IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden MORELIA, Mexico (CNS) — The devil loves Christians — especially priests and nuns — who are resigned to the violence and corruption around them, Pope Francis said. Celebrating Mass Feb. 16 at a stadium in Morelia, Pope Francis repeated his frequent call to priests, …

IMAGE: CNS/Nancy Wiechec By Wallice J. de la Vega EL PASO, Texas (CNS) — Two days before Pope Francis’ main event in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, the Diocese of El Paso was coordinating the final touches to its own two main papal events. While the Diocese of Juarez’s chancery was bustling …

IMAGE: CNS/photo Alessandro Di Meo, EPA By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A talk given to new bishops during a Vatican-sponsored course does not represent new guidelines on the church’s response to abuse against minors by religious, a Vatican spokesman said. A 44-page report authored by French Msgr. Tony …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By David Agren SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, Mexico (CNS) — Pope Francis warned against moves to diminish the importance of the family, peppering his talk with anecdotes and off-the-cuff remarks that kept a packed soccer stadium cheering, laughing and applauding. Speaking under a scorching-hot sun as …

IMAGE: CNS/Nancy Wiechec By Nancy Wiechec EL PASO, Texas (CNS) — In Segundo Barrio, people have been praying day and night for Pope Francis since he set foot in Mexico. Kneelers were set in front of a figure of the pope in the courtyard of the barrio’s Sacred Heart Church. …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, Mexico (CNS) — Paying homage to the culture and ancient wisdom of Mexico’s indigenous peoples, Pope Francis urged them to hold on to hope and condemned those who exploit their people and their land. “Some have considered your values, …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ECATEPEC, Mexico (CNS) — Pope Francis began his travels to Mexico’s “peripheries” by visiting an overcrowded, sprawling settlement known internationally as a hunting ground for girls to force into prostitution and for boys to enlist in the drug trade. Ecatepec, on the northern edge …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves MEXICO CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis fulfilled his much-desired wish to pray in silence before the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. After celebrating the first Mass of his papal trip to Mexico Feb. 13, the pope made his way to the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By WASHINGTON (CNS) — Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, the longest-serving justice on the Supreme Court, died of apparent natural causes at a resort in West Texas Feb. 13. He was 79. Scalia, a Catholic, was appointed in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan. Five of the …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By David Agren MEXICO CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis demanded forceful denunciations of drug violence in Mexico from the country’s bishops, who have preferred timid pronouncements instead of speaking prophetically on a tragedy that has claimed more than 100,000 lives over the past 10 years and left …