Pope Francis Archives - Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

Pope Francis Visits Japan, Decries Nuclear Weapons

November 26th, 2019

Pope Francis recently visited Japan and met with survivors of U.S.-launched nuclear attacks in 1945. He then declared nuclear weapons immoral, igniting a debate about the role of nuclear weapons in the modern world. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Life and Death | 3 Comments »

Catholics Fume Over Pope Francis' Meeting With Pro-LGBT Priest

October 3rd, 2019

Pope Francis recently met with a pro-LGBT priest who has drawn frequent criticism for his stance on homosexuality. Some are saying this is yet another sign that the pope is a progressive. But others are questioning if the pope's words are hollow. Continue Reading »

Posted in: LGBTQ & Human Rights, Christian | 43 Comments »

Bombshell: New Book Alleges 80 Percent of Vatican Priests Are Gay

February 21st, 2019

According to French journalist and author Frédéric Martel, the Vatican is a veritable mecca of closeted gay men. “Even in San Francisco’s Castro” he writes, there aren’t “quite as many gays.” Martel’s new book, titled 'In the Closet of the Vatican,' hits store shelves today. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 25 Comments »

Catholic Church's Latest Solution to Sex Abuse Crisis: Prayer

January 2nd, 2019

Catholic bishops from across the U.S. are meeting in Chicago for a week-long retreat that will focus on the clergy sexual abuse scandal that continues to plague the Church. Sounds promising, right? Well, there’s a catch. The bishops have been forbidden to enact new policies, instead focusing on prayer as a solution. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 33 Comments »

Tip of the Iceberg? New Clergy Abuse Report Deepens Public Concern

December 20th, 2018

The Illinois state attorney general’s office reported this week that Catholic dioceses neglected to report at least 500 priests and clergy members accused of sexual misconduct. Many are now wondering: what more do they know? Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 57 Comments »

Pope Francis Says Devil is Behind Clergy Abuse Scandal

October 10th, 2018

As the fallout from the clergy abuse scandal continues to plague the Catholic Church, Pope Francis is now blaming the church’s problems on a familiar adversary: Satan himself. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 83 Comments »

Pope Calls Global Meeting of Bishops to Combat Clergy Abuse

September 14th, 2018

The Vatican sex scandal has officially gone global, forcing Pope Francis to summon the world's top bishops to Rome to figure out how to end the abuse. Will they come up with a tangible plan to protect children, or just another flimsy set of promises that fail to address the root problem? Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 48 Comments »

Where Did All the Catholics Go? Sparse Crowds for Pope's Ireland Visit

August 28th, 2018

Disappointing turnouts across Ireland during Pope Francis' recent trip has the Catholic Church on its heels. Will the ongoing clergy abuse scandal spell the downfall of the Church, or will Pope Francis find a way to right the ship? Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 70 Comments »

Pope Francis Declares Death Penalty Is Never Acceptable

August 2nd, 2018

In a definitive statement, Pope Francis has declared that the death penalty is wrong in all cases – no matter how severe the crime committed. Experts point out that this announcement will place U.S. officials of Catholic faith in a bind. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Life and Death | 100 Comments »

Pope Francis Doesn’t Believe in Hell? Fake News, Says Vatican

April 3rd, 2018

An Italian journalist set the media world ablaze last week when he reported that Pope Francis personally told him that "hell does not exist" during a private meeting. Scrambling, the Vatican press office quickly refuted reports that the pope denies one of the main tenants of the Catholic faith – eternal damnation. They insist the published transcript was not "a faithful transcription of the Holy Father's words." Continue Reading »

Posted in: Christian, Life and Death | 147 Comments »