VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Despite his illness, age and hospitalization, Pope Francis is still demonstrating his deep faith and exercising his role as pontiff, said a cardinal who once served as an auxiliary bishop of Rome. “The pope offers profound meaning to human suffering — that same suffering that he himself has always flagged as […]

Pope Francis’ condition showed “further slight improvement” in the previous 24 hours, the Vatican said in its evening medical bulletin Feb. 26.

To support the service of the Apostolic See and considering the current economic situation,” Pope Francis established a permanent Vatican commission dedicated to boosting donations to the Holy See through targeted campaigns.

Archbishop William E. Lori issued a decree Feb. 22 for the merger of St. Leo the Great Parish in Little Italy and nearby St. Vincent de Paul Parish. The merger is effective July 1.

For those who recognize Christ as the savior, death is not an end or a form of “annihilation,” Pope Francis wrote in his general audience catechesis. It is a kind of “sister” that introduces the faithful departed to true life.