IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — The United Nations is preparing to embark on talks to ban nuclear weapons. Negotiations are set to begin in March and are expected to take an indefinite time to complete. The end result is uncertain, but the 123 nations that …

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Death and final judgment before the Lord are not frightening if you live being faithful to God, Pope Francis said. “It will do us good to think about this: ‘Well, what will that day be like when I am before Jesus? When he …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By WASHINGTON (CNS) — The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities has called for increased efforts and “renewed vigor” to stop legalized physician-assisted suicide after the practice was approved by voters in Colorado and the District of Columbia City Council. Cardinal Timothy M. …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Luke Michael Davies, courtesy Buckfast Abbey Media Studios By Simon Caldwell BUCKFAST, England (CNS) — The hair shirt worn by St. Thomas More as he contemplated a martyr’s death in the Tower of London has been enshrined for public veneration. The folded garment made from goat’s hair was …

IMAGE: CNS/Nancy Wiechec By Nancy Wiechec PHOENIX (CNS) — Chris Hoffman is cooking for 4,500 guests this holiday season, yet he’s cool as a cucumber. “It should go well,” he said. “We did it last year and it went very smoothly.” The confident executive chef runs the sprawling kitchen of …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Joyce Duriga ROME (CNS) — The day after Pope Francis inducted him into the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago took possession of his titular church in Rome, the Basilica of St. Bartholomew on Tiber Island. Cardinals are symbolically priests of the Diocese …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Acknowledging and sharing God’s mercy is a permanent part of the Christian life, so initiatives undertaken during the special Year of Mercy must continue, Pope Francis said. “Mercy cannot become a mere parenthesis in the life of the church,” the …

IMAGE: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Visiting young women rescued from forced prostitution and meeting with a mother inconsolable over the loss of one of her newborn triplets are images from the Year of Mercy that Pope Francis said remain impressed on his heart. Reviewing the …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Balancing a cup in one hand and a small sandwich over the plastic plate on her lap while a grandchild played on the floor next to her wheelchair, Marie Terese Tobin beamed with joy for all the gifts God has …

IMAGE: CNS/Tiziana Fabi, pool via Reuters By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Following Christ the King, whose regal power is love and mercy, means the whole church and each Christian must “follow his way of tangible love,” Pope Francis said. Celebrating the feast of Christ the King Nov. 20 …