IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) – Not many people know that Blessed Teresa of Kolkata’s first visit to the United States was a trip to Las Vegas — in 1960, when the Strip was still mobbed-up. She didn’t go to cleanse the casinos of their corruption. …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis will join dozens of religious leaders — including Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury — and hundreds of their faithful in Assisi Sept. 20 to pray for peace. In addition to …

IMAGE: CNS/Cindy Wooden By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Calling for concrete actions that benefit human life and the environment, Pope Francis proposed adding the care and protection of creation to the traditional list of corporal and spiritual works of mercy. As a spiritual work of mercy, the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — Even in the last years of her life, Blessed Teresa of Kolkata had a profound impact on those anywhere near her orbit, including two young Americans who grew into leadership positions in the U.S. Catholic Church. One of them, Sean …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Jesus’ loving gaze of tenderness and mercy extends to all who seek forgiveness no matter how great or small their sins may be, Pope Francis said. While many often feel “cast aside” because of their sins, Jesus offers encouragement …

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — To promote Catholic social teaching and ensure appropriate assistance to vulnerable people — especially victims of war, refugees and the sick — Pope Francis has established a new office combining the responsibilities of four pontifical councils. In an apostolic letter given “motu …

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Do not turn to superstition or blame God in the aftermath of a deadly tragedy, the bishop of Rieti told people mourning the deaths of those killed by the devastating earthquake that struck central Italy. God is humanity’s salvation and he “cannot be …

IMAGE: CNS photo/David Maung By Brooke Binkowski TIJUANA, Mexico (CNS) — The men trudged down the dusty road of an impoverished Tijuana neighborhood. The Sunday morning air was already arid and hot, but the small group was on a mission: They were heading to a tiny neighborhood community center, bearing …

IMAGE: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Continuing his dialogue with leaders in the world of social media and technology, Pope Francis met with Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, met the pope Aug. 29 in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Ciro De Luca, Reuters By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis said he wants to visit survivors and those affected by a deadly earthquake in central Italy as soon as possible. He wants to go to the ravaged area to “bring you personally the solace of …