IMAGE: CNS photo/How Hwee Young, EPA By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a video message one week before his apostolic visit, Pope Francis asked the people of Mexico for some time alone during his visit to pray before the image … Continue reading →

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis marked the beginning of the church’s Lenten journey by sending off several hundred religious and diocesan priests on their own special path as “missionaries of mercy” in local … Continue reading →

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Meeting Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Pope Francis expressed his hopes that Iraq and other war-torn countries would have leaders strong enough to bring once-divided peoples together. “I wish for Iraqis and for … Continue reading →

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A jubilee year that does not open people’s wallets to share what they have with others is not a true jubilee, Pope Francis said. “This pope isn’t inventing that,” he insisted. “It’s in … Continue reading →

IMAGE: CNS photo/Maxim Shemetov, Reuters By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — The planned Feb. 12 meeting in Cuba between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church will be a historic event, those involved in ecumenical relations agree, … Continue reading →

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — On the eve of sending off “missionaries of mercy” to all corners of the globe, Pope Francis told his specially appointed men that the reassuring strength of God’s love — not the “bludgeon … Continue reading →

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The director of the new theological-pastoral department of the Vatican Secretariat for Communications is Natasa Govekar, a theologian who specializes in the communication of faith through images. The Vatican announced Pope Francis’ nomination … Continue reading →

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The papal commission on child protection voted that one of its members — a survivor of abuse and victims’ advocate — take a leave of absence and consider other ways to contribute to … Continue reading →

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Confessors have two choices: to be like Jesus who readily forgave sins or like the devil who always condemns, Pope Francis said. “You can either do the work of Jesus, who forgives, … Continue reading →