IMAGE: CNS photo/Vatican Media By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — Before washing the feet of 12 prisoners, Pope Francis told them and hundreds of inmates to remember that Jesus constantly stands before them with love, ready to cleanse their sins and forgive them. “Jesus takes a risk on each of …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican said comments attributed to Pope Francis denying the existence of hell are a product of an Italian journalist’s “reconstruction” of the pope’s remarks and not a faithful transcript of the pope’s real words.   Eugenio Scalfari, …

By WASHINGTON (CNS) — Fifty years after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, “we need to ask ourselves if we are doing all we can to build the culture of love, respect and peace to which the Gospel calls us,” the U.S. bishops’ Administrative Committee said March 28. On …

IMAGE: CNS photo/John Shaughnessy, The Criterion By John Shaughnessy INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) — There are times when nearly everyone seeks redemption for a mistake or a moment of darkness, times that can help find a way to return to the grace of God. For Opal Williams and Marguerite Engle, a significant …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Romeo Ranoco, Reuters By MANILA, Philippines — Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila questioned the actions of “kings who use violence” to intimidate the weak as he led Palm Sunday observances that opened Holy Week. In his homily during early morning Mass for the blessing of palms March …

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — During this year dedicated to the younger generations, Pope Francis asked that the meditations for his Good Friday service be written by young people. Twelve young women and three young men between the ages of 16 and 28 wrote the reflections and prayers …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Celebrating Palm Sunday Mass with thousands of young people, Pope Francis urged them to continue singing and shouting “hosanna” in the world, proclaiming the lordship of Jesus and following his example of outreach to the poor and suffering. The …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Jaclyn Lippelmann, Catholic Standard By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — In the parish hall of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washington, elders handed markers to younger members of the parish as they filled in posters with the Gospel-based message from the Book of Isaiah that they wanted others …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Jeenah Moon, Reuters By NEW YORK (CNS) — The once “big tent” of the Democratic Party “now seems a pup tent” as a party that Catholics once embraced has abandoned so many issues Catholics cherish, such as the sanctity of human life and religious education, said New York’s …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Joe Tuckman By Jo Tuckman SANTA TECLA, El Salvador (CNS) — Leonor Chacon remembers every emotion she felt March 24, 1980, as if it were yesterday. It started, she recalls, with the happiness that always accompanied the expectation that Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador would be coming …