IMAGE: CNS photo/Maurizio Brambatti, EPA By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — More than 3.9 million pilgrims visited and attended papal events, liturgies or prayer services during the Holy Year of Mercy in 2016, the Vatican said. The Prefecture of the Papal Household, the Vatican office that coordinates the …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Some parts of the world see swift attention paid to victims of sexual abuse and others still experience delays or a mishandling of allegations. This imbalance, one Jesuit expert has said, reflects how years of papal pleas and Vatican mandates …

IMAGE: CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano By Dennis Sadowski CLEVELAND (CNS) — Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Richard G. Lennon of Cleveland. He has headed the diocese since 2006. Bishop Lennon, who turns 70 in March, said during a news conference at diocesan offices Dec. 28 that he had …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Yahya Arhab, EPA By WASHINGTON (CNS) — “Creating a Culture of Encounter” is the theme of 2017’s National Migration Week, an annual observance the U.S. Catholic bishops began over 25 years ago. Taking place Jan. 8-14, the week “is an excellent opportunity to highlight biblical tradition and our …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Giorgio Onorati, EPA By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — To complain to God in moments of doubt and fear like Abraham did is not something bad but rather is a form of prayer that requires the courage to hope beyond all hope, Pope Francis said. While …

IMAGE: CNS pohoto/Musa Al Shaer, pool via EPA By Doreen Abi Raad BEIRUT (CNS) — Lamenting the exodus of Christians from their ancestral homelands, Catholic patriarchs of the Middle East pleaded for peace and security in their annual Christmas messages. In separate statements, the prelates shared their anguish regarding the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Octavio Duran By SANTA FE, N.M. (CNS) — Santa Fe Archbishop John C. Wester attacked an effort to reinstate tax on groceries in New Mexico. In a statement a week before Christmas, he said such a tax burdens the poor and working families. “Our neighbors are hungry!” he …

IMAGE: CNS/Vatican Museums By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Despite increased persecution and attacks against Christians, the faithful must strengthen their courage and joyful desire to follow Christ no matter the cost, Pope Francis said. By choosing God’s path of truth, “light and life” over all else, Christians continue …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The song of the angels that heralded the birth of Christ urges men and women to seek peace in a world divided by war, terrorism and greed, Pope Francis said. “Today this message goes out to the ends of …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paramount By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — In a real-life situation akin to the “High School Musical” movie franchise, Russell Hornsby was a jock who got the acting bug via the high school musical. Hornsby, a native of Oakland, California, was a sophomore at the all-boys St. Mary’s …