IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — Even in the last years of her life, Blessed Teresa of Kolkata had a profound impact on those anywhere near her orbit, including two young Americans who grew into leadership positions in the U.S. Catholic Church. One of them, Sean …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Jesus’ loving gaze of tenderness and mercy extends to all who seek forgiveness no matter how great or small their sins may be, Pope Francis said. While many often feel “cast aside” because of their sins, Jesus offers encouragement …

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — To promote Catholic social teaching and ensure appropriate assistance to vulnerable people — especially victims of war, refugees and the sick — Pope Francis has established a new office combining the responsibilities of four pontifical councils. In an apostolic letter given “motu …

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Do not turn to superstition or blame God in the aftermath of a deadly tragedy, the bishop of Rieti told people mourning the deaths of those killed by the devastating earthquake that struck central Italy. God is humanity’s salvation and he “cannot be …

By Maureen Smith Catholic News Service JACKSON, Miss. (CNS) — The deaths of Sister Margaret Held and Sister Paula Merrill demand justice, but not revenge, Franciscan Father Greg Plata said during a memorial Mass for the women religious in the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. “I truly believe with …

IMAGE: CNS photo/David Maung By Brooke Binkowski TIJUANA, Mexico (CNS) — The men trudged down the dusty road of an impoverished Tijuana neighborhood. The Sunday morning air was already arid and hot, but the small group was on a mission: They were heading to a tiny neighborhood community center, bearing …

IMAGE: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Continuing his dialogue with leaders in the world of social media and technology, Pope Francis met with Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, met the pope Aug. 29 in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Ciro De Luca, Reuters By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis said he wants to visit survivors and those affected by a deadly earthquake in central Italy as soon as possible. He wants to go to the ravaged area to “bring you personally the solace of …

IMAGE: CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via EPA By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — After a strong earthquake struck central Italy and with the early news reporting many deaths and serious damage, Pope Francis turned his weekly general audience Aug. 24 into a prayer service. While the pope and some 11,000 …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Jonathan Bachman, Reuters By Richard Meek BATON ROUGE, La. (CNS) — Water lapped at the heels of Father Michael Galea, steady rain an arduous reminder of Mother Nature’s unfinished business. With a sadness in his voice, Father Galea, pastor at Holy Rosary Church in St. Amant, estimated that …