News & Commentary

Women attend Mass in Goma, Congo, July 8, 2025, following the June 15 Vatican beatification of Floribert Bwana Chui Bin Kositi. Blessed Kositi, a 26-year-old layman from Congo, was a member of the Congolese branch of the Community of Sant'Egidio, which called him "a martyr of corruption." Kidnapped July 7, 2007, after refusing a bribe, his body was discovered two days later with evident signs of torture. Blessed Kositi's remains were transferred from a public cemetery to a cathedral in Congo's eastern city of Goma during a special Mass. (OSV News photo/Arlette Bashizi, Reuters)

Congolese Catholics honor their beatified martyr of ‘integrity and honesty’

Hundreds of Catholics in Congo gave thanks for the recent Rome beatification of Floribert Bwana Chui Bin Kositi, a customs official who was killed and tortured for refusing a bribe.
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How Pope Francis Drew Inspiration from His Namesake

"Don't forget the poor!" Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes' advice to then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio upon the Argentine's election to the papacy.
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Pope Francis prays with his hands clasped in front of his pectoral cross during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican May 15, 2024. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

Pope Francis Leaves Complicated Legacy on Sexual Abuse Crisis

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis attempted to balance defending the church from criticism while showing compassion toward survivors, with often mixed results.
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People hold candles in front of a picture of Pope Francis in New Delhi, India, April 21, 2025, after his death was announced by the Vatican. Pope Francis, formerly Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died April 21 at age 88. (OSV News photo/Adnan Abidi, Reuters)

Pope’s funeral set for April 26, public viewing April 23-25

The funeral Mass of Pope Francis will be celebrated April 26 in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican announced.
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Pope Francis meets with delegates to the general chapter of the Order of Friars Minor during an audience with 200 Franciscan leaders at the Vatican May 26. U.S. Franciscan Father Michael Perry, who was re-elected head of the order May 21, is seated to the right of the pope. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano) See POPE-FRANCISCANS May 26, 2015.

US Friars Extend Global Condolences for Pope Francis

With the news spreading across the world regarding Pope Francis’ passing, the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe react with words of comfort and peace, recognizing Pope Francis’ impact and legacy.
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Pope Francis greets visitors as he rides the popemobile around St. Peter's Square before his weekly general audience at the Vatican Nov. 27, 2024. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

Pope Francis dies at 88

Pope Francis has died April 21 at the age of 88.
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U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks as he participates in a bilateral meeting with British Foreign Minister David Lammy at the Commerzbank in Munich, Germany, February 14, 2025.

JD Vance announces trip to Rome, meeting at Vatican

U.S. Vice President JD Vance will be in Rome April 18 and has meetings planned with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, his office said.
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