TheRepublic.com - Pope John Paul II News

The pope and the devil: Is Francis an exorcist?

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:43:07 -0400

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis' fascination with the devil took on remarkable new twists Tuesday, with a well-known exorcist insisting Francis helped "liberate" a Mexican man possessed by four different demons despite the Vatican's insistence that no such papal exorcism took place.

Pope leads pep rally at Vatican, meets with Merkel

Sat, 18 May 2013 19:27:07 -0400

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis lamented that investment losses by banks trigger more alarm in the economic crisis than the struggle of people to feed their families, as he led a huge rally Saturday to invigorate the church's moral conscience, hours after he held talks at the Vatican about the economic crisis with Germany's leader.

Ohio governor to alert families to execution mercy

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:20:45 -0400

COLUMBUS, Ohio - In the future Ohio Gov. John Kasich will call family members of murder victims when he decides to spare the lives of death row inmates, the governor's office said Friday.

Dalai Lama kicks off New Orleans visit

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:14:08 -0400

NEW ORLEANS - The Dalai Lama brought his message of peace and compassion Friday to New Orleans, a city plagued by persistent street violence.

Vatican re-enters art world with Venice Biennale

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:19:35 -0400

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican is getting back into its centuries-old tradition of arts patronage with its first-ever exhibit at the Venice Biennale, commissioning a biblically inspired show about creation, destruction and renewal for one of the world's most prestigious contemporary arts festivals.

Vatican re-enters art world with Venice Biennale

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:39:46 -0400

Rios Montt: From army to dictatorship to courtroom

Fri, 10 May 2013 19:38:38 -0400

GUATEMALA CITY - Efrain Rios Montt ruled as Guatemala's dictator, served as president of Congress, preached as an evangelical pastor and now, at 86, has become the first Latin American strongman to stand trial and be convicted on genocide charges in his own country.

2 popes praying: Egyptian Copt and Pope Francis

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:58:13 -0400

VATICAN CITY - Two popes prayed together Friday at the Vatican, one Catholic and one Orthodox, in a sign of improving ties following the election of new leaders for both churches.

Senate OKs honor for Birmingham bombing victims

Thu, 09 May 2013 19:03:52 -0400

WASHINGTON - Four victims of a deadly Alabama church bombing at the height of the civil rights movement are now just a presidential signature away from receiving Congress' highest civilian honor.

Israel's Peres: Pope must push for Mideast peace

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:16:06 -0400

VATICAN CITY - Israeli President Shimon Peres says Pope Francis should use his influence to press for peace in the Middle East, and invited the pontiff for a visit.

Leftist priests: Francis can fix church 'in ruins'

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 11:13:47 -0400

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - A new pope from Latin America known for ministering to the poor in his country's slums is raising the hopes of advocates of liberation theology, whose leftist social activism had alarmed previous pontiffs.

Religion: Inside the soul of Jackie Robinson

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:05:49 -0400

Brooklyn Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey knew that the first black player in major league baseball was going to go through hell. - That's why the cigar-chomping, Bible-thumping Rickey set out to find a man who would keep believing -- when facing bitter, scathing racial hatred -- that the powers of heaven were on his side. As baseball writers have often noted, Rickey needed someone who could turn the other cheek, as well as turn a double play.

Vatican official: Romero saint effort 'unblocked'

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:26:37 -0400

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican official spearheading the case to make slain Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador a saint said Tuesday the process is moving forward under Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, after years of delay under previous popes.

Ex-bishop's widow wants optional priestly celibacy

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:28:14 -0400

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - She uses a wheelchair and carries the weight of her 87 years, but Clelia Luro feels powerful enough to make the Roman Catholic Church pay attention to her campaign to end priestly celibacy.