IMAGE: GIAMPIERO SPOSITO By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — When Emmanuele Trincas described Roman Cocco as a “bomber” on the soccer field, they both laughed, but it also gave Cocco the confidence he needed to talk about his experience as a Special Olympics athlete. “I know it’s not modest,” Cocco …

IMAGE: CNS/USCCB By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — The annual report on the implementation of the U.S. bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” warns against complacency in dioceses, and the firm contracted to conduct audits of dioceses and parishes said there was “plenty of room for …

IMAGE: CNS photo/James Martone By James Martone SHKODER, Albania (CNS) — Human bones, old shoes and deteriorating priest collars fill cardboard boxes in the office of Franciscan Brother Vincenzo Foca, an Italian who lives and works in Shkoder. The “relics” belong to Catholics killed under Albania’s previous communist, staunchly atheist …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Diocesan bishops must consult with the Vatican before establishing a diocesan religious order, Pope Francis ruled. The consultation “is to be understood as necessary for the validity of the erection of a diocesan institute of consecrated life,” said the rescript or ruling approved …

IMAGE: CNS photo/John Mc Elroy By DUBLIN (CNS) — Archbishop Diarmuid Martin confirmed that Pope Francis, or his successor, will visit Ireland in 2018 for the World Meeting of Families. Archbishop Martin confirmed that when he discussed the issue of visiting Ireland with the pontiff, Pope Francis said: “‘I will …

IMAGE: CNS illustration/courtesy Southern Dominican Province By Peter Finney Jr. NEW ORLEANS (CNS) — The idea of making a walking pilgrimage in the United States took root about four years ago when Dominican Fathers Francis Orozco and Thomas Schaefgen were studying together for the priesthood. They saw the movie, “The …

IMAGE: CNS/EPA By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With visits to detention facilities and washing the feet of the detainees, Pope Francis has placed renewed emphasis on the work of mercy of visiting prisoners. However, some see a growing urgency for the church to be present in cell blocks …

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Human traffickers and unjust business owners who become wealthy by exploiting others for cheap labor commit a mortal sin, Pope Francis said at his morning Mass. “Those who do this are true leeches and live off the bloodletting of people whom they …

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While the international community should continue working for peace in war-torn countries, it also must work to help migrants escaping violence and persecution as well as those caring for them, Pope Francis said. In a speech May 19 to six new ambassadors …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In recognizing civil unions of heterosexual and homosexual couples, the Italian government has equated those unions to marriage, said the head of the Italian bishops’ conference. While some supporters of the new law, which passed the legislature May 11, insisted …