By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The persecution and martyrdom of Christians around the world have become “a shared experience” and a common journey that unites all who give witness to Christ, Pope Francis said. The pope sent a message addressed to Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the

By Jerry Donohue GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio (CNS) — Arminda “Armi” Crawford is the first woman to lead a national veterans organization as national commander of the Catholic War Veterans. One of only a dozen or so female veterans in the 7,520-member organization, Crawford ran unopposed when she was elected at

IMAGE: CNS By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Financial wrongdoing at the Vatican, leaked documents and arrests by the Vatican police may make it seem like 2012 all over again, but the situation — while serious — is not the breach of papal privacy that the earlier “VatiLeaks” scandal

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The secret to healing wounds among family members is to “not end the day in war” and to forgive one another, Pope Francis said. “One cannot live without forgiving, or at least one cannot live well, especially in the

IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — People of developed nations share responsibility with the rest of the world to protect the earth from environmental destruction and assist poor communities in escaping poverty, a cardinal who is a chief adviser to the pope said. Honduran Cardinal Oscar

IMAGE: CNS/Reuters By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Despite continued instability and outbreaks of violence in the Central African Republic, the Vatican announced Pope Francis will spend about 33 hours in the country during a Nov. 25-30 visit to Africa. Releasing the schedule for the trip, the Vatican said

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Serving and giving oneself for others may make one “seem like a loser in the eyes of the world,” but in reality that person is imitating Christ’s love and service, which conquered death and gave life to the world,

IMAGE: CNS/Cristiano Minichiello, AGF By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican spokesman described as obviously “unreliable” an Italian journalist’s claim that Pope Francis told him that following the Synod of Bishops on the family, “all the divorced who ask” will be admitted to Communion. Eugenio Scalfari, a co-founder

By Matt Hadro CNA/EWTN News Catholic and Lutheran bishops have signed a declaration that they hope solidifies areas of “consensus” on matters of faith while providing a path forward for more dialogue. “Pope Francis in his recent visit to the United States emphasized again and again the need for and

By David Agren Catholic News Service MEXICO CITY — Pope Francis will visit Mexico in February, marking the pontiff’s first trip to the heavily Catholic country, said Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera of Mexico City. Cardinal Rivera revealed the date Pope Francis would arrive in Mexico Feb. 12 during a homily Nov.