By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Following Jesus and doing the right thing gives believers a sense of peace, but sometimes “it comes wrapped in the cross,” Pope Francis told a group of teenagers and young adults. Asked Aug. 7 what his greatest challenge was as a Jesuit, Pope Francis responded …

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Catholics are more fortunate than the Old Testament prophets were because in the Eucharist they experience Jesus’ closeness and know that God is not far off on a lofty throne, Pope Francis told thousands of altar servers from across Europe. “In the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Sarah Webb, CatholicPhilly.com By Cindy Wooden WASHINGTON (CNS) — When Pope Francis makes a stop at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia in September as part of his U.S. visit, it may seem like part of the pope’s usual routine. His visits to prisons as part of his …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Laurenz Castillo, EPA By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As more members of the armed forces endure both physical and emotional scars from conflicts raging around the world, Pope Francis called on military chaplains to tend to their wounds with the healing balm of the sacraments. …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service While not specifically mentioning the controversial proposal of a path toward full reconciliation and Communion for the divorced and civilly remarried, members of the Synod of Bishops on the family handed Pope Francis a report emphasizing an obligation to recognize that not all Catholics in …

Staff Report World Mission Sunday was celebrated on Oct. 18 in churches locally and across the globe.

CNA/EWTN News After years of both direct and indirect remarks on the subject, German Cardinal Reinhard Marx issued his most direct statement yet in favor of offering Communion to the divorced-and-remarried. In an Oct. 14 address to his fellow bishops from around the world, gathered at the Synod in Rome, he said …

By Patricia McGeever For The Catholic Telegraph Priests in poor parts of India, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Haiti and many other nations are able to say Mass and administer the sacraments thanks in part to the operation inside the basement of a Hamilton home. The common thread between the two is …

Dear Father: What’s the purpose of a homily? Is it to reflect on the scriptures, to teach or give catechism, to talk about the saint of the day or current events?  Dear Reader: The answer to your questions can be found in recent church documents. Your question deals with the …

By Julie Asher Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — Father Ben Garrett said he has “never felt more useful in my life” as a priest than as a Navy chaplain meeting the pastoral and sacramental needs of service members. “Being a priest in the military is extremely fulfilling,” he said. “Not …