IMAGE: CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to retire and live a life fully dedicated to prayer represents one of the most important lessons he gives the world’s priests, Pope Francis said. In retirement, Pope Benedict shows “in an even …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Flanked by a group of refugees, Pope Francis appealed to Christians to care for and welcome those whom society often excludes. “Today I’m accompanied by these young men. Many people think they would have been better off if they …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Karen Callaway, Catholic New World By Joyce Duriga CHICAGO (CNS) — When members of the Chicago Archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach gathered the evening of June 19 for their regular weekly Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, they had as their focus the victims of the …

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Use of the death penalty is an unacceptable practice that sows vengeance and does not bring justice to the victims of crime, Pope Francis said. No matter how serious the crime, to kill a convicted person is “an offense to the inviolability …

By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — Marking the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace launched a new website dedicated to the document and efforts around the world to put its teaching into practice. The site — www.laudatosi.va — “witnesses not …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri’s priesthood always has had a musical soundtrack. In fact, he bought a piano while living in Haiti and shipped it to his new posts first in Paraguay, then India, Brazil and on to his Vatican apartment. The …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Nikos Arvantidis, pool via EPA By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Assist and accompany refugees while working to build peace in the world, Pope Francis urged on the eve of World Refugee Day. “Refugees are people like everyone, but war took away their home, work, relatives and …

IMAGE: CNS/Sean Hawkey By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church opened with only 10 of the 14 Orthodox churches represented, Pope Francis offered his prayers. After reciting the Angelus prayer June 19, the pope had thousands of visitors in St. …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Using the word “genocide” to describe the persecution of Christians in the Middle East risks downplaying the courage and witness of those who boldly profess faith in Jesus Christ even in the face of death, Pope Francis said. “I want to say clearly …

IMAGE: CNS/Reuters By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — Because most people today do not understand that sacramental marriage really is a bond that binds them to each other for life, many marriages today can be considered invalid, Pope Francis said. Raising a point he has raised before, and one also …