top communications official said that true interaction requires more than just phones and internet – and that dialogue is an interpersonal encounter we learn even from our mother's womb.
A society without fathers is a society of orphans, Pope Francis says
Jan 28, 2015 / 06:40 amIn his general audience catechesis, Pope Francis turned to the role of fathers, saying that they play an irreplaceable role in family life, and their absence leaves children prey to false idols.
Pope Francis asks, Do you discern God's will before making a decision?
Jan 27, 2015 / 16:19 pmPope Francis dedicated his homily at Mass on Tuesday to the theme of obeying God’s will, saying a Christian should have a heart like Mary, who was open and obedient to all that God asked of her.
A visit to Naples, Pompeii on Pope Francis' slate for March
Jan 27, 2015 / 12:36 pmPope Francis' liturgical schedule from now until Easter has been released – and it includes the creation of new cardinals and a daylong pastoral visit to Italian cities of Naples and Pompeii.
Wondering what to give up for Lent? Try indifference, Pope says
Jan 27, 2015 / 05:35 amThe “globalization of indifference” was at the heart of Pope Francis’ Lenten message, in which he urged faithful to fight individualism with merciful hearts that are more attentive to the needs of others.
Want Christian unity? Deepen your own conversion, Pope says
Jan 24, 2015 / 14:46 pmPope Francis told a group of religious men and women that they are the forerunners in working towards Christian unity, which is something that first requires personal conversion, holiness and prayer.
Worldliness 'stuns more than grappa on a fast,' Pope tells new cardinals
Jan 24, 2015 / 07:02 amIn a letter to the 20 bishops who will be elevated to the cardinalate next month, Pope Francis said that the role is one of sacrificial service rather than an award, and cautioned against a worldly mindset.
Confession isn't the 'dry-cleaners' – it's an embrace from God
Jan 23, 2015 / 15:55 pmPope Francis said that confessing our sins isn't a “mechanical” procedure like getting a stained removed but rather a joyful embrace from God, who forgives everything from a heart that's repentant.
American priest among saints causes advanced by Pope Francis
Jan 23, 2015 / 10:28 amServant of God Aloysius Schwartz is one of the 11 causes for canonization that Pope Francis advanced yesterday, and will be granted the title “Venerable” with the pontiff’s recognition of his heroic virtue.
Flea market find becomes heavenly gift for Pope Francis
Jan 23, 2015 / 04:02 amThe journalist who won a big smile from Pope Francis after giving him an image of St. Therese of Lisieux on his way to the Philippines said that she found it in a flea market, and gave it as the second in a pair.
Fostering close ties: what family life teaches us about communication
Jan 23, 2015 / 04:00 amPope Francis chose the family as his theme for this year’s World Communications Day, saying that as the first place we learn to communicate, families teach us to go out of ourselves and encounter others.
Philippines typhoon survivor: 'There's a reason for everything'
Jan 18, 2015 / 14:38 pmElena Garado thought she was dead after being trapped under a table for four hours when Typhoon Yolanda hit her hometown in November 2013.
Exclusive: Details of the proposal for Pope Francis' US visit revealed
Jan 18, 2015 / 12:56 pmArchbishop Bernardito Auza – a member of the organizing committee for Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to the U.S. – has revealed details of the proposed schedule, which includes visits to three cities.
A providential boost for the Philippine church's Year for Poor
Jan 18, 2015 / 10:04 amA priest currently stationed in the Philippine diocese of Cebu said that not only is Pope Francis' visit an opportunity to vamp-up evangelization efforts, but also fuels the local church's push to help the poor.
Here's why Pope Francis goes off script
Jan 17, 2015 / 07:15 amIn a press briefing with journalists in the Philippines, Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi ventured to explain the reason why Pope Francis so frequently deviates from his prepared speeches.
Pope Francis to Philippines cardinal: 'this visit is really for me'
Jan 17, 2015 / 06:10 amOn his return flight from the Philippine city of Tacloban to Manila, where he met with and shared in the suffering of typhoon survivors, Pope Francis was moved, and said the trip was really intended for him.
A simple, intense encounter: Pope Francis and Manila's street kids
Jan 17, 2015 / 03:04 amDeviating from his schedule of events in the Philippines, Pope Francis had a brief but emotionally intense encounter with former street kids in Manila yesterday.
She died and came back to life 3 times; now she's here to see the Pope
Jan 16, 2015 / 03:51 amEighty-two year-old Natividad camped out in Manila overnight to see Pope Francis – despite a health history of clinically dying and coming back to life three times, according to her sister Auzela.