By MARRAKESH, Morocco (CNS) — Muslim leaders from around the world adopted a declaration defending the rights of religious minorities in predominantly Muslim countries. Participants said the Marrakesh Declaration, developed during a Jan. 25-27 conference, was based on the Medina … Continue reading →

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Let the Year of Mercy be the time to end all family feuds, to forgive each other and let bygones be bygones, Pope Francis said. “I think about so many … Continue reading →

By Jessica Trygstad ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) — Catholic youths from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis were among those stuck on the Pennsylvania Turnpike overnight on the way home from the annual March for Life in Washington. And … Continue reading →

IMAGE: CNS photo/Andrew Medichini, pool By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the Vatican, Pope Francis told him he had high hopes for peace. And while Pope Francis usually asks those he meets … Continue reading →

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Lent is a time of conversion and a time to deepen one’s faith, demonstrating and sharing it through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, Pope Francis said. “Faith finds expression in concrete … Continue reading →

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — After walking across the threshold of the Holy Door with an Orthodox metropolitan and an Anglican archbishop, Pope Francis invoked God’s mercy upon divided Christians and apologized for times that Catholics … Continue reading →

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis will visit Sweden in October to participate in an ecumenical service and the beginning of a year of activities to mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Leaders from the … Continue reading →

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis told a group of seminarians that seeking a so-called “normal” life in the priesthood would turn them into pastors who were “mediocre or worse.” A priest who is tempted to live … Continue reading →

IMAGE: EPA By Simone Orendain CEBU, Philippines (CNS) — The 51st International Eucharistic Congress kicked off with Pope Francis’ representative, Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, Myanmar, declaring war on poverty. “The Eucharist calls for … a third world war against … Continue reading →

By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — A growing number of U.S. public school districts are combining lessons in world religions with U.S. government and politics as they grapple with closing schools for religious holidays. “The question is not should we … Continue reading →