Tag: Pope
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Mother Teresa of Calcutta is declared a saint
She gave her life to the poor and yesterday was declared a Catholic saint. Yet to her critics she was ‘Hell’s angel’ and ran a ‘cult of suffering’. Can they be talking about the same woman?
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The Pope, the Good Samaritan and the refugees
Pope Francis has rescued 12 refugees from the Greek island of Lesbos, offering them a home at the Vatican. He has been called a ‘saviour’ and a ‘Good Samaritan’ -- but is it an empty gesture?
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Greed, deceit, censorship: Vatican on trial
Two journalists are facing charges in the Holy See after uncovering financial mismanagement in the Catholic Church. The case has drawn criticism — but can Pope Francis achieve reform?
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Pope honours the poor in battered Philippines
Pope Francis addressed a crowd of millions in Manila. He talked about the nobility of suffering, but does this represent a patronising view of the true horror of poverty?
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‘Get real’ says Pope at family life meeting
Pope Francis yesterday made clear his irritation with priests and bishops who focus on ‘small-minded rules’ at the expense of human beings grappling with real-life dilemmas.
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Reforming pope attacks ‘inward looking’ Vatican
Since becoming leader of the Catholic Church in March, Pope Francis has made liberal pronouncements on homosexuality and atheism. Now he wants to reform the Vatican itself.
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Secret voting begins for leader of 1.2 billion
Today is the start of the papal conclave, when the world’s top Catholics will lock themselves in the Sistine Chapel to choose their new chief. But who will emerge with the papal tiara?
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Benedict bids farewell to Vatican’s ‘rough seas’
Today, the Catholic Church stands leaderless as Pope Benedict XVI resigns from his holy role. But like many papal affairs, the story behind this unprecedented event is shrouded in mystery.
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‘God’s Rottweiler’ to resign as Pope
At the age of 85, Pope Benedict XVI has resigned as leader of the Catholic Church. Ill health and old age forced him to stand down – but they have not stopped him courting controversy.
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Pope’s visit puts isolated Cuba in the spotlight
During his visit to Cuba, Pope Benedict XVI called for its rulers to embrace political freedoms. His requests were quickly rebuffed – but the communist nation is changing all the same.