Confession

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Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on Dec. 3, 2014.

This Lent, the Pope has a message for lapsed Catholics: It's never too late

Feb 27, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Fallen away Catholics are being invited to “come home” this Lent through a worldwide initiative led by Pope Francis, which... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during his Wednesday general audience on June 18, 2014.

Confession isn't the 'dry-cleaners' – it's an embrace from God

Jan 23, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis said that confessing our sins isn't a “mechanical” procedure like getting a stained removed but rather a joyful... Read more

An Advent gift: God's mercy in the confessional, cardinal says

Dec 17, 2014

As Christmas approaches, priests and penitents should remind themselves of the “miracle” of confession and how we should approach the... Read more

Confessional.

Priests at Mexico City Cathedral hear 5000 confessions

Dec 8, 2014

Responding to an invitation from Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera to seek reconciliation with Christ during the season of Advent, nearly... Read more

Repentance: A tough but true topic for divorced, remarried

Nov 20, 2014

The divorced and remarried can receive absolution like any other member of the faithful, the Vatican's doctrinal office has affirmed:... Read more

'The right to forget': sins are left behind in the confessional

Nov 17, 2014

Speaking about the “right to forget” sins after confessing them, a Vatican official stressed that God’s mercy truly frees us... Read more

United States Supreme Court.

Supreme Court asked to defend Seal of Confession in La. case

Sep 6, 2014

By Matt Hadro

The Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court to review a ruling that a diocesan... Read more

Confession.

La. diocese: priest cannot break seal of confession

Jul 10, 2014

After the Louisiana Supreme Court ruled that a priest may have to testify about an alleged confession, the Diocese of... Read more

Pope Francis receives the sacrament of Confession at a penance service held at St. Peter's Basilica, March 28, 2014.

God never tires of forgiving us, Pope reflects

Mar 28, 2014

Pope Francis dedicated his homily at Friday’s Mass to the mercy of God, emphasizing that while God is firm in... Read more

Pope Francis delivers his first Sunday Angelus on March 17, 2013.

Upcoming day of reconciliation announced by Pope

Mar 23, 2014

During his Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis announced that March 29-30 would be “24 hours for the Lord,” during which people... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square before the Wednesday general audience Dec. 11, 2013.

Pope Francis: Be courageous, go to confession

Feb 19, 2014

During his Wednesday audience, Pope Francis encouraged the pilgrims filling St. Peter's Square to receive the sacrament of reconciliation.  Read more

Confession.

Computer system could help deaf Catholics make confessions

Dec 20, 2013

A Phoenix, Ariz., priest has invented a computer system intended to help Catholics who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired to... Read more

Pope Francis greets bishops during his general audience on Sept. 25, 2013

Church is 'depository' of God’s forgiveness, Pope says

Nov 20, 2013

By Elise Harris

In his weekly general audience, Pope Francis spoke about the power Jesus gave the apostles to forgive sins in his... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in Saint Peter's Square during his General Audience on Nov. 13, 2013

Baptism is a 'bath of regeneration,' says Pope

Nov 13, 2013

By Elise Harris

During his general audience, Pope Francis devoted his reflections to the sacrament of Baptism, stating that it opens the door... Read more

Pope Francis welcomes Benedict XVI back to the Vatican at Mater Ecclesia monastery on May 2, 2013.

'Papal bounce' credited for increase in British confessions

Sep 10, 2013

Catholic clergy in England and Wales say more people are going to confession, and many credit both Pope Francis' election... Read more

(L-R) Timothy Conlon, Fr. Janusz Kukulka, Lisa Knott and her husband Patrick, stand in front of the refurbished confessional.

New confessional at Conn. parish boosts sacrament

May 6, 2013

By Carl Bunderson

A Connecticut priest says a new confessional recently installed at his parish stands as a visible sign of God's grace,... Read more