IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Kurt Jensen WASHINGTON (CNS) — The controversy over the appearance by the head of Planned Parenthood at Jesuit-run Georgetown University April 20 became the background to a standing ovation. Cecile Richards was greeted warmly by more than 400 students, most of them women, at Lohrfink …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Sid Hastings By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis’ hymn to love and family life is more like a country song than a Disney tune. In “Amoris Laetitia” (“The Joy of Love”), Pope Francis’ postsynodal apostolic exhortation on the family, there is passion and devotion, but …

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis’ document on the family reflects an “organic development” of church teaching and doctrine, said Vienna Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, theologian and participant in both synods that dealt with the topic. “There are true innovations, but no break” in tradition, the cardinal told reporters during a …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The same mercy and patience that are essential for building a strong family must be shown to those whose families are in trouble or have broken up, Pope Francis said in his highly anticipated postsynodal apostolic exhortation. The document, “‘Amoris …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — God’s love is limitless and the church’s Holy Week services offer Christians a deeper understanding of his infinite mercy, Pope Francis said. The Easter Triduum is a memorial to a love story “that gives us the certainty that we …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Alaa Elkamhawia, EPA By Barb Fraze WASHINGTON (CNS) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said that atrocities carried out by the Islamic State group against Yezidis, Christians and other minorities were genocide, the first U.S. declaration of genocide since Sudanese actions in Darfur in 2004. Kerry said …

Pope Francis will declare Blessed Teresa of Kolkata a saint at the Vatican Sept. 4, the conclusion of the Year of Mercy jubilee for those engaged in works of mercy. The date was announced March 15 during an “ordinary public consistory,” a meeting of the pope, cardinals and promoters of …

This week friends and family of Sister of Charity Annina Morgan celebrated a century of blessings. A Sister of Charity of Cincinnati for 82 years, Sister Annina turned 100 years old on March 9. A couple of days before her 100th birthday, Sister Annina reflected on the past 82 years. …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Diego Azubel, EPA By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis called for a moratorium on executions during the Year of Mercy and said the fifth commandment, “Thou shalt not kill,” applies not only to the innocent but to the guilty as well. “Even a criminal …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM MEXICO (CNS) — As the plane carrying him back to Rome from Mexico was flying over Texas, Pope Francis insisted building walls to keep immigrants out of one’s country is un-Christian. Holding his customary in-flight news conference Feb. 17 …