IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy of Salesians By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The bishop who leads the apostolic vicariate that includes Yemen said he has “strong indications” that Salesian Father Tom Uzhunnalil “is still alive in the hands of his kidnappers.” Bishop Paul Hinder, head of the Apostolic Vicariate of …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden and Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Easter is a feast of hope, a celebration of God’s mercy and a call to pray for and assist all who suffer, Pope Francis said before giving his solemn blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city …

IMAGE: CNS/EPA By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Although retired Pope Benedict XVI is growing more frail, there are no particular concerns or worries regarding his health, a Vatican spokesman said. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, issued a statement March 25 following an interview with Archbishop …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Rick Scuteri, Reuters By PHOENIX (CNS) — Baseball legend and popular sports broadcaster Joe Garagiola, who died March 23 at age 90, recounted in a Catholic News Service interview 20 years ago how St. Peter Mission School in the Gila River Indian Community south of Phoenix claimed his …

IMAGE: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano By Junno Arocho Esteves ROME (CNS) — In a moving gesture of brotherhood and peace, Pope Francis washed the feet of several refugees, including Muslims, Hindus and Copts. Gestures, like Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, “speak louder than words,” he said during the Holy Thursday …

By ROME (CNS) — As part of his personal observance of the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis made an unannounced, “private” visit to a retirement home and to a group home for people in a persistent vegetative state, the Vatican said. The visits to the 33 residents of the Bruno …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Priests must identify with people who are excluded and not be blinded by complex theology, an excessively “bubbly” and watered-down spirituality, and worldliness that is more and more accessible in the digital age, Pope Francis said. Priests can also …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Joshua Roberts, Reuters By Kurt Jensen WASHINGTON (CNS) — In the end, the women religious decided it would be good to sing after all. That wasn’t on the agenda for the sunny 90-minute rally in front of the Supreme Court March 23 in support of the plaintiffs in …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — Walking in a crowded Rome neighborhood with his prayer beads wrapped around one hand, Hassan said, “You must write: Big thanks to the pope because he helps my kids — really.” Hassan and his family, who are Muslim, are being hosted …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Anne-Marie Welsh, Dioc By Kurt Jensen WASHINGTON (CNS) — On the eve of the March 23 oral arguments before the Supreme Court in Zubik v. Burwell, best known as the Little Sisters of the Poor case, two plaintiffs appealed the case in the court of public opinion, and …