By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church needs laypeople with a missionary spirit, which means Catholics do not have to try to force members into a vocation that is the Holy Spirit’s to give, Pope Francis said. The temptation to impose a vocation on laypeople as …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Jonathan Luxmoore WARSAW, Poland (CNS) — France’s Catholic primate has condemned the current presidential campaign as his country’s “worst ever” and urged Christians to help prevent democracy from “losing its sense.” “Left and right rivaled each other and had their radical wings, but there was also …

By Keanine Griggs VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis’ unique approach to teaching the faithful combines speaking clearly and simply with showing people what steps — even small steps — they can take to make a difference, a Vatican official said. “He is showing us a practical agenda for being …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Tanya Connor, The Catholic Free Press By Tanya Connor WORCESTER, Mass. (CNS) — The congregation, numbering about 50, gathered for their last Easter Mass together on the DCU Center’s arena floor. The chaplain, Father George “Jerry” Hogan, borrowed one of their colorful boxes to use as an altar. …

IMAGE: NS photo/L’Osservatore Romano By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As someone accustomed to the stress of the gridiron, University of Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh said he was touched by Pope Francis’ peaceful presence. “The way he talks is peaceful, it’s calm. It felt like this …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians always have hope, no matter how bleak, bad or uncertain the journey, because they know God is always by their side, Pope Francis said. In fact, “even crossing parts of the world (that are) wounded, where things are not …

IMAGE: CNS photo/TED.com By Keanine Griggs VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While searching for a connection today often means looking for Wi-Fi, Pope Francis said real connections between people are the only hope for the future. “How wonderful would it be if the growth of scientific and technological innovation would come …

By Tim Puet COLUMBUS, Ohio (CNS) — A priest’s “office hours” are unlimited and the priesthood is not solely focused on administrative work, the apostolic nuncio to the United States told students at the nation’s only Vatican-affiliated seminary. “It’s important to say this to young seminarians: Don’t prepare yourselves to …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Mohamed Abd El Ghany, Reuters By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Praying that God would protect Egypt from all evil, Pope Francis told the nation’s people that a world torn apart by indiscriminate violence needs courageous builders of peace, dialogue and justice. “I hope that this visit …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Carrie McClish, Catholic Voice By Carrie McClish OAKLAND, Calif. (CNS) — A new shiny truck is bringing food to senior citizens in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood and nearby communities. A year in the making, the Mercy Brown Bag Program has expanded, with the truck visiting several locales and offering …