Philip Pullella is a reporter for Reuters.
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The Rising Demand for Exorcisms ... Even by Cellphone
Father Benigno Palilla, an exorcist for the diocese of Palermo, told Vatican Radio in February that he had performed about 50 exorcisms in the past two and a half years.
Fighting Social Injustice as Important as Fighting Abortion: Pope
Since the start of his papacy in 2013, conservatives have criticized Francis, accusing him of not defending moral teachings such as those on abortion, homosexuality and divorce as strongly as his predecessors.
Pope Francis Washes Feet of Prisoners, Says Death Penalty Is Not Christian
Since his election in 2013, Francis has several times called for an worldwide ban on capital punishment, prompting criticism from Church conservatives, particularly in the United States.
Keep Shouting, Don't Become Anesthetized, Pope Tells Young People
Pope Francis, starting Holy Week services leading to Easter, urged young people on Sunday to keep shouting and not allow the older generations to silence their voices or anesthetize their idealism.
On Pope Francis' 5-Year Anniversary, Predecessor Defends Pontiff
In his letter, former Pope Benedict disputed suggestions by conservatives that Francis' academic qualities were lacking, praising his successor as a "man of deep philosophical and theological formation" and praising an "interior continuity between the two pontificates".
Vatican Signals Its Concern Over Populist Rise in Italy Elections
"The Holy See has to work in whatever conditions arise. We can't [always] have the society that we would like to have, or the conditions that we would like to have," he told the Catholic news agency SIR.
Pope Says Syria Being 'Martyred,' Urges Humanitarian Aid for Ghouta
Pope Francis on Sunday said Syria was being "martyred" by continued attacks killing civilians in the eastern Ghouta district, calling for an immediate end to violence and access to humanitarian aid.
Opening Lent, Pope Francis Urges People to Rediscover Power of Silence
Pope Francis, leading Catholics into the season of Lent, urged people on Wednesday to slow down amid the noise, haste, and desire for instant gratification in a high-tech world to rediscover the power of silence.
China-Vatican Deal on Bishops Ready for Signing
"Afterwards we will still be like a bird in a cage but the cage will be bigger," he said. It is not easy. Suffering will continue. We will have to fight for every centimeter to increase the size of the cage," he said.
Pope Sends Envoy to Chile to Investigate Bishop Accused of Abuse Cover-Up
Barros has been accused of protecting his former mentor, the Rev. Fernando Karadima, who was found guilty in a Vatican investigation in 2011 of abusing teenage boys over many years.
Pope Francis Condemns ‘Evil’ of Fake News, Calls for ‘Education for Truth’
Pope Francis on Wednesday condemned the "evil" of fake news, saying journalists and social media users should shun and unmask manipulative "snake tactics" that foment division to serve political and economic interests.
Pope Urges Hope in Visit to Peru Area Devastated by Floods
Pope Francis, visiting an area of Peru that was devastated last year by heavy rains linked to climate change and plagued by gang violence, urged people not to lose hope.
Pope Francis: Protect the Amazon from ‘Consumerist Greed’
"The native Amazonian peoples have probably never been so threatened on their own lands as they are at present," the pope told a crowd of indigenous people from more than 20 groups including the Harakbut, Esse-ejas, Shipibos, Ashaninkas, and Juni Kuin.
Pope Francis Asks for Forgiveness for ‘Great and Painful Evil’ of Church Sex Abuse in Chile
Pope Francis publicly expressed "pain and shame" on Tuesday over the rape and molestation of children by priests in Chile and later listened, prayed, and cried at a private meeting with victims.
Pope's ‘State of World’ Speech Urges Nuclear Ban, Dialogue in Korea
"Nuclear weapons must be banned," Francis said, quoting a document issued by Pope John XXIII at the height of the Cold War and adding that there is "no denying that the conflagration could be started by some chance and unforeseen circumstance".
In Christmas Message, Pope Urges Christians to See Jesus in Refugee, Migrant Children
Francis, leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, urged people to see the defenseless baby Jesus in the children who suffer the most from war, migration, and natural calamities caused by man today.
Pope Francis: The Poor 'Open to Us the Way to Heaven'
Francis celebrated a Mass marking the Roman Catholic Church's first yearly World Day of the Poor, which the pope established to draw the attention of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics to the neediest.
Pope Denounces Health Care Inequality in Rich Countries
Francis did not mention any countries. Healthcare is a big issue in the United States, where President Donald Trump has vowed to get rid of the Affordable Care Act, introduced by his predecessor, Barack Obama, which aimed to make it easier for lower-income households to get health insurance.
Pope Francis: Humanity Will ‘Go Down’ If It Does Not Address Climate Change
"If someone is doubtful that this is true, they should ask scientists. They are very clear. These are not opinions made on the fly. They are very clear. Then each person can decide and history will judge the decisions," he said.
Pope Francis Adds Fourth Path to Catholic Sainthood: Saving Lives
Pope Francis made one of the most significant changes in centuries to the Roman Catholic Church's saint-making procedures on Tuesday, adding a new category for people who give their lives to save others.