By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — The sunny weather was calling many of Washington’s 20-somethings to rooftop pools, outdoor bars and bicycle rides, just as nectar calls birds to flowers, but Francisco Hernandez, 26, and Flor Diaz, 24, decided to spend the summer afternoon and early evening of June 24 …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Chris Helgren, Reuters By Jean Ko Din TORONTO (CNS) — A new poll suggests more Canadians than ever believe religion does more harm than good, but even the pollsters disagree on what the numbers mean for the future of faith in the country. Ipsos Public Affairs surveyed 1,001 …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Saul Martinez By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Latin America’s traditional social values of cooperation and solidarity must prevail over the societal ills that threaten the livelihood of the region’s inhabitants, Pope Francis said. The current social and economic crisis facing Latin American countries has allowed …

By GREENSBURG, Pa. (CNS) — Bishop Edward C. Malesic of Greensburg in a pastoral letter called the opioid crisis in this country a scourge and urged the people of his diocese to take action against it. In “A Pastoral Letter on the Drug Abuse Crisis: From Death and Despair to …

By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Here is the detailed schedule of events planned for Pope Francis’ visit to Colombia Sept. 6-10. The schedule was released by the Vatican June 23. All times are local, with Eastern Daylight Time in parentheses: Wednesday, Sept. 6 (Rome, Bogota) — 11 a.m. (5 a.m.) …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church’s new cardinals and new archbishops must be willing to risk everything, patiently endure evil and bear crosses like Jesus did, Pope Francis said. “The Lord answers our prayers. He is faithful to the love we have professed …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Proclaiming his innocence after being charged with sexual abuse, Australian Cardinal George Pell said, “I’m looking forward finally to having my day in court.” “I’m innocent of these charges. They are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Cardinals are not called to be “princes” of the church, but to serve the people of God and tackle the sins of the world, Pope Francis told five new cardinals. Jesus “calls you to serve like him and with …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians are called to detach themselves from power, reject violence and sacrifice themselves for God and others out of love, Pope Francis said. Christians must live the way Christ chose to: not as “persecutors, but persecuted; not arrogant, but meek; …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Octavio Duran By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — As El Salvador’s first cardinal receives his red hat June 28 at the Vatican, he will have the eyes of his flock at home but also of the Washington area, home to approximately 260,000 Salvadorans — one of the largest …