By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Faith is a journey guided by the Holy Spirit, who helps the church grow in understanding the sinful nature of once-accepted practices like slavery and the death penalty, Pope Francis said. While people once even used religious reasons to justify practices such …

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a video message to the people of Portugal, Pope Francis said he would visit Fatima as a pilgrim of peace and to entrust the world to Mary’s immaculate heart. “I come to you in the joy of sharing with you the …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a letter to Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II, Pope Francis said he hoped that both their churches can continue along the path of true unity and communion. The bond between the Catholic Church and the Coptic Orthodox Church …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Tony Gentile, Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Mary, like many mothers throughout the world, is an example of strength and courage in accepting new life and in sharing the suffering of their children, Pope Francis said. Although she had no idea of what awaited …

IMAGE: CNS/Tyler Orsburn By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — Bishops attending a meeting were among the first to sign the National Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty at the U.S. bishops’ headquarters building May 9. Each person taking the pledge promises to educate, advocate and pray for an end …

By SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (CNS) — Pope Francis warned bishops from across the Western Hemisphere that corruption poses a grave threat to the people of Latin America. He also reiterated calls for the church to work closely with people to renew their hope. In a letter to the Latin …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Philippe Vaillancourt, Presence By Philippe Vaillancourt SAINT-JEAN-DE-MATHA, Quebec (CNS) — When the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance left Oka, Quebec, to escape suburban sprawl, they left behind an oversized, aging building. Their new Trappist abbey, nested in the forests and rolling hills of the Lanaudiere region …

IMAGE: By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Indian Salesian Father Tom Uzhunnalil, who was kidnapped in Yemen more than a year ago, in a video message pleaded for the Indian government and the Catholic Church to do more to secure his release. The video was posted on YouTube by …

IMAGE: CNS/Tyler Orsburn By Chaz Muth WASHINGTON (CNS) — The chief communications officer for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Department of Communications announced a restructuring that will shift the focus of its operation from a traditional print structure to a digital model. “It’s an exercise in enculturation,” said James …

IMAGE: CNS/Cori Fugere Urban, Vermont Catholic By Cori Fugere Urban SPRINGFIELD, Vt. (CNS) — Father Peter Williams built himself a house that has all the comforts of home: a full kitchen, a bathroom with a toilet and shower, a dining area, a living area with a drop-down television, a propane …