IMAGE: CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — On the eve of sending off “missionaries of mercy” to all corners of the globe, Pope Francis told his specially appointed men that the reassuring strength of God’s love — not the “bludgeon of judgment” — will bring the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/How Hwee Young, EPA By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a video message one week before his apostolic visit, Pope Francis asked the people of Mexico for some time alone during his visit to pray before the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. “I would like to ask …

By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — God doesn’t want to condemn anyone; he wants to save every person in the entire world, Pope Francis said. “The problem is letting him enter one’s heart” to transform one’s life, the pope said during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square Feb. 3. …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The director of the new theological-pastoral department of the Vatican Secretariat for Communications is Natasa Govekar, a theologian who specializes in the communication of faith through images. The Vatican announced Pope Francis’ nomination of Govekar, a Slovenian, Feb. 9. At the same time, …

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Confessors have two choices: to be like Jesus who readily forgave sins or like the devil who always condemns, Pope Francis said. “You can either do the work of Jesus, who forgives, by giving your lives in prayer (and) through many hours …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Confessors have two choices: to be like Jesus who readily forgave sins or like the devil who always condemns, Pope Francis said. “You can either do the work of Jesus, who forgives, by giving your lives in prayer (and) …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church must respect “with a capital ‘R’” China’s rich traditional culture and “age-old” wisdom, Pope Francis said. Dialogue between China and the rest of the world, including the church, is necessary because it is the only way to achieve peace, he …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Alexandre Meneghini, Reuters By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Ukrainian Catholic leaders gave a very cautious welcome to news that Pope Francis would meet in Cuba with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow. “I do not expect that the meeting of Pope Francis with Patriarch Kirill, planned …

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The papal commission on child protection voted that one of its members — a survivor of abuse and victims’ advocate — take a leave of absence and consider other ways to contribute to the advisory body. Peter Saunders, founder and chief executive officer …

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The papal commission on child protection voted that one of its members — a survivor of abuse and victims’ advocate — take a leave of absence and consider other ways to contribute to the advisory body. Peter Saunders, founder and chief executive officer …