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 …

IMAGE: CNS photo/EPA By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Despite the ongoing risk of terrorism, Pope Francis planned to travel to Egypt as a sign of being close to the people there, said Greg Burke, Vatican spokesman. Heightened security is part of the “new normal” in many countries, but …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Tony Gentile, Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Mercy is a true form of knowledge that allows men and women to understand the mystery of God’s love for humanity, Pope Francis said. Having experienced forgiveness, Christians have a duty to forgive others, giving a “visible …

IMAGE: CNS/Reuters By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — The Christian church today needs believers who witness each day to the power of God’s love, but it also needs the heroic witness of those who stand up to hatred even when it means giving up their lives, Pope Francis said. At …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — With religious persecution against Christians on the rise worldwide, it is important for other Christians to stand in solidarity with them, said Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington. Christians in the United States and elsewhere must raise their voices on …

IMAGE: CNS/Nancy Wiechec By Chaz Muth WASHINGTON (CNS) — American Catholics will have an opportunity to become modern-day missionaries during the weekend of April 29-30 by simply dropping money in a collection plate. That is the weekend the Catholic Home Missions Appeal is being conducted as a second collection in …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Olivier Douliery, EPA By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis’ visit to Egypt, a land increasingly marked by terrorist-led bloodshed, stands as part of his mission to inspire and encourage today’s actors in theaters of violence to change the script and set a new stage. Just …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — For all his love of politics and the “frothy media excitement” that surrounds it, Stephen F. Schneck is hardly a political animal. He’s more the thoughtful type, bringing a calm demeanor and insights formed by his Catholic faith to the …

IMAGE: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — For St. Francis of Assisi, following Christ meant imitating his humility and forsaking riches, power and status; the men who call themselves Franciscans today believe they are called to embrace the same attitudes, including in their governance. In early April, …