IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican City State tribunal has ordered the opening of two tombs in a small Vatican cemetery at the request of the family of Emanuela Orlandi, a young woman who disappeared in 1983. Emanuela Orlandi, a Vatican City resident and …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Loren Elliott, Reuters By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — Catholic bishops from both sides of the border near McAllen, Texas, issued a joint statement expressing condolences to the families of migrant children and parents who recently drowned trying to cross the river into the United States. Bishop Daniel …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In the light of "a worrying negative prejudice" against the Catholic Church, Pope Francis ordered the publication of a document affirming the absolute secrecy of everything said in confession and calling on priests to defend it at all costs, even at the cost …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Blessing bands of wool that archbishops will wear around their shoulders, Pope Francis said, "It is a sign that the shepherds do not live for themselves but for the sheep." "It is a sign that, in order to possess …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Sean Gallagher, The Criterion By John Shaughnessy and Natalie Hoefer INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) — Noting that he tries to be "Christ-centered" in every decision he makes, Archbishop Charles C. Thompson of Indianapolis stressed two major points as he met with reporters June 27. The news gathering was held to …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Reuters By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican has told bishops and priests in China that they must follow their own consciences in deciding whether to register with the government, and it urged Catholics in the country not to judge them for the choices they make. …

IMAGE: CNS photo/David Agren By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — Bishop Mark J. Seitz of the U.S. border Diocese of El Paso, Texas, walked and prayed with a group of migrants at the Lerdo International Bridge in El Paso June 27 as they sought asylum in the U.S. but were …

IMAGE: NS photo/Brian Snyder, Reuters By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Supreme Court, for now, blocked the Trump administration’s added citizenship question to the 2020 census, sending the case back to a lower court. A 5-4 ruling handed down June 27, which was written by Chief Justice John Roberts …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Clodagh Kilcoyne, Reuters By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis gave priests who minister to seafarers special permission to grant absolution for sins that usually would require the intervention of a bishop or the Vatican itself. "I want to say something about peace in one’s heart," …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Jeffrey By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — If the world is to succeed in eradicating the scourge of hunger, it must first fight against the indifference, apathy and broken promises that allow the crisis to continue, Pope Francis said. Addressing participants in the 41st session …