Brian and Stacy and their three children went on a life-changing vacation on the Carolina shore last summer. One morning, an incident occurred that Brian still cannot shake. As he was walking the pier as the sun rose, he noticed a swimmer struggling in a riptide far from shore. In …

  By Catholic News Service ANAHEIM, Calif. — Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez advised young Catholics to do three things: talk to Jesus, read the Gospels, and do deeds of love and mercy every day. “The work of Jesus’ words continues through you and though me,” the archbishop said …

  By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis’ decision to convoke a special Holy Year of Mercy has its roots in the event that led a teen-age Jorge Mario Bergoglio to the priesthood. Pope Francis has recounted the story several times in the past two years. …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Christian faith and a moral life are responses to God’s mercy and not the result of “titanic” human effort, Pope Francis said. In meetings and Masses March 7-8, the pope repeatedly returned to the theme of the church as an agent …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — When the Bible says, “though your sins be like scarlet” God will make them “white as snow,” it exaggerates, just like God exaggerates in his willingness to forgive people, Pope Francis said. “The Lord forgives generously,” the pope said March …

By Catholic News Service  CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) — God wants people to be generous and merciful, not full of condemnation toward others, Pope Francis said.