IMAGE: CNS photo/Vatican Media By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Engaging in any form of anti-Semitism is a direct contradiction with the Christian faith, Pope Francis said. Meeting members of the American Jewish Committee March 8, the pope shared his "great concern" over "the spread, in many places, of …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Jeffrey By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — A new report released March 6 just two days before International Women’s Day stresses the urgency of making sure refugee girls and young women receive an education. The report, "Her Future: Challenges and Recommendations to Increase Education for Refugee Girls" …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Mariana Bazo, Reuters By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The food people pick at the supermarket and cook in their kitchens can make a huge difference in helping address the global problems of hunger, obesity and climate change, a number of speakers said at a Vatican conference …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Vatican Media By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — The clerical abuse scandal has caused everyone in the Catholic Church "pain and unbearable suffering," Pope Francis said, but it also is a call to repentance and the renewal of the church. "Our humble repentance, which remains silent between our …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Cindy Wooden By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — In times of crisis, the Catholic Church and its faithful must return to the basics of the Christian faith, said Auxiliary Bishop Robert E. Barron of Los Angeles. Bishop Barron, who was ordained to the priesthood in 1986, told reporters …

IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Global Sisters Report By WASHINGTON (CNS) — A Catholic News Service contributor in Caracas, Venezuela, was taken by military counterintelligence officials after his home was raided early March 6. Cody Weddle, 29, best known for reporting for Miami ABC affiliate WPLG and The Miami Herald, had reported …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Shannon Stapleton, Reuters By MOBILE, Ala. (CNS) — As of March 6, the number of lives lost in Alabama during a violent tornado that swept through the central part of the state remained at 23, and USA Today reported that anonymous donors have now offered to pay for …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — Marked with ashes, Christians set off on a Lenten journey where they strive to leave behind everything that will turn to dust and instead focus on drawing closer to God and God’s promise of eternal life, Pope Francis said. After …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The kingdom of God is being established slowly in the world through patience and gentleness and not by violence or force, Pope Francis said. Jesus’ petition for his father’s kingdom to come "is not a threat at all; …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Katie Rutter By Katie Rutter COLUMBUS, Ind. (CNS) — Smoke billowed from a small fire pit, rising nearly as high as the steeple of St. Bartholomew Church in Columbus. About 100 students watched from a safe distance March 4 as church staff stoked the flame and periodically tossed …