IMAGE: CNS photo/Jim Lo Scalzo, EPA By WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. bishops will discuss ways to promote peace in U.S. communities torn apart by violence, vote on ways to implement priority areas for their conference approved last year and elect new leaders during their Nov. 14-16 fall general assembly …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Closing doors to immigrants and refugees is not the answer — in fact, it only helps encourage the crime of human trafficking, Pope Francis said. “The only way for resolution is through solidarity,” where everyone pitches in because “all together …

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY — God’s kingdom is not a well-organized structure where only strict adherents of the law can enter but a path that is walked upon every day with meekness and docility, Pope Francis said. Christians are called to walk that path of the kingdom and …

IMAGE: CNS/Nancy Wiechec By Nancy Wiechec NOGALES, Ariz. (CNS) — The apostolic nuncio to the United States celebrated Mass at the U.S.-Mexico border Oct. 23 offering prayers to break down the barriers that separate people. Archbishop Christophe Pierre faced the immense steel border fence in Nogales as he and the …

IMAGE: CNS/Don Doll, S.J. By Carol Glatz ROME (CNS) — Pope Francis, speaking both as pope and a Jesuit, asked members of the Society of Jesus to continue to journey to where Christ is most needed, and always ask God for consolation, compassion and help in discernment. The Jesuits aim …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Remo Casilli, Reuters By Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As a military operation in northern Iraq fights to wrest control of areas held by retaliating Islamic State forces, Pope Francis criticized the “cruelty” and heinous violence waged against innocent civilians. He invited people to pray with …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz By Beth Griffin NEW YORK (CNS) — When Donald J. Trump stepped over yet another invisible line of the contentious presidential race Oct. 20, many of the 1,500 people at 71st annual dinner of the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation broke historic precedent to boo …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Erik De Castro, Reuters By Alastair Wanklyn TOKYO (CNS) — Heavy damage was reported to homes and farm land in the northern Philippines Oct. 20 after the strongest storm in three years struck overnight. Typhoon Haima barreled into northern Cagayan and Isabella provinces, ripping the roofs off homes …

IMAGE: CNS/Nancy Wiechec By Nancy Wiechec GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (CNS) — Kristen Dragoo came to Grand Teton National Park in 2002 for a college internship and never left. Armed with a degree in natural resources and environmental management, Dragoo has worked her way up the ladder to become …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — When a choir director and parish priest differ over liturgical music, the choir should follow in good faith the wishes of the priest for the sake of unity, said the papal liturgist. When it comes to celebrating the liturgy, “we …