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[Catholic Caucus] ‘Everything comes from the Spirit,’ Pope tells Italian bishops’ synodal assemblyPope Francis has sent a message to the second synodal assembly of Italy’s dioceses, which is taking place at the Vatican, in Paul VI Audience Hall, from March 31 to April 3.“It is the final stage of the pastoral and social journey you have made over the last five years,” the Pope wrote in his message, dated March 28 and released three days later. “So many initiatives, so many meetings, so many good practices: everything comes from the Spirit.”After reflecting on Christian joy—which is “never exclusive, but always...

By listening to Holy Spirit, synod can be process of healing, pope saysVATICAN CITY — A synod calls on everyone to become experts in “the art of encounter” in a way that is uplifting and transformative, Pope Francis said, formally opening the process leading up to the assembly of the Synod of Bishops in 2023.“Celebrating a synod means walking on the same road, together” just like Jesus did — encountering, listening and discerning with all who one meets, the pope said in his homily at the Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica Oct. 10.“Are we prepared for the adventure of this...

MIAMI -- As a child, Lazaro Galindo cut open the family puppies "to see all the pretty colors inside." As a teenager, he kept a black cauldron filled with hatchets and knives, all tools he used to sacrifice animals for his religion. He once told a detective he had an insatiable desire to eat human flesh. He used his cherished weapons to butcher a romantic rival. He said he cut off the victim's leg and fingers because an evil spirit he called Candelo told him to. He described the grisly murder in a nearly 40-page confession, which was detailed at...