Staff Report August brings on some of the hottest days of the year, and it also marks the ending of summer vacation for many students. Take some time this month to engage in activities with the whole family before the children go back to school. Feast of the Assumption The …

By Carol Glatz  Catholic News Service Pope Francis has named a new commission to investigate current accounting practices among all Vatican offices and bodies and to help devise new strategies for greater fiscal responsibility and transparency. The new pontifical commission of business and legal experts will “offer technical support” and …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Pope Francis commissioned some 3 million young people to join forces and form what could be called Missionaries Without Borders. “Where does Jesus send us?” he asked World Youth Day pilgrims July 28. “There are no borders, no limits: He sends us to everyone.” …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service From his personal prayer life and spirituality to the role of women in the church and the pastoral care of the divorced, Pope Francis responded to several questions about church teaching and ministry July 28 when he met reporters on his flight from Rio …

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service  RIO DE JANEIRO — Krakow, Poland, will be the site of the next World Youth Day, in 2016. Pope Francis made the announcement shortly after celebrating the final Mass of this year’s World Youth Day before a crowd of more than 3 million …

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Pope Francis is the most influential world leader on Twitter, with the highest number of retweets worldwide. He also is the second most-followed leader of the world, running behind — albeit by a long stretch — U.S. President Barack Obama.

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service APARECIDA, Brazil — Comfortable in the presence of Mary and at a shrine that symbolizes one of his most important experiences as a member of the Latin American bishops’ council, Pope Francis kicked off five days of intense activity with an act of devotion. …

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service RIO DE JANEIRO (CNS) — Hundreds of thousands of cheering people welcomed Pope Francis to Brazil July 22 as he made the first international trip of his pontificate to his native region of Latin America. The papal plane touched down at Rio’s international …

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service RIO DE JANEIRO (CNS) — Pope Francis arrived in Brazil July 22, making the first international trip of his pontificate to his native region of Latin America. The papal flight touched down at Rio’s Galateo-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport at 3:43 p.m. local …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis paid a personal visit to retired Pope Benedict XVI, informing him about the final details for World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro and asking him to pray for Pope Francis and for the pilgrims who will gather …