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One cardinal called the opening of a church's holy doors "a sensible and tangible sign of our God's open heart, from which springs and flows the wide river of mercy."

As holy doors around the world were opened at city cathedrals, major churches and sanctuaries Dec. 13, the pope said this simple gesture of opening God's house to the world serves as "an invitation to joy" and a time of great pardon.

Colorful floats that featured images of the Virgin of Guadalupe and traditional matachine dancers delighted the crowd and transformed the streets of downtown Phoenix Dec. 5 as part of the 10th annual ‘Honor Your Mother’ extravaganza celebrating the patroness of the Diocese of Phoenix.

U.S. Catholics begin walking through American Holy Doors as the Year of Mercy begins. Join Catholics throughout the Diocese of Phoenix for the opening of the Holy Doors Dec. 13.

The final month of the fall semester also marked a new beginning for 20 Catholic women at Northern Arizona University.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — On a cloudy, damp morning, Pope Francis’ voice echoed in the atrium of St. Peter’s Basilica: “Open the gates of justice.” With five strong thrusts, the pope pushed open the Holy Door, a symbol of God’s justice, which he said will always be exercised “in the light of His mercy.”

Discovering God's generous love kick-starts a virtuous circle, which "leads us to acting in a way that's more tolerant, patient, tender" and just, he said.

"Firelight," one of Matt Maher's latest songs, was inspired by the experience and legacy of Mother Teresa whose biographical film hits theaters Dec. 4.

A movie premiere at the Vatican is not your typical star-studded event, but did include those Pope Francis, the film's main star, deemed to be celebrities.

The global Church is a week away from opening the Holy Doors so Duquesne University art historian Elizabeth Lev explains their meaning.