By WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Francis has ratified the members elected by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to represent the United States at Synod of Bishops Oct. 3-28. The synod will meet at the Vatican to discuss “young people, faith and vocational discernment.” The USCCB announced July 23 that …

By Rhina Guidos MCALLEN, Texas (CNS) — It’s been featured in fundraisers at the Vatican and on news shows. This summer, it’s been visited by Kerry Kennedy, Robert and Ethel Kennedy’s daughter, and TV celebrity Gayle King. The U.S. bishops recently made it the first stop on a high-profile visit …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Jon Nazca, Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With the rising death toll of migrants and refugees attempting the treacherous voyage across the Mediterranean Sea, Pope Francis urged world leaders to act to prevent further tragedy. “I make a heartfelt appeal to the international community …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Jerry Mennenga By Joanne Fox WEST BEND, Iowa (CNS) — With apologies to Fats Domino, Father Lawrence Carney is “walkin’ and talkin’ about you and me,” and hoping that listeners will come back to — not “me” — but God. Known as the “walking priest,” Father Carney brought …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Saadia Azim By Saadia Azim RANCHI, India (CNS) — Theodore Kiro held 13-month-old Navya on her return to his family after they were separated for a week. The crying baby happily clung to Kiro, whom she knows as her grandfather. Navya is one of the four babies whose …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Dennis Sadwoski By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — Denise Ssettimba just began her brief presentation to an aide to Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, on the need to maintain U.S. funding for global anti-hunger efforts when two congressional dining staffers with food carts in tow asked to squeeze by …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Gina Christian, catholicphilly.com By Gina Christian AUDUBON, Pa. (CNS) — When he arrived at St. Gabriel’s Hall in Audubon nine years ago, Quamiir Trice was in handcuffs. Arrested for dealing crack, the 15-year-old had been sent to a residential treatment program for at-risk youth offered by St. Gabriel’s, …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Vatican Media By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis added an Italian teenager to the list of people he will formally recognize as saints Oct. 14 during the monthlong meeting of the world Synod of Bishops on young people. During an “ordinary public consistory” July 19, Pope Francis …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Loren Elliott, Reuters By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — During a time when immigrants around the country have come under attack, the Diocese of El Paso, Texas, and representatives from other dioceses in Texas and nearby New Mexico are joining a variety of faith groups in a show …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Dan Rogers By Valerie Schmalz NAPA, Calif. (CNS) — Americans continue to pursue “this ridiculous path” of “unlinking sex and marriage and kids, while calling what is actually falling apart ‘flying,’” said one of America’s foremost Catholic feminist thinkers. “All the while (they’re) hurtling toward a collision with …