IMAGE: CNS photo/Jaclyn Lippelmann, Catholic Standard By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — U.S. Vice President Mike Pence criticized the United Nations’ efforts to help persecuted Christians in the Middle East in a speech Oct. 25. Since the organization “failed” to help Christians and other minority religious communities, he said, aid …

IMAGE: CNS photo/James Lawler Duggan, Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves ROME (CNS) — Pope Francis called on the people of the United States to welcome migrants and urged those who are welcomed to respect the laws of the country. “To all people (of the U.S.) I ask: take care of …

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — One perk that comes with floating aboard the International Space Station is NASA arranges for occasional calls with celebrities to keep the astronauts’ spirits high during their monthslong flights. Before his first space mission began this year, Catholic astronaut Mark Vande Hei of …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Like police everywhere, Vatican officers write dozens of parking tickets and deal with more than their fair share of petty thieves. The Vatican’s blue-uniformed police corps does not have the picturesque uniforms or the medieval halberds of the Swiss …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Wallice J. de la Vega LAS MARIAS, Puerto Rico (CNS) — By joining forces to create coalitions on behalf of those who are suffering in the wake of Hurricane Maria, the Catholic Church in Puerto Rico has been fulfilling Pope Francis’ expressed wish to see …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — God waits for everyone, even the worst sinner who repents only with his dying breath, Pope Francis said. “Before God, we present ourselves with empty hands,” he said, meaning that all the good works people have or haven’t done throughout …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Szilard Koszticsag, EPA By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis will celebrate a special Mass with the poor and people who assist them Nov. 19, the first World Day of the Poor. After the 2015-16 Year of Mercy, the pope established the day to encourage new initiatives fostering …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Jaclyn Lippelmann, Catholic Standard By Barb Fraze WASHINGTON (CNS) — Two prominent Mideast church leaders told a U.S. audience that they were looking to the United States for leadership to obtain peace in the Middle East. “We look to America to lead the international community in so many …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Jeffery By Paul Jeffrey YANGON, Myanmar (CNS) — When Pope Francis visits Myanmar in late November, church leaders will be listening nervously to his every word, specifically hoping they don’t hear the R-word. Any mention by name of the Rohingya, a Muslim group widely hated in this …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Wallice de la Vega HATILLO, Puerto Rico (CNS) — Way up in the highlands of north central Puerto Rico, in an area severely damaged by Hurricane Maria, lies an untold story of an imminent economic catastrophe: the potential decimation of the island’s milk industry. That’s …