IMAGE: CNS photo/Karen Callaway, Chicago Catholic By Joyce Duriga CHICAGO (CNS) — When the relics of St. Pio of Pietrelcina — commonly known as Padre Pio — stopped at two Chicago churches, more than 19,000 people turned out to venerate them, organizers said. The relics, which included a lock of …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden The death penalty, no matter how it is carried out, “is, in itself, contrary to the Gospel,” Pope Francis said. Marking the 25th anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church at the Vatican Oct. 11, Pope Francis said the catechism’s discussion of the …

By Matthew Fowler VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis’ @Pontifex Twitter accounts reached more than 40 million followers just a few months before the fifth anniversary of when Pope Benedict XVI launched the initiative. The papal Twitter accounts, in nine different languages, have grown by over 9 million followers in …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians are never pessimistic, resigned or weak, thinking life is an unstoppable train careening out of control, Pope Francis said. Throughout history, every day is seen as a gift from God and “every morning is a blank page that Christians …

By WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Trump administration’s newly released immigration policy proposals “do not provide the way forward for comprehensive immigration reform rooted in respect for human life and dignity, and for the security of our citizens,” said Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of Austin, Texas. “They are not reflective of …

Though it’s been several weeks since devastating hurricanes swept through the United States, and the Caribbean, our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico face a harrowing road to recovery. Here’s a minute video from Catholic News Service.

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis’ trip to Myanmar and Bangladesh will offer moments to recognize each nation’s struggle for independence, underline interreligious respect and encourage the local minority Catholic communities. Pope Francis will visit Myanmar Nov. 27-30, just months after the Holy See announced it had …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Cody Weddle By Cody Weddle CARACAS, Venezuela (CNS) — Gloria Gallardo, 59, and her granddaughter Diana Diaz, 14, woke before dawn for the two-hour bus ride into Caracas. Although they had made the journey hundreds of times before, this time felt different. They worried about the news they …

By UNITED NATIONS (CNS) — Conditions in many parts of the world force women and girls to bear the burden of carrying out everyday chores for their families and communities, keeping many of them from getting even a basic education, the Vatican’s U.N. nuncio said Oct. 6. Females are often …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Justin Lane, EPA By NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CNS) — A new survey shows that almost six in 10 Americans, or 57 percent, believe that celebrating Columbus Day is a “good idea,” while only 29 percent oppose the holiday. Almost two-thirds of respondents who said they were Catholic, or …