IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Carol Zimmermann ORLANDO, Fla. (CNS) — In the July 3 closing Mass for the Fortnight for Freedom, Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori called on Catholics to thank God for the gift of freedom and to pray that they “use this gift well and wisely.” “It’s …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Shannon Stapleton, Reuters By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — Agencies and organizations that help refugees start new lives in the U.S. worry about the fate that awaits migrants in transit as well as those who will not be allowed into the country as the partial ban that the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Dennis Sadowski ORLANDO, Fla. (CNS) — Being Christian is more than accepting Jesus as savior, but requires the faithful to go to the peripheries of society where people are struggling materially and spiritually, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles told the “Convocation of Catholic …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Alonso Cupul, EPA By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The international community must not remain resigned to the plight of those suffering hunger and malnutrition, which is often caused by indifference and selfishness, Pope Francis said. In a message to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization …

IMAGE: CNS/family handout, courtesy Featureworld By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis called for respecting the wishes of a terminally ill child’s parents to accompany and care for their child “until the end.” Greg Burke, Vatican spokesman, said the pope was following “with affection and emotion” the events …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Carol Zimmermann ORLANDO, Fla. (CNS) — Washington Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl urged participants at the “Convocation of Catholic Leaders: The Joy of The Gospel in America” to take a look at each other in the hotel ballroom and realize that they, as lay leaders in …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Dennis Sadowski ORLANDO, Fla. (CNS) — The U.S. Catholic Church’s increasing diversity presents Catholics with the opportunity to accompany each other on the journey of faith Pope Francis envisions, a Boston College professor told delegates to the “Convocation of Catholic Leaders: The Joy of the …

By Carol Zimmermann ORLANDO, Fla. (CNS) — Catholic leaders attending the opening Mass of the “Convocation of Catholic Leaders: The Joy of The Gospel in America” were urged to reflect joy — a sign of God’s presence — and not exclusively focus on the world’s problems. “A big part of …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Promoting the secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to the office of prefect, Pope Francis chose not to ask German Cardinal Gerhard Muller to serve a second five-year term in the post. The Vatican announced July 1 that the …

By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — The sunny weather was calling many of Washington’s 20-somethings to rooftop pools, outdoor bars and bicycle rides, just as nectar calls birds to flowers, but Francisco Hernandez, 26, and Flor Diaz, 24, decided to spend the summer afternoon and early evening of June 24 …