By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Although he said planning a papal trip to Russia was not on the agenda, the Vatican secretary of state said his visit to Moscow was designed to build on the meeting Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill had in Cuba in 2016. …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Dennis Sadowski By Dennis Sadowski HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (CNS) — Science teacher Jane Irwin isn’t often left without words, but the total solar eclipse left her in a quiet reflective mood. “Awesome. God’s amazing” was the best she could muster after the sun reappeared from behind the moon after …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Dennis Sadowski By Dennis Sadowski HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (CNS) — A total solar eclipse is a rare event, something to appreciate and enjoy in the mind of Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno, director of the Vatican Observatory. So as the first eclipse crossed the country from coast to coast in …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — “Let us beg the Lord, God of mercy and peace, to free the world from this inhuman violence,” Pope Francis prayed after a week of deadly terrorist attacks in Africa and Europe. Reciting the Angelus prayer at midday, the pope asked an estimated …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With millions of people fleeing violence, persecution and poverty around the globe, individual nations must expand options that make it possible for migrants and refugees to cross their borders safely and legally, Pope Francis said. “The principle of the centrality of the human …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Serving an average of more than 2,000 clients a day, the Vatican pharmacy may be one of the world’s busiest in-person dispensaries of pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter medicines, soaps, ointments and elixirs. Run, since 1874, by the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God, the …

By Jonathan Luxmoore OXFORD, England (CNS) — Spanish church leaders urged prayers and national unity after two terrorist attacks left at least 19 people dead. Pope Francis, U.S. bishops and others weighed in with prayers and rejection of the Aug. 17 attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils, where cars drove into …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Ana Jimenez, La Vanguardia via Reuters By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis offered prayers for the victims of a terrorist attack in Barcelona, Spain, that left at least 12 people dead and injured dozens of others. “With great concern the Holy Father has learned about what is …

IMAGE: ED KOSKEY JR. By Anthony Salamone EASTON, Pa. (CNS) — A visitor attending Mass at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church might not notice anything unusual about the celebrant. Father Bernard J. Ezaki walks the center aisle of the massive church in Easton. He climbs the steps leading to …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Mario Anzuoni, Reuters By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — U.S. Catholic parishes and schools located in the 70-mile-wide path of the total solar eclipse Aug. 21 plan to take part in this rare event with everything from providing parking spaces or viewing sites to offering overnight retreats or …