IMAGE: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Telling the bishops of Ireland that he wanted to hear their questions, concerns and even criticisms, Pope Francis spent almost two hours in conversation with them. In the continuing evolution of the “ad limina” visits bishops are required to make …

IMAGE: CNS photo/J.D. Long-Garcia, The Tidings By J.D. Long-Garcia LOS ANGELES (CNS) — On the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration as U.S. president, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez renewed the call to recognize the humanity of immigrants at a Vatican-sponsored migration conference at the University of California in Los …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — God forgives and forgets the faults of repentant sinners, unless they keep reminding him of their errors by pretending they have no need to change, Pope Francis said. The new covenant in Jesus Christ, the new relationship God wants to establish with each …

By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — Like many concerned about what Donald Trump has said about women and his various and changing positions on abortion, Destiny Herndon-De La Rosa decided she wanted to take part in the Jan. 21 Women’s March on Washington, protesting the new president on the day …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Marcin Mazur, Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales By JERUSALEM (CNS) — Christians have a responsibility to oppose the construction of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories, said bishops from the U.S., Canada and Europe. “This de facto annexation of land not only undermines the rights of Palestinians in …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Robert Duncan VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a craftsman’s workshop on the edge of Rome’s Campo Verano cemetery, two designers are working to revive what they see as a dying art: burial. Unlike the masons who make the cemetery’s gravestones and memorials, Anna Citelli and Raoul …

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Although great strides have been made through 50 years of ecumenical dialogue, Catholics and Lutherans must continue to work toward becoming a full and visible sign of unity for the world, Pope Francis said. A continued “communion of harmony” will allow Catholics …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Jonathan Bachman, Reuters By WASHINGTON (CNS) — The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ domestic policy committee said Jan. 18 that a repeal of the federal health care law should not take place without immediate passage of a plan that preserves people’s access to adequate health care and also …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Mike Nelson By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — Acknowledging the fear some immigrants have expressed as Donald Trump becomes president, Jesuit parishes, schools and other communities plan to pray for those who fear him and his proposals on the eve of his Jan. 20 inauguration as the country’s …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Prayer has the power to awaken hope in men and women, even in the face of death and destruction, Pope Francis said. People often feel unworthy to turn to God when they are in need “as if it were …