IMAGE: CNS photo/Deborah Cox, The Catholic Virginian By Brian T. Olszewski VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (CNS) — Bishop Barry C. Knestout of Richmond celebrated Masses at St. Gregory the Great and St. John the Apostle churches in Virginia Beach June 2, two days after 12 people were killed in the city’s …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM ROMANIA (CNS) — Pope Francis said that he continues to visit retired Pope Benedict XVI, 92, who is like a grandfather who continues to encourage him and give him strength. "I take his hand and let him …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves BLAJ, Romania (CNS) — The memory and witness of Romania’s martyred bishops are a reminder that Christians are called to stand firm against ideologies that seek to stifle and suppress their cultural and religious traditions, Pope Francis said. On the last leg …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves MIERCUREA CIUC, Romania (CNS) — At a Marian shrine in the heart of Transylvania, Pope Francis called on Romania’s Catholics to leave resentments behind and to embark on a journey of unity. Celebrating Mass June 1 at the Sumuleu Ciuc shrine, an …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — Bishop Jose Manuel Romero Barrios spent the first anniversary of the Diocese of El Tigre, Venezuela, of which he is its founding bishop, not in the diocese but in the United States to meet with American Catholic leaders, both lay …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves BUCHAREST, Romania (CNS) — Pope Francis told Romanian leaders a country’s success is measured by how it treats and cares for its most vulnerable citizens, especially the poor and disadvantaged. The path to building an inclusive society is one where every person …

By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — On May 30, New Hampshire lawmakers garnered enough votes to abolish the death penalty in the state, overriding a veto from Gov. Chris Sununu and becoming the 21st state to ban capital punishment. Bishop Peter A. Libasci of Manchester thanked lawmakers shortly after the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Knights of Columbus By Mickey Conlon TORONTO (CNS) — A long-standing tradition will end this summer as the Knights of Columbus discard the ceremonial capes and plumed chapeaus of its fourth-degree members. July 1 will mark the end of a 79-year era when the Knights change the ceremonial …

IMAGE: CNS graphic/Lucy Barco, Catholic Register By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis said he hopes his visit to Romania will strengthen the bonds of faith that unite Orthodox and Catholics in the country. The ties between the two churches date back to the apostles Peter and …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Karen Callaway, Catholic New World By SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CNS) — In a 64-50 vote May 28, the Illinois House passed an abortion bill the Catholic Conference of Illinois called "an extreme measure" that allows "for the abortion of unborn life at any stage of pregnancy and for any …