IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves MORELIA, Mexico (CNS) — Jesus never sends anyone out as a hitman, dealing in death, but calls Christians to be his disciples and friends, Pope Francis told Mexico’s youth. “Today the Lord continues to call you, he continues to draw you to him, …

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 parishes. “Look upon your servants, Lord, that we are sending …

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Middle linebacker Luke Kuechly of the Carolina Panthers, the team going up against the Denver Broncos in the Feb. 7 Super Bowl, credits his parents and his Catholic faith for making a positive impact on his NFL career and his outlook on life. “I went to a Catholic …

National Catholic Schools Week 2016 will be celebrated across the United States Jan. 31- Feb. 6 with the theme “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.” “Catholic schools are a vital aspect of the church’s mission to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and so an important aspect of …

MANCHESTER, England (CNS) — Because of the U.S. Episcopal Church’s moves to unilaterally change canon law to allow same-sex marriage, Anglican leaders voted to suspend Episcopalians from positions representing the Anglican Communion and from participating in some Anglican bodies. Primates meeting in Canterbury, England, said that for three years, members …

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In his first video prayer message of the year, Pope Francis asked people to join him in praying that interreligious dialogue lead to “peace and justice.” The video message was part of a prayer initiative coordinated by the international Apostleship of Prayer, …

NEW YORK — With “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (Disney) (PG-13), the most popular series in film history resurfaces after a 10-year hiatus. This is the seventh installment in the franchise as well as the first feature in a planned third trilogy. Like its predecessors, it’s essentially a family-friendly piece of entertainment, …

ARLINGTON, Va. (CNS) — When Kara Palladino lost a child through miscarriage about a year ago, she knew she wanted to bury the baby in a way that honored her Catholic faith. But after calling a long list of funeral homes and cemeteries, she couldn’t find any with a plan …

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A priest who celebrates Mass every Friday morning on a sidewalk near the Planned Parenthood clinic targeted by a lone gunman Nov. 27 said the shooter’s actions were the antithesis of the pro-life cause. “We want the conversion of Planned Parenthood, not their destruction,” said Father Bill Carmody, …

IMAGE: CNS photo/EPA By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Show kindness, understanding and mercy in today’s broken and wounded world, Pope Francis said. “Before so many lacerations in the world and too many wounds on the flesh of humanity, let us ask the Virgin Mary to support us in …