Pope assures Rome priests that 'sanctity is stronger than scandals'

By Francis X. Rocca
Catholic News Service

ROME (CNS) -- Acting in his capacity as bishop of Rome, Pope Francis offered words of encouragement to his diocesan priests, assuring them that recent and current scandals cannot overcome the church's holiness and urging them to keep their vocations alive through love of God.

The pope made his remarks Sept. 16 at a meeting with diocesan clergy in the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of Rome.
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